You either have commercial pressure or ideological pressure. I prefer commercial pressure; otherwise, you can be at the mercy of one or two idiots.
Milos FormanRead
The worst evil is - and that's the product of censorship - is the self-censorship, because that twists spines, that destroys my character because I have to think something else and say something else, I have to always control myself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Censorship can lead to self-censorship, which corrupts one's integrity and true self-expression.
In this quote, Milos Forman highlights the dangers of censorship, specifically how it can incite individuals to self-censor. This internal conflict between genuine thoughts and public expression causes a distortion of character and integrity, leading individuals to live inauthentically as they suppress their true feelings and ideas for fear of repercussions.
Themes
CensorshipSelf-CensorshipIntegrityFreedomExpression
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the importance of free speech at a university panel.
More from Milos Forman
All quotes →A modern hero is very ambiguous. I went through some very rough times in Czechoslovakia - the occupation by the Germans at the end of the war. We had people going against their tanks with brooms. Are they nuts, or are they heroes?
Milos FormanRead
Because if you lived, as I did, several years under Nazi totalitarianism, and then 20 years in communist totalitarianism, you would certainly realize how precious freedom is, and how easy it is to lose your freedom.
Milos FormanRead
Mediocrity never goes away - but neither, I hope, do those who are willing to challenge it.
Milos FormanRead
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