There's an interesting piece over at N-TV (German commercial news network) this morning, and it ought to generate some commentary by Germans.
Around four years ago.....a Chinese well known artist got into some trouble in China....and Germany came up to offer him asylum.
The artist? Ai Weiwei .
So Weiwei did an interview with Die Welt, and it's a curious thing over what he said.
He lives in Berlin....the culture-capital of Germany, and widely advertised as diverse.
So his comment is: "Germany is not an open society. It's a society that wants to be open, but above all protects itself. There is little room for open debate, hardly any respect for dissenting voices."
And with that, he announced that he and his family are leaving Berlin.
The reality here.....there is a particular view that intellectuals in Germany will attach to....particularly within the news profession, and once accomplished.....there is no more open debate. The idea that a topic can have two or more dividing points? It's rare in German society that you find such a topic.
Outsiders probably come to view this point early on, and just accept it as part of the German culture. Why argue with a German who become intensely attached to a position.
Where does Weiwei go next? I might take a guess that some art institute.....somewhere in Europe will offer up a job. Maybe in Switzerland, or Czech.
An argument over the lacking open society? No....Germans would tell you that debate is not required because they are so open....there just isn't any dissent.
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