I don't think the system works - Anakin's Critique of Democracy

Anakin offers a very brief and incredibly high-level critique of democracy, all while sadly glossing over some of the nuances.

The voices are AI generated, heavily edited by me to make them sound how I envision them.

The images are taken from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones with captions added on them using ImgFlip.

The script was written by me, the editing of the video was likewise done by me.

Sources, because this basically turned into a mini video essay and I don't want hbomberguy coming for me, are as follows:

Philosophers named:

Shue'nery'he = Henry Shue

Thom Ashobbes = Thomas Hobbes

Pla-Ato = Plato

Locka = John Locke

Isaibelin = Isaiah Berlin

Daaved Hu'Ume = David Hume

Mitth'raw'nuruodo = Thrawn

Sources used:

Core Text – Western Philosophy – An Anthology – Third Edition Cottingham [2021]

Timothy Zahn. [2011] Star Wars: Choices of One

[sealsaregood]

Happy Star Wars Day!

I hope you're celebrating the franchise that bequeathed the majesty of General Grievous unto us, as well as (probably) other characters, with the gravitas it deserves.

Fun Fact: I died several times while working on this, but it turns out my purgatory is actually making meme videos.

Edit: People keep bringing it up, and it wouldn't bother me if they were correct, but they're not. Anakin stating: "The rumblings of a Civil War, fermented by planets attempting to freely leave the Republic..." is a perfectly valid use of the term "fermented" in the figurative sense as noted in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (linked below.)

Fomented would also be valid, but is not necessarily the term which should replace fermented here.

[Volantredx]

I love how the joke starts with Padme being down bad for Anikin as he ignores her to rant but shifts into her actually enjoying the discussion and it turning into a common ground for both of them that leads to them falling in love. It presents an interesting dichotomy between the viewer's expectation of what the typical set up and joke would be and instead plays up Padme's own focus and interest in politics and debate.

[manumanumilitari]

My man Anakin is pursuing both a PhD in Sith literature and a PhD in Galactic Political Sciences, what an academical genius !

[icannotfly]

'Nobody's ever engaged with my hypothetical before*falls in love*' an accurate depiction of male philosophy students having their first conversation with a girl on their course

[witherwolf]

"The Jedi never taught me how to respond to positive feedback, " might be the most true line ever spoken in Star Wars

[handlethesenutz]

It's genuinely great how careful you are to ensure that no matter how far this drifts from the canon material, it's still Anakin and he's still arriving at the same conclusions as the movies proper. Incredibly skilled writing on display.

[MaxKissler]

I love this Anakin being the smartest and dumbest person in the room simultanously. Truly a fascinating dichotomy.

[knightofarnor]

I love how all the philosophers Anakin brings up are thinly-veiled references to real thinkers, and then you just blindside me by pulling out Thrawn.

[OuterRimPride]

“A skill issue, slavery is.”
“Only alimony and child support, do women want.”
-Master Yoda

[zephyr]

I was so enraptured by Anakin’s political theorum I didn’t recognize the “Peace, Freedom, Justice, and Security” callback until it was explicitly stated. I stand in awe.

[barbershopbible]

"Peace, Freedom, Justice, Security" being planted so far into the video was just masterful.

[stonetimekeeper]

This series is the best. I like to imagine that they retire to Padme's bedroom, lay on the bed, and then start a long winded discussion on that side tangent.

[alext]

Padmé's rizz... imagine flirting with the galaxy's most oblivious and single-minded man while he's explaining the thesis he's obsessed with and it actually works

[jeynesy]

I love the fact Anakin doesn't care about Padme's flirting. His one true love is dichotomy.

[shadowslayer]

I love that Anakin's citations are a mix of real life figures with star wars-ified names and actual characters from star wars lore.

[wellybelle]

"He could easily end up falling down a seemingly bottomless pit, or being struck by lightning. What then?" fuckin killed me

[VideoAlone]

An 11 minute speech from Anakin always feel like a 2-hours-long dissertation... And I am all-in for it!

[ineedjuuce]

I’m glad Windu saying “Seducing former queens of Naboo with philosophy” got some context. All we need is Vader ranting to Luke in ESB about dichotomy

[KendegohLucavi]

Okay this video is amazing for a few reasons:

1. You clearly did some solid research about governance philosophy, all in the service of making a joke about Anakin's "Peace, Freedom, Justice and Security" line. Masterful.

2. I love that Padme isn't just critical of Anakin's tangent, she actually has some solid views on it and is clearly a hardworking liberal arts student that matches Anakin's caliber.

3. Their shared love of the subject creates more romantic tension than any scene in Episode 2 ever did

[IAmPercentCarbon]

4:33 "When I asked if we could free her from the **slavery** we left her in, I was told no. Well, actually, Yoda looked me up and down, said slavery was a 'skill issue, ' then walked off. But I took it as a no."

Best quote from any of these yet