He's not saying "man has forgotten fear" he says that man averts its eyes from the things its fears (in the case he is talking about the truth of Paradigm and their pasts). He is telling people to face their fear by uncovering/listening to the truth that Schwarzwald has uncovered. By saying his gift is fear, he is simply saying his gift is knowledge considering the citizens of Paradigm fear the truth thus fearing knowledge.
zeldaed123 It makes me sad. It's getting to the point where I'd give blood a pint of blood for a healthy exchange of ideas that doesn't de-evolve into an emotional spat.
"Humans who lose the capacity to think become creatures whose existence has no value. THINK you humans that are split into two worlds, unless you want the gulf between humans to expand to oblivion! YOU MUST THINK!!!" -Signed Schawrzwald
the reason Schwarzwald's speech draws people in is not just the logic (it dos play a part) it's his voice it's amazing perfect for politcs if he wasn't a reporter
Even without the events of 40 years ago, I think man would still be a creature that fears the dark. He doesn't face that fear, he averts his eyes from it and acts as if he never had any memories of his history. But, 40 years can be both a brief time and yet, a long time. Man's fear has withered. And even time tries to wither the desire to know the truth. Is it a crime to try and learn the truth? Is it a sin to search for those things which you fear. My purpose in this world is knowledge, and the dissemination of it. And it is I who is to restore the fruits of my labors to the entire world. Fear... It is something vital to us puny creatures. The instant man stop fearing is the instant the species will reach a dead end, only to sink to pitiable lows, only to sit and wait apathetically for extinction. Wake up! Don't be afraid of knowledge! Humans who lose the capacity to think become creatures whose existence has no value. Think, you humans who are split into two worlds, unless you want the gulf between humans to expand into oblivion, you must think! Signed, Schwarzwald.
Powerful words from a crazed mummified reporter who truly remembers the events of 40 years ago in Paradigm City. Even Roger Smith is probably reading Schwarzwald's headlines. Expect the unexpected!
Michael McConnohie is the English speaking voice of Schwarzwald on "The Big O" anime series. Magnificently spoken and talented voice actor. Also includes Wendee Lee as Angel. Absolutely marvelous!
Want to learn more? Check out Behind The Voice Actors.com for more information. Even I was amazed that there's more great voice actors & actresses than ever, in past & present. Totally outstanding!
I still think this is one of the best characters in any anime ever. And one of the best speeches anywhere in real life or on TV/in movies. It is just good.
Schwartzwald figured out they are all android actors. Notice he always had a half robot looking face when his face was covered you could see his robotic eye. . Then remember what speakeasy guy says at the beginning of the last episode. Roger the wanderer, he for some reason feels that Angel is making him act out a role and he jokes what the next script will be. And I could point out more things, vut fast forward to the last episode. Roger sinking in the sea, and what does he see, a bright light, a series of “memories”, and what is shown? Multiple Roger Smith androids being mass produced and Roger shouts “No!!” as he begins to realize the truth. Anyways, yeah. It is a stage Angel seems to be making a novel and in Angel’s world they can setup simulated realities with android things (what Roger and basically everyone in this show was, they just were meant not to know). When the world is disappearing at the ending, because of big venus aka angel I believe this is because she keeps deleting her progress in her story and wanting to start over, and that is what Roger is there to negotiate for on behalf of old man Rosewater and he pleads with Angel to let them stay the way they are and not erase everything again as she was already actively doing. Best way I can explain it in this comment, anyways enjoy this mega spoiler aka explanation of the story behind the events of this show. Oh and the book itself that “Big O” takes place within is that Metropolis book old man Rosewater was holding.
Two year old comment, but I don't think he had a robotic eye. Yes, it is a metallic plate over the left side of his face, but in the first episode he is introduced, after he gets burned, there is a brief shot of him with the "robot eye" broken, which shows his normal eye underneath it. I think he found it and put over his face as a monocle of sorts or to further his message of the truth.
No, simply untrue. The creator himself in the Artbook and Famitsu interviews stated the robot clone scene with Roger is not indicative of him being one, he stressed that he is NOT a robot. It is simply symbolism, nothing more.
Yes. In the sense that we are all prisoners to the illusion of our reality in the cave, the man who was burned by the flames to which the puppets dance sought to free us. To free us from our ignorance and lead us more safely to the truth outside, even if that meant crushing our delusional reality around us. Terrifying but yet intriguing, isn't it?
theguywhoannoysme they are all robot android acting out a script in a simulated reality. That is the brutal truth behind this show. It tells you but you really have to pay close attention to realize it tells you this.
If you like this, you might like Cowboy Bebop, Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Outlaw Star. Bunch of introspective and external monologues in those series.
@Rigoberto Sosa Eh, he says they're being manipulated, and used, and that there's a simple way out. But he doesn't really belittle them for it. As pompous as he is, I think he knows better than to judge the entire population as corrupt, or stupid, simply because they've been lied to, their whole lives.
@Rigoberto Sosa It's kind of a class-divide thing, as well as a search for the truth of what happened. Looking at this again, it's more like he's saying they're on the way to becoming cattle (both classes), but can save themselves. The poor live in squalor, and are unaware of what happened, while the rich live in their own domes, and don't really care what happened. Both are afraid to know what happened, and the upper class tries to suppress the truth, hence why they censored his articles. On one hand, his attempts to destroy the domes, is to bring down the upper class to the level of the ordinary people, but also to rip away the bubbles of ignorance & complacency they willingly live in, and to drive them to search for the truth, like they should, as the most powerful people in the city. Of course, using destructive means to address injustice & ignorance is villainy 101. And it's pretty clear that Schwarzwald is a little 'unhinged,' for lack of a better word. But what I'm getting at, is that he's not resorting to petty insults, to get his point across.
Yeah, I don't know what happened to the original. Had it on my favorites as well, but I noticed it was removed at some point. Dunno if it was a copyright claim or something of that nature. All I knew was that it needed to be on RU-vid.
I read this entire speech to an open mic night in college, a liberal arts college no less... Not a single question, comment or even a single clap from one soul... Pure silence, I remember seeing everyone's faces... near wide eyed... One person spoke to me after saying how much he liked it as we drank from the same bottle together, he didn't believe it was from an anime. This was a little under 10 years ago... I plan to do it again, I feel I'll get a different reaction this time. It was funny to me seeing people fumble, stumble or play cover songs in a "less than professional" manner all got rounds of applause, whistles, and cheers from the audience of about 50+ audience members... I was the only one that earned silence. Sometimes silence speaks volumes.
Haha, it's true at first glance Schwarzwald just seems crazy. I always interpreted it as him saying that people have forgotten fear to the point of arrogance, even to where when fear should be the last indication of something it's still completely ignored, or even intentionally ignored so people can maintain their arrogance.
I was quite surprised to find both my favourite anime series mecha pilots were voiced by the same guy :P Schwarzwald and Norris Packard from Gundam 08th MS team
The Big-O anime and the character Schwartzwald has to be one of the most indelible in the history of anime. This series was originally broadcasted from the year 1999-2000. So, you know it has something to do since post- World War 2 being forgotten at a steady, but consistent rate among the growing populous.
Even without the events of 40 years ago, I think man would still be a creature that fears the dark. He doesn't face that fear, he averts his eyes from it and acts as if he never had any memories of his history. But, 40 years can be both a brief time and yet, a long time. Man's fear has withered. And even time tries to wither the desire to know the truth. Is it a crime to try and learn the truth? Is it a sin to search for those things which you fear. My purpose in this world is knowledge, and the dissemination of it. And it is I who is to restore the fruits of my labors to the entire world. Fear... It is something vital to us puny creatures. The instant man stops fearing is the instant the species will reach a dead end, only to sink to pitable lows, only to sit and wait apathetically for extinction. Wake up! Don't be afraid of knowledge! Humans who lose the capacity to think become creatures whose existence has no value. Think, you humans who are split into two worlds, unless you want the gulf between humans to expand into oblivion, you must think! Signed, Schwarzwald."
"Even without the events of 40 years ago, I still think a man would be a feature who - feature? What the hell am I saying? Feature? Uh, can I start again?" "No, we're on borrowed time! OK just - just skip to the next scene."
Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I still think the actual words- not sure if it's the original writing or just the translation- are conflicted and confusing. I think they could have brushed it up a bit to convey the sentiment plainly as you did, but, well, I guess he is a bit nuts. But again, thanks a lot for clearing it up :)
Read Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" from 'The Republic', Schwartzald was one who freed himself from his shackles but was burned as he escaped. Symbolically this is why he is burned and in mummy-like bandages. Seeking freedom and the truth, he was burned by the flames that the puppets of our illusionary world emanate from. Now he is trapped, distorted and unable to leave the cave and see the full truth outside, yet unable to return to the illusion. Hence he acts as a guiding figure, trying to scare others to break free and see the reality beyond their world with a path that they might have been simultaneously saved from his fate. Its a show for a variety of audiences, which is what makes it rather amazing haha
As much as a I like him as a character, I think is very much a case of having to separate the art from the artist to enjoy him these days. Since when one views Schwarzwald within the context of the head writers beliefs, he becomes a lot more iffy. He's still a great character though.
I love this speech and I think the delivery is excellent. The voice actor's performance combined with the music and visuals are amazing. This is the sort of thing that always captivated me about Big O. But... WHAT THE HELL IS HE TALKING ABOUT? He seems to contradict himself every 30 seconds. "Even without the event 40 years ago I think mankind would fear the dark" // "but man has forgotten fear" // "My gift is fear" // "Don't fear knowledge!" If someone could explain his meaning I'd be grateful.
Late reply, but read Plato's "allegory of the cave" from the Republic. It'll help a lot with understanding this series :) It also helps to look at some classical sources and know some of the older Judeo-Christian references, such as the Big O being the latest revision of the memory that was Behemoth. Similarly, Big Duo was Ziz with Schwartzwald (which similar to Ziz and its archetype Simurgh, who was said to be the greatest keeper of truth and knowledge only after God) and Big Fau as Leviathan. In fact, that is the very reason that the image Schwartzwald distributed, William Blake's “Behemoth and Leviathan,” shows what was to come and references Revelations. I hope that helps, should you ever see this or decide to revisit the series!
There is whole continent you cant visit because they tell us there is nothing there. Its just a frozen desert. And yet in middle of the Sahara there are ruins where nothing is supposed to be. They dont want us to challenge the narative of our own past
