Terry Pratchett on why Belief and Faith beyond the confines of religion and science are important.

From Terry Pratchett's The Hogfather.
Belief is very important to people. The things we believe shape the world around us.
"We need to believe in the little things before we can be prepared to believe in the abstract world around us."
[Removed]
Science isn't always right, Neither are religions.
Hope and Faith don't belong to either but are part of what it means to be human. We humans need our fantasies even if when we become older we simultaneously believe both.
I think this is very deep and If you are too small to see that, please keep your hate and ridicule off my channel.
Thanks for all of the love from the Pratchettarians. I miss Terry. He was always saying something deep or weird which would always make me think. His commentary on modern society that runs rampant throughout his books helped make me the man I am today. Thanks, Sir Terry.

[@blueskybelyr]

Basically one of my favourite quotes: "Too much sanity may be madness - and maddest of all: to see life as it is, and not as it should be."

[@davidw.2791]

It exists as a counter for the kind of faith that leaves too many things to god or the afterlife. Those who will strive to change life towards As It Should Be are not This Sane, true, but they also have Faith in a different way than a lot of ppl preach.

[@LordVader1094]

@@davidw.2791 And many religions support this view also: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". But it's also comforting to accept that not everything is in our control, especially when bad things we have no say over occur. Two sides of the same coin.

[@davidw.2791]

@@LordVader1094 There is “God as the final arbitrator and safety-net”, and there is “oh gOd wiLl rEsCuE mE fRom tHe fLoOd” (“WHO DO YOU THINK SENT YOU THE MEN ON THE JEEP, THE BOAT, AND THE HELICOPTER?”)

[@davidw.2791]

Otherwise, a lot of “faith” people are seeing life as it is, but in a faith way. I recently posited on Facebook (on a video of Ms Cunk joking about how “Hard-working Americans were actually lazy that’s why they introduced slave labour”), that if one lived in a slavery state, and did not at least go to church and pray for the slaves to be freed, then you were part of the problem. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Look at how gentle Mrs Stowe’s approach was in “Uncle Tom's Cabin”: She merely pointed out how shitty the institution was, preached Christian kindness and forgiveness (on the black people’s part, too!) and the most radical part of the plot was some of the slaves (non-violently) broke free to escape to the north and to Canada, while a few slaveowners got utterly disgusted with the life and freed his slaves. That was it! No calls for war or revolution, but the persons of interest in the “land of ladies and chevaliers” (to quote the f@&kwit GWTW movie) still cannot stand that book!

[@katg5746]

I think Pratchett used DEATH as a voice of humanity because he knew it'd be the only one we'd really listen to

[@pashakdescilly7517]

Er, no, not Death. DEATH

[@javkiller]

He is the universal truth we all share in common, after all.

[@NamelocTheBard]

We can choose to not believe in gods or men, or abstract ideas. Death is inevitable though. The one thing in life you can't hide from or deny.

[@TrenchCoatDingo]

for now but like all obstacles we will over come them. then we will just have to over come taxs.@@NamelocTheBard

[@DaMoniable]

I remember hearing once that all humans have a consciousness, and that the words of that conscious are spoken by death. Or in different words, Death is the driving force for our lives. What we do, how we behave, why we think, etc. Death will inevitably come for you regardless of whether you think so or not. And so our lives are thusly dictated by this inevitability. Its as if Death himself whispers into our ear, guiding our every action. For Terry to use Death as the voice of humanity makes a lot of sense with this context.

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

It's an interesting concept. The idea that things like justice, mercy, and duty are fantasies, since they're not tangible. But at the same time they're real because we as humans will them into existence

[@KasumiRINA]

The Thomas theorem: If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.

[@MartinTraXAA]

Humans are orkz, basically :)

[@TheSixthDoctor]

They are not real. We just depend on the consensual existence of them as a society.

[@Vesperitis]

I take it a step further. There exist atoms of carbon and oxygen and hydrogen within us, just like they exist within all the stars in the farthest edges of the universe. What exists in the cosmos, we are but a microcosm. We are insignificant. We are not special. But our stories, our fictions, justice, mercy, duty, _all_ of that exists only here, on this planet, in our lives. And so they, and by extension we humans, are unique, and precious, and must be cherished.

[@hfar_in_the_sky]

@@Vesperitis It really does come down to a matter of perspective, doesn’t it? On the cosmic scale we are pretty insignificant. But for a child to a parent, or a lover to their significant other, or a person towards someone else who saved their life, those people mean everything

[@rustkarl]

I found that little moment funny and heartwarming. When the Hogfather gives Death the beard. Funny in that he doesn’t need it and Death apologises for it. But also… the Hogfather gives gifts. He gave Death the beard, a little reminder of when Death was the Hogfather, and could do things he normally couldn’t. Death liked being able to give gifts and be someone else for a time.

[@trainman5675]

And he was able to give the world the belief that even if for a year the gifts were strange. And the children somehow stop beliving. That there will always be a hogfather there

[@f.jideament]

​@@trainman5675 existence of the cycles/loops doesn't require believing individuals to work. It's not a black and white situation.

[@darthsader7089]

The hogfather wouldn't also happen to be Santa Claus would he?

[@rustkarl]

@@darthsader7089 He’s almost literally Discworld’s version of Santa, yes.

[@irateastartes1206]

Death is one of the most tragic characters in Diskworld, he hates his job he wants to create not destroy but he does it because he feels a caring touch is needed for the job. He even refuses to do his job several times just to force a bit of justice and fairness into the cold uncaring world.

[@hannibustoogfyrre6074]

Something about characters in a fantasy world who believe in the value of fantasies is... beautiful.

[@danielstellmon5330]

Self worth is important.

[@KENBECKERART]

God bless him, Pratchett had an enormous gift for surprising with moments like that - when you least expected them.

[@michaelshigetani433]

read "Snuff' by Sir Terry Pratchett; it is about goblins; among other things.

[@hannibustoogfyrre6074]

@@michaelshigetani433 That... is an unfortunate name for a book.

[@michaelshigetani433]

@@hannibustoogfyrre6074 why? trust me , it fits

[@karistasogare]

I met Terry, oh so many years ago, at a small SF convention. for a lark, he signed up for the masquerade, labeling his costume/act "A Traveling Author" At curtain time, he was not there, having been delayed. so when it was his turn, the stage was empty, and one judge asked "where is # XX the traveling author? to which there was a shouted reply "he is off traveling" which now years later he still is, but spiritually as opposed to physically.

[@mattdombrowski8435]

That is so in character, I love it.

[@duncanedwards4282]

Never has the human condition been expressed so perfectly. "To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape".

[@drysocks4412]

Only Pratchett could make Death a profound source of humanist ideas and beautifully philosophical. His passing, like all great men and women, was a great loss for humanity. Arrivederci, Terry.

[@devinward461]

Dry Socks I know this is a year old comment, so sorry about that, but based on what I read in Sandman I'm pretty sure Neil Gaiman can too

[@Lukiel666]

One falls another arises. Hope is never lost.

[@timtoner]

Have you read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak? Mort is at last displaced by my favorite incarnation of Death. I'd like to think Pratchett thought so, too.

[@stella4152]

Actually, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett collaborated and wrote the book 'Good Omens' together (it's really good) :)

[@mercurial2194]

Even Death enjoyed being the Hogfather for one night; despite a psychopath who played along with a plot to suppress human belief and his granddaughter helping to prevent it from happening.

[@Simply_Grim]

I have watched and rewatched this several times. It sticks with ya because it's not the normal nihilistic response most settings throw at you about the bigger picture. It reminds us why humanity has power that we sometimes forget we possess by just believing something true.

[@amberanime]

At the same time potential has also done a LOT of damage to humanity. Organised faith is also this but less innocent. Where huge groups have power because they all believe something to be true. the difference here is that power is used to surpress and destroy others. Demonise others. Telling them they are evil or going to hell for believing different things. The power of believing in things science can not prove has it's beauty, but like everything else, it has a dark side. A very strong and dangerous dark side. Because in this case if everyone did stick to believing only in what science could show, we would at least be more unites as a species. Imagination is something different. You dont perse have to believe that which you come up with. Creativity and the joy of wonder and imagination can still excist in a world that uses science as it's foudation. After all the whole point of science is curiousity and finding anwers to the questions that enchant and haunt us. When we start believing in something without proof that in itself is not a problem. It is when you impose that without proof onto others. If your believes stay personal, thats alright. But when groups believe something, that rarely happens because humans want to be right, and if their group is right it means every other group must be wrong. And so violence happens.

[@lazyprinny3265]

I'd say its closer to absurdism

[@Rkenton48]

No truer words ever spoken. "How else could they become?"

[@kinbolluck476]

LABIA OF TRUTH

[@garnauklaufen6704]

That is indeed the actual point of this, which seems to elude most people in these comments. No, morality, justice etc. are not true. They are lies in a sense. But by believing in them and acting as though they were true, they do indeed become reality: Justice is when people act justly. Morality is when people do good. This scene has a fundamentally practical outlook. The philosophy which explores this systematically, by the way, is called "transcendental idealism".

[@LordVader1094]

@@garnauklaufen6704 Everyone understands that though. The message is clear and pretty much nobody's really misunderstanding it, though you seem to believe they are.

[@mattshuey1]

I feel like growing up is finally accepting that some lies are good and believing in them is helpful. CS Lewis said it best.

[@Trebor74]

There's a phrase "seeing is believing" but the reverse can also be true. Believing is as important as seeing

[@jonahblock]

I feel that’s called “giving up” not “growing up”lies often are needed to help the people hurt by lies on the first place cope. Justice is a fantasy but justice wouldn’t be needed of people didn’t lie. There is a huge correlation between mental illness, imaturty and a need for justice.

[@ramezhachicho1777]

I think the point also is. If people believe in justice, mercy etc. And act to express it. Then it exists. Because people made it. Not because it was there before.

[@rickwilliams967]

You are all idiots. Please don't take life advice from anyone in the film business. They aren't scientists. Believing in something that is false is why religion has destroyed so much advancement in humanity. It will always hold us back.

[@dla_915]

One can’t truly believe a lie because if you come to the conclusion it’s a lie in the first place then you inherently don’t believe it.

[@88norimaki]

"A man is not dead while his name is still spoken." GNU Terry Pratchett

[@TheArcher101]

You're immortal until you're permanently forgotten - death doesn't really matter against that

[@LORDSofCHAOS333]

if we dissect this Terry Pratchett we will find out theta in context it sounds something a christian will say so theta he legacy life on but he is dead end no matter haw hard you try you will by forgotten by ignored people who try to do you think end make sure they dont get forgotten witch they will atheist must by fun if you debate if dead people in past ever exited considering you stop to be after you die . aw well to bad that science cant fix this problem haw a nice day . if you still going to by or by forgotten by ignored people who make sure you stay in this way revolution rely is fun another form of hell haw sweet

[@deepatlantic2222]

Cattle die and men die, and one day I shall die too. However, I know that which never dies: the fame of a dead man’s deeds.

[@1973Washu]

@@LORDSofCHAOS333 yes and he is 'introduced' to another pineapple every time anyone says his name...

[@ae4164]

@@LORDSofCHAOS333 I feel like if you wanted to dissect Terry Pratchett then your first goals would be functional literacy and the minimum level of sanity to construct coherent thoughts.

[@Morhek]

It's funny. My brother and his wife were determined when they had kids they weren't going to do the childhood folklore. No Tooth Fairy, no Easter Bunny, and no Santa Claus. But as the kids got older, and started to pick up on it from their classmates, the parents have had to give in through sheer force of will. It's not just that the kids believe. It's that they WANT to believe, that there is a big childhood-shaped hole that these things fill and if they aren't given the stories to fill it they will fill it themselves. The universe bends around that strong desire. They will grow out of it, and the Tooth Fairy or Santa will become a metaphor for how the supernatural elements of the world can always be explained. But for a few years, they BELIEVE.

[@ldorman]

I always did know there was no "christ kind", tooth fairy or what so ever... It's all bs and how can you trust your own parents if they mislead you for years with a lie like that and having fun.

[@beccacollins1528]

As for me, I still believe - and I'm in my 60s! (Crazy old lady much?)

[@daniel4647]

@@beccacollins1528 Nah. I'm 40 and I still believe too. There was a period I didn't when I was younger, until I realized exactly the same thing that's explained in this clip, most of our reality is fantasy, and trough our shared belief we make it real. Maybe I don't believe in Santa as a physical being exactly, but it's the spirit of Santa that drives a lot of us to donate and give to charity at Christmas. A shared belief that moves so many of us to action, it's truly magical. There are many magical things in the world science can't explain, like consciousness, and everything we are arises from that, even science. Science is just a method, it can answer the how, but never the why.

[@mwmatthews1]

​@@daniel4647Always things science can't explain, until it does. We understand consciousness far more accurately than humans did a century ago. Why would that understanding suddenly fail to grow? It's an assumption.

[@thomasdwyer1690]

I was actually the opposite, and I was pissed at my parents that they thought so little of me that they had to lie about krap that wasn't true, when they should have just been up front with it. If it's not real just tell me it's not real. The world won't end if you do.

[@chuckoneill2023]

I am grateful to have met Terry, and even more grateful for his books. Mr. Pratchett, you are missed.

[@lamichka]

indeed

[@michaelshigetani433]

GNU Sir Terry Pratchett.

[@peterbear4413]

@@michaelshigetani433A man is never truly dead so long as his name is spoken. May it live forever in the Clacks.

[@michaelshigetani433]

@@peterbear4413 The Turtle moves.

[@SpencerJ289]

Pratchett was on another level. I just started my Discworld journey and I instantly fell in love. So happy I get to read all these books for the first time.

[@mbrackeva]

I read the series twice. Including the Science of Discworld books. I recently started again. They never get old!

[@jcbass2u]

@@mbrackeva Indeed they do not. I have read, and re-read every scrap that has been published by Sir Terry Pratchett, and still find new things to wrap my head around.

[@yvonneburns2786]

You're on a journey then much like Twoflower😊

[@pauldirc..]

​@@jcbass2u what discworld book are all about ?

[@ramezhachicho1777]

Ngl .. I'm kinda jelly.

[@ZeroOmega-vg8nq]

Its the human instinct to want something beyond itself. To want more than the simple mundane world.

[@robokill387]

No, that's not a "human instinct", if it were, it would apply to everybody. I for one am perfectly happy with the real world as it is.

[@My-Name-Isnt-Important]

@@robokill387 Cynicism.

[@edorasmarauder5761]

@@robokill387You’re the oddball then.

[@punishedpokemonfanboy1032]

One of the symptoms of a depressive disorder is actually a weakening of the imaginative ability. We are miserable when we are just going through reality. Life is wonderful when you have the capacity for fantasy, imagination, and to see the beauty in things. Losing your ability to dream and interpret will literally suck the life out of you.

[@punishedpokemonfanboy1032]

@@My-Name-Isnt-Important dont be so quick to condemn, alot of people selling you worlds outside of this one are doing it for malicious reasons. Scientology would be a great example. Being cynical is a defense mechanism against being taken advantage of and its not always wrong.

[@jamescoffey5903]

"...where the rising ape meets the falling angel..." That is where Terry is, and always has been. And never forget, the Turtle MOVES.

[@pablopicasso4699]

James Coffey What is the name of the movie with the turtle?

[@jamescoffey5903]

The Discworld is flat. It rests on the back of 4 elephants who ride on the back of the giant space turtle, the Great A'Tuin (scientific name: Chelys galactica). It's not from a movie, it's from the books. The phrase "The Turtle MOVES" comes from Terry's novel "Small Gods". The movies are good, but the books are amazing. I used to special order them from England when they came out, since it was a few months before they'd be released here. I now have multiple copies of them all. I loan them out, but they never seem to come back. I've gone through a dozen copies of "Good Omens" (written with Neil Gaimon). I also have them all on my Kindle. There are good books you read once, good books you read twice, and Terry's books... you read them over and over and find new humor and wisdom every time.

[@kalebdreemurrgaming6052]

What does that parable that death spoke mean

[@1ginner1]

Sir Terry should be on the Curriculum in every school on the world, especially in Literature, Science, religion, and especially on free thinking, although that last one may be quite a chore , as free thinking seems to be a bit outside of the norm these days.

[@robokill387]

No, just stop. He was a mediocre fantasy author. I read some of his books and couldn't stand them, they were such a snoozefest, except for the parts that were annoying due to how "clever" the author clearly thought they were being.

[@1ginner1]

Mediocre?, I beg to differ. Anyone who has sold over 100 million books must be doing something right. @@robokill387

[@halwakka504]

@@robokill387 Which ones in particular?

[@elgatochurro]

Why think even you can tik tok?

[@elgatochurro]

​@@robokill387pretty rude man

[@hansmntfr]

What is crazy good about this monologue is the sun theme, at first you believe that he is just teasing his grandkid but when you rewatch it you really get the point he was making

[@eijibayushi7029]

I love Death's voice.

[@HellaGust]

I can't help but prefer Cristopher Lee myself.

[@davidweihe6052]

I'm sorry, but this guy is not speaking in ALL CAPITALS, THE WAY THAT PRATCHETT"s DEATH DOES, even when saying the most mundane things.

[@50srefugee]

Concur. No human throat could manage; at the least, you'd have to enhance it, and it would still fall short--I've always thought that Death does not speak by vibrating the air; he simply speaks directly into your brain. Better to just sketch the dialog with a trained, but ordinary voice.

[@Fenixias]

@@50srefugee in the german version they did a nice job with his voice by keeping the original voice but putting some kind of ghost-ish echo underneath it

[@christophlade9454]

Did you ever hear the german voice?

[@ulfberht4431]

To everyone who is confused and angry: a lot of what death is saying isn’t literal. Philosophy 101: not everything is meant to be literal. When death talks about “lies” he is referring to humanities limited knowledge and belief that there is absolution, order and that all these human constructs exist outside ourselves, when in reality the universe is boundless, orderless and is just is what it is. What we see is what we want to believe and we use that belief to employ our creative understanding of the universe. When death talks about “fantasies” he doesn’t mean the literal meaning. He means that our imaginations are what makes us human. That imaginations give us order, logic and science. How else do you think society came to be during its primitive years? And yes I know they did mention toothfaries and Hogfathers etc but again, not meant to be literal! The point is that we need fantasies to allow us the capability to believe we can achieve the impossible and allow us to explore the wider world. He did not say, oh just believe in the Boogeyman and stay indoors. And besides, if you believe that all of what death says isn’t true, then frankly you’re just proving his point. Truth is but an illusion just like time. It’s a human construction of logic built upon imagination and creativity. Justice is a human construct of establishing morality because good and evil don’t exist. We only believe they exist because that’s all we have to believe. We believe time is relevant because it was built on the imagination of human’s limited knowledge. After all, the great physicist Albert Einstein once said “Imagination is more powerful than knowledge because knowledge is limited. Imagination encircled the world.” Bottomline, stop taking the words lies and fantasies so literal and actually attempt to apply logic to their words. You don’t have to believe them but you also don’t have to dismiss them.

[@ulfberht4431]

I would further like to add that what Death is saying isn't meant to be taken in a cynical way. The only reason it may be cynical to you is because you don't like the idea that absolution and order does not exist in the universe and that it is only a construct of human imagination. If anything, because there is no absolution, we aren't bound by fate and we are free to pursue our own destiny. We have the imagination to come up with logic and we have the imagination to believe in religion because it is what humans do. You cannot take away what humans do by applying that what you believe is absolute, because it is not. A lot of what Death is saying is rather profound and actually positive for something so existentialistic.

[@mmmmmmmmm95]

Decir que el universo es "limitado y desorganizado" es otro ejemplo de lo ignorante y limitada que es tu inteligencia.

[@lelouchvibritannia7702]

Kind of ironic to try to add logic to something illogical

[@dimitrisnakos94]

​@@lelouchvibritannia7702 what's illogical?

[@backwardhippo6586]

"live by the harmless untruths that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy"

[@marcusblackwell2372]

Is that from one of the Discworld books?

[@backwardhippo6586]

@@marcusblackwell2372 nope. It is from Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

[@Nihility-in-Person]

R.I.P. Terry Pratchett. You will be missed.

[@88norimaki]

silentbron "A man is not dead while his name is still spoken." GNU Terry Pratchett

[@wildste]

Given the fact there are a lot of recent comments from the past few days, either we all share one collective braincell and all collectively decided to look up this brilliant scene, or the KZbin algorithm all recommended this to a lot of people randomly

[@daniel4647]

Algorithm. But that thing is never really random, so every time something like this happens it makes me wonder what it's up to. Considering the message in this clip I'm just going to assume it's end goal is a good one and trust it.

[@MultiLimpet]

It was used in a warhammer meme about chaos cultist convincing a loyalist

[@waseemchoudhry4465]

I know that I might have it wrong: but what he is saying that the universe is basically a giant ball of apathy that doesn’t care about the actions we do. Everything from splinters to calamities happen at random with no inherent purpose. But people make up stories about these calamities and actions on everyday life, while adding lies disguised as lessons to give them purpose. Those lies are what lead people to believe in the lies of honor, mercy, justice, and all that sort. The point is that we need lies in our lives, for that’s how truth and humanity begins.

[@ThatTieDyeGuy]

It is more that we need to believe and have faith in the abstract as much as we have faith in the material world. Even if quantum many worlds is completely off-base, we must understand that our meaning is subjective to everyone else as theirs are to us. So are their intentional lies, yes. But are things like mercy, hope, and truth are more like abstractions which must be interpreted by the individual. Hope that helps.

[@HolyApplebutter]

​@@ThatTieDyeGuy I don't know, this seems like a much closer interpretation to what Death was saying here than "believe in things science can't justify." Especially considering he called these types of things (and I'm paraphrasing) lies that allow us to keep on living in a careless, merciless world. Emphasis on the *lies* part. If applied to religion (which I'd expect a lot of people are, considering the title), it's at worst calling these out-and-out lies, and at best calling them fabrications that allow us to live structured, civilized lives.

[@Rashkbb]

Right, all of human society is based on 'lies.' If you consider a religion to be an institution with no physical basis in reality upheld only by people's belief in it, every country, society, and organization falls under that same definition. Our collective ability to believe each others' lies is one of humanity's greatest strengths.

[@HolyApplebutter]

@@Rashkbb I mean, it is, technically. Though instead of lies, I'd argue it's more accurately human-held beliefs that, outside of society, mean nothing to the natural world. Countries are arbitrary lines we draw over land and resources we keep for our own tribe. Societies and organizations are just groupings of people with common goals. All of which is held together by our beliefs, which the universe at large is uncaring to. It doesn't mean that it doesn't have meaning, of course, considering "meaning" is a human concept in itself. Just that it's a small amount of structure/hope that we can provide ourselves in an otherwise uncaring universe. In a way it's kind of "Baby's First Dip into Nihilism/Existentialism."

[@SethonanGaming]

@@HolyApplebutter Death of the humans in Discworld is the most rational, scientifically minded personification of a force of nature you will find. It is described as what WE, as humans, perceive it to be; and we infected it with our humanity; ever since, Death has foght to preserve life against the Auditors of Reality. He was even fired from his post once, and decided to walk the earth, and found a job as a reaper man. When it speaks of things becoming, he is talking about itself, who wouldn''t have ever felt emotion if we didn't give it to him. IN fact he makes it a point to be there when people die, because to him is a very personal affair. Just because he is incapable of creation doesn't mean he can't feel empathy. We gave that to him. Because that's what most people believe in or hope for a PEACEFUL DEATH. A MERCYFUL DEATH. Even is most people are scared of it, he is there to guide them to their final destination, to the ultimate reality. HE is the END of the fantasy we call life. Thus he is at the same time ruthless and just, rational and emotional. Here he is talking to his grand daughter (long story) about something he can only understand on a rational level: what it takes to BE humane. We don't need feelings to exist. We need feelings to be HUMAN. As such, we tell ourselves stories, of how to be brave, how to achieve things, we created order and chaos.

[@azuretiger-kfpmarketingstr6018]

This makes me think of how so much of concepts of such things were developed by science fiction, fantasy, and comic book superheroes. Yet, so many grow up and abandon these ideals as childish or impractical. Certainly, the world is a complicated place, but if we do not believe in the greater good, how can we make it so? Very profound.

[@logon235]

And religion.

[@bjw4859]

The world is now a sader place for me, but Sir Terry lives on, i see him clearly sitting in the Mended Drum talking with Death & surrounded by cats, the next round is on me mate, you will be missed, you will not be forgotten, have fun on the other side.

[@88norimaki]

Brian Wieden "A man is not dead while his name is still spoken." GNU Terry Pratchett

[@koitorob]

sader???

[@FutureReverberations]

+Koito rob Its a bit like sadder, but with less d's.

[@theinsanegamer1024]

To summarize what it's saying: The world isn't just or fair. Those concepts are not intrinsic things that exist in the universe. But, because we believe in them, they do exist, in some capacity, and only exist because of that. More than religion and science, morality, right and wrong in and of itself, is what we as a whole have decided. And we need to believe it, or the world would not be worth living in. It's an interesting point, and accurate. Scientifically speaking, justice, hope, these things are ideas, *ideals.* Ideals that many strive for, but they are not something that exists outright. Nature itself is not fair, not just, not kind nor cruel. It simply is. it exists, it lives, and moves forward, that's that. If not for our ideals, we would never be more than any other beast on our world. But, because we have these concepts, we can be more.

[@michaelshigetani433]

"To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape" this idea, this concept, is so central to so much of what Sir Terry Pratchett wrote. I do recommend his books, I think you'd find the depth in them that many critics miss.

[@StepDub]

Every Christmas I would buy and read one of his works and marvel at his imagination philosophy and humour over the break. Christmas is just not the same.

[@kokumalamoi3421]

A tear for one marvellous author.

[@AKadir8]

I'm passing through the biggest existential crysis of my life. Glad it led me here to this dialog. What a dawn after the darkness night.

[@ThatTieDyeGuy]

Yer welcome, I hope Terry's words have helped you as much as they have helped me over the years.

[@ulises6442]

Stumbled on this video after spendig three hours debating in the comments of a Jordan Peterson video. I needed this so much, thanks

[@EdgarFriendlysCivicsTeacher]

God damnit Sir Terry. We miss you.

[@joshuakanapkey6570]

I love The Hogfather! So much depth to a fairy tale. I discovered The Hogfather thanks to Blockbuster Video! It's been a Christmas tradition ever since, and one my kids look forward to each year!

[@MarkATorres1989]

I truly wished I could've meet Terry Pratchett at least once... RIP good soul, your imagination has spark the souls of many, and ignited imagination in those that continue to believe.

[@ptonpc]

Mark Torres I met him once at a book signing. He took time to chat with everyone as if they were lifelong friends and sign whatever they had. He will be truly missed. #GNUTerryPratchett

[@ProfessirRay]

I met him in person. He came across as an incredibly kind hearted, humble individual in the minute I had with him. Hell, the fact that he had a different quote to write in each of his books (which he had about 25+ at that time), showed just how much passion his work and his readers.

[@MemphiStig]

or as Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge" if we can't think in the abstract and the unreal, we can't dream, create, invent, or discover anything new. and then we'd have never left the trees or the caves or the darkness of our own base ignorance. altho, based on the vast majority of youtube comments generally, one wonders if we ever did, or ever will....

[@Jeffrey314159]

Einstein said "Imagination is more important than intellect"

[@kalebdreemurrgaming6052]

Yes wise words of both grim and mr. Einstein

[@ScornedOne1080]

Imagination is the grounds for change . . . science is the tool for which those changes can happen. If something doesn't work in reality, it's because you didn't find the right way to do it (or the tech for it doesn't exist yet).

[@raffaelw.2767]

Did I mention that Terry Pratchett was a wise man, a genius?

[@cynthiaz2412]

I have never seen this before and fortuitously it popped into my recommended list. This is so wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing. Never before have I seen the aesthetic value of myth and virtue so well explained, with such simplicity and clarity!

[@blackpaw29]

That was Terry Pratchetts genius, to fit so much, into so few words.

[@dragonsword7370]

True philosophy right here.

[@MarkLeBay]

It’s not about what science can discover to exist, but about what exists and doesn’t extra -- and then how human fantasy is necessary to bring things that don’t exist into existence.

[@AugustoCuervo-hx9pr]

The true definition of death. One cannot give value to things after this same thing "go through a sift". Still, we give meaning and a name to the emptiness of our soul.

[@sanguinelynx]

Brilliant. On surface it appears cynical, but it really talks about hope.

[@axdrago3306]

45 years old and i am crying right now, my eyes have been opened.

[@alicewilloughby4318]

I would like to add my praise of Sir Terry, but there just don't seem to powerful enough words! I once described him to someone as "a god among authors." This will have to stand as the best I can do.

[@bonnienichalson5151]

I read Sir Terry Pratchett's HOG FATHER NOVEL Every Christmas 🎄 it one of the Best Books he wrote ! 🎉🎄👍

[@Ch-thalassa]

I used to be afraid of death, and filled loathing about how insignificant and tiny and meaningless everything was. I realized eventually through fantasy and imagination that we are exactly what we are supposed to be and anything that we do is human because we are the ones doing it. There is a reason were at his size on this earth with this star in this galaxy, and it could be as simple as just because someone imagined it.

[@KaraSumner]

That very line has a very deep meaning to it❤️

Brilliant.. and how humanist is it , it is just perfect

[@furchtegottgellert4865]

Monthy Python Philosophers Football Terry's whole work is based on that sketch.

[@colinsmith1495]

This has got to be one of my favorite Pratchett scenes ever. This and Sam Vimes and the Watchman from Thud!

[@krulerwest-oz7364]

I still hold Guards Guards as one of the best examples of cynical humor, I took my dog eared copy on every detachment and every deployment and kept me sane (ish) when everything was quite mad. The truth was in that book we all start out as Carrots but end up being Vimes.

[@Crowley9]

Can we toss Ayn Rand as the philosopher who relayed all her ideas in fiction and replace her with Pratchett?

[@Crowley9]

Oh, I didn't mean to imply there is anything similar in their philosophies.

[@steampunker7]

I'd have no complaints. To be 100% fair Rand did have a few good points. Condemning false altruism, avoiding being a "second hander," sticking to your principles even if others tell you you are wrong, etc. The issue though is that few of her ideas work in practice if you follow them to their logical conclusion and lot of her most ardent supporters refuse to recognize that.

[@emmagoldman5382]

I mean, believing that some people are intrinsicly better than others, believing meritocracy is real, writing about a fantastic fantasy world in which capitalism is fair and rewards the "better individuals".... Ayn Rand is already a fiction writer. :)))))

[@Crowley9]

I never understood how she lauded capitalism and free market, and also wrote a book where the people who are supposed to be the good guys go "screw the free market, we are going to go do our own thing beyond its influence".

[@Odothuigon]

Crowley9 I presume you refer to Atlas Shrugged. On the contrary, the capitalists didn't leave the free market; they left a market where their competitors used government to stifle enterprise and innovation, or to seize their work outright.

[@lauriecroad3186]

Sometimes...Pterry just makes me catch my breath and...breathe a little more deeply,...and then...sigh, and wipe a tear from my cheek. (DAMN. Damn damn damn. HOW does he do that?).

[@HellishSpoon]

If you believe something to be than it shall be, just because somethings work in certain way doesn't mean it will stay that way forever.

[@murdockscott]

This scene still chokes me up.

[@dwhip49]

Good news bad news department: Reading Hogfather now (its pronounced Tea Ah Time sir) and this pops up on my Utube page. Meanwhile God Bless Terry Pratchett, what a gift.

[@gawkthimm6030]

the reason humanity needed to believe in those things is that it was beneficial for our hunter-gatherer ancestors to believe in those things, "for the good of the tribe", which then drives a community to survive. its thought that early "proto-speech" was a practical innovation that makes complex group cooperation more practical for survival.

[@KorporalNoobs]

A good demonstration, why taking the concept of "reason" to a logical extreme, is very unreasonable.

[@fwarinben7418]

It's certainly true but it's certainly not everything that there is to it :3

[@gawkthimm6030]

@@fwarinben7418 I will await your evidence with anticipation

[@fwarinben7418]

@@gawkthimm6030 See for yourself I would say, but Okay. Narurally, will be human rational, materialistic-inclined or irrational, mystic-inclined - that's not for the human to decide. What's truly decides all is amount of activity in left-right hemisphere of brain. People with left-hemisphere activity prevailing that of right tend to see world as a bunch of cold static facts, from "rational" perspective. People with overactivity of right hemisphere tend to encounter "metaphysical phenomena" in reality. Perceive other aspect of reality, in other words. Because, naturally, left hemisphere is all about atomising reality and manipulating aspects of said reality through correct understanding. And right - about perceiving reality in all it's ambiguity and vagueness. The thing is, left hemisphere is overactive and won over right hemisphere. And so our world became imbued with the poison of rationalism and humanity lost the feeling of meaning in all this. That's why world is going to end soon but I digress. Honestly, I would rather send you to read 800-pages long monography/book with alalysis of brain's structure and analysing of clinical cases, from which I grabbed it all rather than write it all because I can't write english, I just connect parts of sentences which I remember from books that I read and which should channel to you some meaning that I trying to say. Very interesting read. At the end of the day, spiritual things are not even lies. They exist. It's just another aspects of visible reality to which we attach convenient meanings-words but which do not understand because it's aspects ambiguous by nature and we tend to interpret them with the help of images from our culture, we attach to them words and words change as we see them. (Even spiritualism is killing spirituality these days, just how metaphysics kill metaphysic, lol) In reality, though, those phenomena lie beyond the borders of any language which is rational tool in itself. But language only mirrors reality. It's parallel to world but do not holds any depth of said world. Indescribable feelings that you feel is true experience, true encounter with "everydayness". Even table can give you indescribable feelings at times

[@gawkthimm6030]

@@fwarinben7418 and our brain evolved into this because it was a benefitial survival mechanicism for proto-humanity, early homonids.

[@helloidharbl6753]

When I saw this I nearly dropped my glass. Absolute insight.

[@timbuktu8069]

I believe as many as six impossible things before breakfast.

[@thefurrybastard1964]

Terry Pratchett was both hilarious and *_very_* insightful.

[@azriel9479]

Cant believe I just found Pratchett. I am in awe. Deep.

[@Jcarte4308]

The possibility of knowledge requires presupposing that which materialism cannot account for. At some point belief is required to know anything.

[@awkwardllama0509]

This is probably the best take ive heard on the topic

[@charlesajones77]

I remember reading this book for the first time. I was expecting a straight up parody of Christmas. Instead it turned out to be one of the most brilliant things I've ever read.

[@50srefugee]

Small Gods is like that as well. And then there's Good Omens, his collaboration with Neil Gaiman, which has one of my favorite last lines ever.

[@marc8750]

The almighty algorithm has guided me to some questionable things, but this is truly unique and curious about this

[@angelikalade8206]

Rest in Peace Sie Terry, your Magic change my live, so wise and wounderful!

[@Anglomachian]

This is where I find it hard to imagine how other people think. Some people apparently believe that those things Death lists are inherent to existence, and that without (insert belief here), those things cannot be. But they are, because we make them. No jumbo jumbo needed. Just a belief, and a desire to see it so.

[@korbacwystan9333]

Your two points in the first sentence (they are inherent / they only exist if we believe them) seem to run contrary to each other. I think TP was saying they are not inherent, but are needed to be believed in because that's what defines 'humanity' (or sentience, if you will.)

[@Anglomachian]

@@korbacwystan9333 No, I'm saying that I don't understand people who think that those things are inherent to existence, I'm saying that I don't think that they are. They are clearly things we make. Justice, mercy, and all that, are things we made up, not aspects of the universe akin to fundamental forces. I know fullwell what Sir Terrence was conveying. As much as anyone may know another's thoughts.

[@michaelshigetani433]

Strakenzky covers this as well in Babylon 5 (highly recommended to all; esp Discworld natives) where a character states that "Faith and Reason are like your left and right feet. You can get far on just one, but it's much easier with both"

[@ethribin4188]

In short, the universe doesnt care. I just is. We humans care, and we make our own purpose. And through faith, we make things that don't exust, a real thing. Be that a religion, a painting, an invention or something like justice or love. All in persuite of making things better for us.

[@michaelshigetani433]

it's that same burning need to make art. it's why churches and holy texts are decorated. Our faith, our BELIEF makes these things real. For every invention, every single thing we have ever made or will make; started as a Dream, then an Idea; then we MAKE IT REAL.

[@filip1775]

A day when Death became my Hero.

[@NoName-ym5zj]

When death makes a life-affirming argument you know you gotta listen

[@itsame8057]

Its a cosmic comedy how after 11 years people are finally really making these clips go viral. The more the algorithm tries to wall off the divine, the more cracks in the wall it creates for the divine to slip in.

[@ashkhri]

💀

[@amandavokins5958]

The most profound and succinct summation of the human condition.T.Pratchett,no fool.A loss too soon.

[@brandon-butler]

It’s like paper money. As long as we all believe it’s worth something it is.

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

Pratchett wrote about this too, funnily enough.

[@joeturner1597]

I quote this wonderful speech, or parts thereof, frequently. It is amazing how few people really get it. Many of them have left comments here. They have no frame of reference. I suspect that they lack the imagination to cope with the books. You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.

[@AutumnintheNorth]

I allus thought that the pencil was graphite, Sarge.

[@joeturner1597]

There are varying opinions on this subject. Tommy Trinder ferinstance in The Foreman Went To France (1942) quotes it. Actually based on a fairly trueish story. And a good Sunday afternoon movie. And graphite, albeit technically correct, really doesn't work with, " 'Ere lad, sup that up, it'll put lead in yer pencil". Advice I discovered later to be less than accurate.

[@ethribin4188]

This is a good example why I believe, fully and truely, that god (or any god/s) are no facts. But they are real because of our faith in them. Proving their existance is pointless. But believing in them has "proven" their existance to yourself. You believing in god make god more real.

[@AbAb-th5qe]

Yes, but beliefs have their own associated costs. Are you getting good value for the effort involved in yours?

[@Midnight.Creepypastas]

Once you know it, it is impossible to miss how close Pratchett and Gaiman were.^^

[@micaylab1]

I think a whole lot more people need to watch this video clip and learn why they Need to Accept the existence of Creativity and having Imagination😤🐲

[@SebbyCha]

YO!!! IS THIS THE HOGFATHER?? I loved this as a kid! Omggg

[@coralroper6876]

That is so cynical...yet it makes so much sense.

[@SacridFire]

Honestly. It’s actually not cynical. It’s quite the opposite really. The line about believing in things that aren’t true is actually quite idealogical, it’s about having hope and striving for good, even when the world, the universe and time itself will not remember or care. A cynical outlook would be “Its not true, don’t bother believing in it, nothing matters. Just curl up and die.”

[@rikospostmodernlife]

You don't know what cynism is. Look for Diogenes The Dog, look for Crates "The Door-opener", they are true cynics that lived with modesty/austerity and searched happyness through the practice of virtue.

[@lmoody9000]

This is a good thread, I think everyone is right. I will throw in my two cents: Acceptance is one of the most liberating and profound lies we can believe. It might not matter, but I think it does. If I'm right or wrong, I can accept. No one has all the answers.

[@ulfberht4431]

There’s nothing cynical about it. The only people who believe existentialism is cynical are nihilist, even then the term nihilism has been corrupted to mean something else… like boomer used to be the name for your dog, now it’s an insufferable derogatory word!

[@dutch_asocialite]

Pratchett conveyed a clearer message in less time than Jordan Peterson could _dream_ of achieving.

[@z3r0t0l3r4ns]

Why does this still hit so danmned hard

[@ThatTieDyeGuy]

it does, doesn't it? That's Sir Terry for ya.

[@HolyApplebutter]

Neat scene, but I'd argue it's more about philosophy than "believe in things that science can't justify."

[@jonathanj.3695]

If DEATH was really like this, dying would honesty be a lot less scary.

[@wyrmofvt4287]

Anyone who thinks that science is not a thing of imagination has obviously never done it. A scientific theory is an idea that needs to be imagined by humans in order for it to be. Every scientist I've met is a sincerely creative person with a great love of artistic expression, and very appreciative of their subject matter and fascinated by them - it's _why_ they study stars, plants, atoms, etc. The dry naysayer you find in fiction is as fictional as the stories they inhabit - a scientist at their core is still a human, with every thought and feeling that you have. That's not to say that scientists don't deliver bad news; they do. The universe we live in is at times a deadly thing that will destroy us without a moment's hesitation, and we need to know what its rules are and keep those rules firmly in mind as we make our way through it. The shiny toys are made in hopes that they will ease our burdens and let more people be creative and fulfilled, instead of simply surviving moment to moment.

[@tonevogel]

Ahhhh Terry I really really miss you

[@petrucho130]

Insanely true

[@mnArqal93]

I'm not overly familiar with Discworld, but these points are spot on. To an extent we all strive for something and work towards something because it is what we need to make meaning in our life, regardless of if it is good or bad (maybe both or neither). It is both a sad but also a happy truth to being human (or of similar nature, if it exists in the universe and/or beyond). I like to believe reality is where myth and science meets somewhere in the middle. And I guess we each make our own individual realities tailored to our liking, kind of like a self indoctrination. I strive to keep to my "code" (my morals, my beliefs, principles, ideals and desires), as such I am writing stories around that as well as accepting that others differ from my views as well.

[@glishev]

Death's voice sounds like the voice of Ian Richardson.

Because it is. He's both the Narrator and Death's voice in this movie.

[@glishev]

Totally fit for the part of Death.

[@darkspark5854]

You need to believe in things that aren’t true. How else can they become? Beautiful line

[@MYJEWISHLAMPSHADES]

I believe.

[@LordTelperion]

"How else can they Become?" You've got to believe it before you see it; to imagine and visualize what does not yet exist before you make it real.

[@iiiiitsmagreta1240]

The loveliest lies of all

[@alwaysthelight]

That is one deep philosophy.

[@SpayAndNeuterChristians]

Remove the Tax Exempt Status of American Churches and fund Education

[@ThatTieDyeGuy]

I agree but this has nothing to do with the cult of Jesus and Jehovah, and was posted by a pagan who understands the power of belief.

[@SpayAndNeuterChristians]

@@ThatTieDyeGuy 🤣🫵✝️💩❄️🐽

[@saintjimmy2244]

cool piece of work . keep going

[@ThatTieDyeGuy]

Thx

[@majmage]

Imagining and striving for what might be possible leads to invention and art, which enrich our lives. However believing falsehoods and non-evidenced ideas is gullibility. It's _really_ important to keep these two things separate from one another.

[@TheCassiusTain]

I think I sould start reading Pratchett's works

[@lauriecroad3186]

This is a "Truth" that is so...profound, that it takes your breath away. Why were we not told this? Why does it take a Wordsmith weaving a wondrous Fairy Tale, to tell us what we should all have written on or "Chem", on our slate.... this is not funny...is it? Does this now form part of the Gospels of Sir Terry? Is this how such legends are born?....(I believe, I believe, I believe...aaargh!).

[@steampunker7]

Because that's what Fairy Tales have always and will always do: teach us lessons and wisdom through allegory and simple language.

[@AutumnintheNorth]

Words In The Heart Cannot Be Taken.

[@sodalitia]

You were told this like hundreds times by some philosophers. Go and read "Beyond Good and Evil" by F. Nietzsche and Pratchett's easter eggs will pale in comparison to authors that actually have their own ideas.

[@objectivityguy5399]

true and a sad truth that is, is so easy to see bad things as good that people have lost their will to do meaningful things and make the world a better place, i wish that wasn't true but it seems everything that humanity made of meaningful was nothing but a attempt to escape pain and when this pain became bearable enough to pretend it isn't there they became to lazy to do meaningful things

[@winterspirit3734]

In order to just live. People don't need to read or write just eat drink & sleep. But people should read & write. They are important.

[@joshuafogg6600]

Wise words, though maybe a tiny bit flawed. But what human isn't?