District 9: “morals have aesthetic criteria”
Revisiting the sci-fi masterpiece from 2009 raises a lot of questions about human nature.
Friedrich Nietzsche is revered by nihilistic cunts and angry teenagers alike (although some might argue these are one and the same) because of his absolute commitment to making people uncomfortable with the “truth.”
Behind most of his work you can find a collection of poignant and yet devastating quotes about human nature, reality, morality and religion. The chap’s got a truly excellent collection of one-liners that still make us squirm. And from his most excellent greatest hits, this is one of my favorites:
“If you crush a cockroach, you’re a hero. If you crush a beautiful butterfly, you’re a villain. Morals have aesthetic criteria.”
I’ve thought about this rather disillusioning sentence for years. Like all good Nietzsche shitposts, there is something about it which resonates a hint of truth behind it. However, at the same time it also feels profoundly skeptical and simplistic. Kind of like those half-truths we should be so much more accustomed by now.
Frankly, I didn’t expect to think about this while rewatching Neill Blomkamp’s masterpiece from 2009, District 9. One of the very few movies that remind the snobbier section of movie fandom that a serious crime is being committed…
