Reykjavík Grapevine - 19.05.2006, Blaðsíða 11

A few weeks ago, I read the most
controversial book in recent years in
Iceland, Draumalandið – Sjálfshjál-
parbók handa hræddri þjóð (Dream-
land – Self Help for a Terrified
Nation) by writer Andri Snær Magna-
son. The book has been described as
a “milestone in Icelandic ideology”
(www.baggalutur.is) and has already
sold over 6000 copies.
Draumalandið is critical of
government policy regarding the
construction of aluminium plants and
their operating in Iceland, especially
in the light of environmental issues. It
also breaks down government jargon
that, until the publishing of this book,
has been mostly if not completely
incomprehensible for regular citizens.
I must admit that although I was
worried before reading this book,
it left me, aptly, terrified. Not only
did I become terrified of what the
future holds for Iceland and its natural
resources, I also became terrified
that this book and its author would
somehow take a hit. It has been my
experience in our day and age that
artists and intellectuals who dare
criticize the government become
victims of slandering campaigns,
making them less credible in the eyes
of the masses. For example, I lived in
the United States for two years under
the George W. Bush regime. During
that time, I formed my opinion of the
leader of the free world as a more self-
righteous, more dangerous and less
intelligent version of Homer J. Simp-
son. I prayed that someone with enou-
gh influence would point out the Bush
regime’s corrupt ways, and to answer
my prayers, Michael Moore took the
stage with his film Fahrenheit 9/11.
In the following months, Mr. Moore
was publicly attacked and slandered in
the media until he was rendered down
to a fat, lying conspiracy theorist who
doesn’t know how to shave. It got to
the point where Linda Ronstadt set
off a riot in Las Vegas for dedicating
the song ‘Desperado’ to Mr. Moore.
She wasn’t even allowed back to her
hotel room to pack.
Now, Draumalandið and Fahren-
heit 9/11 have almost nothing in
common, if it weren’t for criticism
of government policy and the use of
humour to underline the absurdity
of politics from time to time. So
far, no smear campaign against the
book nor Mr. Magnason has taken
place, calming my nerves. Knowing
that Mr. Magnason has been on a
successful book tour, I was finally
convinced that his lectures would be
conducted in a civilized, respectful
manner. I attended a lecture of his
in the Iða building, on a so-called
‘Skáldaspírukvöld’, a brainchild of
Benedikt Lafleur, founder of the
Lafleur Art Centre (Lafleur Lista-
setur). ‘Skáldaspírukvöld’ is a weekly
event where writers read selected bits
of their works and partake in a general
discussion with the audience. Mr.
Magnason took questions from the
eager crowd. People had strong feelin-
gs towards the book but most of them
were on their best behaviour, with the
exception of a drunken man who blur-
ted out arrogant comments every now
and then. At one point, he shouted
at Mr. Magnason whether or not he
had the answers to his own questions.
There was an embarrassing silence as
Magnason pondered the answer, and
finally he replied: “Yes. It’s 42.” Even
great thinkers need to borrow material
from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the
Galaxy from time to time.
On a more serious note, Mr. Ma-
gnason hopes that his book will have
the effect that people no longer accept
incomprehensible jargon in the papers
and in government statements. Enli-
ghtenment is the key, he believes. His
passionate care for the environment is
contagious, and after the lecture I felt
like going on a hike to the Þjórsár-
ver area to enjoy the clean air and
untouched landscape before it all goes
to hell. However, with more thinkers
like Magnason, hopefully we can stop
it all from going to hell. “According to
my calculations, it’ll take about 10,000
people to read this book for it to have
the desired effect,” Magnason said.
With 6000 down, I’m allowing myself
to be optimistic.
Editor’s note: Þórdís translates hræddur
as “terrified”, whereas, in the feature
on the same book, our other staff writer
uses “frightened.” A typical translation is
“scared or frightened” but all are correct.
Being Terrified
a column by þórdís elva
þorvaldsdóttir bachmann
“It has been my experience in our day and
age that artists and intellectuals who dare
criticize the government become victims of
slandering campaigns, making them less
credible in the eyes of the masses.”
opinion
“Draumalandið and Fahrenheit 9/11 have
almost nothing in common, if it weren’t for
criticism of government policy and the use of
humour to underline the absurdity of politics
from time to time.”
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