u/Belgrugni

Currently working my way through a full re-read, having read them all as they came out. Reached my signed copy of Small Gods and it raised a smile and memories. My Mum got me this signed copy. I’d just gone off to uni as this was released but she noticed that one of my favourite authors was doing a signing at a bookshop in our local city and arranged this signed copy for me.

Mum passed away a few years ago and this gave me a fond reminder of her and the many great things she did and how she looked out for us.

GNU Mum

I’ve been rewatching Andor and some bits on Ghorman really struck me this time. The way the tame journalists and reporters communicate blatant lies about what’s happening and the belief of the Ghor that they are being heard.

First we have the reporters who are happy to stand there and report the Imperial line, despite everything they must surely know is really going on. Makes you think of a certain “news” channel in the UK, or should I say GB if you know what I mean. I assume it’s still a certain animal titled “news” channel in the USA. I know some people who work for these channels are fully bought into the party line and believe a lot of it but many must know to what they’re doing and are just happy to take the money and sell their principles by saying what they’re told to say.

Then there’s the chant “we are the Ghor, the galaxy is watching”. The confident chant of those who ‘know’ they are in the right. Sadly, the reality is that much of the galaxy isn’t actually watching, they’re getting on with their lives and their own struggles. Then many of those who are watching are watching the feed from tame or client journalists telling them the Ghor are troublemakers interfering with good imperial rule. It takes a lot to break through this kind of control but it’s still vitally important that people try to do this.

Finally, a little irony in the subtitling, that Syril is on screen when a reporter talks about insurgents spreading rumours.