Futurists

While watching the video in class, I noticed that several of the guest speakers were given the title "Futurist". I had remembered reading something about Futurism in another class, but my memory was a little bit fuzzy, so I did a little bit of digging on the internet. Seems that Futurism was an artistic movement that originated in Italy, and was a denunciation of Romanticism. The movement also had very strong Facist overtones. Some of the ideas proposed in the stuff I remember reading does seem very bold and creative, but very... unsettling at the same time. Take these two quotes as examples of the more disturbing thoughts. Points 9 and 10 from the original futurist manifesto...

"We will glorify war—the world’s only hygiene—militarism, patriotism, the destructive gesture of freedom-bringers, beautiful ideas worth dying for, and scorn for woman."

"We will destroy the museums, libraries, academies of every kind, will fight moralism, feminism, every opportunistic or utilitarian cowardice."

Personally, I'm not sure where to begin to respond to something like this... As a history student, I feel more than mildly insulted. As someone who believes in the idea of a moral way of doing things, I feel further insulted. It only goes on from there.

And the authors very well knew what sort of impact that this manifesto would have on readers...

"You have objections?—Enough! Enough! We know them... We’ve understood!... Our fine deceitful intelligence tells us that we are the revival and extension of our ancestors—Perhaps!... If only it were so!—But who cares? We don’t want to understand!... Woe to anyone who says those infamous words to us again!"


I've included some links for your reading enjoyment. There seem to be a few popups associated with the last two, but nothing really malicious.
Futurism Manifestos
FLUXEUROPA: FUTURISM
Mark Harden's Artchive: "Futurism"