Easy Rider

[Heep]

I just watched Easy Rider for the first time tonight, and was blown away with this conversation between Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson. Think of it what you want.

Jack> You know, this used to be a hell of a good country.
Jack> I can't understand what's gone wrong with it.
Dennis> Everybody got chicken, that's what happened.
Dennis> Hey, we can't even get into a second-rate hotel.
Dennis> I mean, a second-rate motel, you dig?
Dennis> They think we're gonna cut their throat.
Dennis> They're scared, man.
Jack> They're not scared of you.
Jack> They're scared of what you represent to 'em.
Dennis> Hey, man, all we represent to them is somebody who needs a haircut.
Jack> Oh, no.
Jack> What you represent to them is freedom.
Dennis> What's wrong with freedom? That's what it's all about.
Jack> That's right. That's what it's all about.
Jack> But talkin' about it and bein' it...
Jack> that's two different things.
Jack> It's real hard to be free...
Jack> when you are bought and sold in the marketplace.
Jack> 'Course, don't ever tell anybody that they're not free...
Jack> 'cause then they gonna get real busy killin' and maimin'...
Jack> to prove to you that they are.
Jack> Oh, yeah, they gonna talk to you and talk to you and talk to you...
Jack> about individual freedom.
Jack> But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em.
Dennis> Well, it don't make 'em runnin' scared.
Jack> No. It makes 'em dangerous.

[fredjacksonsan]

True enough today; people talk about freedom, but when it's right there in front of them, they're afraid of it.

Good movie; I'll have to see it again; it's been too long.

[MagicRat]

Isn't this more of a "philosophy" thread?
That being said, some might say Dennis' character represents anarchy.
And where do we draw the line between freedom and anarchy?