The finnish intellectual

The finnish intellectual used to be a radical in the sixties, but now he gets invited to the president's [[castle every year->2]]

The Finnish intellectual used to write polemics about the state of the Finnish society. Now he suckles on the teat of [[the elite->3]]

The finnish intellectual was critical of the machinations of the Eu. Now he's on his 5th year as a [[MEP->4]]

The Finnish intellectual used to eschew grants, slept in a barn, and wrote all of his books, essays and things on a pencil after the typewriter ran out of ink. Now he lives in a loft in Helsinki, never having to worry about money again, still writing about the injustices of Finnish society on a [[MacBook Pro.->5]]

The Finnish intellectual used to be one of the people. Just a regular person, who wrote, thought, taught and listened. Now he thinks everyone wants to hear him speak and [[his thoughts on subjects are more valuable than people who experienced them->6]]

The Finnish intellectual wanted to rouse the people up, to fight against the establisment, to create a more tolerant society, to defy russia, the EU, and globalism. Now he chides people for being 'uppity' and 'demanding' whenever unemployment benefits, the pension fund and the cost of education [[is mentioned->7]]

The Finnish intellectual was firmly anti-establishment. He eschewed the elite, wrote critical pieces of the elite, and the hidden corruption that existed and still exists in the backrooms and saunas of those in power. Now he gets ever so cross if he doesn't get an invite to [[the president's independence day celebration->8]]

The Finnish intellectual was part of the first live simulcast of the independence day netcast, providing snarky insider commentary about the guests and the state of finnish politics and the elite's influence over desicions of the parliament. Now he's been providing serene, calm commentary on YLE, 5th year in a row, marvelling at the new designs of the dressess and gowns, highlighting the historical [[connections in the design->9]]

The finnish intellectual has lost his old self. He is a part of the establishment, even though he pretends like he's still an outsider. He claims he's critical of the elite even though his fame and wealth could be matched those of the elite. He still remembers the worry about being a member of the EU, even though he's been a MEP for ages. He wanted the president's independence day celebration stopped, so the money would be dividended to the poorest, even though he goes there [[every year->10]]

He can't go back. He doesn't want to lose what he has. He's lost touch to the common man. He's the elite. He's the schemer. He doesn't rock the boat. He does what he's told. The Finnish Intellectual: Assimilated, tamed. [[Neutered.->11]]

Written by Leo F. Loikkanen for the finnish Independence day, 6.12.2016 Inspired by <a href="https://areena.yle.fi/1-3761196">Radiotheatre Presents: Independence day party, a Production of YLE Radio</a> Happy Independence day and Happy 100 years of Independence for Finland!