What do you think of Princess Martha-Louise the Norwegian journalist was interviewing me on the Lake Geneva now general
Speaking I refuse to answer questions that are unrelated to my work but there was in this case a motive behind his curiosity the princess had had the names of various people who had been important in her life embroidered on a dress she wore for her thirtieth birthday
And mine was amongst those names (my wife thought it such a good idea that she decided to do the same for her fiftieth birthday adding the credit inspired by the Princess of Norway in one corner )I think she is a sensitive courteous intelligent person I replied I wastortunate enough to meet her in Oslo where she introduced me to her husband who like myself is a writer I paused bot then decided to conine There’s one thing I don’t understand why has the Norwegian press stared attacking his literary work now that he’s the princess’s husband Before he used to get very positive reviews This was not really a question more a provocationBecauae I could already imagine what the reply would be The reason the reviws had changed was envy that most bitterOf human emotions The journalist however
Was more sophisticated than that Because he broke the Law of Jante Since I had clearly never heard of this law he explained what it was As I continued my journey I came to realize that it was indeed hard to find anyone in the Scandina vian countries who had to find anyone in the law It may have existed since the beginning of civilizion
But it was only officially set down in written form in 1933 by the writer Aksel Sandemose in novel A Fugitiue Crossing His Tracks
The sad fact is tact the Law of Jante doesn’t only exist in Scandinavia It is a rule that applies all over the world however much Brazilians may say ‘This could only happen here and the French may affirm’That’s just the way it is in France Since the reader must
by now be geffing irritated having read half of this and still having no clear idea what this Law of Jante is I will try to summarize it here in my own words you are worthless no one is inter ested in what you think therefore you had better opt for mediocrity and anonymity
Do this and you will never face anonymity Do this and you will never
Face any major problems in life
The Law of Jante puts into context the feelings of jeal ousy and envy
That can prove so problematic to people like Princess Martha-Louise’s husband Ari Behn Tnat is just one negative aspect of the law There is however another far more dangerous one
It is thanks to this law the world has been manipu lated in all kinds of ways by eople who are nof afraid of what others might say and who often end up achieving their own evil We have just been wihness to a point less war in lraq which continues to cost many lives we see the
Great gap that exists between rich countries and poor everywhere we see social injustice rampant violence people forced to give up their dreams because of unwarranted and cowardly attacks
Before starting the Second World War Hitler signaled his intentions in vari ous ways and what made him contine with his palns regardless was the knowledge that no one would dare to challenge him because of the Low of Jante Mediocrity can be very comforttadle
Until one day trgedy knocks on the door and then people wonder But why didn’t anyone say anything when everyone could see this was going to happen
Simple no one said anything because they didn’ t say anything either
Therefore in order to prevent things from getting even worse perhaps things it is time that an Anti Law of Jante was written You are worh much more than you think Your work and your presence on this earth are important even though you may not believe it of course suchideas could land you in a lot trouble for breaking the Law of Jante but don’t be intimidated Continue to live without fear and you will triumph in the end