R. D. Laing

From S23Wiki

A clinical Psychiatrist who made some very daring assertions about schizophrenia. He wrote a book (among a few) that is called: 'Knots'. They are a collection of brilliant poems/mind-games/short-circuiting logic exercises. Below are a few excerpts from 'Knots' (Italian Version)

They are playing a game. They are playing at not playing a game.  
If I show them I see they are, I shall break the rules and they will punish me.
I must play their game, of not seeing I see the game.

There is something I don't know
that I am supposed to know.
I don't know what it is I don't know,
and yet I am supposed to know...

[edit] There must be something the matter with him

There must be something the matter with him
        because he would not be acting as he does
                unless there was
        therefore he is acting as he is
        because there is something the matter with him

He does not think there is anything the matter with him
because
        one of the things that is
        the matter with him
        is that he does not think that there is anything
        the matter with him
therefore
        we have to help him realize that,
        the fact that he does not think there is anything
        the matter with him
        is one of the things that is
        the matter with him

If I don't know I don't know
                            I think I know
If I don't know I know
                      I think I don't know

A son should respect his father
he should not have to be taught to respect his father
It is something that is natural
That’s how I’ve brought up my son anyway.

Of course a father must be worthy of respect
He can’t forfeit a son’s respect
But I hope at least my son will respct me, if
only for leaving him free to respect me or not.

The Outside Poem + other poems from 'Knots'