Stephen Kinzer

Revolutionaries who come to power by force of arms usually have great crimes in their background. Leaders who survive campaigns by great powers to destroy them do not survive because they observe the niceties of law. Subversives who shape world events by covert action and violence work in shadows and detest the light of day.

American Author

Beeban Kidron

Everything serious in the world is well approached by humour. It's a powerful and often quite subversive tool. I suppose there is an argument that could be made against me for being frivolous, but I do think a laugh is a very generous thing to give.

English Director

Raoul Vaneigem

People who talk about revolution and class struggle without referring explicitly to everyday life, without understanding what is subversive about love and what is positive in the refusal of constraints, such people have a corpse in their mouth.

Belgian Philosopher

Leila Slimani

Everyone asks me, 'Why do you choose such subversive or shocking themes?' but when I'm alone in my office, I'm not like, 'OK I'm going to shock.' I want to write about a character who fascinates me, someone who I don't understand.

French Writer

Lauren Groff

Among so many things, 'Time Passes' has shown me subversive ways of portraying time, of looking away from the human to the far more terrifying, far more immense texture of time beneath the minute span of a human life.

American Novelist

Will Oldham

I have more respect for somebody who points at his ideal - in this case, the ideal of the pirate - and then becomes something that's more radical, more exciting, more subversive than a pirate could ever be.

American Musician

Toby Stephens

That's the privilege of being a grandparent - they can indulge the children while parents have to be the bad guy. Grandparents can also be subversive and naughty with them.

English Actor

Richard Linklater

I like films that just put you in someone's world. It can be very subversive. Hitchcock would put you in the mind of a psychopath, and you'd care about them.

American Director

Alex Garland

The Beach' novel, in my mind, was, in some respects, subversive.

British Novelist

Tahar Rahim

What is art? Art talks about life; it's subversive.

French Actor

Often used in political contexts to describe actions or ideas challenging the status quo.

Political Nuance

Usually carries a negative tone, especially when used by authorities.

Negative Connotation

Can describe art or media challenging societal norms, not just politics.

Cultural Rebellion

A label used by authorities that could imply unfair judgment without evidence.

Activist Label

Refers to individuals whose actions may have wide-reaching effects on society.

Societal Impact

Critics of the status quo are not always subversives; context matters.

Mistaken Identity

 it was an organic process that started with people buying computers maybe not to play games on so this is something which is designed to be fun for kids but also just to have that kind of subversive temptation to start doing a little bit more than just because the idea is if you get this into the hands of millions of kids you can actually

Raspberry Pi: engaging...

 was to shut down opposing viewpoints through epically worded video essays and comments and posts, but I soon learned those were only cheered on by the people who already agreed with me. Sometimes -- bless you. Sometimes, the most subversive thing you could do -- yeah, clap for him.

Empathy Is Not...

 though he developed a signature technique and never looked for images or messages hidden in the works. First, he took the canvas off of the easel and laid it on the floor, a subversive act in itself. Then, in a controlled dance, he stepped all around the canvas,

What is abstract...

 Historians believe he was deeply critical of Athens’ particular brand of democracy, and known to pass those concerns onto his followers. These subversive beliefs were distorted in public forums and thought to have inspired two of his pupils to treasonous ends.

This tool will help...

 Together, they travel along a golden yellow road towards a grand city whose ruler's power turns out to be built on illusions. Littlefield published some of these observations in an essay. His claim that this fantasy was actually a subversive critique

Does "The Wonderful...

 you can only think of identity in terms of cards with names on. And that's very subversive in a modern world. So the second example I thought I'd use is chat rooms. I'm very proud of that picture. That's my son playing in his band with his friends

David Birch: A new way...

 Though it may seem like a childish fairytale, this intricate opera is full of subversive symbolism, and it's now regarded as one of the most influential operas in history. Tamino's run in with the dragon is only the start of his journey.

The secrets of Mozart’s...

 it turns out for purposes of protecting your privacy at the expense of general GPS reliability there's something even more potent and more subversive than a wave bubble and that is a GPS spoofer

How to fool a GPS - Todd...

 It was about keeping cultural traditions alive and retaining a sense of inner freedom under captivity. It was the same subversive spirit that created this the Cakewalk,

The history of...

 where one may be found guilty of thoughtcrime by talking in their sleep, and keeping a diary or having a love affair equals a subversive act of rebellion.