Thematic Exploration of Detachment: The tradition of professional detachment is also evident in the thematic exploration of roles and identities. Robert Musil’s Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften (The Man Without Qualities) presents a protagonist who is self-possessed and detached, navigating life with a sense of analytical observation rather than emotional engagement. This reflects the German cultural logic of evaluating situations and people based on objective qualities and performance, not personal sentiment.
composure and impartiality
Modernist and Post-War Literature: German literary modernism and post-war literature frequently highlight the tension between emotional involvement and the need for objective, rational behavior-especially in the aftermath of social and historical upheaval. These works often depict characters struggling to maintain professional composure and impartiality, reinforcing the value placed on detached, performance-focused feedback.
group performance
Die Welle (The Wave, 2008). Context: A high school teacher conducts an experiment to demonstrate the appeal of authoritarianism. Illustration: The feedback given by the teacher to students – and among students themselves – remains focused on behavior and group performance, not on individual personalities. The film explores the consequences of depersonalized, performance-based evaluation in a group dynamic.
Ted and Joanna
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979). The custody battle between Ted and Joanna Kramer is marked by repeated legal negotiations, court appearances, and check-ins with lawyers and the judge. Each party must follow up on legal filings, court orders, and parental responsibilities, showing how ongoing communication and status updates are essential in high-stakes agreements.
rational, impersonal
Max Weber – The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905). Though a sociological work, Weber’s analysis of rationalization and the rise of bureaucracy in German (and Western) society underpins the German approach to work and feedback. He describes a culture in which professional roles are defined by rational, impersonal rules, and performance is assessed objectively, not emotionally.
no personal sentiment
Heinrich Mann – Der Untertan (The Loyal Subject, 1918). This satirical novel examines the German tendency toward authority and order. The protagonist’s rise through the ranks is marked by strict adherence to performance expectations and formal evaluations, with little room for personal sentiment in professional interactions.
unwavering objectivity
Siegfried Lenz – Deutschstunde (The German Lesson, 1968). In this novel, the main character’s father is a policeman who enforces rules and regulations with unwavering objectivity, regardless of personal relationships. The story explores the consequences of prioritizing duty and performance over personal feelings, reflecting the German value of separating the personal from the professional.
entirely uninterested
Franz Kafka – Der Prozess (The Trial, 1925). Kafka’s portrayal of bureaucracy and impersonal authority highlights the cold, rational, and often emotionless nature of institutional feedback and evaluation. The protagonist is judged and processed by a system that is entirely uninterested in personal circumstances, focusing solely on procedural and performance-based criteria.
Jack Barsky was too pushy
“Barsky discovered that the people who trained him (Russian KGB) did not have an authentic understanding of Americans, and he struggled at first with his assignment. While his instructions were to infiltrate political circles and get close to Brzezinski (National Security Advisor under US President Jimmy Carter), he was not given specific instructions on how he was supposed to accomplish that.
He also learned that while his English was excellent, he was very pushy and argumentative when dealing with people. He was shocked when he was confronted with this fact by a fed-up friend. He realized that he was essentially too East German to fit in.” From Wikipedia
See the CBS 60 Minutes story on Jack Barsky:
Jordan Peterson’s interview with Jack Barsky is extraordinarily fascinating:
“What are you thinking about?”
A comment on YouTube: “They are obviously Deep in Thought.”