The quote on the building is from Shang Yang, the chief philosopher of fajia, or “legalism.” Legalism says that the law should be followed without question, and that leaders are there to be trusted rather than questioned (there is an assumption they’re best suited to their jobs). I suppose there’s up-sides to this philosophy, but I’ve never been a fan. It strikes me as all too familiar, not isolated to bronze age China at all, and a pernicious feature of many people in modern society.
↓ Transcript
Panel 1: Bird: "You must remain wiffin a five metre radius of your monitor at all times. You must obey all of your monitor's commands. Your every word and action will be logged wiff Justice Bloc records."
Panel 2: Maida is on the verge of tears. Bird: "This is for your own safety as well as the safety of those around you. Failure to comply wiff curfew restrictions will result in additional restrictions."
Panel 3: Bird: "You have the right to retain a lawyer, if you can afford one, or a imam as advocate if you can't. You may call me 'Dee' if you like. Hello."
Panel 4: Outside the massive hulk of the Justice Bloc building. It has grey, brutalist columns, and opens onto a modest courtyard under a domed roof and an elevated roadway. The inscription on the outside of the building reads, "The law is a expression of love for the people."
Panel 2: Maida is on the verge of tears. Bird: "This is for your own safety as well as the safety of those around you. Failure to comply wiff curfew restrictions will result in additional restrictions."
Panel 3: Bird: "You have the right to retain a lawyer, if you can afford one, or a imam as advocate if you can't. You may call me 'Dee' if you like. Hello."
Panel 4: Outside the massive hulk of the Justice Bloc building. It has grey, brutalist columns, and opens onto a modest courtyard under a domed roof and an elevated roadway. The inscription on the outside of the building reads, "The law is a expression of love for the people."
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