Knee Bending – Unhealthy?

Because the knee is not just made up of two bones — one with a hollow — that joined forces to move the rest of the body forward and upward.
The knee, however, has many other, no less important functions.

How romantic and tearful those scenes are — in movies as in life —
when, at a candlelit dinner, one half of a couple rises from their chair,
turns toward their beloved, and slowly lowers themselves onto one knee.
That single motion is already accompanied by a chorus of collective “Oooohs” and “Aaaahs.”
The act of kneeling shows that someone is approaching another person
with special respect and hopeful devotion.
But the plea or the proposal doesn’t end there.
It still needs a little sweetness — perhaps in the form of a diamond ring.

The tension rises; the camera zooms in on the beloved’s face —
will she say “yes,” or nothing at all?
Such is the power when a person consciously — and voluntarily — goes down on one knee.

Is this grand gesture pure submission?
Or a sign of partnership?
Or simply a marriage proposal?
Whatever it may be — as long as it’s romantic.

Other versions of kneeling, however, are less sweet —
and rarely touched by romance.
Here, the basic principle is submission — both visual and factual — to power and its holders.
When knee bending occurs at royal events, it might seem a bit kitschy,
but at least it’s historically documented.
The authorities have always demanded a visible tribute:
the act of making oneself small, bowing one’s head, bending one’s knees.
It can also be interpreted as a sign of respect —
in the hope that the person in power actually deserves it.
If not — the bowing remains.

So, let’s take a closer look at the correlation between movement and capitulation.
Whoever “goes down on their knees” metaphorically has, in practice, already surrendered.
Whoever “bends under pressure” experiences the moment of giving in —
that bitter second when a struggle is over and no alternatives remain.

A struggle for what?
Perhaps for marriage. For a job. For existence.
Or for freedom, self-determination — for life itself.
Or, more timely than ever: for the survival of democratic nations.

Well, it’ll be fine.
Democracy carries within its genes a wonderful fourfold division of power.
The handbook may list only three pillars,
but the fourth — control — should not be missing.

The legislative makes the laws.
The executive enforces them and governs.
The judiciary reviews legality and justice.
And who controls it all?
Exactly — the media.

Independent, impartial, ethically bound —
so it says in the manual for professional journalism.
They are meant to inform, uncover wrongdoing, question the powerful — not admire them.

What a brilliant invention that is!
Or… was it once?

Because nowadays, many media houses practice a new, highly unhealthy sport:
Knee bending.
An unsporting but widespread discipline,
to which journalists either bow as well — or end by quitting their jobs in protest.

Perhaps we should leave this knee bending to kitschy movie scenes
and fitness studios.
For everyone else, the better advice would be:
Tighten your knees and your chin — and do your job properly.