As a boy, Robin Williams’ portrayal of Popeye the Sailor probably brought more clarity to this theological dilemma in the I Yam What I Yam (1980).
My favorite part is when he screams it aloud 1m:20s and 11 yr old me watching this on HBO was like “OOHH, that’s what that means”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhxDQ1g964U
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It’s less about “What does “I am” mean?” and more about the FORCE of “I am”.
It’s a declaration, an announcement TO whoever is listening.
“I am that I am” is a statement for an AUDIENCE.
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