Will the Great Play of Western Civilization be Nothing but a Great Flop? (Part Five) Warning: this is a blog not for quick perusal.
So, how is it possible that the great Western Civilizations, and especially exceptional America—home of the brave, the just, the most giving country in the entire history of this planet, is teetering on the brink of destruction? How is it possible that the magnificent heroine in the play of Western Civilization is now lurching across the stage of history like a painted whore on crack cocaine?
One of the reasons is our new perception of ourselves as good, almost god-like creatures that can change the destiny of any man. History previously viewed man as a flawed, being in need of restraining by guilt, in need of chastisement to civilize his intrinsic cruel and selfish nature. Nowadays many people believe themselves to be good, and from this view, they project onto to criminals a believe of simple human erring, ignoring the old thoughts about evil expressed in psychopathy. This view skewed our perception of the responsibility for our own actions and the actions of others. In effect we abrogated our responsibility to hold others to their responsibility for their own bad choices and actions.
Our artists, too, have failed us. Instead of leading with inspiring, exciting art, for people to be uplifted, they served us “mockery, archness and irony”. John Armstrong in his book “In Search of Civilization” chastises the likes of Warhol, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons for serving up “provocation and newness as their only criteria.” He calls them a decadent cultural elite that insists on feeding us straw without nourishment. He also comments on our failing believe in our own righteousness—greatness, if you will, by stating, “It is possible to inherit a great civilization, without possessing the will to defend its ideals.”
Well, here we are: are we willing to defend the ideals of Western Civ., of America? I believe that, with very broad strokes of the writer’s brush I outlined some of our problems. Add to that, a new total disregard for the constitution that so ably served previous generations and you can see why America (and Europe) is embroiled in an enormous drama, a historic crisis, which unresolved, will lead to the end of the civilization we know.
Crushed by financial debt, yesterday our country’s credit rating has been downgraded for the first time in seventy years from triple A to double A+. Our schools, our laws and our security are in peril as we are beset by enemies on the inside and beyond our borders. We are morally, socially and ethically bereft. Yet, before we sink into an abyss of despair, let us take heart—we do have valiant heroes among us who still can rescue our flawed, teetering heroine. This is a unique moment in the drama—will these heroes be able to change the course in America? I personally believe Europe to be lost. But here, in this former bastion of exceptionalism, great men still reside. I see them seizing the opportunity to save the soul of what made this country great.
It is up to each and every one of us to cheer them on, support them and give them the moral strength and tenacity to overcome the enormous obstacles standing in their way. Beyond providing support to the heroes on the political stage, all of us are called to change the course of history by working together for a better, morally and spiritually healthier tomorrow for our children and grandchildren. Like the people in the "good" the healthy family, we, too, must uplift and help others. However, we must help everyone to assume their own lot, to become responsible for their own successes and their failures. In short we need to return to the simplicity of sanity, thereby ensuring that our grand play does not become a gigantic flop!
One of the reasons is our new perception of ourselves as good, almost god-like creatures that can change the destiny of any man. History previously viewed man as a flawed, being in need of restraining by guilt, in need of chastisement to civilize his intrinsic cruel and selfish nature. Nowadays many people believe themselves to be good, and from this view, they project onto to criminals a believe of simple human erring, ignoring the old thoughts about evil expressed in psychopathy. This view skewed our perception of the responsibility for our own actions and the actions of others. In effect we abrogated our responsibility to hold others to their responsibility for their own bad choices and actions.
Our artists, too, have failed us. Instead of leading with inspiring, exciting art, for people to be uplifted, they served us “mockery, archness and irony”. John Armstrong in his book “In Search of Civilization” chastises the likes of Warhol, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons for serving up “provocation and newness as their only criteria.” He calls them a decadent cultural elite that insists on feeding us straw without nourishment. He also comments on our failing believe in our own righteousness—greatness, if you will, by stating, “It is possible to inherit a great civilization, without possessing the will to defend its ideals.”
Well, here we are: are we willing to defend the ideals of Western Civ., of America? I believe that, with very broad strokes of the writer’s brush I outlined some of our problems. Add to that, a new total disregard for the constitution that so ably served previous generations and you can see why America (and Europe) is embroiled in an enormous drama, a historic crisis, which unresolved, will lead to the end of the civilization we know.
Crushed by financial debt, yesterday our country’s credit rating has been downgraded for the first time in seventy years from triple A to double A+. Our schools, our laws and our security are in peril as we are beset by enemies on the inside and beyond our borders. We are morally, socially and ethically bereft. Yet, before we sink into an abyss of despair, let us take heart—we do have valiant heroes among us who still can rescue our flawed, teetering heroine. This is a unique moment in the drama—will these heroes be able to change the course in America? I personally believe Europe to be lost. But here, in this former bastion of exceptionalism, great men still reside. I see them seizing the opportunity to save the soul of what made this country great.
It is up to each and every one of us to cheer them on, support them and give them the moral strength and tenacity to overcome the enormous obstacles standing in their way. Beyond providing support to the heroes on the political stage, all of us are called to change the course of history by working together for a better, morally and spiritually healthier tomorrow for our children and grandchildren. Like the people in the "good" the healthy family, we, too, must uplift and help others. However, we must help everyone to assume their own lot, to become responsible for their own successes and their failures. In short we need to return to the simplicity of sanity, thereby ensuring that our grand play does not become a gigantic flop!
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