Very thoughtful. But I'm curious about your comments about the intelligentsia as revolutionaries. At this particular juncture in US history, where the right is doing what it can to destroy scientific research along with the humanities and universities in general, I think it's not "the intelligentsia" as a whole that's trying to rework the world. Instead, liberal/moderate academics and thinkers -- are now "conservatives", because they're suddenly attempting to defend and preserve U.S. society as it has been constituted, and it's the right wing that's full of revolutionary zeal.
Your part about societal dysfunction is very interesting, I am not familiar with these four stages but they fit well with what I have seen. Being from the UK, I can see very clearly how the country has gone through each of these stages, and really balk at the current levels of poverty and inequality in communities, it’s terrible to see (and directly leading to a rise of the far right).
If I were to categorise the progression, I’d say that inequality as a leftover from Thatcherism (and continuing deregulation and neoliberalism) firmly put the UK in the no compromise category for a while. Following Brexit, corruption started to rise, with papers constantly full of sleaze and many ministers having second jobs, partygate etc. This bred a lot of resentment.
In the last years, elements of this have only gotten worse actually, and I think the UK is now teetering on the cynicism category, where people have lost complete faith in politics, far right support is rife, and power revolves nearly entirely around Westminster and the city after repeated failed attempts at devolution.
I do believe there’s a small window to turn it around, but if not I am afraid the far right will be ready to take over in four years time.
On third worldism, i think there is a bigger trend or reversion going on. Arguably, all the advancements in the human condition from the enlightenment onward began with the fact that in the 1300s the plague was so bad that half the population of Europe was decimated. This lead to greater power for workers and greater upward mobility. That trend continued into at least the mid 20th century.
Now it is reversing, with falling birth rates and the replacement of more and more jobs with technology. So, we had a form of feudalism before in the shadows of the fallen Roman empire, and we may wind up with the same give or take 800 years hence.
In that context, having personal wealth and living in a resource rich country with some centralized power is probably useful.
Let me weigh on the list of tomes that a computer can read to you and they reach our vitals. Morris Berman's Coming to Our senses book and his 3 about Dark Ages America are propelled by his passion. Camus's Rebel requires that you read it alongside any other tome,. Like say Toynbee, without which one begins to doubt Camus's perspective, but if you are supplying facts and figures in the other hand from the other book,. You can allay your doubts about his erudition and honesty, what just seem to creep in because he does not offer citations. The City in History, and others just have to be listenable, on account of the niche Mumford filled. I hope he has human readers on audible. John Gray. So far has published 3? 80 page tomes on our educated blindspots. Any robot voice will do those justice.
"am embarrassed to read that only nine years ago I’d gotten it entirely wrong."
Get used to the feeling, Chris. I'm 52 and I've had that feeling every 6-8 years since I was 25.
The Russian revolution was absolutely driven by the intelligentsia. It's always the students (Peter Turchin would say "frustrated elite aspirants") that lead the revolution.
I taught Plato last Monday to my phil students. I told them that our current crop of elites (imagemakers -- we were talking about Plato's Cave) makes me long for a philosopher king, but that I doubted such a thing would ever work.
Curious to know what made you decide to skip Georgetown, as part of your Asian walking tour itinerary. I think you mentioned earlier in the year your intention of going there.
Id like to see you dive into how culture changes. Its an important subject that is frequently mentioned and rarely explained.
Also I see the economic classes fighting more internally than externally. The external strifes have given way a bit.
Always so thought provoking and sensible. Love reading your work Chris, such a breath of fresh air in these tumultuous social media filled times.
Very thoughtful. But I'm curious about your comments about the intelligentsia as revolutionaries. At this particular juncture in US history, where the right is doing what it can to destroy scientific research along with the humanities and universities in general, I think it's not "the intelligentsia" as a whole that's trying to rework the world. Instead, liberal/moderate academics and thinkers -- are now "conservatives", because they're suddenly attempting to defend and preserve U.S. society as it has been constituted, and it's the right wing that's full of revolutionary zeal.
What do you think?
Beautiful!
Thank you Chris—as always, reading your work gives me hope.
Beautiful
Hi Chris, really appreciate you writing about your daily walks at home and how they contrast with your walks when traveling.
Your part about societal dysfunction is very interesting, I am not familiar with these four stages but they fit well with what I have seen. Being from the UK, I can see very clearly how the country has gone through each of these stages, and really balk at the current levels of poverty and inequality in communities, it’s terrible to see (and directly leading to a rise of the far right).
If I were to categorise the progression, I’d say that inequality as a leftover from Thatcherism (and continuing deregulation and neoliberalism) firmly put the UK in the no compromise category for a while. Following Brexit, corruption started to rise, with papers constantly full of sleaze and many ministers having second jobs, partygate etc. This bred a lot of resentment.
In the last years, elements of this have only gotten worse actually, and I think the UK is now teetering on the cynicism category, where people have lost complete faith in politics, far right support is rife, and power revolves nearly entirely around Westminster and the city after repeated failed attempts at devolution.
I do believe there’s a small window to turn it around, but if not I am afraid the far right will be ready to take over in four years time.
I love Marquez. So glad to see you do too
in addition to Toynbee, read Peter Turchin
On third worldism, i think there is a bigger trend or reversion going on. Arguably, all the advancements in the human condition from the enlightenment onward began with the fact that in the 1300s the plague was so bad that half the population of Europe was decimated. This lead to greater power for workers and greater upward mobility. That trend continued into at least the mid 20th century.
Now it is reversing, with falling birth rates and the replacement of more and more jobs with technology. So, we had a form of feudalism before in the shadows of the fallen Roman empire, and we may wind up with the same give or take 800 years hence.
In that context, having personal wealth and living in a resource rich country with some centralized power is probably useful.
I seem to recall an episode of 'Kolchak' from 50 years ago where chanting the name of 'Akenhaten' re-animated a mummy.
Or was it 'Night Gallery'? Nah, I'm sticking with 'Kolchak'.
Wasn't it The Night Stalker?
I think the full name of the series was 'Kolchak: The Night Stalker', so I think we're both correct! Might be an internet first.
Another terrific piece from Chris. Taitung / SE Taiwan is a fantastic place to visit. Jealous.
Let me weigh on the list of tomes that a computer can read to you and they reach our vitals. Morris Berman's Coming to Our senses book and his 3 about Dark Ages America are propelled by his passion. Camus's Rebel requires that you read it alongside any other tome,. Like say Toynbee, without which one begins to doubt Camus's perspective, but if you are supplying facts and figures in the other hand from the other book,. You can allay your doubts about his erudition and honesty, what just seem to creep in because he does not offer citations. The City in History, and others just have to be listenable, on account of the niche Mumford filled. I hope he has human readers on audible. John Gray. So far has published 3? 80 page tomes on our educated blindspots. Any robot voice will do those justice.
"am embarrassed to read that only nine years ago I’d gotten it entirely wrong."
Get used to the feeling, Chris. I'm 52 and I've had that feeling every 6-8 years since I was 25.
The Russian revolution was absolutely driven by the intelligentsia. It's always the students (Peter Turchin would say "frustrated elite aspirants") that lead the revolution.
I taught Plato last Monday to my phil students. I told them that our current crop of elites (imagemakers -- we were talking about Plato's Cave) makes me long for a philosopher king, but that I doubted such a thing would ever work.
Curious to know what made you decide to skip Georgetown, as part of your Asian walking tour itinerary. I think you mentioned earlier in the year your intention of going there.