Your writing is challenging the way I think, even though I've been familiar with these topics for years. What is new for me in what you are saying is that you are exposing the absurdity of "free choice" and my previous conception of individuality.
I will probably always be a strong individualist - it's in my nature - but I'm re-examining the thoughts and attitudes from the past that I thought were my own.
Thank you for your kind compliment. This essa "Eneveloped by Kultur-Terrior" may further challenge certain notions regarding individualism. I am fiercely individualist, or like to think I am... but the cultural milieu that has enveloped me is still part of me, even much that I loathe and despise.
I think individualism on it's own is fine. There are many reasons to oppose collectivism on it's face. In these circles, the modern world is seen as one big argument against individualism, I can't blame people for seeing it that way. But I think this also ignores the obvious presence of collectivism. And there is plenty of that in the modern world. People believing certain narratives unquestioningly for example.
My point is that this dichotomy between individualism and collectivism is false, when it comes to what the ideal should be at least. Though both of these things are ever-present inevitably. Some people are basically natural individualists, real individualists, and most are prone to collectivism, or the go along to get along types. Really, we need both of those types of people.
Plus, individualism broadly applied used to mean self-reliance, not this atomism that justifies whatever type of degeneracy you're into. But the definition of all these words has changed of course, irreversibly.
I think you are focusing on the cultural stuff Earthlings have created, rather than the environment that Sol or just Earth has established to make that stuff. Looking beyond the narcissistic crud of "Me! I did it!" is a step that can go farther than "my culture did it!" That is, in a way, just as arrogant/wrong.
Your writing is challenging the way I think, even though I've been familiar with these topics for years. What is new for me in what you are saying is that you are exposing the absurdity of "free choice" and my previous conception of individuality.
I will probably always be a strong individualist - it's in my nature - but I'm re-examining the thoughts and attitudes from the past that I thought were my own.
Thank you for that.
Thank you for your kind compliment. This essa "Eneveloped by Kultur-Terrior" may further challenge certain notions regarding individualism. I am fiercely individualist, or like to think I am... but the cultural milieu that has enveloped me is still part of me, even much that I loathe and despise.
https://theravenscall.substack.com/p/the-television-cannot-be-turned-off
It is probably my most intimate essay that I have wirtten. I had real misgivings about positing it, and seriously considered keeping it in the vault.
Sounds very interesting. Thank you for the link - I'm looking forward to reading it.
Maybe it's because I'm a woman, but I often find the more "personal" articles on our societal malaise to be the most powerful.
Interesting read, found you on UNZ. I've been down the rabbit hole for a long time but never seen a ref to the Frontline doc. Thanks
As you may have seen, I have since written a piece focusing on The Lost Children of Rockdale County. It is entitled "American Degeneracy Laid Bare."
Thanks for the reply, reading now.
I think individualism on it's own is fine. There are many reasons to oppose collectivism on it's face. In these circles, the modern world is seen as one big argument against individualism, I can't blame people for seeing it that way. But I think this also ignores the obvious presence of collectivism. And there is plenty of that in the modern world. People believing certain narratives unquestioningly for example.
My point is that this dichotomy between individualism and collectivism is false, when it comes to what the ideal should be at least. Though both of these things are ever-present inevitably. Some people are basically natural individualists, real individualists, and most are prone to collectivism, or the go along to get along types. Really, we need both of those types of people.
Plus, individualism broadly applied used to mean self-reliance, not this atomism that justifies whatever type of degeneracy you're into. But the definition of all these words has changed of course, irreversibly.
I think you are focusing on the cultural stuff Earthlings have created, rather than the environment that Sol or just Earth has established to make that stuff. Looking beyond the narcissistic crud of "Me! I did it!" is a step that can go farther than "my culture did it!" That is, in a way, just as arrogant/wrong.