I do not foresee it improving for future generations in the West until we go back to the philosophy of equal opportunity instead of equal outcome. The current trend of continually lowering the bar for acceptable outcomes will not change until something catastrophic occurs. We have seen this with the quality at Boeing. We have seen this in the medical world. I would also add government, but they've sucked ass for decades. Education isn't even worth mentioning. That has been nothing but forced indoctrination since government got involved. I have no idea what will turn the tide. I am quite sure it will be very painful and long lasting. When all hope is lost, maybe society will once again measure excellence by merit and not identity.
I’m currently writing an article about why the west abandoned its values. I think you’ll enjoy it, even thought it’s going to be more bitter than sweet.
This is a very interesting perspective that I have not even considered. It is a very Western habit. I would also apply this to America's habit of giving children participation trophies for just showing up. It is very self centered action, masked as benevolence. It definitely robs the other party of accountability and encourages continuous sub par behavior. Great article!
Thank you. Good observation about the participation trophies. I hadn’t considered that. It’s condescending and disrespectful. Hope future generations can have better self awareness
Apparently, as messed up as the concept of “Noble Savage” seems, it was inspired by -was it Rousseau?’s - observations of the somewhat newly-discovered Native Americans, who, while “primitive”, and such, demonstrated such honorable statesmanship and articulated concepts of freedom and citizenship so well (like, DUH!).
I take issue with the word savage but like many others of this type, it can be owned.
After all, being “civilized” has come to imply many of our worst traits. There’s even a Biblical story about being exiled from the Garden. I believe the many indigenous hunter-gatherer folks never got that eviction notice. It’s just us civilized/empire-building/agricultural/capitalists that must forever wander
There’s a lot of self-hatred evident in your comment. Indeed, all cultures can exhibit nobility and savagery at the same time. Did you read the entire post? In it, I make no excuses for Westerners and their self-righteous condescending pity towards anyone they deem their inferior.
Also, the term “capitalist” does not mean anything at all. It’s a loaded term that means different things to different people, and all you accomplish by using it is being misinterpreted. Please don’t use it. Instead, use corporatism, state corruption, property rights - depending on what you actually mean.
I don't believe you can write an authentic article about the West without bitterness. I'm looking forward to reading it!
I do not foresee it improving for future generations in the West until we go back to the philosophy of equal opportunity instead of equal outcome. The current trend of continually lowering the bar for acceptable outcomes will not change until something catastrophic occurs. We have seen this with the quality at Boeing. We have seen this in the medical world. I would also add government, but they've sucked ass for decades. Education isn't even worth mentioning. That has been nothing but forced indoctrination since government got involved. I have no idea what will turn the tide. I am quite sure it will be very painful and long lasting. When all hope is lost, maybe society will once again measure excellence by merit and not identity.
I’m currently writing an article about why the west abandoned its values. I think you’ll enjoy it, even thought it’s going to be more bitter than sweet.
Software bites now too! I think outsourcing hastened our death spiral.
This is a very interesting perspective that I have not even considered. It is a very Western habit. I would also apply this to America's habit of giving children participation trophies for just showing up. It is very self centered action, masked as benevolence. It definitely robs the other party of accountability and encourages continuous sub par behavior. Great article!
Thank you. Good observation about the participation trophies. I hadn’t considered that. It’s condescending and disrespectful. Hope future generations can have better self awareness
Reminded me of Young Frankenstein. Another noble savage. 💕
Interesting parallel
You mean outsourcing to other countries?
Apparently, as messed up as the concept of “Noble Savage” seems, it was inspired by -was it Rousseau?’s - observations of the somewhat newly-discovered Native Americans, who, while “primitive”, and such, demonstrated such honorable statesmanship and articulated concepts of freedom and citizenship so well (like, DUH!).
I take issue with the word savage but like many others of this type, it can be owned.
After all, being “civilized” has come to imply many of our worst traits. There’s even a Biblical story about being exiled from the Garden. I believe the many indigenous hunter-gatherer folks never got that eviction notice. It’s just us civilized/empire-building/agricultural/capitalists that must forever wander
There’s a lot of self-hatred evident in your comment. Indeed, all cultures can exhibit nobility and savagery at the same time. Did you read the entire post? In it, I make no excuses for Westerners and their self-righteous condescending pity towards anyone they deem their inferior.
Also, the term “capitalist” does not mean anything at all. It’s a loaded term that means different things to different people, and all you accomplish by using it is being misinterpreted. Please don’t use it. Instead, use corporatism, state corruption, property rights - depending on what you actually mean.