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“I am changed forever more [after watching the Oct 7th video], there is your context madam presidents…this is not about a territorial dispute, it’s not about oppressors and the oppressed, it’s not about religion or ideology. Any agenda that was on the table before October 6 is forever gone, conversation is over. How dare you…what is wrong with you people, you know better…who do you answer to?…If Hamas behavior does not cross the line, then you don’t have one…light always prevails over darkness & good over evil.” powerful words from @DrPhil
Read on Twitter 1/ Here’s a fun thread on how to ruin Western civilization. *Except it’s not so fun because it’s sort of happening…
Some might find my analysis and analogies somewhat controversial, but at least it will be thought provoking. 
2/ I’m going to borrow from the Nobel Prize winning philosopher Bertrand Russell’s “A History of Western Philosophy” (published 1945). It’s a dense read, but it’s packed with insights that help make sense of some of the more alarming ideological trends underway today. 
3/ One of the more interesting sections examines the differences between the society and dominant philosophy of Greek antiquity and that of early Christendom. Later on, I’ll tie this to some of the corrosive ideologies currently ascendant. 
4/ Whereas Greek society was concerned with the “joy and beauty” of present life, the early Christian world through the Middle Ages was concerned about sin and salvation. Russell persuasively argues that early Christian philosophy reflected the gloom of pre-Renaissance times.
5/ Life after the fall of the Roman Empire was tough: wars, pestilence and widespread poverty were a marked turn from the height of the Roman world (and before that the Greek city states). A philosophy focused on the afterlife was understandable, though it led to stagnation. 
6/ In an age of “ruin,” a strict approach to spiritual matters took precedent over more earthly concerns. If “earthly hopes seemed vain,” what good was it, after all, to focus on statesmanship as opposed to the soul? Left neglected, civilization decayed.
7/ In a world where life was harsh, the notion of original sin must have especially resonated with many and helped rationalize a difficult existence. Unfortunately, as Russell highlights, the doctrine of “universal guilt” gave rise to future ferocity in western institutions.
8/ Such gloom, pessimism, doctrinal strictness and guilt was not conducive to a thriving public life outside the Church. In Russell’s words, this philosophy of the early Church led to an age that “surpassed almost all other fully historical periods in cruelty and superstition.”
9/ The Greek world’s focus on the present naturally lended itself to making sense of it. Sciences, arts and philosophy flourished. Whereas the early Christian world’s focus on sin and afterlife resulted in neglect of the institutions necessary for civilization’s preservation.
10/ Positivity, curiosity and the motivation to improve (hallmarks of antiquity Greece) are, unsurprisingly, more helpful in sustaining civilization than embracing, rationalizing and even institutionalizing hardship.
11/ Sidenote: since Medieval times, Christian thought has evolved – spurred by the Reformation. The Renaissance, Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution (even America’s founding ethos) are testaments to its positive influence. [This was a focus of mine as a history student.]
12/ Now back to the decline of civilization. It’s happened before. It can happen again. I prefer it not! The main culprit long ago was an outlook that embraced and glorified victimization. It was borne out of real suffering, but only served to prolong struggling and malaise.
13/ Today, the doctrine of victimization and I’d add it’s close cousin – grievance – is again in vogue. Its destructive force caused a millennium of stagnation prior to the Renaissance and could very well hinder our current progress and living standards.
14/ These disastrous ideologies begin on society’s fringes before gaining broader acceptance. The most concerning today are “wokeness” and extreme progressivism (along with closely related democratic socialism). Likewise, the populist right has foolishly embraced grievance.
15/ Regrettably, the initial merit of these movements has been coopted by the masses for purposes antithetical to their origins. Wokeness and progressivism at one point focused on expanding civil liberties, not functionally curtailing them and undermining socioeconomic stability.
16/ Wokeness and extreme progressivism today no longer are ideologies seeking human improvement for its own sake, but are rooted in victimization and grievance, seeking vengeance in righting perceived wrongs – where only maligned groups benefit. It’s inherently divisive.
17/ Like the 4th and 5th Century Christians, they embrace victimization as a means to cope with life’s intrinsic challenges. However, instead of focusing on their own suffering and salvation, they turn their attention to the imagined source of original sin: systemic “inequities.”
18/ It’s a glorification of victimhood – even though much of the societal oppression is overblown. Rather than self-improve, the far left’s adherents seek to gain via the destruction of concocted sources of inequities: capitalism, the justice system, education, fossil fuels, etc.
19/ Sadly, in attempting to overthrow these very bedrocks of modern civilization, today’s far left activists fail to appreciate they are undermining any prospects for improving the lives of those for whom they “fight.” We should aspire to be equally prosperous, not miserable.
20/ The early Christian world’s embrace of victimization set back civilization 1,000 years. Today’s far left activists risk doing the same; and in their coercive process of doing so, they have become as true to the authoritarian and fascist spirit which they label their critics.
21/ Doctrines of victimization and grievance inevitably lead to destruction. Often violent, total and irrecoverable. In this regard, the most alarming ideological strain of the far left today is democratic socialism (history is not on their side):
22/ And for what it’s worth, Russell saw socialism in the same vein – a psychological offshoot of the doctrine of victimization. Little could he have known in 1945 how destructive socialism would prove – rivaling the civilizational collapse of the so called Dark Ages.
23/ Not that it’s worth much, but my advice to traditional liberals would be to disassociate from those peddling the malignant and divisive ideology of victimization. And to conservatives, to similarly disassociate from those whose politics are simply based on grievance.
24/ I’ve focused most of my criticism here at the far left, as that movement is most responsible for making life worse in my home of Chicago. But trends on the far right are troubling as well. For my longer take on US polity and politics, please see below:
25/ Civilization is precious and precarious. We should learn from history to ensure its future survival and our prosperity. We must combat malignant doctrines of victimization and grievance with Greek-like ones rooted in positivity. Otherwise, we’ll all burn down with Rome.
I guess this thread is resonating. For a brief exploration on why we may be prone to these ideologies, see below (approached it more in an investing context). Key point: across history, when life gets hard, people are more prone to psychological escape.
Many thanks to Courage is a Habit on “X”.
“Strong parenting is fundamentally about exclusion, and the imposition of boundaries becomes paramount.
From the moment our children are born, it is our duty as parents to build formidable barriers that protect their growth and development. We do not welcome inclusion; we embrace exclusion. Newborns, delicate and defenseless, require a fortress against the tumultuous outside world. We rigorously limit the number of individuals permitted to hold them, acknowledging the necessity of a controlled environment that minimizes potential health risks.
As these beautiful tiny beings evolve into crawling explorers, our parenting role transforms into a vigilant act of exclusion – shielding them from the lurking dangers of electrical sockets, sharp edges, household hazards, and countless other items they want to put into their mouths.
The trajectory of parenthood traces a deliberate expansion of boundaries, mirroring the child’s burgeoning independence. With every developmental stage, our responsibility as parents pivots towards a meticulous curation of the influences that shape their world. The friends they choose, the content they consume, and the food they ingest all fall under the scrutiny of our discerning oversight.
Friendships In the realm of friendships, we guide them towards relationships that instill confidence and personal growth. By cultivating a discerning approach to friendships, we foster an environment that nurtures values that reflect those within our family.
Social Media In the digital era, where a deluge of information bombards impressionable minds, the imperative of exclusion becomes even more pronounced. We assume the role of gatekeepers, wielding control over the content they consume. In a world teeming with both constructive and detrimental influences, setting firm boundaries on screen time, online interactions, and the nature of digital content is critical to sculpting responsible, discerning individuals.
Food The practice of exclusion extends decisively to dietary habits, where we vigorously steer our children away from the insidious allure of junk food and sugar. By instilling a profound appreciation for nutritious choices, we not only contribute to their physical well-being but also lay the groundwork for enduring habits that transcend a lifetime.
Embrace Exclusion In essence, strong parenting asserts itself through a resolute rejection of inclusion for its own sake. While love and support remain foundational, the imposition of unwavering boundaries becomes the scaffolding that empowers our children to navigate, learn, and flourish within the safety of predefined limits.
Strong parenting has always been about exclusion, not inclusion. Never let anyone, especially government school employees, guilt you into accepting “inclusion”.
Those who cannot respect parental boundaries never have good intentions for children.”
Bruce Gilley joins Douglas Murray on this episode to discuss one of the biggest criticisms of the west – Colonialism. From antiquity to modernity, the two give an in-depth examination of the practice. Should Colonialism stay cancelled?
Uncancelled History re-evaluates events, people, and ideas that have otherwise been cancelled from the past. Learn more at http://www.uncancelledhistory.com
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Mystro
Dead Wild Roses 
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