Capitol Hill Blue Forums Misc. Topics Ain't This America What is distinctive about American art and letters

Indeed, Julia. Thank you.

Numan, to put it bluntly, you are either woefully uninformed or just plain wrong. America is widely recognized as the heart of modern "high" culture and your statements to the contrary exhibit either animus or ignorance.

I believe the one truly distinctive feature of American Arts and Letters is not really geographic, but rather temporal. We have simply moved beyond the times that a single individual can be a true polymath. During most of the centuries of European Culture, an intelligent person with adequate resources could (and usually did) master almost all of the science and literature available in their time. That is impossible now.

The result is that we see very few scientists, engineers, or doctors writing great literature (or even studying it much). We see very few great writers who have studied any technical field. Most "technical writers" are just people who didn't get very far in a technical field or writers who study a bit of science and technology to get to the "hobbyist level". And we see an awful lot of humanities majors who can't program their own digital watches.

Just because there is a self-referencing circle of "intellectuals" who see themselves as the epitome of civilization, doesn't mean they really understand much outside their self-inflated little puddle of "fine literature", "fine art", and "fine music". The highly-intelligent in America (and pretty much everywhere else, too, these days) go into engineering, or medicine, or the "hard" sciences.

I think that is a fair assessment of my views.

The great problem is that Americans, by and large, think that they have a superior society, and in fact, in so many ways, it is a very inferior society. Americans refuse to recognize this, and this "false consciousness," this disconnect between reality and belief, is at the heart of much of the evil that infects modern America. This is what makes Americans such easy prey to all the lies they are told, and which they tell themselves. Until they have the courage to face the truth, there is no hope for them.

Like Socrates, I am a gadfly, asking questions and pointing out truths which most Americans find very "inconvenient." If we were living in ancient Athens, I am sure there are some people who, having read my innocuous remarks, would already have forced me to drink hemlock.

This reaction of rage and dislike are, I think, an indication that what I am saying is true. If Americans are such a self-confident, liberty-loving people, why would they resent my remarks so much? Cultivated Europeans, by and large, would not react in such a manner. Civilized people have been trained to be able to listen to anything without losing their their tempers or their self-confidence.

As to why I do what I do: I am an American who actually wants a better America --- as opposed to all those who merely profess, amid the rockets red glare and flags waving in air, to love their country. I hope, perhaps vainly, that some people will wake up to the true condition of their society before it is too late. As someone far more awake than I reputedly said, "There are some whose eyes are only lightly covered with dust; it is for them that I will speak the truth."

After reading what you wrote Numan, I strongly urge the purchase of a mirror.

numan, you amuse me more than anything.

So, presumably, after receiving a formal education in America and being employed by American organizations that gave you a pension, you ran away to Canada in order to bring about a better America.

Ya know, numan... I think you have succeeded. America IS better for your choice.

Numan, I believe you are confusing "resentment" with "ennui."

There is no hemlock here.

numan i read and re-read your most recent post and i am constantly reminded of germany, france, spain and italy during the first half of the 20th century. you could easily be describing what took place during the rise of european fascism. so that leads me to ask, precisely what group of europeans are you speaking for in this last post?

I hardlyt think Americans are unique in this. As far as I can tell, nearly every nation ion the world thinks they are "special".... if you talk to the greeks, they think they are special above all aother, as do the japanese, as do the chinese, as do the french, as do the germans. The mexicans think that they are the best, and every other latin american nation is sure they are wrong. Blacks despise the koreans, and vice versa.

In any case, while it is true that many americans are proud of the nation's accomplishments... only a small minority would choose lasting artistic achievement as the best measure of that greatness.

Further it is rather absurd to compare Elvis with Bach... and judeg a society based upon that comparison. And then call that an objective measure. We might as well comparte ABBA to Copeland and judge the Europeans based upon that "objective" measure.

I am not convinced that mass culture in any nation is particularly admirable. I have done some traveling in India... and as far as I can tell, the mass culture there is significantly below the classical raga standard that you mention. I would say that most Bollywood movies adehere to an even lower standard than their hollywood compatriots.

I also have traveled in Europe... and have had several restaurant meals ruined by blasting euro pop music. Not to mention people smoking beside me.
And your quest to enlighten americans is furthered by comparing elvis to bach?

It is not difficult to go to a foreign nation and make remarks that generate rage and dislike. It is even possible that those comments might be true.... although rage generation is no measure of truth. YOu could go to Israel and deny the holocaust... it would generate rage without any connection to truth.

But, lets suppose that we go to some nation and make truthful comments that generate rage.... I would never the less wonder if such and excercise would be inherently instructive for that nation. Perhaps the only point of the excercise would be our own self gratification

Thanks for pointing out that Elvis is not Bach.... that was very enlightening.

I wish my fellow man (and woman) well, but I am not suicidal. I see little point in standing shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with those who are determined to destroy themselves.

"It is not reasonable that a wise man should hazard himself for his country,
and endanger wisdom for a set of fools."
--- Theodorus of Cyrene

Moreover, I have, much more than most Americans, opposed corrupt power, and put my life and happiness into jeopardy. Now, in my sunset years, I think it is the responsibility of younger people to pick up the torch. I have only words left to contribute.

I understand your remarks, and where they are coming from, but they are unjust. A wise man suspends judgment until he has all the facts.


There may be ennui, but there is also resentment --- and active hatred.


Tell that to Martin Luther King.

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