By Cynthia Chung “It has become apparent that whole masses of human population are, as a whole, inferior in their claim upon the future, to other masses, that they cannot be given opportunities or trusted with power as the superior peoples are trusted, that their characteristic weaknesses are contagious and detrimental to the civilizing fabric, and that their range of incapacity tempts and demoralizes the strong. To give them equality is to sink to their level, to protect and cherish them is to be swamped in their fecundity.”
...its interesting that Lord Northcliffe through his Times had such an influence in the proliferation of the then propaganda. This article reminds me that i'd come across the fact long ago. I'd forgotten 'cause it didn't seem relevant at the time. And now i'm reminded once again 'cause i can add my personal experience as evidence of the apparent fact. The paper's penchant for propaganda had patently endured it seems. It may have been during Ireland's second 'covid' lockdown that i experienced my epiphany. I had been outdoors leaning against a wall with the Times spread out before me, and had been hesitantly reading it. Perhaps reluctantly even! It had been a provocative morning, and somewhat impatiently i drew out my copy of Orwell's '84. I picked up where i'd left off, a swathe of it i'd re-read already. Without warning, a flicker of recognition ignited in my head! I drew up short! I reached for the Times, and inspired with an irresistible sense of increasing anticipation quickly scanned a few paragraphs while raptly following my intuitional lead! Unconsciously, that initial spark had fanned into a flame, during which time my entire body tensed. On a long inhalation, i slowly and thoughtfully closed the paper, rolled it up, raised it menacingly into the vacant?! air in front of me, and so to the thoughtful ejection of and unfolding rhythm of an explosive and regular expletive ('fk it!' for the emotionally illiterate) slammed it against the wall with a force commensurate to the irresistible sense of exasperation that had accompanied my realization! It had been a long time coming, however when it had arrived there had been no denying its naked force, the bald, unavoidable validation that yes, for some time, i had been veritably propagandized. I omit the exacting details that coloured this realization, but shortly following upon this incident as a fitting encore and in a flurry of contempt i flung the paper into the nearest refuse bin, and consciously departed the scene aflame with that polished moral sense that only the truly righteous bask in!
Enriching article, reminding me of the gift of vulnerability as Humanity’s main strength, thank you. Your words prompt me to post on this suitable Mother’s Day topic on my Substack to counter the Malgenicist (intended) screeds of Wells, Shaw and Harari. Stay safe and free. Happy Mother’s Day, even if you have no children--ideas are for a rare few, their offspring.
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” Brene Brown
“The formidableness and uniqueness of the human species stem from the survival of its weak. Were it not for the habit of caring for the sick, the crippled and the weak in general humanity could not have perhaps attained to culture and civilization. The invalided warrior who had to stay behind while the manhood of the tribe went out to war was probably the first storyteller, teacher and artisan (fashioning weapons and toys). The earliest development of religion, poetry and wit owed much to the survival of the unfit. One thinks of the unhinged medicine man, the epileptic prophet, the blind bard, the witty hunchback and dwarf. Finally, the sick must have had a hand in the development of the arts of healing and cooking.” Eric Hoffer, #50, The Passionate State of Mind, 1955
...its interesting that Lord Northcliffe through his Times had such an influence in the proliferation of the then propaganda. This article reminds me that i'd come across the fact long ago. I'd forgotten 'cause it didn't seem relevant at the time. And now i'm reminded once again 'cause i can add my personal experience as evidence of the apparent fact. The paper's penchant for propaganda had patently endured it seems. It may have been during Ireland's second 'covid' lockdown that i experienced my epiphany. I had been outdoors leaning against a wall with the Times spread out before me, and had been hesitantly reading it. Perhaps reluctantly even! It had been a provocative morning, and somewhat impatiently i drew out my copy of Orwell's '84. I picked up where i'd left off, a swathe of it i'd re-read already. Without warning, a flicker of recognition ignited in my head! I drew up short! I reached for the Times, and inspired with an irresistible sense of increasing anticipation quickly scanned a few paragraphs while raptly following my intuitional lead! Unconsciously, that initial spark had fanned into a flame, during which time my entire body tensed. On a long inhalation, i slowly and thoughtfully closed the paper, rolled it up, raised it menacingly into the vacant?! air in front of me, and so to the thoughtful ejection of and unfolding rhythm of an explosive and regular expletive ('fk it!' for the emotionally illiterate) slammed it against the wall with a force commensurate to the irresistible sense of exasperation that had accompanied my realization! It had been a long time coming, however when it had arrived there had been no denying its naked force, the bald, unavoidable validation that yes, for some time, i had been veritably propagandized. I omit the exacting details that coloured this realization, but shortly following upon this incident as a fitting encore and in a flurry of contempt i flung the paper into the nearest refuse bin, and consciously departed the scene aflame with that polished moral sense that only the truly righteous bask in!
Enriching article, reminding me of the gift of vulnerability as Humanity’s main strength, thank you. Your words prompt me to post on this suitable Mother’s Day topic on my Substack to counter the Malgenicist (intended) screeds of Wells, Shaw and Harari. Stay safe and free. Happy Mother’s Day, even if you have no children--ideas are for a rare few, their offspring.
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” Brene Brown
“The formidableness and uniqueness of the human species stem from the survival of its weak. Were it not for the habit of caring for the sick, the crippled and the weak in general humanity could not have perhaps attained to culture and civilization. The invalided warrior who had to stay behind while the manhood of the tribe went out to war was probably the first storyteller, teacher and artisan (fashioning weapons and toys). The earliest development of religion, poetry and wit owed much to the survival of the unfit. One thinks of the unhinged medicine man, the epileptic prophet, the blind bard, the witty hunchback and dwarf. Finally, the sick must have had a hand in the development of the arts of healing and cooking.” Eric Hoffer, #50, The Passionate State of Mind, 1955
You can’t trust the “ superior “ people for a minute as their arrogance outwits what they think is true with time.
I don’t think they understand what the mass is in its own right to begin with. Is a bee hive is just a dumb social entity???
Why can’t we think we are like a flock of birds with our views?
Birds of a feather flock together is the old adage!
"The Descent of Man", no not his autobiography..
clever humour, i loved it.
This is an amazing piece of work. Trying to share it far and wide.