Voices Of Value

I continue to be disappointed as I observe the American scene today at the “voices of value” that are lacking in the national discourse. They are few and far between, and they grow more silent and distant every day.

Voices Of Value in The 20th Century

The 20th Century had many such voices.?Three who come readily to mind are three of my favorite authors: G.K. Chesterton, Eric Hoffer, and Richard M. Weaver.?These three authors wrote close to the bone about human nature and the human condition.? They knew whereof they wrote.? All three were excellent writers and wrote on many societal issues that have relevance for today.

There were many others as well in the 20th Century. In addition, we had the many individuals who wrote the Great Books of the Western World that were foundational for an ethical and moral worldview for a just society. That all has changed with the chant that was heard on university campuses not so long ago, to wit: "Hey hey, ho ho! Western Civ has got to go!" For all intents and purposes, the Western Civilization tradition has all but disappeared except for a few colleges and universities whose curricula are based on liberal arts and the great books of the western world. I am not sure we can recover that tradition in the 21st Century.

Voices Of Value In The 21st Century

The 21st Century has not given voice to comparable thought leaders or writers. Moreover, when a voice of value or truth does speak out, whether, in economics, science, politics, or other important areas of human study, he or she can expect to be ridiculed and, in many cases, become a victim of the "cancel culture." Any voice that is not aligned with a politically correct narrative or meme is drowned out by a cacophony of name-calling of the worst sort. Free speech and rational discourse are both going the way of the infamous Dodo bird as a result.

Conversely, the voices of nonsense, blather, and palpable poppycock are ever more apparent across the journalistic and intellectual landscape.? I love the last term in that triad at the beginning of this paragraph.? Palpable poppycock is an apt phrase.?It describes quite fittingly what we see in our newspapers and on the nightly news.? I first recall seeing that term in a cartoon in The New Yorker Magazine of all places.? In my view, we have more palpable poppycock than anything else.

New Voices Of Value

What we need today in America are men and women who write and speak truthfully, clearly, and objectively about difficult and controversial topics.? That is a challenge of the first magnitude because the educational system has been corrupted by a cultural virus of sorts. I have no other word to describe it. That virus distorts everything being taught in our schools today.

At present, we are not educating our younger generations to become critical thinkers or even how to think about the crucial and critical issues of life and society. ?Truth and facts are being trumped by the focus on emotions, feelings, and illusions.

Sadly, the educational system teaches our young people what to think, not how to think.

A Call To Action

Let me leave you with a powerful quote which is the motto of the Royal Society of England: “Take the word of no one and follow where the evidence leads.”? Put more simply: Do your homework and become a voice of value for others.? Our survival as a nation of free men and women may depend on it.

________________________________________________________________________

If you like this post, please share it with family, friends, and business colleagues. If you wish to read more of my posts, please go to my blogging website (www.whitebeardwisdom.com) and register with your email address.

Cordially,

Andrew J Guinosso

On the Road and Off the Grid

?