A Better Story

Many are probably somewhat familiar with Jordan Peterson, Canadian psychologist, author, and media commentator.  He achieved celebrity status by having the COURAGE and integrity to challenge those embroiled in the “pronoun controversy” - this is equivalent to wading into a War Zone with no helmet - such valiant behavior occurs very rarely - a hero or villain, as you see it - but BRAVE, almost beyond belief - considering the near hysterical passions on all sides - and riotous (often ARMED, at least with bricks and bats) partisans on all sides.

Having emerged from that hellish controversy - still in one piece - he has gone on to opine on even MORE momentous issues - as important as the “pronouns” may be - he now engages macro-economy, geo-strategy, Culture of the West writ large, even Marxism - though obviously there is only so much room on one’s plate - so, in that later there have been significant droppings for the household pets.

Peterson has inspired and helped found an institute called the “Alliance for Responsible Citizenship” - ANC.  You can read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_for_Responsible_Citizenship  

I mean to critique but one of the submissions on their website - https://www.arcforum.com/

That being one by Baroness Philippa Stroud - which I think is representative of the thinking of the org. It's called, “We Need a Better Story” -https://www.arcforum.com/ideas/why-we-need-a-better-story

Her submission is headed with an image of the Holy Bible - that intrigued me - does she mean to weigh in on the rather thin gruel on offer in the “Founding Document” of our ‘Western Culture” ? - yet, neither the Bible nor Christianity is mentioned. Perhaps implied though: “Our shared stories and values are the golden threads that bind our families, communities, and nations together, up and down the generations.” “…but these stories have been undermined and deconstructed, causing us to lose confidence in ourselves, and the fabric of our societies to become frayed and fragmented.” That's ambiguous - is it the “deconstruction” of the “stories," or what?? Just what IS the story??

She continues, “Studies (by so and so) demonstrate that there is much to be proud of in our liberal democratic heritage” - “namely, an astounding uptick in our living standards” - OUR?? living standards??

See the pie attached. There ARE no STANDARDS of Living - Evidently THIS is the “STORY.” We could cut the crap right here. But, as a writer, we write.

“We see that healthy institutions lay the groundwork for prosperity” - I have no doubt that the membership of ANC has “prospered” - would it be imprudent to mention that MILLIONS have not only not prospered, but are living in HELL - without mattress, breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Given this '“astounding uptick in living standards” - “why, then do we feel that we are in a permanent state of crisis?” Notice the DOUBLE “We.”  The problem is “corrosive cultural criticism” and “lack of a common narrative.”

“Common narrative” - What does she mean? ALMOST everyone knows by now that Russia bad, China bad, Hamas bad, Israel good, USA good, the West good, our elites are smart, vaccines are safe, the “virus” VERY BAD, etc. Ok, not EVERYONE - but, at least a clear majority - or maybe not - it's reported that millions are beginning to suspect our “information medias” may not be entirely on the level. Hopefully true.

“Our lack of a common narrative has left us feeling disillusioned and disempowered at a time when humanity is more prosperous, healthy, and better resourced than at any time in history” - I could repeat myself on the utter idiocy of saying “humanity” - this or that - when “humanity” is SPLIT INTO TWO HALVES as never before. In other words, it's a stupid thing to say.

But, let’s get to this “common narrative” business she’s been harping on. “But without common cultural narratives and philosophical reservoirs... we are in danger of losing connection with, and confidence in our historic foundations on which the prosperity of our nations have been built” - Jaw-dropping mess of verbiage - signifying absolutely nothing. Surely though, she’s getting ready to share her view about just what “narrative” she’s proposing - or perhaps she’s already stated it obliquely - the “prosperity” of the “West,” “Liberal Democratic values” - but all that is more verbiage and indeed, garbage.

So-called “Liberal Democratic Values” - in a Capitalist System, are FINANCIAL “Values” - nothing more nor less. “Prosperity” for whom? The reader is left to guess just what “values” and what “narrative” she proposes(??) But I thought this boilerplate and utterly VACUOUS word salad to be a good EXAMPLE of the “thinking” that reigns on high.    

I've edited her comments to spare my readers. But you can check the full article. If you find anything there, let me know.