3 Comments

I find practicing Stoic principles help me keep my head about things and not become black pilled on the future of our society. Having a realistic understanding of the things that are in my control and the things that are not makes me far more effective in preparation for what is clearly coming

Expand full comment

a few relevant quotes for the war, maybe useful to some

Ecclesiastes 3:15

That which hath seen is now; and that which is to be hath already been

or Dylan 1980;

Many try to stop me, shake me up in my mind

Say, “Prove to me that He is Lord, show me a sign”

What kind of sign they need when it all come from within

When what’s lost has been found, what’s to come has already been?

or Kingsnorth 2022; (copied with assumed permission)

The right kind of warrior takes on his own internal demons before he sails out to take on those of others. He takes his stand, and stands his ground, without giving into to the nihil of the age. He cleaves to what he believes in without falling into the traps laid by partisanship, anger and self-righteousness. Most of all, he works to to clear out his own inner junkyard so that he can go searching for truth - and recognize it when he finds it. His war is against the worst of himself and for the best of the world, and what he is fighting for is the love he so often fails at. His most effective weapon is sacrifice.

This is easier written than practiced, of course. But I think it might be the way through. ‘No one is obliged to take part in the spiritual crises of a society’, wrote the philosopher Eric Voegelin. ‘On the contrary, everyone is obliged to avoid the folly and live his life in order.’ If there is better advice for living through the reign of quantity, or surviving the hyperreal culture wars, I haven’t found it yet.

Expand full comment

I have a niece whose only 12, she stood up against her class that wanted to make their class play about LGBT rights (I'm sure prompted by the teacher) she wouldn't back down and got a couple of the other kids to join her in their own little play.

They were supposed to be performing for younger kids and she had the sense to know it wasn't age appropriate for the kids or moral for her to be a part of. I'm kind of the black sheep compared to her father (my brother). She sends me her favorite Bible verses and it's always when I need them the most. She was there at my conformation in support while my now ex wife was barely awake in the pew. That kid gives me hope. We need a spiritual revolution. Covid kept me away from church because of masks and Vax passes. But raising kids like her gives me hope. Great points Pete.

Expand full comment