Wednesday, May 29, 2013
"Use[less] Idiots"
I've been listening to Laszlo Montgomery's excellent podcast, "The China History Podcast," (available on ITunes).
The current subject I've been listening to has been the life and times of Sidney Rittenberg, a classic communist idealist - intelligent, idealistic, a man with - no doubt - strong convictions. Like so many who have dedicated themselves to the cause of molding society into compelled conformity (something they call, "equality"), Rittenberg, in spite of his intellect and devotion to a cause, was an idiot (I realize that his life was a million times more grand than my own - but I can still note, quite accurately, that, he's an idiot).
What struck me most about the events of Rittenberg's life is the all too common theme that runs through the lives of many communists and communist "fellow travelers," being ill-treated or imprisoned on more than one occasion (by the communists they follow), and seeing up close the in-you-face failings of socialism in action, and still remaining dedicated.
I realize it may be Socialism Lite, but one finds this with followers of the current U.S. president as well. No matter how weak, corrupt or ineffective he shows himself to be, he is still adored by many and can literally "do no wrong."
When a political figure I admire screws up and shows their human failings or hypocricy, I cringe with embarrassment for them and basically distance myself from any support I may have shown. I'd dare say that this is because conservatives (and libertarians) are generally motivated by seeking to achieve practical ends - not so much, "dreams and visions." The rhetoric is sometimes required of course, but in the end we want things that work and achieve positive results. The left will fund a plethora of projects that have clearly failed, advocate spending billions to "solve global warming" (even as average temperatures remain static or decline), and swear that a president who has clearly accomplished nothing (and done considerable damage) belongs on Mt. Rushmore.
I've written it several times before; idealism is a wonderful spark to creative enterprises - to art, music, and literature. To direct the temperament of an artist to the ends of structuring society is useless...and I might add that devotees of such causes are...idiots.
