A Call for the Sane - Beauty, Truth, & Purpose | Douglas Murray | EP 472
20 Aug 2024 (29 days ago)
Coming up
- The sanctity of places held dear by the British people is being deliberately violated, both physically and symbolically, with the intention to inflict pain on those who cherish them. (00:00:02)
- This assault is driven by motives such as vengeance, the pursuit of a different form of dominance, and the exploitation of perceived vulnerabilities.
- Targeting a small fraction of the population, approximately 3%, in such a manner is deemed disrespectful, unkind, and atypical.
Intro
- The speaker discusses the topics of his conversation with Douglas Murray, including cultural tensions, immigration policies, and the alliance between radical leftists and Islamic fundamentalists.
- The speaker encourages viewers to attend Douglas Murray's upcoming speaking tour, mentioning that tickets can be found on Live Nation and highlighting a show in Los Angeles on September 23rd.
- The speaker concludes the introduction and welcomes Douglas Murray to the show. (00:03:42)
Douglas Murray’s Live Nation speaking tour
- A speaking tour of the US is planned for September, with stops in six cities from Los Angeles to New York.
- The tour will feature footage and discussion of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the events following October 7th.
- The goal of the tour is to present a realistic view of the conflict and its potential global implications, using footage and firsthand accounts.
Object lessons based on extraordinary circumstances
- People have been living with a false sense of security, ignoring potential threats. (00:07:24)
- This lack of awareness has resulted in a lack of preparedness for real danger and crises.
- Despite the presence of evil, true heroism emerges as individuals rise to the occasion, revealing their inherent strength and resilience.
The “rich history of protest” and the need for a great call
- Students at elite universities, despite having privileged lives, are supporting Hamas terrorists.
- Some individuals are driven by boredom and a desire for rebellion, leading them to seek out causes to support. (00:10:24)
- A student at Columbia University, motivated by the institution's history of protests, felt compelled to participate in protests.
The cardinal call to existence: adventure, hedonism, or something else?
- The traditional argument of whether existence is good or evil based on the presence of pain and pleasure is flawed because it doesn't account for the existence of evil pleasures and morally justifiable pains.
- Instead of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain, the true purpose of life might be to seek adventure, specifically romantic adventure, which encompasses the pursuit of truth.
- When individuals are not engaged in this heroic call to adventure, they may be drawn to alternative pursuits, such as ideological protests, which can provide a false sense of purpose. (00:14:06)
Rebellion for the sake of rebellion
- Some believe that finding purpose in a higher cause is one of the most useful ways to find meaning in life beyond pleasure.
- There is a perception that universities are meant to teach young people how to be moral by protesting, with protest itself becoming a stand-in for morality.
- Many societal problems in the West stem from boredom and a lack of financial well-being, leading to challenges to identity and a search for a cause, which can manifest in negative ways.
From those who studied evil scientifically: “it feels like a force that descends”
- The speaker has spent time in Israel and Gaza and has witnessed things they would rather not have seen. (00:19:27)
- The speaker notes that terrorists, particularly those associated with Hamas, displayed glee while committing barbaric acts.
- Gita Sereni, a historian and writer, stated that evil can feel like a force that descends and manifests, going beyond explanations of developmental problems, education, or lack of opportunity.
What psychology tells us about gleeful evil
- The core of evil is not just evil itself, but the act of rejoicing in evil.
- Sadism, from a psychopathological perspective, is characterized by positive delight in the unnecessary suffering of others. (00:24:32)
- Examples of sadistic behavior include the unnecessary and pointless labor that prisoners in Auschwitz were forced to endure, and the Hamas terrorist who, after killing a father in front of his sons, opened the family's refrigerator to eat their food.
Tommy Robinson and the UK protests
- Tommy Robinson is described as a working-class man committed to exposing grooming gangs in the UK.
- Robinson organized a protest in London that was modeled after the protests in Ottawa.
- Following a stabbing attack in a dance class, misinformation spread online, and violence erupted in some towns. (00:32:54)
When the politicians continue to ignore and insult the public…
- The British public have voted for less immigration for 20 years, but it has only increased.
- 74% of jobs created by the British government since 2008 have gone to people not born in Britain.
- Peaceful protesters are often labeled as far-right or neo-nazis.
The epithet of “Far Right” has lost its meaning
- The term "far-right" is losing its meaning and is used too broadly. (00:47:42)
- The speaker is aware of the existence of bad actors but doesn't believe they are all "far-right".
- Working-class protests are based on frustration and are not fundamentally political.
We’re coasting downward on the idea of moral relativism
- Politicians campaign on controlling immigration but instead facilitate it.
- There is a hesitancy to acknowledge differences in cultural values due to a stance of moral relativism. (00:49:45)
- The working class is not being heard because their concerns contradict the views of those who accept everything without distinction.
What’s driving mass immigration to the West
- The ease of travel in the 21st century, its relative affordability compared to the past, and the widespread use of smartphones with internet access contribute to mass immigration to the West.
- Many countries around the world do not offer the same level of safety, wealth, and opportunity as Western nations like Canada and Britain, making them attractive destinations for migrants.
- The difficulty politicians face in securing borders and implementing effective asylum systems due to public pressure and the emotional complexities of immigration further exacerbate the issue. (00:53:56)
The problem of integration: founding ideas, ethnicity, and culture
- The United States was founded on an idea, but the idea originated from the specific group of people who founded it.
- European nations, including Britain, were not founded on an idea but rather consist of distinct ethnic identities with their own cultures and ideas.
- There is no clear understanding or consensus on how to integrate into these existing ethnic identities, posing a significant challenge for European societies.
“You don’t have a culture” is a great lie levied by bad actors
- People resent being told they don't have a culture. (00:58:24)
- There are attempts to diminish or vilify existing cultures by portraying them negatively, such as through lenses of colonialism or racism.
- Attacks on revered figures and institutions are meant to inflict pain by undermining cultural identity.
The madness of demoralizing the majority population
- It is illogical and harmful to demoralize any portion of a population, especially a majority.
- Centering the societal margins leads to the destruction of those margins, as they are the most vulnerable to the resulting chaos. (01:03:21)
- Societal trends, such as the push for drug legalization and the prominence of certain figures in events like the Olympics, demonstrate the elevation of the marginal and the potential for societal inversion.
Progressing polite instincts into policy, “diversity is our strength”
- Some Europeans express doubt about the existence of their own culture, which is surprising to those who perceive Europe as having a rich and influential culture.
- There is a tendency to downplay one's own culture to avoid appearing boastful or judgmental to newcomers, but this has been unwisely progressed from an instinct into policy.
- The claim that "diversity is our strength" is a false and overused mantra, as diversity can bring both strengths and weaknesses, including the potential for societal destruction. (01:09:28)
Rates of radicalization
- There is reliable evidence that children of immigrants are more likely to be radicalized than immigrants themselves, especially if they are having a hard time integrating.
- A parent who flees a warlike society might realize how lucky they are to arrive in a new country, but their child may not share this perspective.
- Many people have forgotten the realities of war and conflict, and may be unprepared for the possibility of violence erupting in their own societies.
Cassandra, the prophetess, and the role of the prophet
- People who dreamed of peace in communities in the south of Israel were attacked. (01:16:35)
- Jonathan Sachs wrote to the speaker after reading his book, The Strange Death of Europe, with a line from Ezekiel stating, "and whether they listen or fail to listen they should know that a prophet stood among them".
- The role of the prophet is to identify what people do not want to look at and hold it up in front of them in hopes of making them stronger and setting the social order on a more appropriate path.
A profound form of loss and the remarkable traditions of the West
- There is a need to define a positive vision for the future rather than simply criticizing current trends.
- The inability to agree on fundamental biological distinctions between sexes is a sign of profound loss. (01:21:08)
- Europe's artistic treasures, its history of valuing individual liberty, and its foundation of trust are what make it worth defending.
We should be continuing, not reframing and deconstructing
- It is argued that instead of creating new paradigms, individuals should focus on returning to and pursuing what is considered sane, normal, beautiful, and true.
- It is suggested that instead of problematizing history, individuals should view historical figures as part of a tradition to which they can contribute.
- It is proposed that having pride in tradition and striving to preserve and contribute to it is a good foundation for life. (01:25:28)
History is made by great men and women, you can be one too
- It is argued that the idea of there being no great people in history is preposterous and that individuals can make a significant impact on the world.
- An example is given of a 16-year-old who lied about his age to join the British Navy during World War II and played a crucial role in cracking the Enigma code.
- It is suggested that society should encourage individuals to strive for greatness and that recognizing the potential for heroism in everyday life is essential.
The idiocy of thinking we are meant to judge Shakespeare
- It is argued that obtaining a university grant to study Shakespeare would likely require a focus on "queering," "problematizing," or applying a colonial lens, rather than simply engaging with the works as tragedies or comedies. (01:33:57)
- The notion that modern society is equipped to judge Shakespeare is challenged, suggesting that Shakespeare's works might instead offer a lens through which to judge ourselves.
- The destruction of ideals within universities is highlighted, drawing a parallel to Cain's slaying of Abel and the subsequent inability to escape the consequences of destroying one's aspirations.
The way down and the way up: it’s your choice
- People are demoralized because modern society is not producing architecture on the scale of buildings like the Basilica at Sand Deni.
- There is a growing trend of in-person events becoming more important as the online world becomes more challenging to trust. (01:40:51)
- The speaker is planning a multi-city speaking tour in the United States, with some venues already sold out.