Failing to Achieve the Ecstasy

Back when George Bush famously quipped that he wanted to spread democracy all over the world, he was roundly laughed at. The old woman (democracy) was already dying. Her two sons, communism and nihilism were ascending and preparing to take power. The election of Obama was proof certain that democracy had run its course. She stood weak and discredited, shamed by her own arrogance which precluded her from mounting a credible defense.

Communism seemed the most logical heir. He was older and could claim a record of sorts. Admittedly, there were gaps and disappointments in his resume but - being young and strong, with plenty of tricks up his sleeves - he succeeded in pulling himself back up each time after error and embarrassment had stained his effort.

Nihilism was the upstart. Nihilism had been subject to manipulation by his older brother in his younger days. No more! …and eventually the equation turned around.

Now nihilism rules. He has taken a bride named ‘solipsism’. There are no longer any rules. The degree of savagery determines success or failure. We’ve been there before – the Roman Coliseum – only no one remembers back that far.

It is acknowledged that, for many, history begins on the day they are born. Most of us have been living off the fruits – the success – generated by our culture. We have known little else. Happiness is relative. I’ve been astounded how few Americans travel to see how others live. If they did, they would know that their (good) fortune is quite unique. They would be more appreciative of those who came before. They might even be enthusiastic.

Lacking such exposure and perspective, however, they tend to look longingly at worlds that can exist only in theory. They tend to ascribe reality to tomes which, like fishing nets, can only capture debris of a certain size, while the vast balance filters through. Still, failing to achieve the ecstasy to which we all feel entitled, we’ve now resorted to attacking the net itself. Ennui is Sisyphus’ stone rolling down the other side of the mountain.

The terrorists are merely an expression of ourselves. ‘Solipsism’ taught us as much.