Hyperbole? No. Your latest bit reminds me of a line attributed to Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa: "In this mad world, only the mad are sane." It seems to me that liberal democracy has run its course and we live in a society of lunatics whose mental life is an abyss, who've lost all capacity for self-reliance and independent thought. We farm out our decision-making to the experts in every aspect of our lives, from our personal health to our personal beliefs to how we raise our own children. Can we still sink lower? How far away is rock bottom? I don't know, but it feels close, and while the future looks grim, I find a sense of hopeful enthusiasm and energy in the idea that when everything is lost, there's an opportunity to dive back into the plasma pool and recover our lost father, so to speak.
I think this is what you're doing for your readers every week, and for that I'm grateful.
Dear Asa, I'm going away on a long trip today and may not be reading your essays for a few weeks. But I do look forward to reconnecting with you toward the end of August. I hope you have a wonderful summer.
Your comment reminds me of a sentiment expressed in Lewis Carroll's *Sylvie and Bruno*: when the lunatics outnumber the sane, the sane will have to lock themselves in the asylum to keep out the lunatics.
Hyperbole? No. Your latest bit reminds me of a line attributed to Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa: "In this mad world, only the mad are sane." It seems to me that liberal democracy has run its course and we live in a society of lunatics whose mental life is an abyss, who've lost all capacity for self-reliance and independent thought. We farm out our decision-making to the experts in every aspect of our lives, from our personal health to our personal beliefs to how we raise our own children. Can we still sink lower? How far away is rock bottom? I don't know, but it feels close, and while the future looks grim, I find a sense of hopeful enthusiasm and energy in the idea that when everything is lost, there's an opportunity to dive back into the plasma pool and recover our lost father, so to speak.
I think this is what you're doing for your readers every week, and for that I'm grateful.
Dear Asa, I'm going away on a long trip today and may not be reading your essays for a few weeks. But I do look forward to reconnecting with you toward the end of August. I hope you have a wonderful summer.
Good luck on your travels!
Your comment reminds me of a sentiment expressed in Lewis Carroll's *Sylvie and Bruno*: when the lunatics outnumber the sane, the sane will have to lock themselves in the asylum to keep out the lunatics.
Great line! That about sums it up.
Well put, Harry, damning but encouraging, too, and a fine tribute to Asa's splendid work.
Thanks, Allen. I really enjoyed reading your piece yesterday about DEI. Cheers.