Regards, Ivan
Posted on 07/23/2004 3:47:42 AM PDT by MadIvan
Recently, I had the dubious pleasure of attending a university graduation ceremony. Usually in Britain these tend to be staid affairs, in which there is an opening theme, “the great and the good” academics and trustees in flowing robes of scarlet and black ascend a stage, followed by a member of the House of Lords who is the titular head of the institution. Speeches are made, usually about the progress of the school and offering congratulations to the students. The roll call is given, students shake the hand of the Lord or Lady, a final word is said, and then the students are free to contemplate the question, “Now that I’ve graduated, what am I going to do next?” and swig some champagne or beer to calm the nerves.
At the ceremony I attended, at first, all went according to plan. As this was a university that specialises in the study of the Orient and Africa, the music was provided by Japanese and Thai musicians, and as such, was better than usual. The opening speeches were typical: optimistic, bland, soothing, a soporific to the nerves of agitated graduates, some of whom are probably wondering how a Study of Religions degree is going to help them pay off Mum and Dad.
The ceremony went awry during the speeches after the roll call: the head of the student union got up and made an angry denunciation of globalisation, capitalism, Israel and Western governments. Never mind that apparently a Western government had been generous enough to keep this fellow, according to some of the graduates, a “perpetual student” for some time. It was typical left-wing college student blather, detracting from the day which rightly belonged to the young people receiving the degrees. Some cheered, others in the audience rolled their eyes.
But what was most striking was the reaction of “the great and the good”, including the administration and the trustees of the university: the leadership, the embodiment of tradition, was smiling upon the speech. The dean spoke next and gave a tacit nod to what had been said previously – unlike the Prime Minister, who has recently been forceful and brilliant in arguing against the excesses of the 1960s, he said he made no apologies for that era.
The remainder of the speech, fortunately, was a return to the praises the students deserved. But as I sat in the audience, it occurred to me that uttering conservative ideas in this academic atmosphere would have been as welcome as suggesting going to a steak house to a group of vegetarians. It would have been as appropriate as a screening of “Patton” at an Amnesty International meeting. It would have been as well received as a satirical painting of Nelson Mandela on roller skates. In short, to be conservative is to be dangerous, far out, a rebel – indeed, to be a member of the real counter-culture.
The left likes to pride itself on being anti-establishment. The student union speaker probably thought he was being very hip, cool and anti-establishment by railing on about capitalism. But this leads us back to a fundamental question: by what means and what legal instruments would the left disenfranchise this establishment? What is the mechanism that they will use to establish a more just world order? The answer, inevitably, is the power of the state – whether through the organs of national governments, or through supranational bodies such as the UN. In short, ironically, by being “anti-establishment”, they seek to bolster the power of the institutions of the “establishment”. Their cry is not for liberty, but for coercion.
(Excerpt) Read more at rightgoths.com ...
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
In short, ironically, by being “anti-establishment”, they seek to bolster the power of the institutions of the “establishment”. Their cry is not for liberty, but for coercion.
And anyone paying attention knows how that has historically ended.
Rightgoths.com.......I love it!
It does my heart good to see tatooed, pierced, colored hair, whacked clothed kids today taking sides with conservatism. Its the ultimate "in your face" to the liberal educrats and their brainwashed student audiences and it's challenging kids to "think" for the first time in their lives.
Goths, punks, et al, are all trying to express individuality with their tastes, mode of dress and music - why would they accept conformity force fed by the left? Personally speaking as a "conservative in black" - I see the left as a huge threat to live as I please, even though my life does none harm.
Best Regards, Ivan
This puts a whole new image of goth in my mind. May the counter-culture and individuality thrive.
There are professors still like this - but one gets the impression they are becoming a tiny minority.
Regards, Ivan
Hold on - I'd opine that the OPs of English Analytical philosophy are less intellectually obnoxious than the OPs of any other school of philosophy.
Okay, Ayer excepted. ;^)
We would need to have a long talk.
Although you will have to complete an entrance exam, an interview, and send a transcript before I agree to take you on as a student. LOL! [irony...i.e., kidding]
Ayer, Russell, and Bentham would have been better off - as would we all - had they taken up polo, Sloane Ranger parties, or Loch Ness Monster research.
LOL!
You have a point.
Polo, Sloane Ranger parties, Loch Ness Monster research, and campy Vampire films with large-breasted women have probably been the safer route (for civilization).
I am experiencing a mental event which consists of the smell of old volumes in a Vancouver used book store 40 Novembers ago. ;^)
R.G. Collingwood,Frederick Copleston, call your offices...
less intellectually obnoxious
Or LIO for short. I like that category.
Here's one for the Analytics (beginning pronounced like "anal") and Ordinary Language philosophers to meditate on:
"While he considered joining the Communist Party at Cambridge, Loch Ness Monster research appeared less intellectually obnoxious and the safer career path."
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