I frigging love this post. And I'd love to have a deeper conversation with you about this. I am a white male, so possibly at risk of low-credibility when I say this.. but here goes, anyway...
I have this comparable/similar theory I'm exploring, which is that many of white man's worst impulses and excesses (all ego, no responsibility) come from a dearth of self-love, meaning they (we?) operate from a moral and compassion vaccuum.
The quest outward for more money, glory, achievement, growth, scale, investor ROI, etc is – to me – a yearning that will never be filled, because it is driven by the ego, and is inherently insatiable.
But more than that, it is a flawed quest, because in reaching outward, it is trying to fill a void of self-love and self-worth by going in exactly the opposite direction. That journey must be inward, not outward. The compassion, morality, empathy needed to solve really fucking big problems requires a more open heart, a more gentle hand, and a more grounded soul rooted in self-love and appreciation.
So, that's my theory I'm working on. As I said, I'd love to spitball this around some more if it's of service.
Hey Sarah I’ve been thinking about this a lot actually. And reflecting...I grew up with a very big catholic presence in my early life (NB only 33 so still a spring chicken!). I felt the structure of a catholic school/and the rituals gave me comfort and were a big part of my childhood identity (Altar girl! 6pm Saturday mass!). But I struggled integrating what I was hearing in bible passages and meanings to what I was seeing within the institution. So I definitely get the premise that neoliberalism led to the demise of churches and community groups more broadly. But from my experience and observation the institution of religion was sick right from the start. Sick in the sense it actually separated spirituality from religion. God became elitist and something only those in power could access. As opposed to literally residing within every one of us as a birth right. Which afforded priest so much prestige and power (and a social contract) that many have quite literally abused. This all came to light during the Royal Commission into institutional child sexual abuse (and obviously the atrocious response of the Catholic Church). I had disengaged before then, but that was the final straw for me to cut all ties with the church. So anyway, super complex and philosophical, and I think exploring the intersections of that with colonialism and patriarchy would be very, very interesting.
I'm excited by these new musings, Sarah, on the spiritual. I expect you'll experience much thumos during your travels especially in old world Europe. You kinda feel it when you gaze upon some thousand year old building or relic ... or when you sit quietly in some of the magnificent old cathedrals and churches (I love European cathedrals - spend hours in them) ...
I wonder if also exploring the evolution of the 'self' might be useful ... I was fascinated by Neumann, and the lady in The Dropout (blood biz went bust) and their self-absorption - all part of the Messiah complex you mention. But we all struggle with it to some degree. I think it's humanity's great struggle - to get over ourselves. I read of another great Greek word, Sarah. - 'autarkic' - a desire for self-rule, a desire to be in control, a desire to be God. We all possess it to some degree and I find it's grace & love that helps serve to diminish it in us.
I look forward to more musings, Sarah. Be safe, be well. xx
I read a lot of Fukuyama’s stuff when I was getting my BA in Political Science. Reading your book and more of your writings like this is making me consider going back to school to get my masters... But what to study that could actually be of practical use to the world? I’m not sure 🤔
...and how wonderful for a helping hand - a gentle touch on a shoulder, a compelling concept discerned, a wide open vastness nurturing our queries. Thankful. Yes, indeed, hopefully more of us are surely leaning into this spiritual quest. Onward and inward! With kindness and love!
LOVE all of this .. thank you is all I have time to write for now - thank you for your realness and your insight and your sharing - love all of it! It lights me up
Very insightful and certainly food for thought for my next run/hike. Love your books and avidly follow your journeys and blog, you are and have been an inspiration, thank you.
Wondering if you've ever engaged with Charles Eisentien's Sacred Economics and his numerous other essays? It's brilliant and follows some of the themes you've written about here.
Sarah, I so appreciate your reflections and insights. I have learned a new word today too- thumos. Thank you for letting yourself be drawn into responding to Liana's question- what a joy to read these thoughts on a winters morning before 'starting' my day. I loved 'OK. I have gone off on a bit of an overheated philosophical tangent here. It’s currently 36C where I sit.' Brilliant, it was an instant imagery and made me laugh. I imagined the combined effect of the heat that rises when thinking about megalomaniac white men, with that of the environment. Now that's quite a high temp! Thanks to Liana too, for posing the question that so many of us share! I look forward to following your travels - nice to see a pic of the bar you were writing from! Ps just wanted to say, I used to love reading your work and commenting on the blog 10+ years ago, I have a 'new name' but I'm not new, my maiden name is Rose :-)
I frigging love this post. And I'd love to have a deeper conversation with you about this. I am a white male, so possibly at risk of low-credibility when I say this.. but here goes, anyway...
I have this comparable/similar theory I'm exploring, which is that many of white man's worst impulses and excesses (all ego, no responsibility) come from a dearth of self-love, meaning they (we?) operate from a moral and compassion vaccuum.
The quest outward for more money, glory, achievement, growth, scale, investor ROI, etc is – to me – a yearning that will never be filled, because it is driven by the ego, and is inherently insatiable.
But more than that, it is a flawed quest, because in reaching outward, it is trying to fill a void of self-love and self-worth by going in exactly the opposite direction. That journey must be inward, not outward. The compassion, morality, empathy needed to solve really fucking big problems requires a more open heart, a more gentle hand, and a more grounded soul rooted in self-love and appreciation.
So, that's my theory I'm working on. As I said, I'd love to spitball this around some more if it's of service.
Also: that cafe/church looks bloody gorgeous.
Hey Sarah I’ve been thinking about this a lot actually. And reflecting...I grew up with a very big catholic presence in my early life (NB only 33 so still a spring chicken!). I felt the structure of a catholic school/and the rituals gave me comfort and were a big part of my childhood identity (Altar girl! 6pm Saturday mass!). But I struggled integrating what I was hearing in bible passages and meanings to what I was seeing within the institution. So I definitely get the premise that neoliberalism led to the demise of churches and community groups more broadly. But from my experience and observation the institution of religion was sick right from the start. Sick in the sense it actually separated spirituality from religion. God became elitist and something only those in power could access. As opposed to literally residing within every one of us as a birth right. Which afforded priest so much prestige and power (and a social contract) that many have quite literally abused. This all came to light during the Royal Commission into institutional child sexual abuse (and obviously the atrocious response of the Catholic Church). I had disengaged before then, but that was the final straw for me to cut all ties with the church. So anyway, super complex and philosophical, and I think exploring the intersections of that with colonialism and patriarchy would be very, very interesting.
I'm excited by these new musings, Sarah, on the spiritual. I expect you'll experience much thumos during your travels especially in old world Europe. You kinda feel it when you gaze upon some thousand year old building or relic ... or when you sit quietly in some of the magnificent old cathedrals and churches (I love European cathedrals - spend hours in them) ...
I wonder if also exploring the evolution of the 'self' might be useful ... I was fascinated by Neumann, and the lady in The Dropout (blood biz went bust) and their self-absorption - all part of the Messiah complex you mention. But we all struggle with it to some degree. I think it's humanity's great struggle - to get over ourselves. I read of another great Greek word, Sarah. - 'autarkic' - a desire for self-rule, a desire to be in control, a desire to be God. We all possess it to some degree and I find it's grace & love that helps serve to diminish it in us.
I look forward to more musings, Sarah. Be safe, be well. xx
I read a lot of Fukuyama’s stuff when I was getting my BA in Political Science. Reading your book and more of your writings like this is making me consider going back to school to get my masters... But what to study that could actually be of practical use to the world? I’m not sure 🤔
I was just thinking about how pointless business men are and then this was the first thing in my substack notifs. Perf timing and a enjoyed the read !
...and how wonderful for a helping hand - a gentle touch on a shoulder, a compelling concept discerned, a wide open vastness nurturing our queries. Thankful. Yes, indeed, hopefully more of us are surely leaning into this spiritual quest. Onward and inward! With kindness and love!
LOVE all of this .. thank you is all I have time to write for now - thank you for your realness and your insight and your sharing - love all of it! It lights me up
Trip looking AMAZING XX
Very insightful and certainly food for thought for my next run/hike. Love your books and avidly follow your journeys and blog, you are and have been an inspiration, thank you.
Wondering if you've ever engaged with Charles Eisentien's Sacred Economics and his numerous other essays? It's brilliant and follows some of the themes you've written about here.
You always manage to put into words what I’m feeling , clumsily! Like Shakespeare! Thanks Sarah ! ☺️
Sarah, I so appreciate your reflections and insights. I have learned a new word today too- thumos. Thank you for letting yourself be drawn into responding to Liana's question- what a joy to read these thoughts on a winters morning before 'starting' my day. I loved 'OK. I have gone off on a bit of an overheated philosophical tangent here. It’s currently 36C where I sit.' Brilliant, it was an instant imagery and made me laugh. I imagined the combined effect of the heat that rises when thinking about megalomaniac white men, with that of the environment. Now that's quite a high temp! Thanks to Liana too, for posing the question that so many of us share! I look forward to following your travels - nice to see a pic of the bar you were writing from! Ps just wanted to say, I used to love reading your work and commenting on the blog 10+ years ago, I have a 'new name' but I'm not new, my maiden name is Rose :-)
Thanks
I’d appreciate your mutual subscribing to my Substack “Notes from a Old Drummer”
❤️❤️❤️