One response to the difficulty of pinning down where civilization ends and barbarism begins has simply been to deny the difference altogether, or even to elevate the barbarian (spontaneous! spiritual! in touch with nature!) over the civilized person (repressed! materialistic! heartless!). This has been a typically modern project, launched by the odious Jean-Jacques Rousseau 250 years ago. Rousseau's "noble savage" concept is now an ineradicable part of our culture, and forms one of the underpinnings of the modern cult of political correctness. . . .There is, in fact, a sort of sneaking admiration for the barbarian life among some civilized folk.
A hallmark of the Left; our own leftists, of course, are sneaky barbarians, undermining rather than honestly confronting.
This whole concept could generate at least an essay of its own.
Great piece! Thanks for posting.
>>>>>>>>>A hallmark of the Left; our own leftists, of course, are sneaky barbarians, undermining rather than honestly confronting.
They remind me of the character Grima Wormtongue in The Two Towers. Always the 'loyal' opposition.