Narcissism and the culture war

Renew America ^ | 3-8-12 | Fred Hutchinson

[ReformationFan]

The culture war might be likened to fighting a war against a coalition of powers. Imagine WWI-style trench warfare on a long front. In the center of the enemy lines are the forces of moral relativism. These forces oppose the idea that there is a universal moral law. On one flank are the forces of the sexual revolution, including gays, feminists, adulterers, the promiscuous, and the pro-abortion folks. On the other flank are the cultural relativists, and multiculturalists. This camp opposes the ideas of truth, beauty, and intrinsic quality. It seeks to suppress the literary, philosophical, and artistic heritage of western culture and to replace it with a shallow, drifting, culture-free realm.

Let us call the allied enemy powers on this battle front the "Postmodern Coalition." What characteristic does this motley crew have in common that enables it to be welded into a common cause? These folks are in bondage to a particular kind of evil — an evil that is almost ubiquitous in the decadent, postmodern West. That evil is narcissism. They do not have a monopoly on narcissism, of course. One can find narcissists in every nook and cranny of this self-indulgent society. But as I explore the different phases of the Postmodern Coalition, I find that all roads lead to narcissism.

Narcissus Spellbound

Narcissus was a youth in Greek mythology. He spurned the love of a nymph called Echo. She appealed to the goddess Nemesis for revenge. Nemesis cast an evil spell on Narcissus. He saw his own image in the water and fell in love with it. The spellbound Narcissus pined away in a hopeless love of his own image, suffered terrible frustrations, and died. By a strange resurrection, he became a flower which bears the name Narcissus.

[ReformationFan]

Excellent analysis of the narcissism that drives the cultural left.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Well, that, and PURE evil....

[SuziQ]

I consider homosexuality the epitome of narcissism. They only love those like themselves.

[AlanGreenSpam]

And of course, that’s PRECISELY why the “look at me” facebook generation and the liberal 60’s graybeards voted in President Maximus Narcissus in 2008.

[ReformationFan]

Exactly. That’s why it’s considered “acceptable” in this narcissism-on-steroids age we live in. Plus, there’s no worry about procreation. By definition, child-bearing requires a massive increase in one’s selflessness. That, of course, is anathema to the mind of the narcissist.

[lentulusgracchus]

Consider, too, the late-night ads with their come-ons for energy drinks (which have made someone a billionaire in damn short order). Consider their pitch: Immediate boost from low energy to high energy, no "crash" at the end, no penalty to health, energy, or rest; just hours and hours of accelerated living, high energy, and accomplishment.

I'm waiting to hear "the rest of the story" on this stuff, which will come to us eventually from police blotters and emergency rooms by-and-by. In the meanwhile, someone got rich.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Even some people on the left agree with Renew America...