1 Jun 2008
Caryl Johnston
Very nice essay and I couldn't agree more with your contention that "equality" levels cultural distinction and with that, the capacity to be content with one's station and not to harbor resentments. Richard Weaver is a fine author, prescient, and in some ways attuned to issues raised by Ortega y Gasset in The Revolt of the Masses. There have been a few wise persons of superior understanding to warn of coming dangers, but alas, modern mass society seems to be determinately marching on to its own catastrophe. The only flaw I detect in this otherwise fine piece is that in actual fact "equality" is a myth for the masses, and does not apply to the small percentage of the truly wealthy - the globalized elite.

11 Jun 2008
SD Goh
Great article. Was it not Marx who wrote this: " The bourgeoisie has pitilessly torn asunder the motley of ties that bound man to his 'natural superiors' and left remaining no other nexus between man and man than naked self-interest, than callous 'cash payment'? Perhaps, with the demise of communism (except the last vestige of it in China, or some semblance of it remaining there) we are now witnessing the rampage of the free-market forces whose one aim is the creation of an egalitarian global society where all striving to meet the very highest standards in any human endeavour is frowned upon. Success of anything must be judged by its appeal to the lowest common denominator. There is no good, nor bad. Only blandness.

22 Jun 2008
terry andersen

"fraternity instead of equality".... I like it...  kind of reminds me of a New Testament discourse about "body ministry".. a great theme about unequal status and gifting, but equal value and importance to the Creator and a functioning Kingdom. 

I somehow survived the late sixties in San Francisco, where Berkley was boiling, pseudo intellectuals were burinig their brains out on lsd, the streets were electric in an ethereal circus atmosphere where Black Panthers, Bikers, Hippies, dreamers and capitalists clashed and coalesced at the same time. 

I saw the politics, played the music, scratched my head in amazement and confusion, and now, 40  years later, am honored and grateful to meet people like you, who come down with a positive, honest, and constructive view, in spite of the "uphill" battle against silly and perverted intellectualism in our politically incorrect society, where good is said to be evil, and evil is said to be good. 

Carry on, good warrior... you're gifted, this article is accurate and encouraging, and pardon my long winded effort to say so. 

Terry

 

23 Jun 2008
Rebecca Bynum

Is equality just a myth of the masses used cynically by the "global elite"? I don't think so, I think it's very deeply ingrained in all levels of our society.

I like the line, "There is no good, nor bad. Only blandness."

And Terry, you made my evening. Thank you.

20 Sep 2011
connor

I've always been fascinated by praise for the class divisions of the past: they seem invariably to come from those who consider themselves among those Marx referred to as 'natural superiors'. Those who wax eloquent about the value of hewers of wood and drawers of water are seldom engaged in such pursuits, much less restricted to them regardless of talent or inclination.