15 December 2010

More Thugs, Fewer Gentlemen (2)

Whenever I hear the words holiday sales I reach not for my pistol, but for a stout walking stick with which to prod the up-to-no-gooder in the chest. There is more to this than buying and selling. Wouldn’t you agree?

The one Christmas scene guaranteed to upset my natural fogey rhythm is that of a domesticated male following the lady out shopping, arms likely as not carrying various bags and parcels, a beaten look on his face. Poor guy. He represents what is wrong with modern men. The wretchedness of it all is enough to drive one to action. I want to grab the pathetic sod by the medium lapels of his Tweed jacket, shake him about a bit, and yell: “Wake up and grow a large pair, man!”

It is claimed by betweeded psychonauts that Americans are a uniquely materialistic people. I think it is true, but only up to a point. Because surely there is more going on than mere appreciation of objects for themselves alone; no, there is a certain psychology at play. In this most competitive of markets acquisitiveness is a form of status-seeking and certain brands are clear status markers. In this context it is the process or spectacle that matters, not the concrete thing itself, which may partly explain why Americans produce little of permanent worth.

A kind of religion prevails to a degree absent, I think, in other developed Western countries, and even here I think it is the public act of going to church that is significant, not the doctrine itself, which in any case is rarely observed with anything resembling traditional piety. People function according to patterns created by outlandish myths and outright lies, particularly those surrounding their fellow human beings and the future. They live according to fantasies sustained by unremitting propaganda directly suggestive of Soviet media machine. It is a fantasy world. It is a great 'No-saying' to life, a denial or rejection of reality and of human nature.

Where are the world-renowned shoemakers as found in Britain and Europe? Where are the bespoke tailors for which places such as Jermyn Street and Savile Row are famous? Where are the things of value? They do not exist here and never have done. Which is why I remain sceptical about this specific critique.

Holiday shopping means open season on unwitting consumers. It is like shooting a row of ducks in a very small pond. The common peoples of Western countries have been reduced after decades of conditioning to deracinated, cultureless beings, atomised consumer units, giant digestive bags, spiritually and psychologically helpless before the onslaught of the capitalist predator. The holidays are the product of manipulation of the volk traditions of a subject captive population. Consumerism is a false faith. What we face is a crisis of the spirit. We are in a spiritual war. Choose your mindweapon.

I repeat: “Wake up and grow a large pair, man!” Be a thug--not a gentleman. The cult of the gentleman, a product of late-stage Christianity undergoing fatal process of de-Teutonification, was designed by little twerps to weaken and control stronger chaps. Today, in the darkening hour of the crisis of impending immolations, what we need are fewer tubby gents clutching Bibles and more virile Dandies wielding AK-47s, sturdy stylish thugs living the archaic values. And ready to do whatever it takes, as it were. For the serious case--the Ernstfall--soon will demand it.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post. A call to turn away from materialism and return to blut and boden. I'm feeling quite scunnered with people around me just now who are buying do much trash - I don't understand the need to buy new things every week , it's hideous and spiritually abhorrent.

Anonymous said...

Wearing Aldens instead of bespoke Lobbs is a small price to pay for enjoying the things of value that America has produced (ironically, the vast majority of which are not material) in her relatively brief history.

A.E.F. said...

Admiral, I feel it is an especially American proclivity to commodify. Sport, religion, may be even human nature? What's perturbing is the alacrity with which so much of the rest of the world embraces 'the American way'.

Belle de Ville said...

Why do you think that I blog? I've been on a mission to educate the public to understand intrinsic value and to spend less but to purchase better quality.

Anonymous said...

Admiral Cod,

Are you insane or drunk? In Scandinavia both are permitted, but I would like to know.
Sven.

v. Braun. said...

The rogues of t'day are the aristoc-rats of tomorrow!

brohammas said...

You are right on most points and state your correctness quite pointedly.
Shall I point out a few things we Yanks may have a bit of a corner on:
Soccer may or may not have started in your native land but what is for sure is that Webb Ellis made it better. Since those days that specific game has been perfected in two different places; Texas and New Zealand.

Our old money may be nothing like your old money... but our new money can kick your new money's trash.

Our Bible thumpers are surely better at thumping than reading, your Bible scholars are surely better at reading than living, but the practice of doing both in best carried out in Utah... whether you like them/us or not, or agree, its true.

Rich Fader said...

"More thugs in our house...
"More thugs in our house..."

Anonymous said...

this blog entry is very well-written, pretty impressive that the blogger can craft an expose on vacant American lifestyle while writing nothing more than a casual blog entry

Anonymous said...

I am enjoying reading your posts today between food, messes, and holding my girls. At times, your posts seem a little verbose but they make up for it with their colorful nature. I think I was a little verbose myself just now. It is true that we are in the midst of a spiritual crisis. I've met my share of Bible thumpers. I'm a Bible reader. I understand more and more why Jesus preferred the shores of Galilee to the synagogues of his day. Unfortunatley, many churhes today resemble those synagogues. However, don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Churches are made better by their members. I cannot hope to change my church for the better, if I may presume, if I'm not in it.

Anonymous said...

This post still makes me laugh--grow a large pair. On the way out of the church after my wedding, my husband carried my Dooney Bourke purse while I carried flowers. Everyone was throwing birdseed. Thanks to the photographer, I have an 8x10 of it. I thought I started him off the right way.
I don't make him go shopping with me. I've never minded just going by myself. I don't feel the need to be accompanied by someone all of the time--even my girlfriends. I do all of the Christmas shopping, of course. However, my husband surprised me yesterday. There was a painting at the art museum which I told him I wanted the last time we were there. I thought he had forgotten about it and I had decided I would just go buy it after the holidays. Well, he went downtown and bought it and couldn't wait until Christmas. It's a pastel painting called "A Victorian Easter" and it now hangs in my bedroom. The master bedroom--men give up their choice of decor in it once they get married. I guess they should grow a pair when it comes to that too.