Joining The Mob
Nietzsche is interested in the ideal of the ancient Greeks, “all things in moderation.” The Greeks were as human as any 21st century homo sapien. Ideals serve as coordinates that we attempt to follow, albeit the inadequacy of our character, or skill, or resources. In contradistinction to the Greeks we Americans make no attempt to conceal our intent to overdose on happiness. “Damn the torpedoes” full speed ahead one can never be too happy, and nothing should be allowed to get in our way. We are the obverse of the Greeks: everything in excess.
The popular ABC dating reality show, The Bachelor (now in the 24th season) and the spinoffs are prime examples of our mania for maximum happiness. But happiness is amorphous, sporadic, not necessarily or reliably a side-effect of luxury. The full-on allegiance to the pursuit of happiness paradoxically has resulted in a society of grievance.
America, the grievance nation, formed of subcultures energized by portraying the victim, intent on identifying someone, or some institution to blame for their deficit of well being. We are disaffected, pissed off, enraged. For us, the secret fear of the Greeks has become reality, the consequence of self-indulgence.
“Oh, that we should not feel
too happy!”
—such was the secret fear of the Greeks in their best age.
That is why they preached moderation to themselves.
And we?
What signification can we find
in the fact that our culture is not only indulgent
to the manifestations of grief,
such as tears,
complaints,
reproaches,
and attitudes of rage and humility,
but even approves them
and reckons them among the most noble and essential things?
—while, on the other hand,
the spirit of ancient philosophy
looked down upon them with contempt,
without admitting their necessity in any way.
…Is it possible that our modern
culture is wanting in “philosophy”?
or, in accordance with the valuations
of those old philosophers,
do we perhaps all
form part of the “mob”?
The Dawn Of Day by Friedrich Nietzsche, trans. by J. M. Kennedy, aphorism 156 & 157
* The header image comes from Insurrection, a book by Nate Gowdy. For more photos CLICK HERE.
