What is most thought-provoking, then,
could be something lofty, perhaps even the highest thing
there is for man, provided man still is the being
who is insofar as he thinks,
thinks in that thought appeals to him
because his essential nature
consists in memory,
the gathering of thought.

And what is most thought-provoking
— especially when it is man’s highest concern
–may well be what is most dangerous.

Or do we imagine that a man
could even in small ways
encounter the essence of truth,
the essence of beauty,
the essence of grace
—without danger?

What Is Called Thinking by Martin Heidegger, trans, by J. Glenn Gray, Part I, Lecture III

Thursday is to bring a late afternoon discussion with friends. The topic will be the possibility of renewing a moral foundation for a liberal democracy according to Yale Professor and writer for The Atlantic, David Brooks. I anticipate a spirited discussion. Brooks (we viewed a Youtube interview with Brooks) is a Christian humanist. I am satisfied that Brooks would agree with such characterization. I have no doubt that he is doing good and necessary work as an intellectual. I also think his chances for “success” are nil. That hinges upon how one defines “success”.

I chose the Heidegger quotation because he gets at the all too human proclivity for whatever  provokes a sensation of pleasure. Lofty things, inspiring things, the sparkly and diaphanous usually provoke a sensation of awe. We desire to think about: spectacles. This sums up the entire marketing/advertising industry. “Give em what they want.” Even if it’s untrue, or cruel, or poisonous, or absurd in the long run… “They will never notice…”

“Whatever is done, do not speak the truth. The truth is too dangerous…”

I offer two examples that are not as different as they might seem:

Exhibit A  The New York Times reports-

In a speech last night at an unusual Republican midterm convention, President Trump told voters to “pretend that I am running.” He also promised to give every adult American $5,000 if Republicans win the House and Senate. (That would cost the government more than $1.3 trillion.) The convention continues today in Dallas.

Exhibit B from Cupertino, California-

Apple today introduced iPhone Duo, the first foldable iPhone. Opened, it is the thinnest iPhone ever, with a 7.6-inch inner display that provides a large canvas for viewing content, gaming, and multitasking, and a special nano-texture finish that minimizes glare for an unparalleled viewing experience. Closed, the 5.4-inch outer display delivers 90 percent of the screen area of iPhone 18 Pro in a compact, pocketable design…

iPhone Duo is available in star white and night sky, and starts at $1,999 (U.S.)

Music, music, music! A tune can be a lifeline, a poetic mode of grasping what is deeply felt. The Sound of Silence by Disturbed strikes a note.