There is an epidemic of neuroses in the Western world, and an army of therapists to deal with them. There is an easier and healthier way of coping; by seeking catharsis
Thank you for the very wise article, Mr. Webb. It resonates with me deeply. In times of my life where I’ve felt happier, I’ve had the habits and outlook which you described in your article. I would add though that it is hard for people to look at themselves in an honest way if their self esteem is too low, so I think starting to recognize your own good sides and small accomplishments makes it easier to also dare look into the less rosy aspects of yourself.
The point of the article is to analyse objectively so self esteem should not come into it. The ideology and heresy of Rawlsian self-esteem is to swindle in perception rather than live in truth. If you become a realist, self esteem doesn't exist, only reality. Stop bending the shadows, get rid of self-esteem and replace it with realism.
Another thing you should get rid of is the idea of accomplishment culture. Certificates and respect from others is not success. Once you have done all this, the idea of catharsis won't even be required, you have the freedom to respond whatever way you want.
Sure, that sounds reasonable. The question is just if most of us are able to jump from one end to the other successfully, i.e. not even recognizing our bad sides and blaming it on others to radical honesty, without any ”intermediate steps”.
That is a goo point. I have an idea though that deep inside, most people do know when they are doing things which are wrong or unhealthy. I think we just resist calling these things by their correct name.
I love your subversive, mischievous and patently English YouTube channel and now this!
No idea if you have plans to put a video out on this subject but I feel it would help your audience if you did.
Of course, providing such a balm may help your audience enormously, but if we stop being neurotic then our need for your daily dose of buffoonery pricking may evaporate: this may well affect the future of your YouTube squillions.
So I will understand if you don’t...
Anyway, I really enjoyed it, thank you. I am off to try and find more humour in living in my modest hovel with my god awful blended family.
I'm glad that you enjoyed this and seemingly did not take it over seriously. Elsewhere, the piece I put up here about old people has led to accusations that I am explicitly endorsing Nazi doctrines!
Well that and the posts suggesting there may be inherent differences between the races and the post about how America is governed by Jewish law. People have been called Nazis for far less.
Well, I know the feeling. In my callow youth I was a member of the SWP (not socialists, no workers, and definitely not a party you’d invite that nice, new, young friend you’ve just made).
Apparently, 40 years on, now I’m a Nazi! Who knew?!
It’s truly amazing, isn’t it? Oh, the nostalgia for the days of CPGB , SWP, RCP, RCT, CPGB (Marxist-Leninist) - all of them loathing each other far more than they loathed the right.
So, if we’re all Nazis now, what happens when the real Nazis turn up?
If nothing else, at least it may grant us all a certain sense of perspective to our lives...
I now fully understand my family’s phrase “it’s just a phase they’re going through.” It infuriated me at the time, but now I regret I put them through it.
Regrets, I’ve had a few, er, dum de dum,de dum dum...
Neuroticism is the driver behind genius and most of western accomplishment. Managing coaches don't understand personality or evolution so they and their fake praise driven affirmation Mary Baker Eddy propaganda actually harm the west.
Thankfully Europeans evolved in the cold making us neurotic. Neuroticism is good.
You have a very Sullivanesque view of the self. His followers have all adopted to some extent the big five factor of personality in analysing personality.
I hope you can get what I mean from the indirect comment at your article.
Thankyou mr. Webb for your refreshing insights ! My old aunt used to honestly admit she "just couldn't take" to her gt. grandchild!" (although she helped him out later in life) She also told me when she was 90yrs, how she had detested old people when young and now "Look at me I'm BL- old myself! Ha! thats life. She had tussles with her own mother as a teenager too (mum won, -born 1869!) But she was there for her old mum when dying, ... She gave me a sense of perspective Love , hate, that's nothing to be ashamed of... LIFE!
Thank you for the very wise article, Mr. Webb. It resonates with me deeply. In times of my life where I’ve felt happier, I’ve had the habits and outlook which you described in your article. I would add though that it is hard for people to look at themselves in an honest way if their self esteem is too low, so I think starting to recognize your own good sides and small accomplishments makes it easier to also dare look into the less rosy aspects of yourself.
I'm really glad that you liked this piece of mine!
Keep them coming Simon, I’m a fan!
Thank you, I hope to do so for as long as I am spared!
The point of the article is to analyse objectively so self esteem should not come into it. The ideology and heresy of Rawlsian self-esteem is to swindle in perception rather than live in truth. If you become a realist, self esteem doesn't exist, only reality. Stop bending the shadows, get rid of self-esteem and replace it with realism.
Another thing you should get rid of is the idea of accomplishment culture. Certificates and respect from others is not success. Once you have done all this, the idea of catharsis won't even be required, you have the freedom to respond whatever way you want.
Sure, that sounds reasonable. The question is just if most of us are able to jump from one end to the other successfully, i.e. not even recognizing our bad sides and blaming it on others to radical honesty, without any ”intermediate steps”.
That is a goo point. I have an idea though that deep inside, most people do know when they are doing things which are wrong or unhealthy. I think we just resist calling these things by their correct name.
I love your subversive, mischievous and patently English YouTube channel and now this!
No idea if you have plans to put a video out on this subject but I feel it would help your audience if you did.
Of course, providing such a balm may help your audience enormously, but if we stop being neurotic then our need for your daily dose of buffoonery pricking may evaporate: this may well affect the future of your YouTube squillions.
So I will understand if you don’t...
Anyway, I really enjoyed it, thank you. I am off to try and find more humour in living in my modest hovel with my god awful blended family.
Cheers.
I'm glad that you enjoyed this and seemingly did not take it over seriously. Elsewhere, the piece I put up here about old people has led to accusations that I am explicitly endorsing Nazi doctrines!
Well that and the posts suggesting there may be inherent differences between the races and the post about how America is governed by Jewish law. People have been called Nazis for far less.
I have certainly been described as such! It is ironic that I lived in Israel for some years!
Well, I know the feeling. In my callow youth I was a member of the SWP (not socialists, no workers, and definitely not a party you’d invite that nice, new, young friend you’ve just made).
Apparently, 40 years on, now I’m a Nazi! Who knew?!
Why, that's right! I used to belong to the CPGB and now just look at me; a figure of the Alt Right...
It’s truly amazing, isn’t it? Oh, the nostalgia for the days of CPGB , SWP, RCP, RCT, CPGB (Marxist-Leninist) - all of them loathing each other far more than they loathed the right.
So, if we’re all Nazis now, what happens when the real Nazis turn up?
If nothing else, at least it may grant us all a certain sense of perspective to our lives...
I eagerly await my own daughter's conversion to a reactionary mindset!
Mine too!
I now fully understand my family’s phrase “it’s just a phase they’re going through.” It infuriated me at the time, but now I regret I put them through it.
Regrets, I’ve had a few, er, dum de dum,de dum dum...
Neuroticism is the driver behind genius and most of western accomplishment. Managing coaches don't understand personality or evolution so they and their fake praise driven affirmation Mary Baker Eddy propaganda actually harm the west.
Thankfully Europeans evolved in the cold making us neurotic. Neuroticism is good.
Brilliantly put 👍 there is only so much you can affect, take care of yourself and your family
Thank you, I'm glad that you liked this piece.
You have a very Sullivanesque view of the self. His followers have all adopted to some extent the big five factor of personality in analysing personality.
I hope you can get what I mean from the indirect comment at your article.
Thankyou mr. Webb for your refreshing insights ! My old aunt used to honestly admit she "just couldn't take" to her gt. grandchild!" (although she helped him out later in life) She also told me when she was 90yrs, how she had detested old people when young and now "Look at me I'm BL- old myself! Ha! thats life. She had tussles with her own mother as a teenager too (mum won, -born 1869!) But she was there for her old mum when dying, ... She gave me a sense of perspective Love , hate, that's nothing to be ashamed of... LIFE!