Growing out of Alastair Crooke’s talk at the Night Falls Conference: Night Falls in the Evening Lands: The Assange Epic on 9 March, is this essay posted to Al-Mayadeen on the 12th. Currently, there’s no video available of Crooke’s talk given via video at the conference, although one hopes it will be produced soon so we can learn more about Alastair’s thoughts on the matter than what’s revealed in his essay. For those who have yet to read the Emmanual Todd interview with
Great stuff. Alastair Crooke is a fantastically well-educated, well-spoken, and knowledgeable man, and his conversations with Andrew Napolitano are one of the week's highlights.
Karl, you will likely be disappointed but I no longer think nor operate at that level of abstraction. I am or have become much more concretistic in my thinking, probably reflecting some quant inner self.
Power, money, self-preservation, dominance, maintenance of the prior are probably the major units of work in my thinking, to the extent I engage in any.
I busy myself, outside MoA and associates, that be you and Serge, not Simplicius nor Seymour Hersh in my AUM and provisioning for two girls we are now putting through graduate schools, one a niece who lost her mother at 14 months, the other a Philippino orphan who we are trying to get admitted to a nearby university as a foreign student. We have supported her since age five and some of AUM has to support everybody. I also specialize in the various Asian cuisines, South and South East, all the way down to Java.
As ever, a superb article. Thank you so much, I have gained so much from your postings over the years. I had read Crooke's article --since I respect his insights, especially in the area of the Middle East-- and he has been kind of enough to quote him on occasion. If I put Crooke and Todd together there is much to think about.
"Words no longer need to have objective meanings in this market. Everything is about ‘attention’, however achieved. True or false. That’s what the advertisers wanted. Words could mean what those in power say they mean. The ‘truth’ behind the narrative became irrelevant.
What mattered was the force of a narrative, now divorced from meaning, to compel a singularity of messaging, and to demand that belief in the new order be reflected, not just in compliance, but in assimilation of the messaging into personal conduct in life. Critical thinking was disallowed as denoting an enemy; a threat to be crushed."
A great way of summing up. However, the "truth" behind the narrative is always relevant --as narratives become increasingly disconnected from reality and the pain level of cognitive dissonance rises. For some years I was a media strategist for Toyota's ME and North Africa division here in Japan--and kept on arguing this point. Naturally, they didn't listen much. Now they are suffering.
Once again thank you. You have stirred up my ever diminishing pot of intelligence.
Indeed — the fabric of reality. I suppose we all, or, most of us, went through this moment, as you described it: “initially they may think themselves to be alone—they have their Winston Smith moment and wonder why their friends and family can’t see what they can”. The only small problem with Winston Smith moment is — as the novel ends — “He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.” Thank you, Karl.
A superb post- featuring of course Crooke’s brilliant essay. Always a rewarding investment of my available reading time- although there have been a fair number of times where I’ve exceeded my time allotment- no regrets to speak of so far and wading into the comments section has been greatly rewarding- my deepest thanks for your engagement with members of the “Gymnasium” This post is the most intimidating “plunge” for me- all the philosophers and deep thinkers being referenced and quoted here are mostly just names (at least I recognize most of them 🙄) with the exception of Carl Jung - I did get familiar with his concepts of synchronicity and the possible relevance of quantum mechanics and the implications for physics and our understanding of existence- I was a pretty dedicated “space cadet” 30+ years back. I can sense Jungian concepts in Crooke’s thinking- I’m also reminded of Baba Ram Dass’ famous motto- “Be Here Now!” This points to the Truth that only the Now is Real - past and future exist in individual minds as memories or speculations - their “reality” is a subject for debate and possible consensus. Now suppose you factor in the phenomenon of “paired “ quantum particles that will move in opposition to each other instantly regardless of distance. Synchronicity? Walks like a duck…… a good go figger for sure! 🤓
Heidegger was interviewed by Der Spiegel in 1966 and permitted its contents to be published only after his death (ten years later) — the interview was published under the title “Nur noch ein Gott kann uns retten” (Only a god can save us now). Heidegger’s influence has been enormous on Continental philosophy — despite savage attacks on him from the usual suspects — including Sartre, Derrida etc and doubtless Todd (have not read his book).
Hieidegger was among the first, and most eloquent, thinkers to discuss the dangers of the impact of modern technology on political statecraft and human freedom. The longish interview covers a wide area, including specifics on his wartime Nazi party membership, but contains a bold and striking question:
“And which of us can say whether one day in Russia and in China age-old traditions of a “thinking” will not awaken that will assist human beings in making a free relationship to the technological world possible?”
First, congratulations! You made top of the list at sitrepworld.info....
One of my favourite pieces of yours of late. The following remark might sound critical but it is not meant that way: I noticed with both your language and the Crooke and Todd pieces (and with many other authors these days) that each voice has to somewhat reinvent their own terms of reference in order to communicate their insights. Again, this is not to criticize the authors per se, rather I think it reflects the sort of end times we are in principally because our civilizational Centre did not hold.
Very interesting, and insightful, are Todd's remarks about the binding factor of Protestantism in the era of Anglo-Nordic dominance (as opposed to earlier era more dominated by Catholic, or Holy Roman, culture), and its eventual fading explaining much of what we see unfolding today. Crooke has a way of insinuating traditional transcendentalism from Islamic and bedrock religious perspectives into his geopolitical analysis which is both unusual and, clearly, his personal passion. But all together, do they describe the same world?
It is as if with each piece, including yours, we peer into our world through a glass darkly. We all have experience and perspectives in common; we must, because we live in the same time and culture; and yet we lack shared vocabulary and understanding. Just as the religious approach went from Todd's zombie to the zero state - another great insight - so it seems that the same is now true for Western civilization. We have the trappings and remnants, but the vases of cultural quintessence have indeed broken, so although the spirit still lingers as Crooke nicely described, it can no longer be well contained and transmitted from one generation to the next.
In these times of radical change, I think an Olympic perspective on history and consciousness must be taken. There is this individualist alienated consciousness that reflexively disregards the past as though history began after WW2. That myopia is systematically promoted, as the default consciousness, to use software lingo. If the mass of humanity is to carry out it's world historic task, the default consciousness must be altered. The settings must be changed.
Again, this raises the issue of leadership and organization. The movement back to a more collective, historical consciousness must be done collectively on a grand scale, not merely by a few bold individuals, although that is possible and necessary at the outset.
Great stuff. Alastair Crooke is a fantastically well-educated, well-spoken, and knowledgeable man, and his conversations with Andrew Napolitano are one of the week's highlights.
Thanks for sharing this Karl.
Karl, you will likely be disappointed but I no longer think nor operate at that level of abstraction. I am or have become much more concretistic in my thinking, probably reflecting some quant inner self.
Power, money, self-preservation, dominance, maintenance of the prior are probably the major units of work in my thinking, to the extent I engage in any.
I busy myself, outside MoA and associates, that be you and Serge, not Simplicius nor Seymour Hersh in my AUM and provisioning for two girls we are now putting through graduate schools, one a niece who lost her mother at 14 months, the other a Philippino orphan who we are trying to get admitted to a nearby university as a foreign student. We have supported her since age five and some of AUM has to support everybody. I also specialize in the various Asian cuisines, South and South East, all the way down to Java.
As ever, a superb article. Thank you so much, I have gained so much from your postings over the years. I had read Crooke's article --since I respect his insights, especially in the area of the Middle East-- and he has been kind of enough to quote him on occasion. If I put Crooke and Todd together there is much to think about.
"Words no longer need to have objective meanings in this market. Everything is about ‘attention’, however achieved. True or false. That’s what the advertisers wanted. Words could mean what those in power say they mean. The ‘truth’ behind the narrative became irrelevant.
What mattered was the force of a narrative, now divorced from meaning, to compel a singularity of messaging, and to demand that belief in the new order be reflected, not just in compliance, but in assimilation of the messaging into personal conduct in life. Critical thinking was disallowed as denoting an enemy; a threat to be crushed."
A great way of summing up. However, the "truth" behind the narrative is always relevant --as narratives become increasingly disconnected from reality and the pain level of cognitive dissonance rises. For some years I was a media strategist for Toyota's ME and North Africa division here in Japan--and kept on arguing this point. Naturally, they didn't listen much. Now they are suffering.
Once again thank you. You have stirred up my ever diminishing pot of intelligence.
Indeed — the fabric of reality. I suppose we all, or, most of us, went through this moment, as you described it: “initially they may think themselves to be alone—they have their Winston Smith moment and wonder why their friends and family can’t see what they can”. The only small problem with Winston Smith moment is — as the novel ends — “He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.” Thank you, Karl.
A superb post- featuring of course Crooke’s brilliant essay. Always a rewarding investment of my available reading time- although there have been a fair number of times where I’ve exceeded my time allotment- no regrets to speak of so far and wading into the comments section has been greatly rewarding- my deepest thanks for your engagement with members of the “Gymnasium” This post is the most intimidating “plunge” for me- all the philosophers and deep thinkers being referenced and quoted here are mostly just names (at least I recognize most of them 🙄) with the exception of Carl Jung - I did get familiar with his concepts of synchronicity and the possible relevance of quantum mechanics and the implications for physics and our understanding of existence- I was a pretty dedicated “space cadet” 30+ years back. I can sense Jungian concepts in Crooke’s thinking- I’m also reminded of Baba Ram Dass’ famous motto- “Be Here Now!” This points to the Truth that only the Now is Real - past and future exist in individual minds as memories or speculations - their “reality” is a subject for debate and possible consensus. Now suppose you factor in the phenomenon of “paired “ quantum particles that will move in opposition to each other instantly regardless of distance. Synchronicity? Walks like a duck…… a good go figger for sure! 🤓
Heidegger was interviewed by Der Spiegel in 1966 and permitted its contents to be published only after his death (ten years later) — the interview was published under the title “Nur noch ein Gott kann uns retten” (Only a god can save us now). Heidegger’s influence has been enormous on Continental philosophy — despite savage attacks on him from the usual suspects — including Sartre, Derrida etc and doubtless Todd (have not read his book).
Hieidegger was among the first, and most eloquent, thinkers to discuss the dangers of the impact of modern technology on political statecraft and human freedom. The longish interview covers a wide area, including specifics on his wartime Nazi party membership, but contains a bold and striking question:
“And which of us can say whether one day in Russia and in China age-old traditions of a “thinking” will not awaken that will assist human beings in making a free relationship to the technological world possible?”
First, congratulations! You made top of the list at sitrepworld.info....
One of my favourite pieces of yours of late. The following remark might sound critical but it is not meant that way: I noticed with both your language and the Crooke and Todd pieces (and with many other authors these days) that each voice has to somewhat reinvent their own terms of reference in order to communicate their insights. Again, this is not to criticize the authors per se, rather I think it reflects the sort of end times we are in principally because our civilizational Centre did not hold.
Very interesting, and insightful, are Todd's remarks about the binding factor of Protestantism in the era of Anglo-Nordic dominance (as opposed to earlier era more dominated by Catholic, or Holy Roman, culture), and its eventual fading explaining much of what we see unfolding today. Crooke has a way of insinuating traditional transcendentalism from Islamic and bedrock religious perspectives into his geopolitical analysis which is both unusual and, clearly, his personal passion. But all together, do they describe the same world?
It is as if with each piece, including yours, we peer into our world through a glass darkly. We all have experience and perspectives in common; we must, because we live in the same time and culture; and yet we lack shared vocabulary and understanding. Just as the religious approach went from Todd's zombie to the zero state - another great insight - so it seems that the same is now true for Western civilization. We have the trappings and remnants, but the vases of cultural quintessence have indeed broken, so although the spirit still lingers as Crooke nicely described, it can no longer be well contained and transmitted from one generation to the next.
Does not all this also apply to the idea of Nazism? Is it not also an idea that will remain?
Good one, Karl.
In these times of radical change, I think an Olympic perspective on history and consciousness must be taken. There is this individualist alienated consciousness that reflexively disregards the past as though history began after WW2. That myopia is systematically promoted, as the default consciousness, to use software lingo. If the mass of humanity is to carry out it's world historic task, the default consciousness must be altered. The settings must be changed.
Again, this raises the issue of leadership and organization. The movement back to a more collective, historical consciousness must be done collectively on a grand scale, not merely by a few bold individuals, although that is possible and necessary at the outset.
I'm looking forward to that Baud book too.
Nice! I knew you were the person to ask.