I think Lovecraft Country is a solid corrective to this. While the classic lovecraftian fear of cults seeking to allow dark powers into the world is there, it also reveals that the real cosmic horror is racism (duh!) it’s appeal to me is that it doesn’t allow that the horror is only outside our reality, but around us (sundown towns are just as terrifying as any Cthulhu). I’m not a Twitter user but it strikes me that many of those who lament were perhaps able to enjoy the dialogue there without being targeted, like so many have been because of ethnicity, gender, or political persuasion (especially any evangelicals who move even slightly away from the Conservative party lines)(I’m willing to be corrected on this if wrong). I feel the lovecraftian insight myself; I’m not dumb or ignorant, but the modern world can be terrifying to me, to the point where I sometimes seek ignorance just to avoid the crushing weight of it. I mean, what is more uncaring than an elder god if not a modern bureaucracy that is structured to see you as a number? *shudder*
Thanks Danny. Yes, without wishing to be excessively dystopian, definitely something of Babel at work with the modern data beasts. It seems indisputable they drive atomisation and division in order to prey on the attendant loss of authentic connection and affirmation. It’s like introducing a virus specifically designed to attack the human soul. One might reverse the imagery and argue that this is more accurately the red dawn of a new dark age, one of false enlightenment and mass manipulation... Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? / Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? As Eliot brilliantly expressed it. I suspect the multi-tentacled disciples of Cthulhu know exactly where!
Adrian these are really provocative thoughts and I love how you brought Eliot into this as well. And I appreciate you taking the time to comment on this. When Twitter all came to a head recently, I had already grown terribly weary of all and was looking for something else and so I started this newsletter. This is exactly the kind of conversation I was missing over there. Having vague anxieties and doubts without having to distill it all into a firm "take," is just what I was looking for. And you have added much to this particular discussion! Thanks so much.
Completely agree. It feels nourishing and liberating to have polite and enlightening conversations free from algorithmic manipulation. Maybe if we all keep going, they’ll even reinstate the word ‘courtesy’ in the dictionary. Nice hat btw.
I think Lovecraft Country is a solid corrective to this. While the classic lovecraftian fear of cults seeking to allow dark powers into the world is there, it also reveals that the real cosmic horror is racism (duh!) it’s appeal to me is that it doesn’t allow that the horror is only outside our reality, but around us (sundown towns are just as terrifying as any Cthulhu). I’m not a Twitter user but it strikes me that many of those who lament were perhaps able to enjoy the dialogue there without being targeted, like so many have been because of ethnicity, gender, or political persuasion (especially any evangelicals who move even slightly away from the Conservative party lines)(I’m willing to be corrected on this if wrong). I feel the lovecraftian insight myself; I’m not dumb or ignorant, but the modern world can be terrifying to me, to the point where I sometimes seek ignorance just to avoid the crushing weight of it. I mean, what is more uncaring than an elder god if not a modern bureaucracy that is structured to see you as a number? *shudder*
Great insight, Carter! I still need to work my way through that show. I was hoping to this break, but....alas.... :)
Maybe this summer. I will definitely keep these thoughts in mind as I do watch it though.
Thanks Danny. Yes, without wishing to be excessively dystopian, definitely something of Babel at work with the modern data beasts. It seems indisputable they drive atomisation and division in order to prey on the attendant loss of authentic connection and affirmation. It’s like introducing a virus specifically designed to attack the human soul. One might reverse the imagery and argue that this is more accurately the red dawn of a new dark age, one of false enlightenment and mass manipulation... Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? / Where is the knowledge we have lost in information? As Eliot brilliantly expressed it. I suspect the multi-tentacled disciples of Cthulhu know exactly where!
Adrian these are really provocative thoughts and I love how you brought Eliot into this as well. And I appreciate you taking the time to comment on this. When Twitter all came to a head recently, I had already grown terribly weary of all and was looking for something else and so I started this newsletter. This is exactly the kind of conversation I was missing over there. Having vague anxieties and doubts without having to distill it all into a firm "take," is just what I was looking for. And you have added much to this particular discussion! Thanks so much.
Completely agree. It feels nourishing and liberating to have polite and enlightening conversations free from algorithmic manipulation. Maybe if we all keep going, they’ll even reinstate the word ‘courtesy’ in the dictionary. Nice hat btw.