Mark, you are a very gifted writer in my humble opinion. I first became aware of your substack when someone guest-posted your excellent essay, "Devil Worshipping Aliens From the Abyss". I was blown away by it! You really should consider developing it into an epic along the lines of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.
Your argument against 'safetyism' makes perfect sense. Countless acts of evil have been committed by ordinary people out of mortal fear. Anything to postpone the inevitable. Yet to me having to live with the knowledge of having committed a heinous act out of fear and self preservation would be worse than death. I can't imagine wishing death on others from irrational fear of a virus. But plenty of people did that. "Stay safe", they'd say. And they delude themselves that they are the good people, so self-righteous.
You're so so right. "If I am sure of anything I am sure that [Christ’s] teaching was never meant to confirm my congenital preference for safe investments and limited liabilities…” C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
Going out into danger is the only way to really grow and become what we are meant to be. If you want to be like the servant to whom Christ said ‘Well done, good and faithful servant', you need to take on the danger and risk failure like the servant did investing his master's money. If you choose safety, like the servant who buried the money (talent), you will be cast 'into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’ for your pathetic decisions and inaction.
Thank you for this much needed reminder that a life devoted to safety is not a life. I fall prey to that mindset too much, defaulting to comfort and safety rather than risk and chance. Fear of the unknown and risk of failure or rejection hold me back, yet I have ample proof that I am up to the challenge of almost anything if I'm forced to face it. Your writing, and the ideas it contains, mean a lot to me. Much appreciated!
It's almost like a weird paradox, isn't it? When we rake precautions, it's usually to protect our comforts, or extend our lives. But extend them for what pirpose? To comfort anf protect us from what truth?
As a Christian with a Masters degree in philosophy, it follows logically that I should here, after reading your encouraging article, quote Nietzsche (a Christian who has read Nietzsche? I know).
But this is one of the most influential quotes that I still remember reading in the moment. It struck my heart then, almost bringing tears to my eyes; to this day it has the same effect. From the Gay Science,
"We have arranged for ourselves a world in which we live- by positing bodies, lines, planes, causes and effects, motion and rest, form and content; without these articles of faith nobody could now endure life. But that does not prove them. Life is no argument. The conditions of life might include error."
The interpretation is multi-faceted. Here are mine.
1. The idolatry inherent within secular technology based modernity is, given the theology of their only being one life (no afterlife), the goal of life is to minimize risk as much as possible in the name of comfort and safety. This is problematic for two reasons.
- As mentioned already in your article, the purpose of life is not to be safe, because, as Christ revealed, there is life after death, and our true purpose is found in the kingdom of God, not in this momentary material world.
- Living life to minimize risk is impossible. Reality as it is can ultimately never be controlled or mastered in totality. The world is fallen, and, too big for any human to control in their own power. Therefore, as N writes, the conditions of life will always have error. Basically, you can plan your life out, have the perfect 401k's, retire by this time, live your last years on this beach, and sip champagne till you end your life at 90 years old. . . and then all it takes is one bad doctor report, one financial collapse, one bad driver behind you.
In many ways, in this quote N seems to reverberate the words of Christ captured in Matthew 19:29
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."
The similar sentiment is spoken by Christ in the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 (I am really preaching now, sorry).
Anyways, thanks for this article, Mark. Needed to hear it today.
When I first grappled with Mr. N, I was about fourteen years old ("Beyond" at that point, because, what else?) Obviously not the best time to do it, but on the other hand, maybe good timing is dependent on the mystery.
In the years since, I have thought about his life and work occasionally. It's often difficult to think of either quietly; like most surviving thinkers, he has garnered a cult. Cults are loud, and often stupid.
But, much like you, I also see past his cult. It is fascinating to hear his words now, after thw transformation of my ears,the recalculation of my history. I still suspect he was missing something important, but who among us isn't? That's why we're not made as clones or hives.
I think some of the latest opinions from the younger generation when they read Nietzsche is that he is quote, 'a sexless incel nomad' who had no friends.
Perhaps the younger generation interprets him this way because the younger generations (Z and Iphone) also struggle with the same "vibes" of loneliness, friendlessness, self aggrandizement, and sexlessness.
Personally, when I read Nietzsche now, I am reminded of how the Scriptures teach to befriend all people, to be friend to the lonely, and to visit the prisoner. The reason why, as I have found in life, that these types of people are often the most interesting.
I believe more than anything N was yearning for a depth of life, and a depth of friendship, that manmade institutions, structures, and religions could not provide. Hence his despair with modernity, his despair with the hyprocrisy of people, of the Church, of manmade institutions that dress themselves in the language of 'objectivity' when they themselves are historically rooted consciousnesses that bear the mark of subjectivity and change.
I would have loved to have hung out with N in the mountains, not because I am a homo or an incel, but because crushing beers around the fire would have led to in-depth sharing of the soul which is so needed for us humans, and so lacking in our modern world.
I think, personally, that FN got there in the end. It is known during his madness that he requested for the scriptures to be repeated to him daily. I think I will see him in the kingdom. The modern world drove him mad; but the grace of God made him complete, like it will complete all of us.
‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Along with statement that Jesus made about they living to see Him descending from Heavin ..
As a Traditionalist Catholic convert, I believe it is all True, and so to resolve I consider if God may 'copy' our soul as we do with digital objects, and each night or nights when triggered by God, the version of us is copied and so Judged.
Imagine if He made it that Clear to us, that each and every day we may be Judged, with that version's End not cross-communicated to this version that continues. So Justice is done, and Mercy is - as we given another chance.
Another example of the different versions of same events in the Gospel Books, of the Passion - and-or His Reserection .. Jacob's Ladder levels and multi-world, for example, would solve those differences - all version in Gospel True, and how it could be possible.
I spend a lot of time in Apologetics of the Doctrines, finding ways that such can be true, although not stating them as Truth - only a way that such can be, and invite others (ex-Scientism Religious followers - that are scientists or know science well) to find others or better versions of ways.
As a mother I struggle with overvaluing safety regarding my children. I do so for selfish reasons, as I find it extremely hard to watch them suffer. I shudder to think of the pain Mary endured watching her son crucified.
Thanks for the reminder that life is danger, especially for boys…and to live is to suffer.
When I was writing this, I thought about the struggle that mothers in particular would have with it. It's true that I can't know what it's like for a mother, with regards to safety. But maybe that's why God is the Father God. The mother's lawless love protects them when they're young and defenseless, but the kids need to meet The Danger eventually.
Ever since I heard Elon is going to save the folks stuck on that International Space Station, I thought, he better have the best security possible, because there are no shortage of monsters who mean to tear him down, for whom anything goes and nothing matters.
I've been talking about resilience and food security for decades. Cassandra effect, I was very grateful the Tree of Woe explained clearly the dilemma. The dilemma is not lessened because of the recent election, even as it is something of a reprieve perhaps from tyrannical saftieism.
True. It's actually very dangerous to be part of a cabal planning to enslave what is left of humanity after killing 90% of them. You might be discovered and the masses might wake up.
In El Gato Malo's recent piece on government disassembly, he said, "there is no human on earth who can bring the circus like Elon can bring the circus. No one. The man is a one-man always traveling 11-ring Barnum and Bailey show. And what an astonishing show it is going to be."
Faith and belief ARE an attachment to certainty. I do not begrudge those that have faith in something beyond the sun rising.
I do know that controllers fear tactics are used from many disciplines and doctrines by those that interpret them to capture those less critical thinkers than yourself to direct them to grasp possessively at any certainty, and anyone promising certainty.
This is dangerous and the opposite of what you said about God's gift of uncertainty.
I can't but be sad about the irony and duality in this, that few people will be able to understand.
It is the most difficult paradox of all. Doesn't faith equal certainty? Trust might be a better word. I trust God, but I don't pretend to be certain of His mind, or in any given outcome.
Faith is defined as HOPE in things not seen. Which is utterly ridiculous.
Faith is bound to belief, not hope, and only to things that can be seen. You have faith a plumber CAN fix your drain, so you hire him believing he WILL. You fully expect him to, so like you said, tied to near certainty….
BECAUSE:
He is licensed, he owns a successful plumbing company, he is insured and bonded, he has great reviews, he’s been doing it for years, he fixed your neighbor’s pipe…all things seen and known.
What you never, ever actually do in real life is hire a homeless guy to come fix your drain because you have faith in him, bolstered to near certainty by the fact you can’t verify anything about him.
The truth? You don’t trust that homeless guy can fix a single damn thing. What you see is all that ever matters.
I trusted you enough to share my thoughts armed with knowledge that my thoughts might upset you or that you would respond with answer or explanation.
Your examination of your own words has exceeded my expectation.
Without trust and the possibility of forgiveness, I doubt that anyone could interact with anyone, as this requires showing some level of vulnerability, which is becoming more and more dangerous.
I have attempted to follow, to a limit, a Chinese saying from Lao Tze-
" Trust those that should not be trusted".
For who amongst us has not sinned? - that's from the Bible isn't it?
Yep and a bit. You will be safe even if you don't want to, the powers that be in power assure such. Not just wear a hard hat safe but right down to a low pressure alarm in each and every tire safe (Title 49 Subtitle B Chapter V Part 571 Subpart B § 571.138) and an impossible to turn it up too hot shower safe.
Maybe we the people have reached a turning point, maybe not. None the less me or thee the person can and should weigh the risks and decide to take them, or not.
For the greater glory of ___ or the continuing story of, lets face it, us, the risks, and taking the right ones, are absolutely necessary.
I love that you have a picture of the signature portion of the Declaration of Independence under the quote: "A dangerous life is God’s gift to Man, whose mind can imagine future goods and take meaningful risks to achieve them. The risks we take can include all kinds of stakes, including the stake of all future dangers."
It's become unfashionable to say this in most circles these days, but the Founding Fathers were absolute mensches, one and all. They were world-changing men of action while also being incredibly erudite. America lost its way when schools started teaching students that these men were monsters to be reviled instead of heroes to be worshipped and emulated. These men's lives truly were God's gift to Man.
Sure, one can play the iconoclasm game, and there's plenty of material to work with in that respect. But the cost to one's personal growth and to society are steep.
What a remarkable essay. You’ve clarified one of the great challenges of our age, while also shedding light on how minuscule the challenge truly is. And you did so in a way that not only didn’t insult, but did in fact inspire. And the Catholic in me appreciates even more deeply that you put it into the context of the Almighty and our duty to him and his kingdom. I shall ponder this work more deeply in the coming days, but i wanted to make sure I took the time to laud you and thank you for this contribution. Cheers, good sir, and may the Lord be with you.
Jesus was not a big fan of comfort. Yet he promised us that, paired with Him, our yoke is easy. In safety and danger, not a sparrow falls to the ground but our Lord knows it. I think that the faith/certainty paradox lies with Him. In this life we will have trouble. But fear not ...
Most excellent. Perhaps your best observation on Life yet, good sir.
Usually but not always, the value of things acquired is directly related to the effort expended (money, sweat, time, tears) to acquire them.
Life is by Divine design a struggle. A struggle against mental, physical and spiritual Entropy (I.e., danger, complacency, cowardice). The more meaningful and worthwhile we desire our life to be, the greater the struggle we will have with this entropy.
Therefore, perhaps one should strive for an attitude that embraces (at least to a degree) such entropy, as appropriate, possibly even necessary, maybe even beneficial for our mental, physical and spiritual growth and resilience.
Mark, you are a very gifted writer in my humble opinion. I first became aware of your substack when someone guest-posted your excellent essay, "Devil Worshipping Aliens From the Abyss". I was blown away by it! You really should consider developing it into an epic along the lines of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings or C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.
Your argument against 'safetyism' makes perfect sense. Countless acts of evil have been committed by ordinary people out of mortal fear. Anything to postpone the inevitable. Yet to me having to live with the knowledge of having committed a heinous act out of fear and self preservation would be worse than death. I can't imagine wishing death on others from irrational fear of a virus. But plenty of people did that. "Stay safe", they'd say. And they delude themselves that they are the good people, so self-righteous.
You're so so right. "If I am sure of anything I am sure that [Christ’s] teaching was never meant to confirm my congenital preference for safe investments and limited liabilities…” C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
He had a way with words, didn't he?
Safety really is the Big Illusion. We can thank the Covid years for revealing the diabolical trick to so many people, if nothing else.
Going out into danger is the only way to really grow and become what we are meant to be. If you want to be like the servant to whom Christ said ‘Well done, good and faithful servant', you need to take on the danger and risk failure like the servant did investing his master's money. If you choose safety, like the servant who buried the money (talent), you will be cast 'into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’ for your pathetic decisions and inaction.
Thank you for this much needed reminder that a life devoted to safety is not a life. I fall prey to that mindset too much, defaulting to comfort and safety rather than risk and chance. Fear of the unknown and risk of failure or rejection hold me back, yet I have ample proof that I am up to the challenge of almost anything if I'm forced to face it. Your writing, and the ideas it contains, mean a lot to me. Much appreciated!
It's almost like a weird paradox, isn't it? When we rake precautions, it's usually to protect our comforts, or extend our lives. But extend them for what pirpose? To comfort anf protect us from what truth?
Hi Mark,
As a Christian with a Masters degree in philosophy, it follows logically that I should here, after reading your encouraging article, quote Nietzsche (a Christian who has read Nietzsche? I know).
But this is one of the most influential quotes that I still remember reading in the moment. It struck my heart then, almost bringing tears to my eyes; to this day it has the same effect. From the Gay Science,
"We have arranged for ourselves a world in which we live- by positing bodies, lines, planes, causes and effects, motion and rest, form and content; without these articles of faith nobody could now endure life. But that does not prove them. Life is no argument. The conditions of life might include error."
The interpretation is multi-faceted. Here are mine.
1. The idolatry inherent within secular technology based modernity is, given the theology of their only being one life (no afterlife), the goal of life is to minimize risk as much as possible in the name of comfort and safety. This is problematic for two reasons.
- As mentioned already in your article, the purpose of life is not to be safe, because, as Christ revealed, there is life after death, and our true purpose is found in the kingdom of God, not in this momentary material world.
- Living life to minimize risk is impossible. Reality as it is can ultimately never be controlled or mastered in totality. The world is fallen, and, too big for any human to control in their own power. Therefore, as N writes, the conditions of life will always have error. Basically, you can plan your life out, have the perfect 401k's, retire by this time, live your last years on this beach, and sip champagne till you end your life at 90 years old. . . and then all it takes is one bad doctor report, one financial collapse, one bad driver behind you.
In many ways, in this quote N seems to reverberate the words of Christ captured in Matthew 19:29
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life."
The similar sentiment is spoken by Christ in the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 (I am really preaching now, sorry).
Anyways, thanks for this article, Mark. Needed to hear it today.
Hi PJ,
When I first grappled with Mr. N, I was about fourteen years old ("Beyond" at that point, because, what else?) Obviously not the best time to do it, but on the other hand, maybe good timing is dependent on the mystery.
In the years since, I have thought about his life and work occasionally. It's often difficult to think of either quietly; like most surviving thinkers, he has garnered a cult. Cults are loud, and often stupid.
But, much like you, I also see past his cult. It is fascinating to hear his words now, after thw transformation of my ears,the recalculation of my history. I still suspect he was missing something important, but who among us isn't? That's why we're not made as clones or hives.
Thanks for your response, Mark.
I think some of the latest opinions from the younger generation when they read Nietzsche is that he is quote, 'a sexless incel nomad' who had no friends.
Perhaps the younger generation interprets him this way because the younger generations (Z and Iphone) also struggle with the same "vibes" of loneliness, friendlessness, self aggrandizement, and sexlessness.
Personally, when I read Nietzsche now, I am reminded of how the Scriptures teach to befriend all people, to be friend to the lonely, and to visit the prisoner. The reason why, as I have found in life, that these types of people are often the most interesting.
I believe more than anything N was yearning for a depth of life, and a depth of friendship, that manmade institutions, structures, and religions could not provide. Hence his despair with modernity, his despair with the hyprocrisy of people, of the Church, of manmade institutions that dress themselves in the language of 'objectivity' when they themselves are historically rooted consciousnesses that bear the mark of subjectivity and change.
I would have loved to have hung out with N in the mountains, not because I am a homo or an incel, but because crushing beers around the fire would have led to in-depth sharing of the soul which is so needed for us humans, and so lacking in our modern world.
I think, personally, that FN got there in the end. It is known during his madness that he requested for the scriptures to be repeated to him daily. I think I will see him in the kingdom. The modern world drove him mad; but the grace of God made him complete, like it will complete all of us.
This parable mentioned, specifically;
‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Along with statement that Jesus made about they living to see Him descending from Heavin ..
As a Traditionalist Catholic convert, I believe it is all True, and so to resolve I consider if God may 'copy' our soul as we do with digital objects, and each night or nights when triggered by God, the version of us is copied and so Judged.
Imagine if He made it that Clear to us, that each and every day we may be Judged, with that version's End not cross-communicated to this version that continues. So Justice is done, and Mercy is - as we given another chance.
Another example of the different versions of same events in the Gospel Books, of the Passion - and-or His Reserection .. Jacob's Ladder levels and multi-world, for example, would solve those differences - all version in Gospel True, and how it could be possible.
I spend a lot of time in Apologetics of the Doctrines, finding ways that such can be true, although not stating them as Truth - only a way that such can be, and invite others (ex-Scientism Religious followers - that are scientists or know science well) to find others or better versions of ways.
God Bless.,
Steve
There is no agency in safety. :)
As a mother I struggle with overvaluing safety regarding my children. I do so for selfish reasons, as I find it extremely hard to watch them suffer. I shudder to think of the pain Mary endured watching her son crucified.
Thanks for the reminder that life is danger, especially for boys…and to live is to suffer.
When I was writing this, I thought about the struggle that mothers in particular would have with it. It's true that I can't know what it's like for a mother, with regards to safety. But maybe that's why God is the Father God. The mother's lawless love protects them when they're young and defenseless, but the kids need to meet The Danger eventually.
Ever since I heard Elon is going to save the folks stuck on that International Space Station, I thought, he better have the best security possible, because there are no shortage of monsters who mean to tear him down, for whom anything goes and nothing matters.
I've been talking about resilience and food security for decades. Cassandra effect, I was very grateful the Tree of Woe explained clearly the dilemma. The dilemma is not lessened because of the recent election, even as it is something of a reprieve perhaps from tyrannical saftieism.
Whatever else i think of Musk, whichever quarrels I have, I recognize that he has chosen The Danger. This is an important step in the right direction.
True. It's actually very dangerous to be part of a cabal planning to enslave what is left of humanity after killing 90% of them. You might be discovered and the masses might wake up.
In El Gato Malo's recent piece on government disassembly, he said, "there is no human on earth who can bring the circus like Elon can bring the circus. No one. The man is a one-man always traveling 11-ring Barnum and Bailey show. And what an astonishing show it is going to be."
Thank you. Your words reach deep and touch the core.
God bless you Saša.
Faith and belief ARE an attachment to certainty. I do not begrudge those that have faith in something beyond the sun rising.
I do know that controllers fear tactics are used from many disciplines and doctrines by those that interpret them to capture those less critical thinkers than yourself to direct them to grasp possessively at any certainty, and anyone promising certainty.
This is dangerous and the opposite of what you said about God's gift of uncertainty.
I can't but be sad about the irony and duality in this, that few people will be able to understand.
It is the most difficult paradox of all. Doesn't faith equal certainty? Trust might be a better word. I trust God, but I don't pretend to be certain of His mind, or in any given outcome.
Faith is defined as HOPE in things not seen. Which is utterly ridiculous.
Faith is bound to belief, not hope, and only to things that can be seen. You have faith a plumber CAN fix your drain, so you hire him believing he WILL. You fully expect him to, so like you said, tied to near certainty….
BECAUSE:
He is licensed, he owns a successful plumbing company, he is insured and bonded, he has great reviews, he’s been doing it for years, he fixed your neighbor’s pipe…all things seen and known.
What you never, ever actually do in real life is hire a homeless guy to come fix your drain because you have faith in him, bolstered to near certainty by the fact you can’t verify anything about him.
The truth? You don’t trust that homeless guy can fix a single damn thing. What you see is all that ever matters.
How does that go hand in hand with your love for baphomet costume wearer musk?
What love?
Thankyou Mark.
I trusted you enough to share my thoughts armed with knowledge that my thoughts might upset you or that you would respond with answer or explanation.
Your examination of your own words has exceeded my expectation.
Without trust and the possibility of forgiveness, I doubt that anyone could interact with anyone, as this requires showing some level of vulnerability, which is becoming more and more dangerous.
I have attempted to follow, to a limit, a Chinese saying from Lao Tze-
" Trust those that should not be trusted".
For who amongst us has not sinned? - that's from the Bible isn't it?
If that TV deal I’m working on works out, can I steal this line from you? It’s brilliant.
Yep and a bit. You will be safe even if you don't want to, the powers that be in power assure such. Not just wear a hard hat safe but right down to a low pressure alarm in each and every tire safe (Title 49 Subtitle B Chapter V Part 571 Subpart B § 571.138) and an impossible to turn it up too hot shower safe.
Maybe we the people have reached a turning point, maybe not. None the less me or thee the person can and should weigh the risks and decide to take them, or not.
For the greater glory of ___ or the continuing story of, lets face it, us, the risks, and taking the right ones, are absolutely necessary.
Maybe the continuing story IS the greater glory. Maybe God wants a good story, more than anything.
I love that you have a picture of the signature portion of the Declaration of Independence under the quote: "A dangerous life is God’s gift to Man, whose mind can imagine future goods and take meaningful risks to achieve them. The risks we take can include all kinds of stakes, including the stake of all future dangers."
It's become unfashionable to say this in most circles these days, but the Founding Fathers were absolute mensches, one and all. They were world-changing men of action while also being incredibly erudite. America lost its way when schools started teaching students that these men were monsters to be reviled instead of heroes to be worshipped and emulated. These men's lives truly were God's gift to Man.
Sure, one can play the iconoclasm game, and there's plenty of material to work with in that respect. But the cost to one's personal growth and to society are steep.
What a remarkable essay. You’ve clarified one of the great challenges of our age, while also shedding light on how minuscule the challenge truly is. And you did so in a way that not only didn’t insult, but did in fact inspire. And the Catholic in me appreciates even more deeply that you put it into the context of the Almighty and our duty to him and his kingdom. I shall ponder this work more deeply in the coming days, but i wanted to make sure I took the time to laud you and thank you for this contribution. Cheers, good sir, and may the Lord be with you.
Jesus was not a big fan of comfort. Yet he promised us that, paired with Him, our yoke is easy. In safety and danger, not a sparrow falls to the ground but our Lord knows it. I think that the faith/certainty paradox lies with Him. In this life we will have trouble. But fear not ...
Most excellent. Perhaps your best observation on Life yet, good sir.
Usually but not always, the value of things acquired is directly related to the effort expended (money, sweat, time, tears) to acquire them.
Life is by Divine design a struggle. A struggle against mental, physical and spiritual Entropy (I.e., danger, complacency, cowardice). The more meaningful and worthwhile we desire our life to be, the greater the struggle we will have with this entropy.
Therefore, perhaps one should strive for an attitude that embraces (at least to a degree) such entropy, as appropriate, possibly even necessary, maybe even beneficial for our mental, physical and spiritual growth and resilience.