9 Comments
User's avatar
Elizabeth's avatar

I would propose that World Falling Apart is the most important time to be reading great books. That reading does not stay in your head, it shapes the reality you see. And that might be its most important purpose.

Sean Berube's avatar

I agree! To paraphrase Augustine - if we lead good lives, then so too shall the times be good

N Maravich's avatar

"If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things-praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts-not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds."

- From C. S. Lewis' "On Living in an Atomic Age"

Sean Berube's avatar

Perfect quote! Sums up the entire article haha

Bean's avatar

It ties in with @thinkingwest's essay on why Gen Z needs to study history.

I would also add that I read Koestler's The Call-girls last year & it was just like reading what is happening now. It had a great number of similarities to WEF and Davis. Another soothsayer.

Sean Berube's avatar

I’ll have to keep that Koestler read on my mind! Sounds like an interesting book

Because there's beauty in it's avatar

Hi! This is highly interesting, I would love to get in touch if you would like, because I have actually felt a very similar call to develop a kind of private master of Western Literature and Philosophy, starting from the inspiration of the Inklings, with an emphasis on the role of beauty and sacramental imagination, to arrive at Catholic/Christian mysticism; at the same time helping people to apply what they learn to their lives. Here is a better and more thorough explanation: https://substack.com/home/post/p-193453834 . Perhaps it could be nice to exchange ideas and help each other?

Sean Berube's avatar

Love your mission! Feel free to shoot me a DM

David Black MD's avatar

You are so very correct