Civilization

Civilization degrades the many to exalt the few.
Amos Bronson Alcott (1799-1888)

I just returned from a trip to Europe. I am still experiencing sensory overload from viewing paintings, palaces, and prisons.

The trip got me thinking not just about those who created the artifacts we visit, but what it says about us in the things that we choose to preserve and display. At its core, it reflects our deep fascination with people.

We are captivated by those who lived a long time ago in distant lands, especially the very wealthy and powerful. We relish tales of courage, and of scandal. But, we also have great curiosity about ordinary people- workers and their tools, families and their homes, children and their toys.

We hear people lament that our current times are not producing the heroes or artists of yesteryear. Our predecessors had a similar lack of appreciation for genius. The English threw Churchill out of office after the war. No one appreciated the genius of Vincent Van Gogh until many years after his death. Still, I cannot bring myself to accept the possibility that any future generations will find something worthy in rap music.