Du pouvoir, by Bertrand de Jouvenel, dates back to 1945. At that time, the staggering growth of the modern state and the realization that it could only continue to grow inexorably were already causing fear. But what astonishing speed this happened with! The power wielded by the state in those years, just over half a century ago, seems insignificant compared to the power wielded today by any Western democracy. Today, the state has the means to monitor the most intimate details of any citizen’s private life and to annihilate, overnight and without the slightest effort, the life of anyone it targets. In 1945, although the relentless process of growth in power could be predicted, no one could have imagined the monstrosity of the technological arsenal that would quickly fall into the hands of Lobaczewski’s psychopaths. Between the individual and the state, the disparity of means is absolute. Indeed, Lobaczewski seems to have grasped something valuable: to understand the historical, sociological, and political development of the West, it is appropriate to establish a science of evil.
Category: Notes
It Is Striking to Note How Something…
It is striking to note how something that is believed to be pleasurable immediately ceases to be so when it becomes a profession. It is as if, only now, the unpleasant aspects of the activity begin to weigh heavily. Good results, once a reward, cease to be satisfying once they become a necessity. And the seriousness that surrounds the process ends up making it exhausting. In the rare cases where this does not happen, it is wise to give thanks, for one was truly born to practice that occupation.
It Has Been Said That a Writer Is…
It has been said that a writer is someone for whom life is not enough. And, undoubtedly, being satisfied with experience is a variable element of individual psychology. Most of the time, the life we lead is mediocre, devoid of events that are if not remarkable, at least out of the ordinary. Some cannot accept this, either because of pride or an innate desire to know more and experience more. Here, literature emerges not as consolation, but as a necessity, filling the countless gaps in experience. Without it, life seems unbearably uninteresting. Again, this is a matter of individual psychology, and those who do not have a similar disposition will never understand it.
Writing Reaches a New Level After…
Writing reaches a new level after becoming like a lost cause. As with these, the effort becomes ennobled and the pretenders give up in the face of the unfortunate prospect. The work, however, gains undeniable authenticity, which appears to be a more valuable prize than one might initially expect. Expectations often shorten the life of dedication; when, however, nothing is expected, the effort itself becomes a source of satisfaction.