Misc. Generator: Peter Thiel and Culture

I watched the tech billionaire Peter Thiel two weeks ago at the Republican National Convention (RNC) give a speech, a personalized version of the ‘American Dream’. For those who don’t know Thiel was outed by Gawker for being gay years ago and has funded efforts to destroy them legally ever since. I like Thiel. He stayed on point for most of his speech and didn’t focus on the ‘gay’. The part of his speech which sounded good at first but didn’t quite land was the remark about “fake cultural wars.” Culture is the problem of economy not a distraction from it.

 By design, identity groups, like transgenders,force businesses and individuals to allow space in society where none exists through legislation and political correctness.

 Left to the Republican donors the party would resemble the UK Tory party, cosmopolitan and mildly business friendly but without all the embarrassing Christian zealots. Religious people don’t see culture as different from the economy, they believe it shapes it. When the culture is dominated by…say…Muslim fanatics firmly rooted in Sharia law, how many bars and nightclubs would you see in their largest city? How about less ‘sinful’ pursuits like casinos and rock concert venues?

Mr. Thiel probably didn’t mean to imply that ALL cultural debates are silly and meant to distract us from the unemployment rate. His very existence on the stage was cover for those who want to vote GOP but don’t like the Evangelical tone; a subtle message the party isn’t making a fuss about homosexuality and same sex wedding cakes. The Paypal founder nailed the problems with the economy (in part) by highlighting the flat wage low growth epidemic and lack of tech awareness in government offices. He missed the important connection between culture and economy and chose to split them as issues--a mistake.

What happens when you ignore a clunking sound in your car? Does it go away or does it get louder and happen more frequently demanding your attention until it breaks something critical to the function of operation? Ignore the culture wars at your own peril. Ignoring large chunks of society hastens the destruction of the strong, vibrant and creative economy we occasionally take for granted.

Most of us would love to ignore the distractions about so called transgender rights but we aren’t allowed to. The culture is the problem because we’ve allowed a previous ‘live and let live’ mantra to be turned into a ‘live with it or else’ creed. The ‘or else’ part of the equation demands Christian Universities in California (Peter Thiel’s state) about to lose their tax-exempt status by refusing to admit openly gay and transgender students. How can they ignore it and get back to business? A core principle of Christian faith and University policy has suddenly become state sponsored ‘discrimination’. Who cares? They do. This isn’t a mindless ‘fake culture war’ to them, nor is it to religious schools in other states which can expect similar legislative if the California law passes.

Surely leftist identity groups are mounting cases against churches that have refused to do gay weddings. Based on the same reasoning the schools are losing state funding, so too churches will be attacked. This ‘live with it or else’ reality should remove any doubts Americans had about LGBT communities and their quest for tolerance. This is forced acceptance and forced adherence to a value system most Christians do not recognize or agree with.

First Principles believes Americans would love to focus on hiring workers, educating the labor-force and producing and marketing products for Americans; will the culture let us?

  

Musically Trained

Discipline manifests itself in various ways in our lives. Forcing kids to discover it sooner rather than later will save them from poor habits later in life. I’ve become a more disciplined writer in part because of the understanding that I don’t need to feel like doing something to get it done. Music was oddly my inspiration.  

I had a music appreciation class in college and unlike most college freshmen, really appreciated it. It wasn’t called music appreciation by then; I started college in the late nineties just as the educators were starting to show signs of over-labeling the courses. It had a pseudo-intellectual title like “Classical Theories of Structure in 17^th Century Arias” or perhaps “Music You’ll Never Listen To After This Class”. Ok maybe not, but it was more technical than I remember and I was sure it would hate it. 

My relationship with music is complicated, it’s sort of a ‘It’s-not-you-it’s-me’ thing. I don’t, or rather can’t play any instrument. I guess it makes me a little like those kids who hate gym because they get picked last when kickball teams form. Anyway I signed up for the required music class and to my surprise--loved it!

The teacher, an incredible cellist in his own right, had that magic teacher ‘soil’ good educators can cultivate in their classrooms. He started by describing classical music through history, examined the genius of Mozart, the style of Vivaldi, the pacing of Tchaikovsky, and the slickness of modern composers. I don’t remember specific lessons now and I probably couldn’t pass a competency test on various types of operas. The giant lecture hall seemed too impersonal for an engaging style of question and answer, an easy room for disinterested students to sleep in given the vastness and soft lighting. I was never tired, took spectacular notes, and had visions of playing violin in a concert hall ….just for a second though. The professor gave a performance midway through the semester at another venue, the class was invited. I don’t know the piece they performed but to my untrained ear it was perfect. The sound filled the hall so full I thought the roof might crack. I discovered a love for classical music in that moment.

I am not a musician and since about second grade have been scared to death of learning to play any instrument. We had recorders then. Second graders performing on stage sounds a bit like a fat man rolling onto a set of bagpipes forcing the wind to screech its way through the tubes in all directions. The squeaks and honks filling the elementary gymnasium from a proud class who learned a couple of …ahem…’songs’ was not for me. I wasn’t invited. They snubbed me. I was overjoyed. I didn’t want anything to do with music that involved, well being involved. But music is a requirement in elementary no matter how many kids show ZERO aptitude and ZERO interest. Just myself and one other kid weren’t invited. His family had just moved to the US and his command of English was shaky. He couldn’t read the notes on the page so naturally, no invite. What was my excuse? Was I really going to foul up the performance? They told me there weren't enough chairs.  

If I learned anything from those days it was that life is full of learning that isn’t cleanly filtered from all the nasty bits you happen to dislike. It isn’t orange juice after the pulp has been removed or apples with the skins peeled off and covered with caramel to make it taste better. You need to do the required stuff if you want to move on. Math and Science and even Music serve a purpose in the development of a kid’s educational arc whether kids understand it or not. Critical thinking requires broad based knowledge and an increased stream of sources. Few will become masters at any of it but realizing how individual skills fit into a society of different thinkers is enough of a directive. I am glad I had the music class later in college when I really could appreciate it.

 I did eventually learn to play the recorder sufficiently to get into third grade (Yippeee!). I didn’t learn much about the notes on the page or how to interpret flats or sharps but it does remind me that even difficult, sacrificially boring things are necessary. From music I got discipline and from discipline I got to writing. Where will discipline bring you?   

Evangelicals, America, the Future

What will future life for Evangelicals in America look like? Should we accept our diminished influence in the culture or fight for freedoms that are slipping away?

 One school of thought says Christians should fight for traditional principles like religious liberty and free assembly. In other words use the courts and legislators to defend values and space in the culture. Progressives are increasingly hostile to Christian values and religious influences in business. The Oregon bakers forced to pay a fine (emotional hardship) for refusing to make a cake for a gay wedding are emblematic.

David French of National Review:

This is exactly the time when the Evangelical church needs to lay down a marker, to signal that it will not go quietly. But to do that it needs to do something that it rarely does: ask its members to take a stand. Oh, the church is good at asking them to do things that the world likes, such as volunteering at homeless shelters or digging wells in poor villages overseas. It’s good at helping repair broken homes and broken lives. It’s decent at transmitting the truths of the faith to the next generation. It’s terrible, however, at defending its own essential liberties.

We aren’t to the point yet where all institutions and all legal common sense is gone but it isn’t far off and Evangelicals are not yet comfortable protesting, marching and boycotting. Maybe they never will be. Most have never had to face a legal system completely at odds with the teachings of Christ. The culture too has always reflected religious value in the law, “Thou shalt not kill” and “Thou shalt not steal”. Law in America reflects the founders’ understanding of human nature, nature that requires restraints on the worst tendencies of people lest evil triumph over good.

 By not fighting tough, Christians acknowledge the limits of the courts and legal system to work on their behalf.  But also they see the future and it isn’t bright for people who stand for Christ. Why appeal to a legal system that invents language and finds in the Constitution (apparently) the right for same sex couples to marry? Not to mention support for the ‘rights’ of abortion? David French is a lawyer who has done pro bono work for religious groups and understands more than most, the passivity of our modern churches.  

I think what is really going on here is Evangelicals see where all this is headed and they are mentally preparing for a society that rejects their values. The culture is moving in the direction of anti-tradition, not just anti-Christian. Businesses that employ traditional male and female bathrooms are said to be ‘bigoted’; states like North Carolina that put in measures designed to protect women and children from predators see reduced business overall. It might seem fatalistic from the position of a law professor to not challenge laws. But, it isn’t exactly quitting either.

Viewing Evangelicals as a voting block or just another victimized group in the myriad of victimized groups in America is an incomplete picture. This is part of the problem with not understanding why they don’t protest and march against injustices like civil rights marchers in the sixties. They just aren’t conditioned for it yet.

French is right we don’t fight the winnable battles when a little push back would do. Many Christians doubt how effective it would be to start a legal war.

Another different opinion on culture and Christianity is from Rod Dreher:

Put bluntly, given the dynamics of our rapidly changing culture, I believe it will be increasingly difficult to be a good Christian and a good American. It is far more important to me to preserve the faith than to preserve liberal democracy and the American order. Ideally, there should not be a contradiction, but again, the realities of post-Christian America challenge our outdated ideals.

In our time, the Benedict Option does not offer a formula (at least not yet), but it does call for a radical shift in perspective among Christians, one in which we see ourselves as living in the ruins (though very comfortable ones!) of Christian civilization, and tasked with preserving the living faith through the coming Dark Ages.

True believers are scarce but essential in this brave new world. One might call it the Book of Eli Option instead after the dystopian film where Denzel Washington carries the Bible across a desolate American landscape. To be fair to Dreher, he proposes something practical in an increasingly hostile country. In the choice between liberal democracy and Christianity, Rod chooses Christ and offers a way to pass on Biblical values to the next generation. He does encourage Christians to engage with the world around them but it is clear he doesn’t think much good can be done right now.

The Benedict Option emphasizes disciplined family lives, something not present in the modern church according to Dreher.  Rod doesn’t say we should ignore our neighbors or refuse to share the faith. He just thinks the faith should be preserved—the true faith. The weakness of The Benedict option is that it treats Christianity like an heirloom to be stored in box and taken out for polishing on occasion. This isn’t a picture of a strong confident believe that overcomes a world system set against it.

 I see echoes of this type of thinking present in the last fifty years or so with the home school and Christian education movements. I am not criticizing either one; they both exist (in part) because parents didn’t like the values being taught in public school and made a change. The problem comes when kids go from Christian daycare to Christian elementary and church camp. They enroll in Christian high school, Christian college and a job working for a Christian business or church. How is this different from Mr. Dreher’s idea? Other than the monastery and the harmonious chanting we’ve had this version of our own little club for quite a while. What do we have to show for it? A culture that hates Christianity.

I am a product of this culture of Christian exceptionalism so I understand it better than most. I wouldn’t have an appreciation for the scriptures or a world view explaining good, evil and human nature through time without it. But the Benedict option is incomplete although it places value on the tenants of scripture and its role in our lives. Followers of Christ need to ask pointed questions regarding faith and how willing they are to let it guide them. Also, we have to be honest about the life of Christ and who it was for. It was for the lost. He came to "seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Everything we believe must follow that core principle. I suspect if it becomes the highest goal, the cultural stuff will fall into place. 

Grateful for?

Gratefulness like other qualities is in rare display. I was thinking of this while reading an article about a sick man in China who needed special care only found in the cities. He moved closer but struggled to live due to the high cost of living and expensive medical treatments. This is mortgage week for me and the screws have tightened on my budget. I’ve added almost a hundred extra dollars every mortgage bill due to some sloppy accounting. I’ve managed to get through the painful week but something else needs to change because I am tired of repeating this week once a month and dumping off my free spending to an increasingly tight follow up week.

I’ve had a bit of ‘poor me’ attitude until I read this story about the sick man who’s extended family is paying his bills and making cuts in their own budgets, moving in together and selling property. Some have found additional work to help pay the medical bills. Personal health insurance is a rare thing in China, most use savings to buy everything. I think God had me read that piece to show me how blessed I am. I needed it.

 This isn’t a ‘shame-on-you’ article that pours guilt over the reader like a cold bucket of water. I am not asking for money for my favorite charity or asking you to re-think your ‘self-absorbed’ life style. And I am definitely not shilling for animal rescues with sappy piano melodies.  However, observing  a real personal struggle can melt the iciest of hearts and change perspective of anyone fortunate enough to notice. Most of us have sympathy for children in war-ravaged countries and starving villages with no running water or staple foods. How many of us really want to help the local homeless population with a meal or a warm coat, maybe a haircut or shower? Making a commitment to help by doing is challenging but rewarding. It forces us to consider a group rarely considered, to help the helpless. If we take the focus off our own difficulties we lighten our burden and demonstrate grace from the Father.

A thread of ‘if-you’re-homeless-it-must-be-your-fault’ type philosophizing persists among Americans. It is true much of the time but that shouldn’t affect our Christian duty to care for the poor. We have all been spiritually rescued from the “Law of sin and death” how can we ignore those around us who need emotional and physical rescuing? Our challenge is to get involved by giving time and money to a greater cause. The cause of selflessness and service.

I don’t know if homelessness is on the rise or if I just never noticed it before. Interstate underpasses are clogged with makeshift tents while scruffy men lazily hold cardboard signs. One day they were just there for me; the beggars at the gas station and the strung out girls with the dark hollow eyes. Getting involved in local groups that meet the needs of the homeless has started to change my perspective on life, money and happiness. I don’t feel guilty about wealth and I hope to be successful in work and relationships. I appreciate the tenacity and drive success requires and how close we all are to sliding into addiction and loss. I try to be more grateful, every day. I am also more willing to help.  

Image Conscious

Problems with reporting from Chinese publications and journalists within the country is the overly sensitive concern for its image abroad. This could be a symptom of a nation not used to being put under the microscope. China has been the dominant economic force in Asia since the mid 2000’s, edging just past Japan in overall growth. Too many articles are defensive in nature and designed to combat negative stereotypes. Many people will NEVER understand the intricacies of culture and language, legal norms and public policy. This is true for most countries so why the fuss?

Americans are thought of as obese and gun-loving in much of the world. The truth is…well kind of, yeah...guilty as charged. It is also far from the whole truth. I don’t expect Germans or Indians to understand how critically we view the right to own guns and property; enough Americans believe without it, no other right survives. Socialist countries with newly formed market economies can’t understand the rich legal traditions our laws are based on. We take a beating on the international stage for our love of guns, I get it. The truth is far more complex but we get over it and load another magazine of ammo into the Glock. 

The obesity epidemic in the US is slowly changing with better food choices and weight loss options. The loosely defined ‘fitness’ model of business is booming and worth billions from wearable tech to clothing fabrics and organic food. America as the center of entrepreneurship and innovation gets much of the credit for developing new trends. So yeah ok we’re hefty, (prefer big boned) but we make money baby! China has seen a major upswing in obesity in recent years also due to availability of KFC and McDonalds franchises. This ‘opening up’ of the market is great for consumers (chicken fingers, French fries) and great for developers (more foreigners shop there). It makes for a more rubenesque population with slightly more heart problems but also a rich one--You’re Welcome!

Being big and powerful comes with some hard realities for nations climbing from 3^rd world status to 1^st. Other countries criticize you for everything from the pace of development to the air pollution and the ‘official’ corruption. Think of it as a phase, assuming you want to get better, until reforms are introduced and the populace demands better roads, schools, air quality and legal rights. In China's case it may be a while.

The communist government isn’t helping by shutting out media critical of it. They are parents who throw away the C and D papers from the teacher before their kids can know how they really did. How should a kid who only had glowing reviews of his work be expected to behave when someone trashes his efforts? Internet censorship is antithetical to free society and because many Chinese can’t access the full range of the international online world their growth is stunted.

Take this article. Even the title (Looking Past the Mirror: Embrace difference and empathy to understand China) is whiny beyond belief. It smacks of ‘If only you knew how sweet my boy is you would agree his dinosaur sketches are the best!’ Wanting to defend family, country, religion and political persuasion are all understandable impulses but expecting stereotypes to melt under the heat of your passion is asking too much. Focus instead on the new, the different, the weird and the successful if progress is your ‘bag’. An inspirational life or story will give international readers a positive image to replace a negative one. Jack Ma is such a person. China has a few of these entrepreneurial types with vision and experience in business. Play offense instead of defense and let the haters complain. 

Misc. Generator: Local Primaries

I went to the polls Tuesday. I thought about skipping this one but the yard signs lining the intersection left we with a twinge of guilt. It was the primary for the local and state races. Primaries are a tough sell for voters. It’s like watching pre-season football, it can be entertaining but it doesn’t count for much. All it accomplishes is to weed out the scrubs, break a few hearts. Not that I don’t appreciate living in a democracy, but do we really have to vote on county commissioner and sheriff? Someone tell me what they do please, other than order business cards with their new title. Can’t the mayor, or the police chief, or the city manager, or perhaps the county boss guy just pick somebody? Why can’t the police chief do the job of the sheriff? Get him an assistant and save some money.

It’s fair to say we don’t know these people unless they really screw up. And when they do, voters are indignant that they held the position as long as they did. The Tulsa sheriff position is open because of just such a screw up. His office got caught falsifying records on fitness tests and firearms for one particular cop, reserve officer to be specific. Oh, and turns out the reserve cop shot a guy, killed him actually. It was all over the news, the guy was a drug dealer. The sheriff was at least partially guilty. Police departments should avoid two things more than anything else: Nepotism in the department and killing people. Tulsa PD had a double dose. It’s like they stepped on that rake in the front yard and backed into a kid on a bike with their cruiser. The reserve deputy was a ‘friend’ and financial supporter of the sheriff turning an ugly situation into a full scale disaster.

So there is an opening now in the sheriff’s office. We want and need a new one, but what do we really know about choosing one? The local reporters were indignant about how the sheriff had been in the position since the late eighties. The tone of the press was how-could-such-a thing-happen? I imagine he kept getting re-elected because the department avoided the worst kinds of embarrassment. Ironically elections are supposed to weed out this type of favoritism, except we had an election and got Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall—or so it seemed.

Shortly after college I was at a friend’s wedding talking politics and she remarked that in Australia (where she was from) citizens are fined for NOT voting. I thought it sounded wonderful but she said it forced people to vote for people and issues they didn’t really understand. They just went to the booth to avoid the fine. I hadn’t thought of it that way before because in a democracy voting is not only a right, it’s a duty.

 I am starting to think maybe one less election per year would be a good thing, or at least one less position to vote for. Until then I guess I will do my homework (even in the primaries) and do what I’ve always done, select the candidate with the best yard signs.