Lets talk about the crisis of civic virtue and ponder Europe's security future
Weekly Ink #9
A weekly newsletter with findings, practical wisdom, and interesting conversations from across the web, curated by yours truly.
Contemplations
Meditations, practical philosophy, and the occasional restless thought.
Hello, dear reader!
Starting today, Weekly Ink will begin with Contemplations, move to Insights, and finally, wrap up with Dialogue. I am hoping it will be a more enjoyable flow to read this way. The goal and purpose is to build a community around a broad set of shared values and a desire to live an examined, values-informed life and examine issues through these perspectives. The flow of these writings should reflect that, and beginning here and then moving into what I think can sometimes be a more contentious area (much of what I curate weekly relates to the going-on in the world, i.e., the political) will hopefully make for a better, more reflective and insightful read for you.
The things we think about determine the quality of our minds. The soul takes on the color of thoughts. Enjoy!
Insights
Curated stories and ideas.
Project MUSE - America’s Crisis of Civic Virtue: This has been paywalled since I found it, so allow me to summarize: Arthur Brooks argues that capitalism and democracy are under threat in America, not from each other but from a decline in civic virtue1— eroding public trust and civility. The source is rising narcissism, grievance culture, contempt for opposing views, and increased legal but unethical “gaming the system” by elites and corporate institutions. Support for a populist low-integrity leader, he argues, is a sign of this civic decay (I agree). Finally, it is worth noting that Brooks doesn’t believe that this decay is political or economic— it’s cultural. So what can be done? Suggestions include reviving civil society institutions, encouraging and rewarding ethical leadership, and making virtuous choices in our individual lives, which can help us renew our cultural foundation. Though I am not entirely sure I share his take on capitalism, I think it’s a broadly strong prescription. Reasonable people should be able to disagree reasonably, and ethical leadership should be lauded and rewarded, regardless of political affiliation.
"Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one." - Marcus Aurelius
The Imperfectionist: It’s the human connection, stupid. I low-key admire Oliver Burkeman, and this piece is an example of why. His writing is insightful and approachable and always feels more like a conversation in my head than a thought piece being read. This piece, in particular, is about America’s favorite topic in 2024— AI, and he makes a great case as to why art created by humans has an intrinsic value that AI cannot match: a sense of connection. Please give it a read, let me know what you think!
Emmanuel Macron’s urgent message for Europe: Macron makes a compelling argument that Europe’s leaders must develop their joint grand strategy and security arrangement. I would go further and say Europe should also build its vision for the future. America can’t be relied upon for European security anymore. Europe must prepare itself for the eventuality of America saying: “You’re on your own.” as it gets pulled to concerns more directly affecting its interests. That doesn’t mean Europe shouldn’t continue aligning itself with America, with whom it shares culture, history, and values. On the contrary, by developing its security project, Europe will not only ensure an ability to defend itself from this eventuality but also become a more effective ally to America and, when needed, a more effective and willing counterweight against anything rash.
“Who can pretend that Russia will stop there?” What security would there be, he asks, for neighbouring countries: Moldova, Romania, Poland, Lithuania and others? - Emmanuel Macron on how to rescue Europe
Dialogue
Voices, perspectives, and conversations from our community and across the web.
If you want to discover more flourishing, the School of Life is one to check out. This short video tries to provide insight into something that motivates us, often unknowingly, more than any. Relationships with our parents are challenging for many, and striving to evaluate them objectively can help us grow.
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By civic virtue, Brooks refers to the personal qualities and behavioral norms, like honesty and civility, that enable a healthy civil society and political system.