Resisting the Inner Ring, Cold War II and Bruce Lee
Weekly Ink #8
A new weekly newsletter with findings, practical wisdom, and interesting conversations from across the web, curated by yours truly.
Insights
Curated stories and ideas.
Potentially, the most dangerous scenario would be a grand coalition of China, Russia, and perhaps Iran, an “antihegemonic” coalition united not by ideology but by complementary grievances. It would be reminiscent in scale and scope of the challenge once posed by the Sino-Soviet bloc, though this time China would likely be the leader and Russia the follower. - Grand Chessboard
The Second Cold War Is Escalating Faster Than the First: I have quibbles with it, beginning with minor quibbles about Niall’s positioning of LOTR lore (Shelob is not aligned with Sauron; at best, it’s indirect and opportunistic. HAVE YOU READ THE BOOKS, MR. FERGUSON, HMMM!?!) and moving to some bigger ones. For one, I don’t find the argument of “Cold War II progressing faster” compelling. How do we know that? What does it mean that it’s progressing faster? Faster towards what? There is a sample size of one when it comes to cold wars. Many other differences arguably help reduce conflict possibility; the Soviet and US economies (never mind the global economy in general) were never as intertwined as it is today. I also can't entirely agree with his claims of “greater ambivalence” of US leadership in Germany. There is great ambivalence towards Trump, and there are concerns that the US is losing its edge and capacity to provide security due to internal problems. Remember; it was Biden who Snubbed Scholz by not meeting with him when he came to the US earlier this year. Still, I don’t think ambivalence is the word I would use to describe the feelings of the relationship overall, not in any interactions I’ve heard or read. There is much I agree with here, too. Isolationism is dangerous, and I do believe the US would be ill-prepared for a conflict over Taiwan. The argument behind Ferguson Law1 sounds sensible, too. But I don’t think history repeats itself as neatly as it is positioned here. Rhymes? Maybe, but I don’t think it lines up as clearly, nor do I believe things are as dire as the author suggests.
How Johnson came to embrace Ukraine aid and defy his right flank: By the sound of it, the CIA briefings he began to receive as a speaker influenced his thinking intensely, and reporting from the FT suggests that he takes his faith seriously. This seems like one of those remarkable moments in politics where a politician does what they genuinely believe to be correct and moral despite many reward incentives to do the opposite. Hat off to you, Speaker Johnson.
Contemplations
Meditations, practical philosophy, and the occasional restless thought.
"Of all the passions, the passion for the Inner Ring is most skillful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things. My second reason is this. The torture allotted to the Danaids in the classical underworld, that of attempting to fill sieves with water, is the symbol not of one vice, but of all vices. It is the very mark of a perverse desire that it seeks what is not to be had. The desire to be inside the invisible line illustrates this rule. As long as you are governed by that desire you will never get what you want. You are trying to peel an onion: if you succeed there will be nothing left. Until you conquer the fear of being an outsider, an outsider you will remain." - The Inner Ring: A Speech by CS Lewis
I’m not overly familiar with CS Lewis outside of Narnia, but his speech at Kings College in the 1950s resonates deeply. Social pressures and incentives to compromise our ethics are everywhere. Whether it’s for status, money, or power, they are an ever-present force that will slowly compromise us if we are not mindful of them. Instead, we should strive for self-mastery; to be conscious, self-aware, and able to control our desires, emotions, and actions to live by our values and principles. Through this striving for virtue (as the ancient Greeks would say), we can develop the resilience to resist the pressures of the Inner ring. Your path does not have to be stoic; there are many ways to achieve moral independence. The goal is to have a character strong enough to stand firmly and bravely and say, “No, thank you.”
Dialogue
Voices, perspectives, and conversations from our community and across the web.
The sentiment expressed here is about martial arts. Still, it can just as easily apply to other areas, including philosophy(and I use this word in the practical sense: philosophy as a guide to living a good life!). Take what works, leave the rest. There is no need to adhere to a single “School” and not adapt when a practice or perspective is sensible and can help lead you to more flourishing.
Of course, for this to work, one must first know philosophy (or martial arts!), something to lay your foundation with, much as Bruce Lee started Wing Chun before developing Jeet Kune Do.
“My thought for today is something which I found in Epicurus (yes, I actually make a practice of going over to the enemy’s camp – by way of reconnaissance, not as a deserter!). ‘A cheerful poverty,’ he says, ‘is an honourable state.’” - Seneca
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What’s your take on Cold War II? What kind of values and philosophy is foundational to you? I always want to hear your thoughts. ✍️
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It's kind of bold to name a law after yourself, hehe.