We have a new blogkid. I figured it would just be a a matter of time before a certain Persian friend of mine began blogging, and that's exactly what happened. Bunch of good stuff - for something a bit different, his post about observed differences between education in the east and education in western countries is pretty interesting. In another post, he notes:
"Here, on The Spirit Of Man, I intend to talk about my own sentiments and ideas about the universe I live in.
I will talk about things I have never talked about in public!"
As he put it to me in an email: "Western civilization is wonderful, Joe!"
Amen. Looking at it through the eyes of one who has glimpsed it from afar through the iron bars of repression is the best reminder in the world. And as intent as many seem on our suicide, it's worth recalling that other systems are more fragile still. The Spirit of Man is real, and at the end of the day, one stands with it - or against it.
I know where I stand. Ditto for my Persian friend "Winston," whose founding blog post includes this:
"We control life, Winston, at all its levels. You are imagining that there is something called human nature which will be outraged by what we do and will turn against us. But we create human nature. Men are infinitely malleable. Or perhaps you have returned to your old idea that the proletarians or the slaves will arise and overthrow us. Put it out of your mind. They are helpless, like the animals. Humanity is the Party. The others are outside - irrelevant."
"I don't care. In the end they will beat you. Sooner or later they will see you for what you are, and then they will tear you to pieces."
"Do you see any evidence that that is happening? Or any reason why it should?"
"No. I believe it. I know that you will fail. There is something in the universe - I don't know, some spirit, some principle - that you will never overcome."
"Do you believe in God, Winston?"
"No."
"Then what is it, this principle that will defeat us?"
"I don't know. The spirit of Man."
"And do you consider yourself a man?"
"Yes."
Proud to be here, Joe!