I’m convinced the world is sorely lacking living mythology and that this is a major problem that the worst among us might exploit. Neitzche pointed out how rational observations killed God 150 years ago. Hitler and gang ran with the idea, trying to make the Aryan nation the new God. Nihlism reigned supreme, momentarily, at enormous cost to humankind.
After WW2, comparative mythology guru Joseph Campbell highlighted again the lack of mythology in the then-modern world. He noted artists and storytellers are creators of myths and inspired many among the beat and hippie generations to create new unifying mythologies. For example, George Lucas, creator of Star Wars and Grateful Dead lead Jerry Garcia, credit Campbell. One might note how thoroughly intertwined their arts are to our culture, creating points of unity and shared values that transcends political divides.
Today, we seem to be at another crossroads. The likes of Trump and Putin, their minions, like the Nazis before them, issue conspiracy theory and competing mythologies to degrade social fabric and moral boundaries that our unifying mythologies and beliefs foster. They specifically use Christianity as a tool of reactionary politics. It is an intensely scary moment. And we need so much more of this type of effort. Thank you!
I love this piece so much! I'm obsessed with myths and am putting out a workshop next year called From Myth to Medicine -- all about taking the medicinal and poignant meaning from myths to apply to our life today. But I love to see how others dive into and respond to myth like you do here. It's so fascinating to me!
Love this B!
I’m convinced the world is sorely lacking living mythology and that this is a major problem that the worst among us might exploit. Neitzche pointed out how rational observations killed God 150 years ago. Hitler and gang ran with the idea, trying to make the Aryan nation the new God. Nihlism reigned supreme, momentarily, at enormous cost to humankind.
After WW2, comparative mythology guru Joseph Campbell highlighted again the lack of mythology in the then-modern world. He noted artists and storytellers are creators of myths and inspired many among the beat and hippie generations to create new unifying mythologies. For example, George Lucas, creator of Star Wars and Grateful Dead lead Jerry Garcia, credit Campbell. One might note how thoroughly intertwined their arts are to our culture, creating points of unity and shared values that transcends political divides.
Today, we seem to be at another crossroads. The likes of Trump and Putin, their minions, like the Nazis before them, issue conspiracy theory and competing mythologies to degrade social fabric and moral boundaries that our unifying mythologies and beliefs foster. They specifically use Christianity as a tool of reactionary politics. It is an intensely scary moment. And we need so much more of this type of effort. Thank you!
I love this piece so much! I'm obsessed with myths and am putting out a workshop next year called From Myth to Medicine -- all about taking the medicinal and poignant meaning from myths to apply to our life today. But I love to see how others dive into and respond to myth like you do here. It's so fascinating to me!
I love that! I really do think old Myths have a strong value in helping understand ourselves and each other.
If your workshop is going to be online, I'd love to partake in that if you have any spaces open.