4 Comments

Pseudoplotinus
December 6th, 2012 | 1:13 pm

A propos of Ramsey’s analysis. This coming to theatres near you in 2013:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/warm_bodies/trailers/11174156/

Ramsey just may have a very relevant point!

Crunchy, Conservative Theory and Practice | cathlick.com
December 6th, 2012 | 2:31 pm

[...] or being nasty to Rod Dreher that I decided to repeat and add to what I’ve said Source: Postmodern Conservative   Category: Blogs and [...]

Jason
December 9th, 2012 | 7:27 pm

Thanks for your kind words, professor.
Concerning your most recent essay, it seems to me that you have two basic criticisms of “Crunchy Conservatism”: that it is unrealistic for people without wealth, and that there can be unintended consequences to the enterprise (e.g. the environmental damage from long commutes between rural areas and cities). I think you are correct about both of these, although to be fair Mr. Dreher in his blog is attempting to address such criticisms in order to find potential solutions (see here for example http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/elites-and-their-houses/ ) Admittedly, it’s a big challenge, trying to make Crunchy Cons into those who are not religious or traditional SWPL-types (I remember when I suggested at Dreher’s forum that poorer families live in apartments rather than houses in more expensive rural areas like his, the response I got was zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz). Still, I do think the movement is gathering steam, especially with very traditional Christian families where there are very strongly defined gender roles. Indeed, I think some version of this Crunchy lifestyle (actually, I see it more as just a traditional lifestyle adapted to the modern world) is going to become increasingly prominent in the future due to the increased economic austerity Americans will experience along with the horrible atomization so many will have to go through because of the lack of family formation (or the disintegration of such families). Intelligently individuals and families – willy-nilly – will turn to such traditional community-life either because they will have no choice, or because is just makes sense to be part of a kind of zadruga or extended family where the wealthier and more fortunate are able to help out their poorer and more down-and-out kin. Of course, I could be wrong about this – I’m often a lousy prophet – but this is how I see things moving.

Peter Lawler
December 9th, 2012 | 9:25 pm

Jason, I don’t think we disagree much. Picking up steam doesn’t mean that much steam. I can’t helping think that crunchy just ain’t important though.