We see signs of the coup de culture (utilitarianism, hedonism, scientism/earth religion) ever day. This is an H story.
Hedonism is about far more than sensuality. It is about living for the thrill, the fulfillment of every material desire, the scratching of every itch (so to speak). It is about being obsessed with pleasure and what pleases. I often give Octomom as an example, or the stampede at a Walmart a few years ago that was so intense, a security guard was trampled to death.
I think this story qualifies, too. Sony is planning on bringing out new phones with a Play Station built in. From the story:
Sony’s long-rumoured PlayStation Portable smartphone is set to be launched in North America and Europe as early as the spring, according to a Japanese newspaper report Wednesday. The device would likely be based on Sony’s handheld PSP Go game console, would be made by Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications and run Google’s Android operating system, said the Asahi Shimbun’s English edition, citing unnamed sources. Sony hopes to take on Apple’s iPhone, Research in Motion’s BlackBerry and Nokia devices by offering the first smartphone that is based on a portable game console, with a set of controls that allows very advanced gaming.
I am certainly not against having a good time. But for some, technology is becoming Soma. Imagine dying and nothing flashes in front of your mind’s life review except video screens. A sad waste of limited time.
Whatever happened to just being alone with your thoughts, meditation, or prayers? And what about reading a good book? I know. I know. Get thee to the retirement home, Wesley. You’re getting to be a grumpy old man.
December 29th, 2010 | 12:15 pm
Maybe it’s no wonder that there are fewer and fewer good books at my local library, then. It’s getting harder to find old fashioned forms of my favorite stories, too. I tried finding a paperback version of a book I lost several years ago, and found out the only way I can buy it is to download a version to some kind of eBook. Otherwise, no go. Granted, I guess that’s better than some things – some out of print books are impossible to find unless you want to spend $70 or more on a copy, as I know from trying to find an original English copy of Pinocchio.
Have you noticed that silence is hardly silent anymore? About the only time you have complete quiet is when there’s a large power outage. I can’t even go outside and not hear someone playing their radio too loud.
My father passed away on October 5. Shortly after that, I got a dog, and started paying attention to how much time I was spending on different things – playing computer games, filling out job applications, watching TV, etc. Cutting into that time to play with the dog sometimes seems like a pain, because dogs are active, and other entertainment, whether it involves movement or not, is passive – you don’t have to think of things, you just let things happen. But I like it better, because it’s more real.
I think we’re trading in the real for the imaginary, and assuming that the imaginary is somehow superior because it isn’t as messy.
Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s raining and I have to drag the dog outside (I’ve never met a non-cat animal that hated rain more than she does).
Wesley J. Smith Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I am sorry about your father, Tabs. Welcome back. And enjoy your dog. They give so much joy.
December 29th, 2010 | 12:36 pm
Yeah. She’s a mixed breed: Jack Russel Terrier and cattle dog. Two cats, a dog, and a mouse now. This place is turning into a zoo.
Thank you for your kindness about my dad. Losing him was hard, but you know what? Hospice is an amazing, wonderful thing, and they helped us more than I can say. I can’t even begin to tell you the help they’re *still* giving my family. So, I’d recommend them in a heartbeat.
I also had the honor of being there when my father passed away, though he waited until my mother and I weren’t in the room, but I had friends and other family with me, and he was never alone once.
Wesley, do me a favor – never change. It’s because of my interaction with you that I was able to see his passing, not as a burden, but as an intimate part of our relationship. Keep fighting modernism, and keep shining your light. And God bless you and Mrs. Smokette. You guys do good work.
Wesley J. Smith Reply:
December 29th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
You could not have said anything more meaningful to me, Tabs. You honor me. Thank you.
December 29th, 2010 | 12:41 pm
Octomom, also known as Octomaim or Maimomom, unfortunately is more of an example of a sick, evil, twisted woman that would maim her own babies just to become rich and famous. Fortunately I know that she is an aberration, and that most people, much as they want the luxuries of life, aren’t willing to damage their own children as a prerequisite for fame and fortune. She is more in the category of Josef Fritzl that enslaved his own daughter for 20 plus years, raped her repeatedly, and enslaved his resulting grandchildren also. He wanted a few extra pleasures in life too and didn’t care if his own children suffered to scratch that itch. Just like Octomaim.
December 29th, 2010 | 1:07 pm
Jennifer -
True, Octomom is an aberration, but too many people are sitting back, shrugging, and saying, “It’s her life; we can’t tell her how to live it,” without thinking about how that attitude affects her littles. Right now, most people would look at what Josef Fritzl was like and be aghast, and demand his imprisonment, if not something more dire. But the slow acceptance of horrors like Octomom might lead to acceptance of people like Fritzl. The sooner people start recognizing that limits are good in their own lives, the sooner they’ll start realizing that limits are good, period, especially where the helpless and weak are concerned. I’m worried about it going the other way, though…
December 29th, 2010 | 5:06 pm
“Imagine dying and nothing flashes in front of your mind’s life review except video screens.” Compared to a good book? Literary fiction is at least as imaginary and not necessarily any more intellectually stimulating. The more popular novels have been trashy fluff long before they ever turned the mind of that poor Spanish gentleman to mush, inspiring him to tilt at windmills some 400 years ago. If it’s hedonism you’re looking for, there’s plenty to be lived vicariously in the bulk of popular fiction. For all television has been blamed for mindless entertainment, it only brought the same slop to the illiterate and the lazy.
Most video games aren’t any better, but in terms of hours of entertainment per dollar spent, they’re quite economical, even when you factor in the upfront costs of the latest and greatest hardware. Relatively speaking, there’s nothing inherently hedonistic about it as an entertainment platform.
Harking back to books one last time, if I were being completely honest with myself, could I say my own desire to collect books is anything but hedonistic? Contents aside, as objects, all those books are quite material in terms of physical mass and price tags. A book for every subject, a scratch for every intellectual itch – there’s no doubt they bring me a great deal of pleasure and even pride.
December 29th, 2010 | 6:07 pm
Tabs—
I have been there, done that. It extends one’s “life experience” way beyond that with which any of us are comfortable. Burying one’s father is one of those “moments” in life that absolutely defies description. You did it, I did it, and we will both ponder on it for years.
I also did the same for the fathers of many others, but that is another story for another time.
Oddly enough, my son came out front for a smoke with me late last night, and thanked me for living through my very recent surgery.
It wasn’t up to me, but I lived anyway! :-)
There were a lot of intangibles involved that made nothing certain beforehand, but all turned out well, thank the Lord.
But getting a shot of “mortality” as I did facing my surgery (and as did my son), puts much of the world we are always worrying about in its proper perspective.
Tabs—rest assured, your Dad is safely home. As I and my son and you will be one day. The reunion will be well worth the pain on this side.
And yes, as C. S. Lewis very correctly reasoned, all creation will be redeemed, so yes, dogs will be in heaven (Rom 8:22-25) I know St. Francis agreed with Lewis.
It will be a great day for a Heavenly BBQ.
Pax
jb
December 29th, 2010 | 10:32 pm
JB -
Your kindness touches me. And I’m a firm believer that since God owns all animals, we’ll have the pleasure of them in Heaven, too, but it’s nice to have you mention it again. Dad had dogs he loved that I know he missed, and it’s nice to think of him with them again. Gosh, that was a lovely post. I can’t thank you enough for your sweet words. You’re a very nice person! And I’m glad you lived through the operation, too, and not just because you offered me your kindness.
December 30th, 2010 | 12:51 am
Tabs–
Your Poppa is happy, as is mine, as is all their “dawgs” . . .and your words of kindness back to me will make certain I sleep well tonight.
Thank you.
Jeff
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