Decaying standards



And so to competition. ‘The emphasis on competition in modern life is connected with a general decay in civilised standards, men and women appear incapable of enjoying the more intellectual pleasures. The trouble arises from the generally received philosophy of life, according to which life is a contest, a competition, in which respect is to be accorded to the victor.’ - Bertrand Russell.

 

Having spoken to quite a few graduates over the last few weeks, I have found a definitive decline in civilised standards. A - Level journalists working at cafe's while they complete their degree, that can't spell 'Broccoli' among other exotic words that you could imagine a student may grasp basic spelling of.

 

Students and graduates that have never read a 'classic' novel, in fact some purport never to have read anything other than a magazine, aside from books they were forced to read at school. Take a walk through a forest, for pleasures sake, they could not identify one bird or flower, after all, 'What use would such knowledge be? It could not add to anybody’s income.’ The art of conversation, the art of intellectual learning for it's own sake is lost on the current generation.

 

This is a culture of competition, earn more, accumulate more, show off more and being intellectually dense is acceptable as long as you are clever in the money accumulation stakes. Competition, competition, competition!

 

People seem not to enjoy the pleasures of intellectual conversation any more. Commenting on the beauty around us, discussing the latest book we have read that requires even a modicum of thought, or even a bolstering comradeship, rather we have gone the way of the Snark.

 

‘Snark’ – a contraction of ‘snide’ and ‘remark’. Writes Denby in the book of the same name, 'Great satire, he says, implies a better world. Great criticism attempts to reform what is criticised, even if this is hopeless. Snark merely attempts to destroy.' 'When we listen to politicians attacking each other as a means of avoiding the necessity of telling us what they would do instead, we’re victims of Snark.

 

The Internet, social networking, open-plan offices and text messaging have greatly expanded the possibility of amateur Snark, and many of us are very good at it. Just remember: Snarking says more about the Snark than it does about you.

 

Here’s an idea for you… Snarkers have no defence against confidence. When someone rudely dismisses your new job by making fun of the pathetic salary, remind yourself that the money wasn’t why you took it. When someone ridicules the way you dress, remember that they probably envy your self-confidence.