On decadence, and why we aren't there yet
Decadence is a highly underrated state. Oh, certainly, the decadent civilizations (such a judgmental term!) generally get steamrollered by those who are closer to their barbarian roots, but the joys of being in the soon-to-be-annihilated upper classes almost make up for the inevitable sword-wielding maniac executions that take place. I suppose the trick is to be among the new aristocracy that takes over and quickly absorbs the most delightfully ridiculous affectations of the ancien regime.
Case in point - the ortolan.
The ortolan is an utterly inoffensive little bird of Europe, known for eating seeds and tweeting harmlessly. For some reason the French aristocracy decided that these were the perfect thing to capture, feed until they got grossly fat, then drown to death in liqueur, cook, and eat. One ate them with your head covered in a napkin, to enhance the aroma and, according to some, to hide the sin from God. As you can well imagine, the folks who came up with this gastronomic treat were among the first to get their heads separated from their bodies when the Revolution hit. This did not end the devouring of small birds, however. The later Republican rulers could not resist this little morsel so beloved of the effete fools they replaced. Francois Mitterrand's last meal included these little birdies, even though at the time their consumption was illegal. A proper ruler never lets little things like the law get in the way of life's small pleasures.
People often argue that the United States went "from barbarism to decadence without the intervening period of civilization." I highly disagree. The only indulgences our rulers have allowed themselves is ruthless greed and compulsive sex. That is hardly the mark of a degenerate aristocracy. Our rulers are guilty of nothing that would merit fantastic show trials dragging out delicious details of indolent pleasures to rile up the peasantry against them as they chew on their moldy bread. No, our rulers are more of the sort that only get an "up against the wall bullet" sort of thing. Not inspiring.
Everyone remembers Marie Antoinette going to the guillotine as a much-vilified figure for her perceived excesses. What would George Bush II get when he gets a bullet in a ditch? Just remembered for grotesquely mismanaged and in one case clearly illegal wars structured in ways that loaded him and his cronies with wads of cash in their wallets. At least the utterly villainous Saddam built himself endless, tacky pleasure palaces (though he lost massive credits for sheer tastelessness).
Thus, I am forced to conclude - absent evidence to the contrary, while we are a relatively declining power in the world, we are not a decadent one yet. Our ruling classes have not descended into the softness of the good life where one can focus on philosophy, fine pastry, overwrought furniture and delicious little songbirds as an appetizer. We still have a way to go yet.
Case in point - the ortolan.
The ortolan is an utterly inoffensive little bird of Europe, known for eating seeds and tweeting harmlessly. For some reason the French aristocracy decided that these were the perfect thing to capture, feed until they got grossly fat, then drown to death in liqueur, cook, and eat. One ate them with your head covered in a napkin, to enhance the aroma and, according to some, to hide the sin from God. As you can well imagine, the folks who came up with this gastronomic treat were among the first to get their heads separated from their bodies when the Revolution hit. This did not end the devouring of small birds, however. The later Republican rulers could not resist this little morsel so beloved of the effete fools they replaced. Francois Mitterrand's last meal included these little birdies, even though at the time their consumption was illegal. A proper ruler never lets little things like the law get in the way of life's small pleasures.
People often argue that the United States went "from barbarism to decadence without the intervening period of civilization." I highly disagree. The only indulgences our rulers have allowed themselves is ruthless greed and compulsive sex. That is hardly the mark of a degenerate aristocracy. Our rulers are guilty of nothing that would merit fantastic show trials dragging out delicious details of indolent pleasures to rile up the peasantry against them as they chew on their moldy bread. No, our rulers are more of the sort that only get an "up against the wall bullet" sort of thing. Not inspiring.
Everyone remembers Marie Antoinette going to the guillotine as a much-vilified figure for her perceived excesses. What would George Bush II get when he gets a bullet in a ditch? Just remembered for grotesquely mismanaged and in one case clearly illegal wars structured in ways that loaded him and his cronies with wads of cash in their wallets. At least the utterly villainous Saddam built himself endless, tacky pleasure palaces (though he lost massive credits for sheer tastelessness).
Thus, I am forced to conclude - absent evidence to the contrary, while we are a relatively declining power in the world, we are not a decadent one yet. Our ruling classes have not descended into the softness of the good life where one can focus on philosophy, fine pastry, overwrought furniture and delicious little songbirds as an appetizer. We still have a way to go yet.