David J.

A Man Who Loves Life.

I write The Romantic Observer—@TheRom_Observer.

Philosophy | Art | Poetry | History | Science | Technology | COFFEE

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

America is not merely an idea. It is the greatest political idea yet devised by Man. It is an ideal that has been pursued and put into practice by generations of a brave and industrious people. Together, they built a beacon for all humanity. Here, Man lives as his nature intended: a rational, proud, and independent being reshaping the Earth so he and his progeny may flourish.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

This is a tricky problem, no? We who value human life and virtue assume that all men possess this capability—that they have the capacity to be good valuers. We assume they are rational by nature, and that is why we extend to them goodwill. But, given the state of the culture, it is also true that a significant portion of the population is confused, or ignorant, or even hostile, to values.

How, then, are we to proceed? I tend to keep a benevolent attitude as my default. I assume people are rational and the kind of valuers I would seek to associate with, until they themselves prove otherwise.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

Hey @AlexToughTakes, could you share with us how you think about romantic relationships—I.E., what are your principles that lead you to this conclusion? I’ve looked over a couple of your posts, and I’m curious, since you share a lot of good sounding declarative statements. I’d like to know more about how you got there.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@faintlyfalling I said something similar yesterday:

“The destruction of beauty by nihilistic brutes is something that should offend any civilized person, no matter where it occurs.”

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@AlexToughTakes Don’t forget productive, independent, and attentive.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@MDSebach @ThomasDownes8 That…made me chuckle. Good job.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

Yes. This is true. But, we shouldn’t just be caretakers of the achievements of other Men. We should build upon the foundation they have laid, and produce ever more beautiful works. That is the truest way we can honour them. Not to me merely maintain their legacy, but to surpass it.

[Perseus @PerseusLeGrand]

Nous devrions être reconnaissants envers nos ancêtres.

Ils nous ont légué de belles choses.

Il est important de préserver cet héritage.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

Yes. This is true. But, we shouldn’t just be caretakers of the achievements of other Men. We should build upon the foundation they have laid, and produce ever more beautiful works. That is the truest way we can honour them. Not to me merely maintain their legacy, but to surpass it.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

Well said. I might add that there’s no malevolent force out there to counter you. Life isn’t a Sisyphean struggle. You are efficacious. You can be successful and flourish. The modern world is a testament to that. Everything you see in the built environment is a concrete example of some other man’s success. You can do it, too.

[Path of Men @PathOfMen_]

a man loses himself when he stops making choices and starts letting life happen to him. he avoids the hard shit, waits for motivation, and blames everything except his own decisions.

you don't need to suffer to prove you're growing. you need to face what's in front of you, take responsibility, and do something about it. that's how you get your life back.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

Well said. I might add that there’s no malevolent force out there to counter you. Life isn’t a Sisyphean struggle. You are efficacious. You can be successful and flourish. The modern world is a testament to that. Everything you see in the built environment is a concrete example of some other man’s success. You can do it, too.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@PerseusLeGrand My sentiments exactly. And with that, you earned a follow.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

Because the destruction of beauty by nihilistic brutes is something that should offend any civilized person, no matter where it occurs.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@AlexToughTakes Ditto.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@Jvillesfinest I am a person, and I do, in fact, want this. I think Tesla is willing to bet there are many more people like me.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@CoraBuhlert Because the destruction of beauty by nihilistic brutes is something that should offend any civilized person, no matter where it occurs.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@xmuse_ I don’t think “lie” is the right word here. A lie is something immoral, and ugly. There’s nothing ugly about Bernini. It’s like saying opera is a lie, because the actor is “not really” Figaro.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@frandalorian @ArthurMacwaters There’s more to man than a hormone, Francesco.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@X_ArtGallery I don’t see rage. I see determination in the face of defeat, in a spirit that will not accept its fate. I wrote about it here:

https://t.co/6JqaM0Oi3a

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

Not only historically dubious, but nonsensical. The young possess no special relationship to the truth that their elders lack; if anything, a want of experience makes their grasp of it more precarious. Age itself, whether young or old, is no guarantee of wisdom or knowledge. Furthermore, we owe no blank cheque of moral support to any group of youths who would tear down the temples of their fathers simply because they are young. Any movement must be judged on the basis of its merits—its principles *and* its actions. And, what is occurring in France at this moment is abominable. (I am not convinced if this is even a “student” or “youth” movement in any meaningful sense. It seems to me to be wanton nihilistic destruction.)

[YIMBYLAND @YIMBYLAND]

Wildly ahistorical take.

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

Not only historically dubious, but nonsensical. The young possess no special relationship to the truth that their elders lack; if anything, a want of experience makes their grasp of it more precarious. Age itself, whether young or old, is no guarantee of wisdom or knowledge. Furthermore, we owe no blank cheque of moral support to any group of youths who would tear down the temples of their fathers simply because they are young. Any movement must be judged on the basis of its merits—its principles *and* its actions. And, what is occurring in France at this moment is abominable. (I am not convinced if this is even a “student” or “youth” movement in any meaningful sense. It seems to me to be wanton nihilistic destruction.)

[David J. @TheDavid_Jay]

@Geiger_Capital For those of us that don’t know, who are you quoting here?