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Skybird · 02-02-12, 06:08 AM

A wonderful definition of our Western decadence I read by some British historian in a newspaper I think early last year:

a civilisation or empire, while nearing the end of its living cycle and now being in the phase of its decline, has become "decadent" not when it is too old or too weak or too overstretched to defend itself anymore, but when it no longer can realize why it should even want to defend itself and what it stands for, since it cannot or does not want to imagine anymore that anyone could ever want to overwhelm its glorious, shining existence. Once in this phase, all argument and all rational debate has become an exercise in futility.

In this light, we are as decadent as the term could ever imply. That others have been falling into the same trap like we do now, is not really of solace.

02-02-12, 06:08 AM	#15
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,830 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	A wonderful definition of our Western decadence I read by some British historian in a newspaper I think early last year: a civilisation or empire, while nearing the end of its living cycle and now being in the phase of its decline, has become "decadent" not when it is too old or too weak or too overstretched to defend itself anymore, but when it no longer can realize why it should even want to defend itself and what it stands for, since it cannot or does not want to imagine anymore that anyone could ever want to overwhelm its glorious, shining existence. Once in this phase, all argument and all rational debate has become an exercise in futility. In this light, we are as decadent as the term could ever imply. That others have been falling into the same trap like we do now, is not really of solace. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.