Teenage Weltanschauung

by digby

Wolcott currently has two great posts up. (“Here’s Gagdad Bob, whom I believe studied psychoanalysis under Jung’s cousin, Milt”)

He quotes from Gore Vidal’s new book in which the great old man says:

“A current pejorative adjective is narcissistic. Generally, a narcissist is anyone better looking than you are, but lately the adjective is often applied to those ‘liberals’ who prefer to improve the lives of others rather than exploit them. Apparently, a concern for others is self-love at its least attractive, while greed is now a sign of the highest altruism. But then to reverse, periodically, the meanings of words is a very small price to pay for our vast freedom not only to conform but to consume.”

I have two words of explanation: Ayn Rand. The wingnut geeks have never emotionally or intellectually matured since they read their first sizzling romance novel, “Atlas Shrugged” in the 10th grade. (“So self-centered, greedy assholes are sexy man candy to the ladies? Awesome.”) It forms the emotional core of their worldview and their political philosophy. I’m sure it still gives them a honking “big tent party” just thinking about it.

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