Loss of face is killing the west

Gloating and triumphalism become loss of face and the humiliation of defeat.

History will record that mixed messaging and bureaucratic chaos were factors in the empire's death. Some candor could open the door to salvation. Refusing to suffer loss of face just digs a deeper hole, more lives lost, more billions misappropriated, more social chaos.

Preface

The humiliation, or “loss of face,” that comes with defeat, whether it is personal, family, group or global it is one of the most difficult trials of life. But then again we can see our lives as a series of victories and defeats, some major, some minor, some we could have been prevented, others unavoidable, and some imposed on us. We must pay special attention to the ones imposed especially when they are naked treachery and life threatening.

A thousand years ago defeats and humiliations were of the first three but the issues now are global with staggering consequences for all, and indeed planetary.

Good governance has never been a more critical issue than now. Not only were we ill-prepared for the 20th century we are even less prepared for the 21st century. Both centuries have been ushered in with major wars and catastrophic loss of life. It is no coincidence these wars emanate from so-called Western Civilization having a certain penchant for endless wars and inflicting suffering and humiliation on countries around the globe. It no longer exists as it has walked away from civility and exists only as an agglomeration of failed democracies slaughtered by the empire.

When we discuss history we are also studying human psychology and all the pathologies that can afflict us. In times where political decision making has such momentous consequences we must be sure only the best, brightest and most capable occupy positions of power. Those that do not have the human and professional credentials for high office must be screened out.

Perpetual wars and compulsive immorality become a parade of dead souls pontificating in well tailored suits, crisp white shirts and matching ties. They dance with the devil smelling of lies and betrayal.

For all of us pride of place and being are the essence of our existence. When jack boot imperialists claim the world as their own to exploit with impunity, our pride of place, being and community evaporate. When we see our civilization disgrace itself before the world we are grief stricken. Our thuggish leaders are so stupefied they refuse to accept historical transitions, their own grotesque fallibilities, and that they are victims of their own endless corruptions— no scapegoats allowed.

They cannot show an ounce of contrition which takes the measure of how far the west has fallen. The great rebuild falls on shoulders of future generations.