Declaring War on Postmodernism [Part 1]

Grand Narrative Chapter 1.8.1: With “Authentic Feeling” from my Lived Experience

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CONTENTS:

PROLOGUE: The Oxford Union has betrayed British Values

The Oxford Union has betrayed British Values

INTRODUCTION: Who’s afraid of grand narrative?

Who's afraid of Grand Narrative?

BOOK 1: LANGUAGE: ON LIES & CIVILIZATIONAL DEMISE

1.1: Living a Lie

Living a Lie [Grand Narrative, Chapter 1.1]

1.2: Corruption of the Masses

Corruption of the masses

1.3: The Dangerous Confusion of Language

The dangerous confusion of language

1.4: The Great Genocide Lie

The Great Genocide Lie [Chapter 1.4]

1.5: Hands off Churchill!

Hands off Churchill! [Chapter 1.5]

1.6: In Praise of the British Empire for Abolishing Slavery Worldwide

In praise of the British Empire for abolishing slavery worldwide

1.7: Declaring War on Post-Modernism

1.7.1: Part 1: With “Authentic Feeling” from my Lived Experience

1.7.2: Part 2: With Enlightenment Reason

1.8: The Problem with Atheism

1.9: Justice Lost

1.10: Word Inflation

1.11: Thou Shalt Not Lie: On the Destruction of Worlds

1.12: Freedom of speech?

1.13: Democracy cannot survive in a world that accepts lies as truth

BOOK 2: TRUTH: ON THE BIRTH OF HUMAN AGENCY

BOOK 3: SOVEREIGNTY: ON THE DEMOCRATIC NATION

BOOK 4: NARRATIVE: ON THE FULFILMENT OF MEANING

BOOK 5: FREEDOM: ON WRITING THE NEXT CHAPTER

BOOK 6: COVENANT: ON CREATING A NATION OF NARRATIVE

BOOK 7: NATIONHOOD: ON EXPANDING THE NARRATIVE

BOOK 8: LEADERSHIP: ON REACHING THE PROMISED LAND

BOOK 9: PEACE: THE END OF THE JOURNEY

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Chapter 1.8.1]

Declaring War on Postmodernism [Part 1]: With “Authentic Feeling” from my Lived Experience

Calling a Spade a Spade

I have spoken of false genocide. I have spoken of reputations trashed without regard for the truth. I have spoken of the malicious rewriting of British history. In short, lies, inglorious lies. So why are we facing this tsunami of untruth? From whence did it sprout? What is the philosophy that birthed it? And how can it be challenged?

I have an answer to these questions; reasoned, logically arguments that are supported by the evidence and referenced by sources. But before the (boring) facts, I have a treat. Before all that passé, Enlightenment jazz (which you will find locked away and embarrassed in Part 2 [Chapter 1.7.2] ): An interesting, exciting, emotional poem! An expression of my authentic feelings born of suffering! Not The Truth, but “My” Truth.

These verses contain claims, unsupported by references, and assertions devoid of context. Admittedly, a few quotes have been added for respectability, but proudly without any serious attempt at academic rigour. But no matter! It’s interesting. It’s engaging. And it authentically expresses my feelings. With truth abandoned as a goal, I am, in the words of Stanley Fish “relieve(d) me of the obligation to be right” and empowered in my base drive to “be interesting”. So enjoy this critique of postmodernism written in true postmodernist style…and I’ll see you sticklers for the Enlightenment back here in Chapter 1.7.2!

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I grew up in a world where a table was a table and a chair was a chair. 
I grew up in a world where Shakespeare was a great playwright and Churchill stood alone in his darkest hour. 
I grew up in a country where liberty flourished and truth was sought through open debate.

We were clear that the Western project was just.
We were clear that liberal democracy was the best form of government ever conceived.

Today I live in a world where all white people are racist;
and all heterosexual men are rapists.
Today I live in a world where genocide means anything you damn well want. 

1 person is killed? That’s murder.
10 people are killed? That’s genocide.
Hell, if the Jews murdered Satan they would have committed “50 Holocausts”
(Mahmood Abbas’ dissertation tells me so).
 
Terrorist death cults are believed.
Democracies are doubted.
Truth is irrelevant.

We should have seen the warning signs when a blank white canvas was declared “art”.
What is the meaning of these 16 dots painted on the wall?
What is the hidden message behind this bizarrely-displayed urinal?
Why on God’s Earth did I pay money to come to Tate Modern?

Post-modernism is possibly the most pathetic ideology ever conceived

“It is meaningless to speak in the name of - or against - reason, truth or knowledge,” declared Michel Foucault. 
Well if nothing is true, why should I listen to your pretentious nonsense?

Deconstruction “relieves me of the obligation to be right…and demands only that I be interesting?” continued Stanley Fish, 
before emphatically declaring that all those opposed to affirmative action were “bigots”.

Is it that interesting to insult people without deigning to engage with their arguments?
Do you have no obligation to listen respectfully or to speak kindly?  
Are there no demands to think of the consequences of your words?

Get out of jail free card! He had no duty to be right.
So at least he was “truthful” on one count.