I think all of us are born with a latent desire for great struggles, and great overcomings. This has often resulted in wars and other turmoil. I think it often looks like masochism.
This urge has been met in much of human history simply by the struggles of life. But urban/suburban/exurban: in America, we all have it really easy, all things considered. Most of us have not just WASHING machines for God’s sake–for dishes and for clothes–but DRYING machines. We have hot water for showers we can take any time we like.
I think much of the addiction to violent TV amounts to an effort to enjoy second hand the struggles of others, in a world denuded of them. Video games likewise meet this need.
And of course lunatic politics, which has as its end aim returning most of us to awful circumstances, plays a part in all this.
It was genuinely audacious being an open Communist until recently. It is easy now, but I think that because the 100% of most of these low spark boys and girls is so minimal, it still feels daring.
We all need a Crusade of some sort. I think this splinter of an insight should be added to the woodpile of ideas with which I am trying to warm up the world.