Cultural Stew

Something I think is also important to remember, as we consider where bad and destructive (or even good ideas) come from, is that all cultures are stews, and very few ideas have pure pedigrees or stay limited to the denominations or groups within which they were birthed.

By stew, I mean this: someone may write or say something, people hear it, it resonates with them, they swish it around in their minds and then pass it on, or someone decides to market the idea to make some cash (or because it resonates with them), and then others comment on it, add to it, adjust it to their needs. Preachers, columnists, newspaper editors, commentators, all play import roles in this exchange and transfer of ideas.

Radical Progressivism began as a particular religious idea of a particular group, but quickly spread throughout the culture. Even if institutions did not absorb it, in an era in which mass culture came of age, it was impossible (for example) for Lutheran or Catholic churches in America to shield believers and even hierarchy from hearing, embracing and espousing such ideas. Same holds true of another nightmare of 19th century collectivist/nationalist thinking in this country, Muscular Christianity.

In fact, the nature of this stewing process is such I suspect it is entirely possible for an idea — a meme — to become common currency and people not really know where it came from.

It is not enough for leaders and intellectuals [sic] to merely think things in public. There must also be a chain of transmission that turns dumb thoughts — like militarism or imperialism — into action. And there must be people willing to act on those dumb ideas too.

The Best of Charles H. Featherstone