The Magazine says Nothing. By: Heather J. Williams.

What is the necessity of man? The all calling whims of mans lost ideal existence, what are they meant? The answer lies within our literature, our very voice. Mans true tone is best examined through the old and nearly forgotten art of literature. Within his conte stories of old, or the conspectus outlines of the philosophical ideals for which his own mind has formed.

For instance one can track the very flow of time through the words, and way the words where drawn together, as in the time of Courtly Love, when a man was supposed to fall in love with a fair maiden though they to keep their love ‘true’ where never to be wed. What formed this idea among the masses? Most likely the writings of the orient moved through traders to the Western parts of the world, creating a completely new form of life, influencing the very trends and wants of the entire time period.

My point is that we as humans are molded by the words that we write, and also the writings that we receive. No matter the time or place this affects who we are to the very core, giving us ideals and methods that could be considered brutish or brilliant depending on the time and place.

We are influenced by the masses of information that a page can contain, and the usages that seem to call forth our own fears and subconscious trials.

Another example rests in the Covenant theology of the early seventeen hundreds. A time in which the masses minds where drawn together into a pit of blind devotion, which in turn lead to the Salem Witch trials and the deaths of innocent individuals.

Why was this a popular idea at that time? Because people, the people of the future United States, wanted safety and turned to the writings that told them they could attain total peace and life forever if they submitted to their God.

We as a populace can change our lives so easily by speaking out, by writing a few lines down on a sheet of paper. I myself have witnessed times when one sentence from a friend, one little word could utterly change the path of ones life. It has saved mine.

As modern culture moves forward, it seems to me to have adopted in some ways the ideal of Corrupted Cultural Primitivism, or the idea that nature (or in this case human nature) is preferable to true culture.

To the creation and massive ideals that have made us what we are, there is no modern Socrates being born from this culture of disdainful intelligence. Those who are truly different, truly intelligent seem too be fading away into the shadows.

Can this be stopped? I believe so, but not in being forceful, only through open-minded open learning can we change this patter of mindlessness. So make your own choice, shall you allow the influence of ‘modern’ magazines that tell your nothing? Or will you pick up the latest collection of Voltaire’s ideas?

I do hope you at least choose one.