Thank you Paul for giving this a go. Your efforts, your words are more helpful than you may realize. It is no accident that you are unable to turn away “quietly.” You seem to be a warrior at heart and such a God given spirit will not and cannot rest completely until it’s appointed time. I think of the gifted American Civil War general Stonewall Jackson, who’s last reported words, upon being mortally wounded, were “Let us go over, and sit in the shade of the trees.“ This his spirit was able to say only when his part in a horrific “maelstrom” was finished. One FAR bigger than he, his motives, his desires or any singular ability to “change the world.” I hope you can accept such a comparison as such men, because of the “side” on which they fought, are now totally cancelled and their complexities as human beings within a specific time and place largely ignored and deemed unworthy of any hearing. I myself am only recently learning how to “break bread with the dead” and give a more careful and kind and merciful, as you say, listen before “speaking.” I’m often finding it a humbling education. You also help me to listen to some things to which I have been deaf.
At any rate, Godspeed to you in this endeavor and as an Orthodox inquirer myself, I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Let it be so. Grateful for your writing, thoughts, and imagination. They have been such an aid to me as I walk through this strange age, and I’m certain they will continue to be for many until we reach that age without end.
Many thanks for this rich piece. Much to ponder on. I look forward to more. I discovered your writings only recently through Rod Dreher's blogs. I saw a video of a recent interview you gave on which you touched on 'Techno-gnosticism' and the destruction of so much of England and was reminded of C.S. Lewis's 'That hideous strength' the third novel of his science-fiction trilogy first published in 1945.. It treats fictionally many of the themes in his prophetic 'The Abolition of Man'. I must have first read the novel 30 years ago and thought it a bit OTT then but now it just seems so prescient, even to the evil genius whose brain is kept alive after his guillotining. If you don't know it already I'd recommend it.
I am here because of that "spirit moving in the world," as you say, "racing through the waters and the woods and through our minds, shaken from its slumber by apocalyptic times." "Something is happening, and we are all part of it." Yes.
Interesting that you mention the Situationists. Over Lent I became convinced that a form of Christian Situationism was kind-of vital right now. Exactly how one would go about forming a collective to do it is an open question. If anyone reading this fancies it, buzz me?
Am a long running fan of your work, Paul, and just became a subscriber- thanks so much for starting this series of essays. I'm also a longtime fan of independent journalism and magazines, and as an American from Tennessee, want to keep the tradition of periodicals and freedom of the press that my country was a forerunner of, even if in an online format.
One question: since the whole idea of this subscription system is to make sure you have some income, what are the guidelines on sharing pieces or an entirety of one of your essays? I would certainly understand if it needs to be totally under wraps for non-subscribers.
So pleased to have discovered you and your Abbey.
Great start, looking forward to the journey.
I’m glad you haven’t burned the pens. Maybe one day you can beat them into pruning hooks.
Darn. Things like this are what keep me in the matrix! Oh, well...
Thank you Paul for giving this a go. Your efforts, your words are more helpful than you may realize. It is no accident that you are unable to turn away “quietly.” You seem to be a warrior at heart and such a God given spirit will not and cannot rest completely until it’s appointed time. I think of the gifted American Civil War general Stonewall Jackson, who’s last reported words, upon being mortally wounded, were “Let us go over, and sit in the shade of the trees.“ This his spirit was able to say only when his part in a horrific “maelstrom” was finished. One FAR bigger than he, his motives, his desires or any singular ability to “change the world.” I hope you can accept such a comparison as such men, because of the “side” on which they fought, are now totally cancelled and their complexities as human beings within a specific time and place largely ignored and deemed unworthy of any hearing. I myself am only recently learning how to “break bread with the dead” and give a more careful and kind and merciful, as you say, listen before “speaking.” I’m often finding it a humbling education. You also help me to listen to some things to which I have been deaf.
At any rate, Godspeed to you in this endeavor and as an Orthodox inquirer myself, I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
I'm very excited by your project. Thank you, Mr. Kingsnorth.
Your writing is a gift. I am so glad you are writing again and that you have found Christ.
Your words in this piece express what I haven’t been able to articulate well so thank you for this.
Let it be so. Grateful for your writing, thoughts, and imagination. They have been such an aid to me as I walk through this strange age, and I’m certain they will continue to be for many until we reach that age without end.
Many thanks for this rich piece. Much to ponder on. I look forward to more. I discovered your writings only recently through Rod Dreher's blogs. I saw a video of a recent interview you gave on which you touched on 'Techno-gnosticism' and the destruction of so much of England and was reminded of C.S. Lewis's 'That hideous strength' the third novel of his science-fiction trilogy first published in 1945.. It treats fictionally many of the themes in his prophetic 'The Abolition of Man'. I must have first read the novel 30 years ago and thought it a bit OTT then but now it just seems so prescient, even to the evil genius whose brain is kept alive after his guillotining. If you don't know it already I'd recommend it.
I'd also like to welcome you as a Christian.
I am here because of that "spirit moving in the world," as you say, "racing through the waters and the woods and through our minds, shaken from its slumber by apocalyptic times." "Something is happening, and we are all part of it." Yes.
Thank you and welcome to the machine (ending!)
Interesting that you mention the Situationists. Over Lent I became convinced that a form of Christian Situationism was kind-of vital right now. Exactly how one would go about forming a collective to do it is an open question. If anyone reading this fancies it, buzz me?
Am a long running fan of your work, Paul, and just became a subscriber- thanks so much for starting this series of essays. I'm also a longtime fan of independent journalism and magazines, and as an American from Tennessee, want to keep the tradition of periodicals and freedom of the press that my country was a forerunner of, even if in an online format.
One question: since the whole idea of this subscription system is to make sure you have some income, what are the guidelines on sharing pieces or an entirety of one of your essays? I would certainly understand if it needs to be totally under wraps for non-subscribers.
Thank you! Keep writing....