Conversations with Tyler Ross Douthat on Decadence and Dynamism
Mar 25, 2020
Ross Douthat, author of "The Decadent Society" and New York Times contributor, dives into decadence as a technical state of society, not just a moral judgment. He discusses Kanye West as a force against stagnation and critiques modern architecture's mediocrity. Douthat examines how changing masculine roles impact family and fertility, while exploring the influence of Thiel's ethos on conservatism. Delving into the complexities of morality, he contrasts Mormonism with other Christian communities, and even touches on the allure of UFOs and ghosts in modern narratives.
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Kanye and Decadence
- Kanye West, despite his outlandish persona, embodies anti-decadence.
- His focus on creativity and reinvention counters the stagnation of decadence.
Scruton's Innovative Antiquarianism
- Roger Scruton's traditionalism, in the context of today's repetitive culture, can be seen as innovative.
- Reaching back to older forms provides an escape from current decadence.
Architectural Decadence
- Douthat prefers traditional architecture on aesthetic grounds, but acknowledges its lack of dynamism.
- He finds much post-1960s architecture mediocre rather than truly ugly.
