Robert Hughes was a grumpy old leftie but he could see some things coming that he did not like. A few extracts from The Culture of Complaint: The Fraying of America, 1993.
We create an infantilized culture of complaint, in which Big Daddy is always to blame and the expansion of rights goes on without the other half of citizenship – attachment to rights and obligations. To be infantile is a regressive way to defy the stress of community living: Don’t tread on me, I’m vulnerable. The emphasis is on the subjective: how we feel about things, not on what we think or can know.
On anti-westernism and the corruption of the arts.
It means separatism. It alleges that European institutions and mental structures are inherently oppressive and that non-European ones are not. This process has gravely distorted current ideas about the political capacity of the arts, just at the moment when the pervasiveness of the mass media have driven them to the nadir of real political effect. The frame of mind that this creates is a rich compost for phantom cultural issues, and a poor environment for clear thought about real ones.
On the decline of reading and liberal eduction
Most American students don’t read much anyway and quite a few, left to their own devices, would not read at all. In 1991 the majority of households (60%, the same as in Spain) did not buy one single book…No American university can assume that its first-year students are literate in a more than technical sense. It is hard to exaggerate the narrowness of reference, the indifference to reading, the lightly dimpled shallowness of many young products of American TV culture, even the privileged ones…Politics ought not to be all-pervasive. Indeed, one of the first conditions of freedom is to discoer the line beyond which politics may not go, and literature is one of the means by which the young find this out.
…a barely concealed longing for cultural segregation. It corresponds to one of the most corrosive currents in the Amerian polity today – corrosive I mean to any idea of common civic ground – which is to treat the alleged cultural and educational needs of groups (women, blacks, Latinos, Chinese-Americans, gays, you name it) as though they overrode the needs of any individual and were all, automatically, at odds with the allegedly monolithic desires of a ruling class, alternatively fiendish and condescending, of white male heterosexual capitalists.
As I’m finding out right now, ignorance of history is one thing – and not reading much is partly to blame – but it’s quite another to discover how much political history gets distorted by those writing the “first draft” – journalists! Then subsequent writers, whose works are looked upon as considered and perhaps authoritative, fall victim to the poor quality of the first draft combined with insufficient research of their own.
“Blacklisted by History”, about Senator Joe McCarthy, is a book which cautions all against the folkloric version of history.
blogstrop
29 Jan 13 at 4:35 pm
Early USA held Europe in disdain.
Artistes are superior beings to which we mere mortals must pay homage and bow. McCarthy was vilified while Korea was nearly lost. While in Australia
Petrov is forgotten as the ALP is happy to know.
While the Combe-Ivanov affair has still not been explained.
stackja
29 Jan 13 at 5:22 pm
I always thought The Fatal Shore was not a bad work – a bit ovderdone on the cruelty of the English and the suffering of the (Irish) convicts, but not bad for an art critic.
He certainly had an eye for description, and irony. I find it hard to think of him as a Leftist, he was more apolitical arts rad who would have signed up to whatever revolution was happening in the 1970s. Clive James reckons he was brilliant, which says something. He was way beyond ‘intelectual’ a real thinker who would not have much time for the pedestrian 1950s socialism and 1970s feminism of Gillard/Swan.
Jannie
29 Jan 13 at 5:51 pm
Leftoid wankerism drove Barry Humpheries right, despite his regular genuflection to arteestic icons for civil dinner party’s sake.
Hughes never liked the brain dead cant necessary for the benefit of recruiting the footsoldiers.
Alfonso
29 Jan 13 at 6:34 pm
Robert Hughes and Clive James would be/are considered conservatives now.
Infidel Tiger
29 Jan 13 at 7:20 pm
Culture of Complaint is an excellent book.
Abu Chowdah
29 Jan 13 at 7:27 pm
Mark Steyn’s “After America” is coming true according to Richard Fernandez at Belmont Club – or at least I take that lesson from what he writes.
But wait, there’s more:
blogstrop
29 Jan 13 at 9:04 pm
Another history series
Much recent war literature is made up anecdotes that seem at odds with these histories.
stackja
29 Jan 13 at 9:19 pm
“In 1991 the majority of households (60%, the same as in Spain) did not buy one single book”
ಠ_ಠ
Jarrah
29 Jan 13 at 9:26 pm
Jarrah
You have to average that stuff out.
I bought about 30 books in two months a few months ago, the pile has been barely touched…do I get to count all the books I’ve ever bought with my own or my employer’s money as well?
I’ve had neighbours give me books to. Plus borrowing off friends… and libraries.
.
29 Jan 13 at 9:41 pm
It is a long time since I’ve read Robert Hughes but I reckon that is a fair summary. His much older brother, Tom, was similarly intelligent and articulate, and splendid on his feet.
To me they exemplify the sense of discipline and endeavour imparted by the Jesuits – they both attended St Ignatius, or Riverview, as did Justice Rod Meagher, Nick Greiner, the estimable Padraic McGuinness and Tony Abbott.
I rather miss Robert Hughes’ pieces when he was at his best.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
29 Jan 13 at 9:56 pm
stackja
Well I recall saving my paper-run earnings for a year, so that when the family went to the AWM yours truly went to the bookshop and bought the Army, Navy and Air Force series. My Dad was appalled as the car was chokka and he thought I wanted a couple of ‘em – they were on my lap the whole way home, which in those days was eight hours. Long since bought the rest. The first editions of the Medical Series are damned hard to find now, but well worth buying.
Mk50 of Brisbane
29 Jan 13 at 10:17 pm
That’s an interesting observation, that last bit stackja. Who is more accurate?
We grew up with CEW Bean’s account of WWI on the lounge room shelf, and a father who had us read it, read it to us and gave his account as well. He was happy with what Bean wrote, more or less.
I’m grateful that he was so inclined and I believe I have a more sound knowledge of that period as a consequence, certainly of the Middle Eastern canpaigns, in which his Light Horse group took part, after they returned from Gallipoli.
He was a well known horse breaker, knew Paterson and Iddriess (who was a couple of years older than him) and worked for the Kidmans. I don’t know where his love of reading and recounting events came from but it enlivened and balanced what one read.
For example, when he saw Anthony Quinn’s portrayal of Auda Abu Tayi in Lawrence of Arabia I heard first hand that it was accurate.
It occurs to me now that it’s a shame we cannot bottle those moments.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
29 Jan 13 at 10:23 pm
McCarthy was a hero and, of course, 100 percent right.
C.L.
29 Jan 13 at 10:28 pm
Mick, you can order prints from the War Memorial and there are some superb ones of Light Horse’s time in Jordan. They look bonza framed in brown wood with a green mounting.
Abu Chowdah
29 Jan 13 at 10:28 pm
Mk50 of Brisbane
I have downloaded all the volumes and find them very informative. I remember when they were looking tattered on library shelves. By the way at CEW Bean is the First World War Official Histories.
stackja
29 Jan 13 at 10:31 pm
Mick Gold Coast QLD
just noticed I missed your comments.
at Sinai and Palestine by H S Gullett
stackja
29 Jan 13 at 10:40 pm
No.
He made a wild guess and unfortunately, he was correct.
He sledged a US Army unit of war crimes which was false, he was funded by a communist trade union early in his political career.
Get a new hero, kid.
.
29 Jan 13 at 10:42 pm
Thanks for your interest and the information Abu Chowdah. I’ve already had a quick look to find the relevant page for prints at the AWM.
It’s a while since I’ve visited and I’m disappointed I could not get there to see the feature they put on 6 or 7 years ago on TE Lawrence and the campaigns in Sinai and Palestine.
My father had me read Seven Pillars of Wisdom during my teenage and I’ve maintained an abiding interest in what has happened in that region since.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
29 Jan 13 at 10:51 pm
The Light Horse gave Johnny Turk a flogging on the citadel, smack dab in central Amman. There’s a super photo of some young diggers with their horses inside the Roman Amphitheater, not far from the skirmish.
Abu Chowdah
29 Jan 13 at 10:56 pm
Seven Pillars of Wisdom *sigh* another book for the list but lo! checked on the Google and it can be downloaded in audio form, very nice male voice reading the book. Wonderful stuff, Mick and stackja, thank you for all the links.
Gab
29 Jan 13 at 10:58 pm
“at Sinai and Palestine by H S Gullett”
Exceptional stackja, I am so grateful to you.
I had a deco at “Advance to Romani” in which my father was involved – I’m going to enjoy reading these accounts alright.
You know, we grew up with a faded image of a mounted St George slaying the fire breathing dragon … tattoed on Dad’s chest. It was honourably acquired, in Jerusalem, but costly. He used grin as he recounted how he lost his section leader stripe(s) for ducking away without permission for the adornment.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
29 Jan 13 at 11:04 pm
Thanks stackja – I’ll have to check the medical series and see if dad gets a mention.
Rabz
29 Jan 13 at 11:09 pm
These are things I grew up with Gabrielle and I am blessed that I experienced such interesting times with a man who led such an interesting life (the War ended a year after they took Jerusalem and he didn’t return home for several years, after travelling the world transporting horses for the post war entrepreuners). I remain fascinated by what I learned.
My eldest sister and baby brother – all five of us enjoyed the world so much more for the introduction he gave us. The other four are gone now, probably enjoying his cheeky grin and more of the same.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
29 Jan 13 at 11:20 pm
Further, briefly – Dad was born in 1896, grew up on the works of Henry Lawson, with Harry Morant as his hero; was 54 when I was born and died when I was 18. He’d be 117 years old in April!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
29 Jan 13 at 11:27 pm
These are things I grew up with… I didn’t Mick perhaps that’s why I’m interested; especially appreciate recommends for reading from people such as yourself, stackja, CL, Mk50 and Rafe. [I don't fancy reading lefty clap-trap revisionist history].
Gab
29 Jan 13 at 11:27 pm
Wow, your dad was 54? Impressive. Musta been a handsome chap too, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree stump either.
Sad to hear about your siblings though.
Gab
29 Jan 13 at 11:36 pm
I wouldn’t be believing my most outrageous claim Gabrielle!
No, the handsome one was my eldest brother. My father was about 5’8″ I suppose, small like all the good horsemen, yet my brothers and I are all six footers. The eldest was the good looker, and wasn’t the old fella proud when he graduated from RAAF officer school, all schmick in his uniform!
They were the best of times when he was home on leave.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
29 Jan 13 at 11:57 pm
5’8″ I suppose, small like all the good horsemen, then you’d call me a jockey at 5’2 and 1/2″ without the stilettos. Six foot, you say? Must be prone to nose bleeds at such heights.
Gab
30 Jan 13 at 12:02 am
You’re a hoot – that broke the warm, still silence here!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
30 Jan 13 at 12:05 am
Warm? I see it’s 27deg in Brissy…only 17deg here and we’re told to expect 18deg max on Friday. Hmmm, that there glowbull warming sure is selective.
Gab
30 Jan 13 at 12:08 am
26 degrees and breeze off the Broadwater probably only 5 knots, 80% humidity so maybe a refreshing light shower or two overnight, 30 plus tomorrow ladies and gentlemen with occassional passing showers.
This, Gabrielle, is the best year round climate in the country, comfortable because of the small variation from top to bottom.
“Here” for you is Melbourne I think, which is the antithesis because of the wide variation, however it has the best restaurant with the best waiters in the known world, Florentinos; that fabulous New York like family run coffee shop up near there too; and the marvelous Regent (named something else now) at the Paris end of Collins Street where the piano music tinkled up to one’s room, bouncing off the central atrium walls from the 15th floor restaurant.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
30 Jan 13 at 12:27 am
Yes Melbourne Mick, despite being the cesspit of communists, has a climate which pleases me. Having previously resided in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, I do enjoy the climate mood swings here. First Christmas morning in Melbourne saw us all in tee-shirts and shorts but by 1.30pm we were all rugged up in winter gear! Love it. Not fond of Brisbane as it’s too humid and frizzies the hair to such effect small children run and scream in fear.
Gab
30 Jan 13 at 12:38 am
at the Paris end of Collins Street reminds me of the Bastille Day breakfasts at the Sofitel. Every year, 7am with clients! Merde! I’m not a morning person, Mick.
Gab
30 Jan 13 at 12:42 am
Brisbane was undistinguished when I saw it first in 1972 and remains so.
They’ve tried very hard to turn big chunks of it into San Francisco, with elevated expressways criss crossing the now dead zones underneath, to house the homeless and seedy nightclubs which will fail to pay their rent and fall permanently vacant.
Perth is attractive like Sydney or Hobart because it sits next to a vast expanse of harbour/river. I liked doing business in Perth.
I used visit Melbourne every few weeks and enjoyed its class and style – it has touches of New York in it.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
30 Jan 13 at 12:48 am
Fabulous!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
30 Jan 13 at 12:49 am
Sofitel – that’s it, the former Regent.
The concierge would welcome you by name, which was all very nice – clever of him to consult the arriving guests list, their approximate time, and the name tag on the first bag his coolies unloaded from the boot.
It was the 35th floor where they parked that piano in The Atrium, a beautiful setting.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
30 Jan 13 at 12:54 am
Never had prior work experience as a barmaid but talked my way into a job at the Plough Inn Hotel in Southbank. Lots of fun really, pulling beers then promoted to the “Cocktail Lounge”, as the locals euphemistically called it. The daily barflys were decent old chaps and very funny, eh. This was roughly a year before Expo.
Gab
30 Jan 13 at 12:56 am
Yeah, eh.
There were many pubs like that around Brisbane city, the Victory was one, but gradually they’ve been gentrified or built on.
Unfortunately the CBD went all southern states in the early 2000s, people started wearing ties and caffe latte-ing, and the casual, relaxed environment descended into busy business mode.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
30 Jan 13 at 1:07 am
Quite apart from all of that I will now seek out Hughes’ The Culture of Complaint: The Fraying of America, in which he appears to have got it right well before it became obvious; and dig about in the storeroom for The Fatal Shore.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
30 Jan 13 at 1:17 am
And yet in 2012, according to a recently released Pew Research study, 75% of Americans ages 16 and older said they had read a book in the previous 12 months. “That is not statistically significantly different from the 78% who in late 2011 said in a survey they had read a book in the previous 12 months.”
It’s always been great sport for foreigners to point and laugh at Oh! Those Stoopid Americans! … but I kind of doubt that the average average American is any more or less stupid than the average Aussie or Pom, and if you compare like demographics the reading rate is probably pretty similar as well.
If Americans are so stoopid and Aussies so smart, how come we’ve got Harvard, Princeton, Yale and MIT and y’all’ve got … um…?
sdog
30 Jan 13 at 1:26 am
Dude,
and NYU… Don’t forget NYU
JC
30 Jan 13 at 1:29 am
Almost half Australians can’t read, write
Gotta love those surveys. #SCIENCE!
sdog
30 Jan 13 at 2:02 am
Billy Connolly: “Never trust anybody who only owns one fucking book.”
Abu Chowdah
30 Jan 13 at 2:08 am
I would highly recommend ‘Culture Counts’ by the excellent Roger Scruton. An entertaining read defending Western Culture against all those who would seek to bring it down, particularly those within our current academe.
Kruddler
30 Jan 13 at 9:20 am
do people not buy school books anymore
Jim Rose
30 Jan 13 at 6:41 pm