Kerouac, Burroughs, Ginsberg et al..... loathed or loved for their belief that a new set of values was needed after WWII. The U.S.A. had dropped atomic bombs on two cities, murdering hundreds of thousands of innocent inhabitants. Millions were maimed, dead and dying all over Europe and Asia. Madness reigned under the cover of Bourgeois ‘respectability’.
These men were widely read and published... but what influence have they had? Zero. Why? Why are humans unable to devise a system of governance that responds to rationality and reason? Why, knowing that the ‘western’ lifestyle is destroying life on the planet; causing citizens to sink into suicidal depression; sending our young men off to be broken and murdered on battlefields... do we not stop and take drastic steps to redress the imminent danger?
I guess, as Hans said the other day, we might as well ask our hens to stop pecking each other. It would be like asking large fish not to eat smaller ones. Humans are basically flawed and there’s nothing to be done except make oneself as secure and as small a target as possible, and sit it out, hoping things will last at least until I’m gone. But what about the kids? Don’t consumer junkies care about them?

Comments:

Zero influence? You should come here to visit, clovis. In Pittsburgh, which is largely Democratic, poetry actually means something. The wealthy people in the most politically-active areas of the city are the ones organizing poetry readings. They are friendly with the Thomas Merton-inspired pacifists, who tend to be poorer, and nearly every season Molly Rush (one of the Plowshares Eight, who ran into a weapons factory with hammers and fake blood and starting hitting and splashing things) is asked to read some peacenik poetry. Art and politics are married here -- or at least they live together and are very hot for each other. And when allen Ginsberg was here in 1991 or so, his effect on the crowd in the huge lecture hall at Pitt was hypnotic. It's not typical of other places, but it gives me hope that people can be powerfully influenced by artists with anti-war messages.

comment by drmaus on July 11, 2008 12:14 AM ()

Hope springs eternal... I'll visit Pittsburg next time I'm in the states... Nice to know there are people who care... of course I realise there are, but there aren't enough to influence governments, unfortunately. That's the trouble with holding a popularity poll every few years to pick a government... it is not a particularly sensible method. There's more care taken by the employment board when appointing janitors for large buildings.

reply by clovis on July 11, 2008 12:23 AM ()

comment by lunarhunk on June 3, 2008 11:48 AM ()

I had to look up aegis... You are right. We are still, in evolutionary terms, stone-age hunter-gatherers. Modernisation and technology have occurred far too quickly for our basic drives to adapt. such a pity, it could have been so wonderful.

reply by clovis on June 3, 2008 5:41 PM ()

whew!I am beat after reading this.

comment by fredo on June 3, 2008 9:48 AM ()

Ah, success...

reply by clovis on June 3, 2008 5:43 PM ()

Well, since I am not basically flawed I don't see things the same way you flawed human beings do--besides I think the 'beats' except for Ginsberg were a bunch of slackers and only cared for themselves--unlike this flower child who cared for the world!

comment by greatmartin on June 3, 2008 8:23 AM ()

Ah.... if only the world were full of greatmartins!!!

reply by clovis on June 3, 2008 5:44 PM ()

It is a bit depressing to read yes, but its true

comment by itsjustme on June 3, 2008 4:55 AM ()

Perhaps it's too depressing to think about... especially when you're living below sea level...

reply by clovis on June 3, 2008 5:13 AM ()