You ask: 'Why did the great nations of Europe—enjoying the greatest period of peace and prosperity in history (the “Belle Epoque” of 1871 to 1914)—made the strange decision to wage the First World War, thereby killing approximately 20 million young men?"
The people of the great nations didn't chose WWI. It was a way for the sociopathic 0.1% to make even more money and gain even more power.
Bored? Most leaders wage war because they're evil. They have no sense of real meaning in their lives, and thrive on the feelings of power that come from controlling and hurting others. They feed off of the strife and pain they cause-- that's their energy source.
Indeed, the cycles of human nature, especially that of our imperfect nature, are a curse on humanity.
A fascinating book: The War That Ended Peace by Margaret MacMillan, detailed events during the years leading up to World War I. Still, it failed to pinpoint the exact reason for the war, other than a series of events that culminated at the same time. One of those pre-war facts I found interesting was that key War rulers—King George V of Great Britain, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia—were all grandchildren of Queen Victoria. The incest of the Crown was so rampant that Queen Victoria was considered the grandmother of Europe.
The insanity of World War I may have been caused by the insanity caused by incest and a family feud.
Thanks John. Interesting psychological take on the progress of history. I agree with you that the cycle of boredom and the desire for the excitement and entertainment is certainly a factor, but suspect that the politics of self interest to gain advantage from consequences of historical events also plays a significant part.
They thought the war would be short, sort things out on borders and who owned or controlled this and that. . Few people killed, lots of parades and medals afterwards and that would be about it. They forgot, or didn't pay attention to the American Civil War, which also started with that illusion on both sides. The South certainly thought the war would be easily won and it seemed at first that they would be correct. At first things seem to be going smoothly. Can you say Blitzkrieg? Illusions like that persist usually by initial success. See Vietnam, see Iraq, etc, and so forth. They thought in terms of Gunboat Diplomacy, conflicts in faraway places like Africa (The Thin Red Line) or Asia (The French Foreign Legion) Or the Opium Wars, etc. You read about it in the papers weeks or month later, rather than long drawn out slogs close to home. The thinking of the day was as in the poem The Modern Traveler: We have the Maxim Gun and they have not. But in this case both sides had the Maxim Gun.
Or to put it another way: Everything looks good on paper.
Nature manhandles man into a sturdy, somber unit. Surviving this, these men of the earth rather relish "boredom". There's never a shortage of work to be done. Ever. But when there is, there's always fishing and hunting.
True peace and prosperity can only be found in the Lord, Jesus Christ. And then, for many of us who are devout Christians, it is very difficult to surrender ourselves to God’s Way; we want to be in control.
John Charmley in Churchill: The End of Glory recounts a story of Young British men headed off to WW I. When interviewed, to a man, all believed the government was lying about reasons for war but went without questioning. Author could not explain that information.
Is this why grunts are looked at as "cannon fodder"?
Self respect gone? Just looking for adventure?
But how one thinks of and treats an "enemy" will be how your own government will end up treating you.
I highly suggest you watch the documentary Europa to understand history rather than his-story. Those globalists have an End game which would end humanity itself. It’s time for Action; not ‘other’. ⌛️⚖️‼️
Interesting piece. I have often thought of this idea in relation to wealthy trust fund babies I have encountered over the years. Many seem to seek out drugs, alcohol, fast driving in expensive cars, getting tossed out of prep schools and the like. It almost seemed to me they were trying to make trouble for themselves, to set up roadblocks. I felt maybe it was because their lives seemed too good, without enough challenges in a way.
I read where WWI was started because a German industrialist was pretty angry at having to share some of the wealth with the common population and was part of the plot that assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. This triggered the business/diplomatic actions of WWI.
Please correct me if this is wrong.
I do feel that boredom sets in for most human beings in western culture because of a profound disconnection from the natural world. This alone gave rise to so many current ills & dis easement.
The word evil spelled backwards is live. Very few people understand what true aliveness is. Of course when one is truly alive, he or she cannot be controlled or needs to be controlled.
For the powerful, boredom is the restlessness of power. It is as you said. Power is not power unless it is used. Hitler is one of history’s best examples of this dynamic, which afflicts narcissists and sociopaths, the sickest individuals, most acutely.
"When prosperity removes external threats, a large portion of the population—especially young people—seek stimulation in political extremism, bouts of social-media outrage, interpersonal melodrama, and an array of other self-created crises. Conflict becomes a substitute for purpose."
Kind of sounds like right now, right here, doesn't it?
I think he called you an armchair quarterback - "Conflict becomes a substitute for purpose," is something only a Cry Boomer would use to justify the status quo they'd like to maintain.
You ask: 'Why did the great nations of Europe—enjoying the greatest period of peace and prosperity in history (the “Belle Epoque” of 1871 to 1914)—made the strange decision to wage the First World War, thereby killing approximately 20 million young men?"
The people of the great nations didn't chose WWI. It was a way for the sociopathic 0.1% to make even more money and gain even more power.
... Oceania was at war with Eurasia; therefore Oceania had always been at war with Eurasia. [Orwell]
Bored? Most leaders wage war because they're evil. They have no sense of real meaning in their lives, and thrive on the feelings of power that come from controlling and hurting others. They feed off of the strife and pain they cause-- that's their energy source.
Evil and sociopathic.
Bill Gates anyone?
Indeed, the cycles of human nature, especially that of our imperfect nature, are a curse on humanity.
A fascinating book: The War That Ended Peace by Margaret MacMillan, detailed events during the years leading up to World War I. Still, it failed to pinpoint the exact reason for the war, other than a series of events that culminated at the same time. One of those pre-war facts I found interesting was that key War rulers—King George V of Great Britain, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia—were all grandchildren of Queen Victoria. The incest of the Crown was so rampant that Queen Victoria was considered the grandmother of Europe.
The insanity of World War I may have been caused by the insanity caused by incest and a family feud.
Thanks John. Interesting psychological take on the progress of history. I agree with you that the cycle of boredom and the desire for the excitement and entertainment is certainly a factor, but suspect that the politics of self interest to gain advantage from consequences of historical events also plays a significant part.
They thought the war would be short, sort things out on borders and who owned or controlled this and that. . Few people killed, lots of parades and medals afterwards and that would be about it. They forgot, or didn't pay attention to the American Civil War, which also started with that illusion on both sides. The South certainly thought the war would be easily won and it seemed at first that they would be correct. At first things seem to be going smoothly. Can you say Blitzkrieg? Illusions like that persist usually by initial success. See Vietnam, see Iraq, etc, and so forth. They thought in terms of Gunboat Diplomacy, conflicts in faraway places like Africa (The Thin Red Line) or Asia (The French Foreign Legion) Or the Opium Wars, etc. You read about it in the papers weeks or month later, rather than long drawn out slogs close to home. The thinking of the day was as in the poem The Modern Traveler: We have the Maxim Gun and they have not. But in this case both sides had the Maxim Gun.
Or to put it another way: Everything looks good on paper.
Dirty fiat paper always pencils-out with a printing press.
Nature manhandles man into a sturdy, somber unit. Surviving this, these men of the earth rather relish "boredom". There's never a shortage of work to be done. Ever. But when there is, there's always fishing and hunting.
True peace and prosperity can only be found in the Lord, Jesus Christ. And then, for many of us who are devout Christians, it is very difficult to surrender ourselves to God’s Way; we want to be in control.
John Charmley in Churchill: The End of Glory recounts a story of Young British men headed off to WW I. When interviewed, to a man, all believed the government was lying about reasons for war but went without questioning. Author could not explain that information.
Is this why grunts are looked at as "cannon fodder"?
Self respect gone? Just looking for adventure?
But how one thinks of and treats an "enemy" will be how your own government will end up treating you.
I would love the opportunity to handle that repose! 🙂
I highly suggest you watch the documentary Europa to understand history rather than his-story. Those globalists have an End game which would end humanity itself. It’s time for Action; not ‘other’. ⌛️⚖️‼️
Interesting piece. I have often thought of this idea in relation to wealthy trust fund babies I have encountered over the years. Many seem to seek out drugs, alcohol, fast driving in expensive cars, getting tossed out of prep schools and the like. It almost seemed to me they were trying to make trouble for themselves, to set up roadblocks. I felt maybe it was because their lives seemed too good, without enough challenges in a way.
I read where WWI was started because a German industrialist was pretty angry at having to share some of the wealth with the common population and was part of the plot that assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. This triggered the business/diplomatic actions of WWI.
Please correct me if this is wrong.
I do feel that boredom sets in for most human beings in western culture because of a profound disconnection from the natural world. This alone gave rise to so many current ills & dis easement.
The word evil spelled backwards is live. Very few people understand what true aliveness is. Of course when one is truly alive, he or she cannot be controlled or needs to be controlled.
You should read David Irving for a better understanding of this subject.
For the powerful, boredom is the restlessness of power. It is as you said. Power is not power unless it is used. Hitler is one of history’s best examples of this dynamic, which afflicts narcissists and sociopaths, the sickest individuals, most acutely.
On Boredom or the Perils of Disconnection
The Flames in the Heart now dimmed
The Higher Self now far Above
The Connection to the Fiery World now but a thread
Disconnected and stuck within realms created by the lower self, the lower mass consciousness and the evil
"When prosperity removes external threats, a large portion of the population—especially young people—seek stimulation in political extremism, bouts of social-media outrage, interpersonal melodrama, and an array of other self-created crises. Conflict becomes a substitute for purpose."
Kind of sounds like right now, right here, doesn't it?
I think he called you an armchair quarterback - "Conflict becomes a substitute for purpose," is something only a Cry Boomer would use to justify the status quo they'd like to maintain.
Go crawl back under your rock to your alternate reality.
... do you feel the narrative slipping-away old timer?