Thread by @oldbooksguy

H.P. Lovecraft transformed the horror genre, wrote 100,000+ letters to frens, and was, above all, a soulful aristocrat. Let's explore his attacks on democracy, his critique of our modern priorities, and what he believed civilization MUST aim at👇🏻

1/ A great society is only built when the most gifted contribute

And for their contribution, the aristocrats must be rewarded:

“Since the only human motive is a craving for supremacy, we can expect nothing in the way of achievement unless achievement be rewarded by supremacy”

2/ Civilization must create valuable “thoughts and objects” and aristocracy “alone” can do this

Democracies live “parasitically on the aristocracies they overthrow”

And over time, democracies use up “the aesthetic and intellectual resources which autocracy bequeathed them”

3/ Science & art trickle down from the top:

The ultrawealthy turn their surplus capital & attention toward the “full appreciation of beauty and truth”

“Most of the pleasures” felt by the average man wouldn’t exist if the wealthy didnt use their spare resources to cultural ends

4/ No aristocracy is permanently protected from democracy; no democracy is permanently protected from ambitious aristocrats

The masses eventually over run the palace

And then the aristocrats eventually take advantage of the indifferent, scatter-brained masses to win power back

5/ Lovecraft gives all governments a very simple task:

“Government need go no further than to safeguard an aristocratic class in its opulence and dignity so that it may be left free to create the ornaments of life and to attract the ambition of others who seek to rise to it”

6/ Aristocracies can’t be closed off:

“The healthiest aristocracy is the most elastic – willing to beckon & receive all men of whatever antecedents who prove them­selves aesthetically & intellectually fitted for membership”

Make the aspirational life available to the deserving

7/ HP Lovecraft is spiritually opposed to the democratic reformer, the man who is obsessed with the “welfare of the masses,” who embraces their “mental-emotional point of view” & who’d “willingly sacrifice the finest fruits of civilization for the sake of stuffing their bellies”

8/ Highly evolved humans need great art, noble adventures, and the right to a sincere search for truth. These needs are only satisfied under the aristocratic conditions of wealth, luxury, high artistic & moral standards, generational missions, and protection from everyday fads

9/ Lovecraft on the difference between him and a democratic reformer:

“The reformer cares only for the masses, but may make concessions to the civilization. I care only for the civilization, but may make concessions to the masses. Do you not see the antipodal difference?”

10/ I love HP Lovecraft’s definition of art

The artist sees something important, good, or beautiful in the world - something invisible to others

Then he sets to work, using the mediums he’s best acquainted with, to bring his vision to the world

Full quote from a letter:

11/ How H.P. Lovecraft tried to balance his artistic and scientific sides

Lovecraft had a sensitive heart and a sharp mind

Here's how he balanced the two:

12/ Civilization should be set up for the production of beauty & greatness: “We advocate the preservation of conditions favorable to the growth of beautiful things — imposing palaces, beautiful cities, elegant literature, reposeful art & music, & a physically select human type”

Arm yourself against democracy's psyops

Here's my Reading List For Aristocrats:

• Emerson on why you need great men
• Nietzsche on what is greatness
• Carlyle's demand for a Superman

My collection of aristocratic thinkers and their important ideas: memod.com/jashdholani/bo…

Hope you enjoyed reading this thread as much as I loved writing it!

Pls RT

Help your frens take The Aristocracy Pill👇🏻

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