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On Saturday, November 12, 2011, Greg Johnson and Mike Polignano of Counter-Currents, along with Mark Weber of the Institute for Historical Review, gave talks at the IHR offices in Orange County, California.
The general theme of the evening was “Ideas Matter,” and each talk focused on the necessity of fundamental metapolitical thought and the opportunities for changing our dominant political paradigm offered by the ongoing breakdown of the American system and the increased willingness of Americans to entertain radical alternatives.
Mike Polignano’s talk focused on the opportunities presented by the Occupy Wall Street movement. He spoke of his experiences at the Occupy San Francisco and Occupy Oakland events.
Mark Weber’s talk dealt with the American distrust of ideology and how that distrust is breaking down as is becomes apparent that the present system is unsustainable.
Greg Johnson had the benefit of following the first two speakers, so he amplified and elaborated on their principal themes.
The most common objection to radical metapolitical thinking is “You can’t say that!” — because, of course, it sounds strange to the conventional wisdom. But as the political system break downs, so does the conventional wisdom that governs it. So people are becoming more receptive than ever to radical alternatives. All three speakers emphasized the necessity of working to make our ideas more visible and more compelling.
But metapolitics is not just about spreading ideas. It is also about building community. A cross section of that community was present at the IHR on Saturday night, where more than 25 people gathered: men, women, and children, from a wide range of backgrounds and professions, ranging in age from infancy to a young lady in her 80s. There was spirited discussion well into the night.
In time, recordings and/or articles based on the talks will be made available at Counter-Currents.
We wish to thank Mark Weber of the IHR and everybody in attendance for their warmth and hospitality.
If you would like to attend such events in the future, please make sure you are on our mailing list. Just send an email to [email protected] and make it clear that you are able to attend events in Orange County.
Greg Johnson
Editor-in-Chief
Michael Polignano
Managing Editor
Counter-Currents Publishing, Ltd.
& North American New Right
One Comment
“Received opinion” is arguably a better term than “conventional wisdom.” The “conventional wisdom” is often ignorant, short-sighted, and foolish. The term seems to have been coined and used ironically by John Kenneth Galbraith, but its ironic edge has been lost with overuse.
The term “received opinion” indicates that the opinion of collectivities is opinion — which is not necessarily synonymous with knowledge or wisdom — and that it is received rather than created by collectivities. Which raises at least two questions: From whom are these opinions received? Whose interests do these opinions serve?
The received opinions of today should become the rejected opinions of tomorrow. And the people behind them should be rejected with them.