Our Threatened Freedom

Is a Thing Good Because it’s New

Professor: Dr. R.J. Rushdoony

Subject: Political Studies

Lesson: 74-169

Genre: Conversation

Track: 074

Dictation Name: Vol. F - Part 09- Is a Thing Good Because it’s New

Location/Venue: Unknown

Year: 1980’s – 1990’s

[Dr. Rushdoony] Is a thing good because it is new? This is R.J. Rushdoony with a report on our threatened freedom.

A few years ago someone observed, in Europe, they say it’s good because it’s old. In America, it’s good because it’s new. To a great degree this is true.

In fashion, the key is not what is most becoming to us, but what is new and current in the world of styles. We waddle around in baggy pants or skintight pants, in long dresses or mini-skirts, depending on what is new and therefore stylish. In fact, we have equated the stylish with the new and the faddish, not with good taste. The basic motivation in being current with the world of styles is a follow the sheep mentality. For all too many people it does not matter how monstrous they look, provided it is the latest look, and one that draws attention. In all of this, what we have forgotten is that where a people are so sensitive to current fads, they are also mindless and prone to be a mob. To be so concerned with being current with the styles and fads of the world is to be not only mindless, but very susceptible to totalitarianism.

One of the ugliest facts about adolescents in our day is that the teenager sees it as almost life and death to do what everyone else is doing. To be different from the crowd is traumatic to the teenager. It is difficult to imagine a worse preparation for adulthood and maturity than such a perspective.

Lately of course we have had a craving for something besides the new in some areas. Nostalgia has led to a desire for collectables and antiques. Antiques, however, like new things, are not necessarily better, nor necessarily worse. Neither being old nor new makes a thing necessarily good. In fact, nothing would be a more heartening sign of maturity than an emphasis on what is good, rather than on the old or the new. Quality, not age nor youth counts, and quality should be our concern in people and things.

I find it distressing to hear people hark back to the past, as though only then were things good. The good old days were often far from good. It is equally unpleasant to hear others talk as though everything good came into the world only yesterday or this morning. It is not time, age or youth that gives quality to anything or anyone, but character itself. Long ago the prophet Zephaniah said, seek righteousness, or justice. And Solomon declared, the heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge. And their words stand forever true.

This has been R.J. Rushdoony with a report on our threatened freedom.