283 sats \ 3 replies \ @Coinsreporter 31 Jul \ on: The H. L. Mencken Show BooksAndArticles
For me, the best explanation of Mencken’s work was that he wanted to be like Friedrich Nietzsche. Mencken imitated Nietzsche’s basic concepts (despite differences on minutia). Here are the basics:
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Nietzsche was an elitist, and an outspoken opponent of any belief in God, organized religion, populist politics and Democracy — a system in which inferior men dominate their superiors. Mencken was 100% behind that thinking.
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Nietzsche suggested that War is good because it’s fresh air — it honestly faces the basic facts of life, namely, violence and death. When peacetime goes on too long, a nation becomes like an old maid. Mencken was 100% behind that thinking.
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Nietzsche was an atheist who publicly reviled organized religion — mainly Christianity — most especially Christian fundamentalism. Mencken was 100% behind that thinking, as shown by his famous coverage of the 1925 “Scopes Monkey Trial,” as he named it.
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Nietzsche claimed that a few strong men were born to rule the majority, who are weaklings. Every nation produces a few people of obvious superiority — an elite made by Nature — an Aristocracy made by Nature. Mencken was 100% behind that thinking.
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Nietzsche claimed that these superior men are regularly persecuted by their own nations, through systems like Democracy. Mencken was 100% behind that thinking.
Mencken read all of Nietzsche's works in the original German. Mencken was the first writer in English language to write a book about Nietzsche's works, i.e. The Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche (1907) Mencken was 27, and Nietzsche had just died seven years ago by then.
very informative, thanks for sharing
Nietsche died in 1899 or 1900, perfect timing
God is dead!
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Excellent reply. You taught me a lot.
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Thanks you so much. You're being very modest here. You're already very learned man! 🙏🙏
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