The Narcissism of the Self Righteous
It’s amazing how, increasingly, people conflate their personal interests and passions into national interests and passions.
Writing last week in the Sydney Morning Herald (of course!) was Vivienne Pearson who posited that:
Monster utes are symbolic of everything that’s wrong with our world.
Not war. Not famine. Not totalitarianism. But monster utes.
But who is this author Vivienne making such Aristotelianism declarations. Well, according to Vivienne’s personal web site:
My content is informative, educational, inspirational and, above all, readable.
Modest, isn’t she. Oh and:
After moving to near Byron Bay, I’ve discovered the joys of chai, flying trapeze and river floating.
But what does dear Vivienne have to say about “monster utes”:
The supersizing of our world is consuming our cars. Let’s eat jumbo-sized muffins, live in McMansions with no garden space, lust over phones that don’t fit in a pocket, and drive to work solo on urban roads in cars that are technically trucks. I reckon these mega-machines – which go by names like Ram, Gladiator and Raptor – are symbolic of everything that’s wrong with our world.
So basically “everything that’s wrong with our world” is reflected in big things that Vivienne does not like. I just wonder which colour Vivienne votes?
Monster vehicles are all about “me, me, me”, with no regard for “we”.
I think she confuses we for Viv. Can we perhaps pass the hat around and buy dear Viv some mirrors for some narcissistic viewing.
Now I don’t drive a ute. It’s not the car for me. But I would not have the hide to project my personal preferences on others.
As a small-car driver, I (Vivienne) find sharing the road with these truckzillas intimidating. I accept trucks, buses and vans as part of our road system but not work- and school-run vehicles so big that my car’s bonnet almost fits under their bumper.
Intimidating. What about buses? What about delivery trucks? What about ambulances?
Poor Vivienne. Those river floats at Byron Bay must give you the impression that people share your views.
PS - while I have your attention. Thanks to the generous and voluntary paid subscribers to Sparty’s cast. My plan going forward is to write some longer, more considered posts - for their eyes only.
Keep up the fight.