YOUR AFTER AMERICA LETTER OF THE DAY: THE GIFT OF STEYN
Mark, this is more a suggestion for your other fans than for you. I am a naturalized American citizen who has lived a life that makes almost everything you write about completely familiar, and I always find myself in total agreement: been there, heard that, saw that, smelled that, thought that. I was born and mostly raised in Rhodesia and spent four years back in Zimbabwe right after Independence. I also lived in pre-Thatcher Britain on four occasions, totaling eleven years in all, and twice thereafter. Finally, I lived in India both before and after Nehru socialism ended. In other words, I've seen "decline then rise" and also "prosper then fall" more than once first hand.
Now my wife and I are retired and living in a log cabin in the foothills of North Carolina. I went to my doctor yesterday for a routine tri-annual check-up and took After America with me, knowing there would be long waits. When he finally appeared, he asked me about the book I was reading. I not only told him about it, but also about you and all the reasons— going back fifty years— why I so much agree with you. His eyes widened and he said he would seriously think about reading it. When I got home I asked Amazon to send him a copy not only of that book, but also America Alone, because I had also been giving him a number of facts about demographic trends (and those, too, widened his eyes).
This gentleman is also the chairman of the local county board of education, so I figure if he gets the message he will spread the word. I ask your other fans to consider this model if they have the opportunity to do so.
Geoff Hawkins
Bostic, North Carolina
A BRIDGE TOO FAR
Your recurring invocation of Planet of the Apes brings to mind two of my pet peeves about the original movie and modern engineering, respectively.
In the final scene of the movie we see what's left of the Statue of Liberty. There is, however, no chance that even a cubic inch of that structure would have survived the time, let alone a nuclear war. Even now, we have to go through extraordinary measures to keep the structure from corroding away.
That brings me to my second pet peeve. Much of modern engineering fails what I call the "Planet of the Apes test": "Will this structure still will be standing (or functional) when the apes rule the planet?"
Many things are built in such a complicated fashion and requiring such a high degree of continuous skilled maintenance that they would not likely survive more than a few years un-attended. Witness the Big Dig tunnels and many of our modern architecturally-oriented suspension bridges (contrasted with their less ornate alternatives).
The "Planet of the Apes test" is relevant to many of your theses about societal decay. Demographically we will be unable to devote much relatively skilled labor to maintaining things. Even here in New Haven we're replacing a fairly generic beam/girder bridge with a fancy suspension bridge.
The irony is that these architectural extravagances are often justified via ridiculous arguments that drab existing bridges, schools, etc are responsible for urban decay. Similarly, New Haven is spending much money on very architecturally ornate schools to replace perfectly functional schools. The burden of having to maintain such things will only make the economic situation worse.
Will Slate
New Haven, Connecticut
STOCK AND AWE
Mr Steyn, I recently purchased After America. I did so at a Barnes & Noble at full price. I did so as I felt it the strongest statement I could make in the marketplace.
Thus far I am in awe of the book. The end notes are a nice touch. Keep up the outstanding work.
Damon Viers
Ohio
YOU READ IT HERE FIRST
Time magazine's August 22nd cover story: "The Decline and Fall of Europe (and maybe the West)," by Rana Foroohan.
Yet another detailed testament to just how incredibly correct Mark's predictions were in his book America Alone, authored five years ago.
Russel Rosier
CHEWING THE AIREDALE
Mark, the splendid woman from Santa Barbara ("Your After America Letter of the Day: It Doesn't Pay to be Productive Anymore") writes an interesting letter, but I think she overstates the wonder of seeing you "live". Greater love hath no Planes Trains & Automobiles trek across America.
I came to see you in London (the original) at a think tank discussion about Islam two years ago and my abiding memory was of a man who appeared to be halfway through eating an Airedale terrier. This was the combination, I think, of the beard and your interesting Anglo-American vowels, which suggested you were chewing something. Luckily Ayaan Hirsi Ali was there to add glamour.
But I will admit you spoke fearlessly and wisely and had us, by turns, struck dumb with shock or rolling in the aisles. Winston Churchill junior nearly had coughing fit.
Alasdair Ogilvy
Midhurst, West Sussex
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Oh, my! I listen to you every day on one program or another and love every aspect of your dialogue, as well as your writings and essays and perspective. Thanks so much for your articulation of our incredible and so necessary conservative causes!
However, I must tell you, when I first began to listen to you on Mike Gallagher, Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, and Michael Medved, I thought you sounded like a much older man— perhaps a senior over 60 years. So sorry to say that— you are not that senior, but to me, your voice is that of a much older man. Wonderful to see that you are vibrant and young!
Judi Rogers
Marietta, Georgia
Thank you for your kind (and unkind) letters from America, Canada, Britain, Australia and around the world. Mark reads all mail, but especially enjoys the vicious ones. Each day Monday to Friday we pick six of the best for our Daily Delivery. So drop a line to Mark's Mailbox, and on Friday if you're chosen to be the one and only Letter of the Week you'll join our roll of winners from four Continents and receive a copy of Mark Steyn From Head To Toe. It would help if you could indicate your city or town, or, at any rate, your state, province or country. If not, at least let us know what planet you're on.
