The Way Forward is the Artists

Reconstruction's Response to Compulsive Deconstruction

There is hope for our culture. I believe this in my bones, or I wouldn’t bother with any of my work.

I am glad to introduce you all to the next big culture publication, Return, whose thoughtful tagline reads: “The art of human flourishing at the digital frontier.”

Every essay is shocking calibre—both incisive and warm, cutting through the noise of our frenetic age. It aims to self-consciously use the technology of our time, facing its inevitability, and churning it into victory for the deepest of our human instincts in need.

It will lead the way to modern life finding the possibility of beauty, truth, and goodness again.

When I first stumbled on it after launch, I couldn’t stop reading the articles. I don’t know if I’ve ever had that experience; it felt compulsive. I was ravenous.

It was all too good to miss.

The writing itself is impeccable, fresh, excellent, interesting. But the website is also an art, cleansing the palette of chaos and inviting the reader into a portal of unique, revivifying peace.

I would heartily recommend it if I had not recently published a piece in it, but am glad on this occasion to be sharing it with you.

Here is my essay for Return, discussing the soberly hopeful way forward for our culture, through the work of reconstruction in our best artists: The Work of Beauty (click link).