Introduction. H.P. Lovecraft transformed the horror genre, wrote 100,000+ letters to friends, and was, above all, a soulful aristocrat. In this Memo, let's explore his attacks on mass democracy, his critique of our modern priorities, and what he believed society must aim at👇

A great society is only built when the most gifted contribute. And for their contribution, the aristocrats must be rewarded: “Since the only human motive is a craving for supremacy, we can expect nothing in the way of achievement unless achievement be rewarded by supremacy.”

Civilization must create valuable “thoughts and objects” and aristocracy “alone” can do this. Democracies live “parasitically on the aristocracies they overthrow." And over time, democracies use up “the aesthetic and intellectual resources which autocracy bequeathed them.”

The difference between aristocracy, democracy, and mob rule: “In an aristocracy some persons have a great deal to live for. In a democracy most persons have a little to live for. In an ochlocracy(mob rule) no­body has anything to live for.”

Science & art trickle down from the top: The ultrawealthy turn their surplus capital & attention toward the “full appreciation of beauty and truth.” “Most of the pleasures” felt by the average man wouldn’t exist if the wealthy didn’t use their spare resources to cultural ends.

No aristocracy is permanently protected from democracy; no democracy is permanently protected from ambitious aristocrats. The masses eventually over-run the palaces. And then the aristocrats eventually take advantage of the indifferent, scatter-brained masses to win power back.

Lovecraft doesn’t want repressive autocracies: “Moderation is essential in all things.” The problem with an “overstressed” political authority is that it tends to put an “infinity of stupid checks on art and intellect.”

Lovecraft gives all governments a very simple task: “Government need go no further than to safeguard an aristocratic class in its opulence and dignity so that it may be left free to create the ornaments of life and to attract the ambition of others who seek to rise to it.”

Aristocracies can’t be closed off: “The healthiest aristocracy is the most elastic – willing to beckon & receive all men of whatever antecedents who prove them­selves aesthetically & intellectually fitted for membership.” Make the aspirational life available to the deserving.

Real Aristocrat v/s the Fake Aristocrat. HP Lovecraft: “The real aristocrat is ever reasonable, kindly, and affable toward the masses – it is the incompletely cultured novus homo (new man) who makes ostentation of his power and position.” Continue reading in part 2!