I wish I could/would write a more meaningful response like those before but instead: I sort of snickered to myself when reading. Too often my words are, "not a big deal" when others go on a tyrade about the line at Starbucks or the pause of their internet service. I spent 10 minutes staring at my couch yesterday wondering why it had to be plugged in. Could people no longer move the lever that raised their feet. Why do we drive to the gym when we could walk there? Why are (all, it seems) spaces automobile accessible but not made for the mobile who want to move a muscle.
Stacy this is an awesome riff! I actually laughed out loud at your comment about a couch that had to be plugged it. That is next level. I couldn’t agree with you more. The number of people I see driving in circles around a parking lot waiting for a slot closer to the door sometimes leaves me laughing. Thank you for dropping your thoughts.
Attachment to the thing one carries in their hand, pocket, purse is a problem. That carries over into expecting instant results. I riff because it is tiring to observe how many want a “thing” that makes their life easier so that they can what, sit a bit longer until they are unable to stand on their own? Gads, I’ll stop now …
I stand in awe of your ability. This may be your best post ever, and that’s saying a lot. If I may be so bold, this sentence especially resonated and is the essence in my mind, “Ours is the greater test, for our iron kinsmen were hard by necessity whereas we must be hard by choice.”
On a lighter note, I dated a woman many years ago that I often joked about by saying she thought a hike was a bad parking spot at the mall.
I really appreciate it Marshall. It's a theme I love to riff on. And I guess hikes are relative to a certain degree... I see many of my neighbors drive their cars down thirty meters of driveway to pick up their mail. To each his own, I suppose. Thank you for the comment.
I am printing this essay, binding it, and leaving it on the living room table where all will see it. I believe you are home, and it is a house big enough for every being, should they choose to enter. Because it is analog, there are no limits or ends to it. The walls continually expand to fit the breadth of every persons conscious. I remember the look of wonder sparkling in the eyes of my aging professor of molecular genetics as he explained the analog nature of DNA, and how information handling in the central nervous system was limitless because of its analog nature. This has all proven out, that the minuscule digital data boxes that confine digital reality do not even remotely approach the grandeur of the analog expanse of consciousness. "Presentiment" is a now proven characteristic of the human mind. There is no digital algorithm that can process Presentiment or the analog paths that have been entrusted to us by birth. And it is also not nearly enough to say Thank You for opening this door to our new Home.
Robert, I feel as though we need an essay on this subject alone. Thank you for giving me this to think about. I now want to look up the history of presentiment and who has done some good thinking on it. I’m stoked you enjoyed this.
One thing I never cease to be surprised about is how much bitching the guys in combat units do. It is truly extraordinary.
But for my part, the only bitching I have ever seen was with regard to our own side; specifically, leadership, support, etc. Almost never have I heard anyone complain about the enemy. It is also always business, silent professionalism. Anyone who complains about an ambush or firefight or standing watch does not belong anywhere near a combat a unit.
I imagine the Tibetans were constantly in this mode. They did not answer to a "command" hundreds of miles away who ordered them to cut their hair, shine boots, compete online courses that have nothing to do with anything, who continued a war under false pretenses and then lied about it consistently while men suffered in the field, the list of both minor and major problems are endless.
So military while doing their profession find no trouble just like the Tibetans when it matters most, but unlike the Tibetans, the military lived in two different worlds.
I do think you missed an obvious point; climate change. To most of the activists out there, "climate change" is not something to be measured by science. It is a mythological beast that must be both worshipped and defended against. We must offer ritualistic sacrifices to the carbon gods, or they will destroy us in punishment for our iniquities. And only the wisest among us can find appropriate ways to appease the beast. You know, wise people like Al Gore, AOC, and Greta Thunberg.
I will haze myself accordingly! I had a list of around twelve I riffed in my mind and just picked the top three. We can do an entire book on those thought of as “wise” at present.
My grandfather used to say that no matter how poor or rich you were, the answer used to be “making a living”. On the other hand, I had a client who had trouble handing his business to his son, who would tell me “if you see a “U-haul” following my hearse, it is me taking it all with me”. But then, we had a good laugh over a great dinner and a good bottle of wine.
I wish I could/would write a more meaningful response like those before but instead: I sort of snickered to myself when reading. Too often my words are, "not a big deal" when others go on a tyrade about the line at Starbucks or the pause of their internet service. I spent 10 minutes staring at my couch yesterday wondering why it had to be plugged in. Could people no longer move the lever that raised their feet. Why do we drive to the gym when we could walk there? Why are (all, it seems) spaces automobile accessible but not made for the mobile who want to move a muscle.
Thank you for the morning read.
Stacy this is an awesome riff! I actually laughed out loud at your comment about a couch that had to be plugged it. That is next level. I couldn’t agree with you more. The number of people I see driving in circles around a parking lot waiting for a slot closer to the door sometimes leaves me laughing. Thank you for dropping your thoughts.
Attachment to the thing one carries in their hand, pocket, purse is a problem. That carries over into expecting instant results. I riff because it is tiring to observe how many want a “thing” that makes their life easier so that they can what, sit a bit longer until they are unable to stand on their own? Gads, I’ll stop now …
No need to stop. It is excellent thinking material, and leads to many fascinating rabbit holes and civilizational theories.
I stand in awe of your ability. This may be your best post ever, and that’s saying a lot. If I may be so bold, this sentence especially resonated and is the essence in my mind, “Ours is the greater test, for our iron kinsmen were hard by necessity whereas we must be hard by choice.”
On a lighter note, I dated a woman many years ago that I often joked about by saying she thought a hike was a bad parking spot at the mall.
I really appreciate it Marshall. It's a theme I love to riff on. And I guess hikes are relative to a certain degree... I see many of my neighbors drive their cars down thirty meters of driveway to pick up their mail. To each his own, I suppose. Thank you for the comment.
I am printing this essay, binding it, and leaving it on the living room table where all will see it. I believe you are home, and it is a house big enough for every being, should they choose to enter. Because it is analog, there are no limits or ends to it. The walls continually expand to fit the breadth of every persons conscious. I remember the look of wonder sparkling in the eyes of my aging professor of molecular genetics as he explained the analog nature of DNA, and how information handling in the central nervous system was limitless because of its analog nature. This has all proven out, that the minuscule digital data boxes that confine digital reality do not even remotely approach the grandeur of the analog expanse of consciousness. "Presentiment" is a now proven characteristic of the human mind. There is no digital algorithm that can process Presentiment or the analog paths that have been entrusted to us by birth. And it is also not nearly enough to say Thank You for opening this door to our new Home.
Robert, I feel as though we need an essay on this subject alone. Thank you for giving me this to think about. I now want to look up the history of presentiment and who has done some good thinking on it. I’m stoked you enjoyed this.
Hi Sam, hopefully not too far afield, but the thought nagged at me while reading this excellent essay:
How to square the Tibetans “No trouble at all” with the famous bitching and moaning of grunts in the field.
This is an excellent comment.
One thing I never cease to be surprised about is how much bitching the guys in combat units do. It is truly extraordinary.
But for my part, the only bitching I have ever seen was with regard to our own side; specifically, leadership, support, etc. Almost never have I heard anyone complain about the enemy. It is also always business, silent professionalism. Anyone who complains about an ambush or firefight or standing watch does not belong anywhere near a combat a unit.
I imagine the Tibetans were constantly in this mode. They did not answer to a "command" hundreds of miles away who ordered them to cut their hair, shine boots, compete online courses that have nothing to do with anything, who continued a war under false pretenses and then lied about it consistently while men suffered in the field, the list of both minor and major problems are endless.
So military while doing their profession find no trouble just like the Tibetans when it matters most, but unlike the Tibetans, the military lived in two different worlds.
This is a thoughtful exploration of the topic. Thanks for thinking it through!
Analog. Yes. Your essays continually put me in mind of the ancients as I read the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Both are incredible pieces, beautiful portals into ancient minds.
"...killable yes, breakable no..." I LOVE that!
I do think you missed an obvious point; climate change. To most of the activists out there, "climate change" is not something to be measured by science. It is a mythological beast that must be both worshipped and defended against. We must offer ritualistic sacrifices to the carbon gods, or they will destroy us in punishment for our iniquities. And only the wisest among us can find appropriate ways to appease the beast. You know, wise people like Al Gore, AOC, and Greta Thunberg.
I will haze myself accordingly! I had a list of around twelve I riffed in my mind and just picked the top three. We can do an entire book on those thought of as “wise” at present.
My grandfather used to say that no matter how poor or rich you were, the answer used to be “making a living”. On the other hand, I had a client who had trouble handing his business to his son, who would tell me “if you see a “U-haul” following my hearse, it is me taking it all with me”. But then, we had a good laugh over a great dinner and a good bottle of wine.
That is an epic story. If laughing and wine is what it takes, those are also ancient cures.