"A contradiction. What is a human whose every neuron and muscle is designed for a good fight and who instead of fighting chooses to drift unto death?"
Nature and life are still as brutal as they were tens of thousands of years ago, or even five thousand years ago. Men once lived fully in the moment, I think, forced to focus on the next step, the next turn of the corner, the next hunt, as if their lives depended on it, because they did. Survival, and the brutal actions taken in its name, feel all but lost today. No, I am not saying we should return to raiding parties, but maybe we should reclaim the human spirit. Bring back rites of passage that test both the soul and the body. Give people something larger than themselves to serve. Let them experience fear, and the primal surge of adrenaline that comes from having to fight your way out of a situation that will kill you if you are not careful or mentally prepared.
I do not know. Maybe I am just too jaded these days.
I've covered this ground many times as well. I do not believe it's jaded so much as it is common sense for those who have felt genuine fear. It is a different feeling from vague and persistent anxiety, the sort that never lets someone get a grip, take a stance, and feel alive. An enemy is terrible, but it is also an anchor. I appreciate the thoughts, Uri.
I find your point about young men unwilling to fight for their own country really interesting, cause I myself have chosen civil service instead of military service (the two choices for men in Switzerland, choosing one of them is mandatory as you're physically healthy here). It's still something I think about every now and then. For me personally, it's not so much the "unwillingness" to fight for my country and more a question of priority, because if I'm being honest, I'd much rather prepare by myself to protect my family and loved ones when chaos breaks out on the streets instead of being deployed to keep watch in some rotten bunker. But, obviously, there is a point to serving as well.
Thank you, Kai. To add some nuance here, my point was not about fighting for one's country. It was about fighting for anything at all. Fighting to keep your family safe is as noble as it gets. But the problem at least in America are boys and even men who merely drift, blame, and never own themselves.
I suggest you might consider expanding your definition of family. Perhaps your town, your city your canton or your country? If there’s fighting in the streets it may be too late. You need your extended family to hold off the barbarians. The further off the better.
I’ve hiked many km in your beautiful country. It’s hard not to see all the hidden defensive facilities scattered through the mountains. I would not want to be an invader. You live in a beautiful place. It’s worth fighting for.
Enjoyable article. Ryan Micheler wrote a decent book on masculinity I've shared with my three sons over the years called Sovereignty. He quotes John Eldredge author of WIld at Heart, "Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue." These aren't optional, these are deep, visceral yearnings boys and men have. These should be encouraged, not extinguished. If they are seen as "toxic," boys become men who as Thoreau noted, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
Thank you Ben. And it is that toxic path so many have been led down. I can only imagine what our society will think if, a few decades from now, it actually introspects and asks what it has done. This is a good fight.
There is indeed a common theme running through most of your essays. Challenge is good for the soul. Hard work purifies. Having a mission is critical to our lives. Perhaps peace is overrated? Young knuckleheads everywhere without said mission will take up “arms” for a small fee and an identity given to them by a gutless agitator.
The small fee (or large one) is the reality that many of the young men causing chaos across our cities are doing so for money—being paid by organizers looking merely for warm bodies that are looking for someplace to direct their rage other than at themselves.
I had not heard of this. So they are mercenaries who lack the courage to have fought for anything, as well lacking the ability to be skilled or useful in any way besides merely existing and causing a ruckus. Let's see how this plays out.
Angry local folks get stirred up and drawn into it, but just like George Floyd or Antifa in Portland and Seattle there are paid chaos agents stirring the pot to keep it riled up. Well funded in many cases.
The Y and Z generations seem to feel untethered, how can they feel a need to gear up for a fight when they no sense of self, of nation, of things larger than the planet. Those of us lucky enough to recall the smell of our 782 web gear, our Alice Pack (I think they call all this Load Bearing equipment now), had a plastic c-rat spoon that grungy because it was clear it I had been used so much, have s else of having been there. It isn’t just the fight, but the sense of purpose coupled with the misery of the effort, lugging all that gear around in the heat isn’t like in the movies! But, it refreshes the mind, body and soul to do it. Why? Because you are doing something no one else wants to do, we become “special” even if just straight leg rifle platoons, in a straight leg rifle company, headed to God knows what or where and in the mean time in a formation someone orders the green camouflage helmet covers to be reversed to the brown side, to later be reversed to the green side. Green side, brown side, green side. Not glorious as Achilles and his gearing up for the fight, but you’re part of something bigger than yourself, that is what the younger generations are missing. That said, something will happen, it always does and then bodies will be mercilessly hurled into a fight they are unprepared for, the odds will be what they will be, some will make it out others not. So better to be prepared, better to take on a warrior ethos now, and carry it around in your mental kit every moment of every day. Life is short, don’t make it shorter, but not living it. Kit up little campers, the Frogman says be prepared, embrace the suck. Plus you don’t really have a choice!
The Alice Pack is alive and well, it was one of my favorite pieces of gear. Nothing bears weight like it, none of the new and expensive bags. Well said on all fronts, Charles—I do believe the tide is going to turn for the best. The question is going to be how much pain must be felt to make it happen first.
Sam! Wow the Alice Pack still viable! As I live and breathe! I liked it for a lot of reasons, but one big advantage was you could easily hang extra canteens on it. So you could have two canteens on your 782 web gear and then a couple on the pack. Handy to have in the summer in the field at Camp LeJeune. When I went to OCS at Camp Upshur on the Quantico MCB, in the summer of 1975, they issued us the old ruck pack, a canvas “Shelter half” a tent pole, and 3-5 tent stakes. When we went on long humps we had to roll up our rack blanket precisely into the shelter half, and then form it in an upside down U around the body of the ruck and strap it down. I doubt we got much more than 50 pounds in it, but every week we went for a hump on the wash board. 5 miles, 7 miles, 10 miles and then I think a 12 miler and this was all done at forced march pace, so maybe 4miles an hour for 50 minutes. 10 minute break standing, Hold up turn outboard and sip a bit of water. We were also issued M14’s which I recall weighed about 10 pounds. The straps on the ruck never fit right and cut into your shoulders. We humped what they call the “washboard” which was an up and down affair most of which was under some transmission lines that cut through Quantico. Read that as in no shade…I think we did the 10 miler the fourth week which was leading up to the drop on request (DOR) point which was a Sunday. Anyone on the fence at that point probably hopped off it! Lot of Seabags down at the company office on the Sunday. So long suckers! It was not uncommon at LeJeune to head for the field Monday morning for 5 days, return Friday in time for noon chow. But not uncommon to hump 7-8 miles to the TA that we would be using. Those ALICE packs were heavy! I should guess 70 pounds, to be honest I can’t remember why we had so much stuff! Plus, i had the RTO next me, and Platoon Commander stuff, anyway the M-16 and ALICE pack were a shit lord better than the M14 and Ruck with Shelter Half 1 each! Our flak vests were lighter than the Kevlar as well. I understand you all carried significantly heavier loads, have to be in damn good condition for that kind of weight and effort.
As to the tide, we will make do and good regardless of the situation. We are geared that way, the question is can we mentor enough of the kids along the way so that if shit does hit the fan they are a little bit ready. I have no doubt that if we quietly persist some maybe enough will see us hanging in and want to emulate us bit. I believe it is an axiom that pain is weakness leaving the body. There we have a distinct advantage as we know this to be true!!
“So long suckers” is right! The glory of winning and losing and competition and learning what we are inside—that is the stuff of life. Thank you Charles for sending me down memory lane as well.
Right! I remember the Senior Platoon Sgt who had been a tough SOB, (but fair) coming into the squad bay now reduced in numbers and saying something like okay Candidates the “losers are gone and now we are gonna get serious.” I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, but I knew i had made so far! Stuff of life for sure!
I like this more personal style. Maybe it is more me. It naturally evokes some relatable experiences in me as a listener. I see it as a conversation starter. Take kitting for example. I have not thought of how few of us prepared for triathlons, the shorter ones, when every second in transitions from each leg could affect your time no matter how fast you swam, biked or ran. Everything was planned and practiced. And then was our friend Dan. We jumped into shoes already attached to the pedals, and I see Dan wiping himself off after the swim, sitting on a towel, leisurely putting on his shoes… Was that a reality check?
Thanks Barry. I saw the same exact thing when I was doing Xterra's. The entire preparation, each transition, every step is an opportunity to kit the mind up for what was to come. I never understood the Dans out there. Life is too short not to sink our teeth into the task at hand.
Yes. Dan types could not and would not execute the Maduro mission. Pages of detailed “what ifs” for each member not only of their own but for next in line. Hours of training…
I made some notes while I was reading ... maybe it turns into something more than disjointed tidbits and maybe it gets back-burnered until the ideas can't be ignored.
Writing the rites of passage out of modern culture weakened everything; minds, bodies, and most importantly community, or tribe (a term I use to limit the size of said community).
Those old ceremonies, many of which symbolized death and resurrection taught the fragility and value of life — one's own life, of course, and also the lives of those who are counting on you — and taught the concept of something greater than the individual, and his appetites. Uri noted this in his comment.
Artificially created rites and tests, or a series of them often represented the challenges faced by one's community; environment, isolation, deprivation (resource scarcity). Surviving those natural difficulties, or sometimes physical confrontation, proved one competent and worthy of trust, and identified the individual as one who could contribute, who could create instead of only consume. Being rich in resources and convenience elevates consumption and relegates creation and contribution to lower importance, more taking and less making.
Which brings to the fore your observation about moderns not being willing to "(fight) for anything at all," inconvenience being a barrier rather than a thrown gauntlet ... protest culture notwithstanding ...
Anyway, thank you for this, and all the musings it has triggered.
I appreciate the riff and thoughts, Mark. The erosion runs deep, and the cure will have to do that much more work. But I think we’re building the right crew, on the right principles, and this is a good fight.
An issue I’ve thought about a lot lately (esp. post Covid) with a teenage boy in house. There was a period where society’s self-loathing and fear during lockdown became unbearable and it made me start investigating why/how this could happen and the negative effect it would have generationally on kids.
What I see now is hopeful- both thru my son’s friends and what I’ve seen in the fire service. There are young men out there who are keen to contribute and seek a purpose. My hope is that society can support that process with structure. (This is becoming an essay itself)
It’s a beautiful thing to see. It’s natural. It just needs to be nourished in a healthy channel. To your point, how do we make it a societal norm? Or is that too much to expect, and focus our efforts on our mini tribes? It’s occupying my mind much as well.
To go out on a limb, I’m think we need stronger federal structure to mandate service at age 18. In terms of root cause, I think that would kill many birds with one stone: purpose, guidance, productivity. All at a critical moment in growing up. Could be military, infrastructure, or international.
Yes, it’s more government (potential downside). It also requires leadership the people trust.
I like your new style Sam. And the questions you posed got me thinking about all those soldiers, sailors and airmen, law enforcement and other first responders who prepare, who “ kit up”. If only all our young people could feel that same sense of purpose and meaning. It would change lives.
On the topic of young men not wanting to fight for their country, I had a conversation with my son (about 30) on this. He and his football/wrestling buddies were just itching for a fight through their teens and early twenties.
He said, though, that something changed for them watching the Ukraine War videos. You know, the ones showing a drone dropping a grenade on a lone soldier in a foxhole. Or a soldier trying to surrender to a drone before being eliminated. Dehumanizing stuff!
Thank you John! Ukraine is a war I cannot imagine, and it seems to be the future. I do not know enough to make any claims about it, and anyone who does is selling something. My mission is to transcend war, as there are many types of kitting up: deep sea diving, law enforcement, scrubs in the ER, the list goes on. What concerns me is the lack of fight for noble causes (not expedient causes), or a willingness to fight and yet boys/men never really sinking their teeth into anything they can look back on when their old and know they really lived. Everyone will have their own path. But I'm trying to scope out the universal which, I think, falls under "creativity". I'm stoked to flesh it out further, and appreciate the thoughts as always.
I’m trying to teach myself how to play guitar and agree that a sense of peace and purpose comes with the ritual of picking up the guitar, tuning it, running through finger drills and, finally, playing tunes.
Let's go! I love music, or at least my brain does—my body has never really figured it out. Godspeed with the strings and notes. And likewise. In the age of AI and nihilism, creativity may be our only real hope.
Love your meditation on “kitting up”, Sam! When our tools and equipment align perfectly with our core self/talents, picking them up does indeed trigger flow energy. I am no warrior, more of a timid “academic”, but when I sit down with paper and pen (now iPad), my mind/body becomes a bonfire of excitement as I lean into the battlefield of words and ideas!
And I do appreciate your offering “creativity” as a worthy alternative to war as a means of exercising our will and finding meaning.
"Bonfire of excitement" is an excellent way of putting it. Wars take many forms. There are few things that compare right now when I get to sit down and write. It is strange but I have never felt more engagement since war itself. I truly believe creativity is the path, and creativity here very broadly defined.
"A contradiction. What is a human whose every neuron and muscle is designed for a good fight and who instead of fighting chooses to drift unto death?"
Nature and life are still as brutal as they were tens of thousands of years ago, or even five thousand years ago. Men once lived fully in the moment, I think, forced to focus on the next step, the next turn of the corner, the next hunt, as if their lives depended on it, because they did. Survival, and the brutal actions taken in its name, feel all but lost today. No, I am not saying we should return to raiding parties, but maybe we should reclaim the human spirit. Bring back rites of passage that test both the soul and the body. Give people something larger than themselves to serve. Let them experience fear, and the primal surge of adrenaline that comes from having to fight your way out of a situation that will kill you if you are not careful or mentally prepared.
I do not know. Maybe I am just too jaded these days.
Great article.
I've covered this ground many times as well. I do not believe it's jaded so much as it is common sense for those who have felt genuine fear. It is a different feeling from vague and persistent anxiety, the sort that never lets someone get a grip, take a stance, and feel alive. An enemy is terrible, but it is also an anchor. I appreciate the thoughts, Uri.
I find your point about young men unwilling to fight for their own country really interesting, cause I myself have chosen civil service instead of military service (the two choices for men in Switzerland, choosing one of them is mandatory as you're physically healthy here). It's still something I think about every now and then. For me personally, it's not so much the "unwillingness" to fight for my country and more a question of priority, because if I'm being honest, I'd much rather prepare by myself to protect my family and loved ones when chaos breaks out on the streets instead of being deployed to keep watch in some rotten bunker. But, obviously, there is a point to serving as well.
Another really thought-provoking essay as always!
Thank you, Kai. To add some nuance here, my point was not about fighting for one's country. It was about fighting for anything at all. Fighting to keep your family safe is as noble as it gets. But the problem at least in America are boys and even men who merely drift, blame, and never own themselves.
…and men who are boys
Sniper! Thank you for filling in the gap in my answer, Marshall. Well played.
Thanks for clarifying!
I suggest you might consider expanding your definition of family. Perhaps your town, your city your canton or your country? If there’s fighting in the streets it may be too late. You need your extended family to hold off the barbarians. The further off the better.
True, that's a good point of view, thanks for the input!
I’ve hiked many km in your beautiful country. It’s hard not to see all the hidden defensive facilities scattered through the mountains. I would not want to be an invader. You live in a beautiful place. It’s worth fighting for.
Thank you very much, you're always more than welcome to return, Switzerland will be there with open arms!
Thanks! I’m doing the Via Alpina in July. 😁
Ah wow, that's a beautiful hike! I have to do that trail too someday once I actually get more than a measly 2 days off from med school...
Enjoyable article. Ryan Micheler wrote a decent book on masculinity I've shared with my three sons over the years called Sovereignty. He quotes John Eldredge author of WIld at Heart, "Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue." These aren't optional, these are deep, visceral yearnings boys and men have. These should be encouraged, not extinguished. If they are seen as "toxic," boys become men who as Thoreau noted, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
Thank you Ben. And it is that toxic path so many have been led down. I can only imagine what our society will think if, a few decades from now, it actually introspects and asks what it has done. This is a good fight.
There is indeed a common theme running through most of your essays. Challenge is good for the soul. Hard work purifies. Having a mission is critical to our lives. Perhaps peace is overrated? Young knuckleheads everywhere without said mission will take up “arms” for a small fee and an identity given to them by a gutless agitator.
Thoughtful essay Sam. 🫡
I’m much obliged Dee. The “small fee” piece is interesting and I’m not sure I understand. Is this a hunch?
The small fee (or large one) is the reality that many of the young men causing chaos across our cities are doing so for money—being paid by organizers looking merely for warm bodies that are looking for someplace to direct their rage other than at themselves.
I had not heard of this. So they are mercenaries who lack the courage to have fought for anything, as well lacking the ability to be skilled or useful in any way besides merely existing and causing a ruckus. Let's see how this plays out.
Angry local folks get stirred up and drawn into it, but just like George Floyd or Antifa in Portland and Seattle there are paid chaos agents stirring the pot to keep it riled up. Well funded in many cases.
The Y and Z generations seem to feel untethered, how can they feel a need to gear up for a fight when they no sense of self, of nation, of things larger than the planet. Those of us lucky enough to recall the smell of our 782 web gear, our Alice Pack (I think they call all this Load Bearing equipment now), had a plastic c-rat spoon that grungy because it was clear it I had been used so much, have s else of having been there. It isn’t just the fight, but the sense of purpose coupled with the misery of the effort, lugging all that gear around in the heat isn’t like in the movies! But, it refreshes the mind, body and soul to do it. Why? Because you are doing something no one else wants to do, we become “special” even if just straight leg rifle platoons, in a straight leg rifle company, headed to God knows what or where and in the mean time in a formation someone orders the green camouflage helmet covers to be reversed to the brown side, to later be reversed to the green side. Green side, brown side, green side. Not glorious as Achilles and his gearing up for the fight, but you’re part of something bigger than yourself, that is what the younger generations are missing. That said, something will happen, it always does and then bodies will be mercilessly hurled into a fight they are unprepared for, the odds will be what they will be, some will make it out others not. So better to be prepared, better to take on a warrior ethos now, and carry it around in your mental kit every moment of every day. Life is short, don’t make it shorter, but not living it. Kit up little campers, the Frogman says be prepared, embrace the suck. Plus you don’t really have a choice!
The Alice Pack is alive and well, it was one of my favorite pieces of gear. Nothing bears weight like it, none of the new and expensive bags. Well said on all fronts, Charles—I do believe the tide is going to turn for the best. The question is going to be how much pain must be felt to make it happen first.
Sam! Wow the Alice Pack still viable! As I live and breathe! I liked it for a lot of reasons, but one big advantage was you could easily hang extra canteens on it. So you could have two canteens on your 782 web gear and then a couple on the pack. Handy to have in the summer in the field at Camp LeJeune. When I went to OCS at Camp Upshur on the Quantico MCB, in the summer of 1975, they issued us the old ruck pack, a canvas “Shelter half” a tent pole, and 3-5 tent stakes. When we went on long humps we had to roll up our rack blanket precisely into the shelter half, and then form it in an upside down U around the body of the ruck and strap it down. I doubt we got much more than 50 pounds in it, but every week we went for a hump on the wash board. 5 miles, 7 miles, 10 miles and then I think a 12 miler and this was all done at forced march pace, so maybe 4miles an hour for 50 minutes. 10 minute break standing, Hold up turn outboard and sip a bit of water. We were also issued M14’s which I recall weighed about 10 pounds. The straps on the ruck never fit right and cut into your shoulders. We humped what they call the “washboard” which was an up and down affair most of which was under some transmission lines that cut through Quantico. Read that as in no shade…I think we did the 10 miler the fourth week which was leading up to the drop on request (DOR) point which was a Sunday. Anyone on the fence at that point probably hopped off it! Lot of Seabags down at the company office on the Sunday. So long suckers! It was not uncommon at LeJeune to head for the field Monday morning for 5 days, return Friday in time for noon chow. But not uncommon to hump 7-8 miles to the TA that we would be using. Those ALICE packs were heavy! I should guess 70 pounds, to be honest I can’t remember why we had so much stuff! Plus, i had the RTO next me, and Platoon Commander stuff, anyway the M-16 and ALICE pack were a shit lord better than the M14 and Ruck with Shelter Half 1 each! Our flak vests were lighter than the Kevlar as well. I understand you all carried significantly heavier loads, have to be in damn good condition for that kind of weight and effort.
As to the tide, we will make do and good regardless of the situation. We are geared that way, the question is can we mentor enough of the kids along the way so that if shit does hit the fan they are a little bit ready. I have no doubt that if we quietly persist some maybe enough will see us hanging in and want to emulate us bit. I believe it is an axiom that pain is weakness leaving the body. There we have a distinct advantage as we know this to be true!!
“So long suckers” is right! The glory of winning and losing and competition and learning what we are inside—that is the stuff of life. Thank you Charles for sending me down memory lane as well.
Right! I remember the Senior Platoon Sgt who had been a tough SOB, (but fair) coming into the squad bay now reduced in numbers and saying something like okay Candidates the “losers are gone and now we are gonna get serious.” I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry, but I knew i had made so far! Stuff of life for sure!
"The creative individual lives life as if it were a poem forever in mid-creation, written in their own hand."
Then let us proceed, each with his own blessings and whatever energies Almighty God grants.
I think your line just about sums up all of human existence. Thank you, Truman.
I like this more personal style. Maybe it is more me. It naturally evokes some relatable experiences in me as a listener. I see it as a conversation starter. Take kitting for example. I have not thought of how few of us prepared for triathlons, the shorter ones, when every second in transitions from each leg could affect your time no matter how fast you swam, biked or ran. Everything was planned and practiced. And then was our friend Dan. We jumped into shoes already attached to the pedals, and I see Dan wiping himself off after the swim, sitting on a towel, leisurely putting on his shoes… Was that a reality check?
Thanks Barry. I saw the same exact thing when I was doing Xterra's. The entire preparation, each transition, every step is an opportunity to kit the mind up for what was to come. I never understood the Dans out there. Life is too short not to sink our teeth into the task at hand.
Yes. Dan types could not and would not execute the Maduro mission. Pages of detailed “what ifs” for each member not only of their own but for next in line. Hours of training…
I made some notes while I was reading ... maybe it turns into something more than disjointed tidbits and maybe it gets back-burnered until the ideas can't be ignored.
Writing the rites of passage out of modern culture weakened everything; minds, bodies, and most importantly community, or tribe (a term I use to limit the size of said community).
Those old ceremonies, many of which symbolized death and resurrection taught the fragility and value of life — one's own life, of course, and also the lives of those who are counting on you — and taught the concept of something greater than the individual, and his appetites. Uri noted this in his comment.
Artificially created rites and tests, or a series of them often represented the challenges faced by one's community; environment, isolation, deprivation (resource scarcity). Surviving those natural difficulties, or sometimes physical confrontation, proved one competent and worthy of trust, and identified the individual as one who could contribute, who could create instead of only consume. Being rich in resources and convenience elevates consumption and relegates creation and contribution to lower importance, more taking and less making.
Which brings to the fore your observation about moderns not being willing to "(fight) for anything at all," inconvenience being a barrier rather than a thrown gauntlet ... protest culture notwithstanding ...
Anyway, thank you for this, and all the musings it has triggered.
I appreciate the riff and thoughts, Mark. The erosion runs deep, and the cure will have to do that much more work. But I think we’re building the right crew, on the right principles, and this is a good fight.
An issue I’ve thought about a lot lately (esp. post Covid) with a teenage boy in house. There was a period where society’s self-loathing and fear during lockdown became unbearable and it made me start investigating why/how this could happen and the negative effect it would have generationally on kids.
What I see now is hopeful- both thru my son’s friends and what I’ve seen in the fire service. There are young men out there who are keen to contribute and seek a purpose. My hope is that society can support that process with structure. (This is becoming an essay itself)
Thanks, Sam
It’s a beautiful thing to see. It’s natural. It just needs to be nourished in a healthy channel. To your point, how do we make it a societal norm? Or is that too much to expect, and focus our efforts on our mini tribes? It’s occupying my mind much as well.
To go out on a limb, I’m think we need stronger federal structure to mandate service at age 18. In terms of root cause, I think that would kill many birds with one stone: purpose, guidance, productivity. All at a critical moment in growing up. Could be military, infrastructure, or international.
Yes, it’s more government (potential downside). It also requires leadership the people trust.
I like your new style Sam. And the questions you posed got me thinking about all those soldiers, sailors and airmen, law enforcement and other first responders who prepare, who “ kit up”. If only all our young people could feel that same sense of purpose and meaning. It would change lives.
Thank you, Laura. That’s the mission. I hope we can reach them.
One of my favorites of all time time. Like many, I’ve spent a lot of time trying to replace what war held. Creativity the only thing close.
I’m here for it, Ben. Maybe the greatest fight yet.
Great essay, Sam! I like the new style.
On the topic of young men not wanting to fight for their country, I had a conversation with my son (about 30) on this. He and his football/wrestling buddies were just itching for a fight through their teens and early twenties.
He said, though, that something changed for them watching the Ukraine War videos. You know, the ones showing a drone dropping a grenade on a lone soldier in a foxhole. Or a soldier trying to surrender to a drone before being eliminated. Dehumanizing stuff!
Thank you John! Ukraine is a war I cannot imagine, and it seems to be the future. I do not know enough to make any claims about it, and anyone who does is selling something. My mission is to transcend war, as there are many types of kitting up: deep sea diving, law enforcement, scrubs in the ER, the list goes on. What concerns me is the lack of fight for noble causes (not expedient causes), or a willingness to fight and yet boys/men never really sinking their teeth into anything they can look back on when their old and know they really lived. Everyone will have their own path. But I'm trying to scope out the universal which, I think, falls under "creativity". I'm stoked to flesh it out further, and appreciate the thoughts as always.
Thanks Sam! I hope creativity wins out!
I’m trying to teach myself how to play guitar and agree that a sense of peace and purpose comes with the ritual of picking up the guitar, tuning it, running through finger drills and, finally, playing tunes.
Let's go! I love music, or at least my brain does—my body has never really figured it out. Godspeed with the strings and notes. And likewise. In the age of AI and nihilism, creativity may be our only real hope.
Forgive me if I already shared this quote with you Sam, but I think it captures perfectly the spirit of so much of your thinking/writing:
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a
purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one;
the being thoroughly worn out before you are
thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of
Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of
ailments and grievances complaining that the
world will not devote itself to making you happy.”
— George Bernard Shaw
Shaw was an absolute master with words. Thank you for sharing!
Love your meditation on “kitting up”, Sam! When our tools and equipment align perfectly with our core self/talents, picking them up does indeed trigger flow energy. I am no warrior, more of a timid “academic”, but when I sit down with paper and pen (now iPad), my mind/body becomes a bonfire of excitement as I lean into the battlefield of words and ideas!
And I do appreciate your offering “creativity” as a worthy alternative to war as a means of exercising our will and finding meaning.
"Bonfire of excitement" is an excellent way of putting it. Wars take many forms. There are few things that compare right now when I get to sit down and write. It is strange but I have never felt more engagement since war itself. I truly believe creativity is the path, and creativity here very broadly defined.
The ability to do violence has a way of focusing us on the things that matter and not the petty inconveniences.
I could not agree more. A more natural mode of life.