Are social issues nearly as important as issues like biodiversity and climate?

Thirty Bills Unpaid

hedonist said:

I tried, I give up!

Apologies if my prior input came off as....something unworthy? Guessing not a decent contribution.

Hope the rest of this conversation continues to be productive and constructive.

Shall be reading.

Hedo...

What other animal on the planet carries the burden of the earth on its shoulders? What other animal concerns itself with the fortunes of other animals? We have illusions of greatness sometimes. At the very core of our existence is a need to survive and prosper- we're no different from any other species. Environmentalism is more or less guilt for realizing the impact our activities are having on the earth.

We should be concerned with our impact, but not at such a degree that we sacrifice any quality of life that makes the gift of life such a great gift.

We'd be framing if we think we will ever move to local economies and all the other items necessary to reverse course from the critical threshold we will someday meet. All individual efforts amount to drops on the bucket.

tempo_n_groove

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

hedonist said:

I tried, I give up!

Apologies if my prior input came off as....something unworthy? Guessing not a decent contribution.

Hope the rest of this conversation continues to be productive and constructive.

Shall be reading.

Hedo...

What other animal on the planet carries the burden of the earth on its shoulders? What other animal concerns itself with the fortunes of other animals? We have illusions of greatness sometimes. At the very core of our existence is a need to survive and prosper- we're no different from any other species. Environmentalism is more or less guilt for realizing the impact our activities are having on the earth.

We should be concerned with our impact, but not at such a degree that we sacrifice any quality of life that makes the gift of life such a great gift.

We'd be framing if we think we will ever move to local economies and all the other items necessary to reverse course from the critical threshold we will someday meet. All individual efforts amount to drops on the bucket.

Every drop will eventually fill that bucket. Eventually you will have "buckets". Then it will be common place where people actually care.

I am worried though of the pendulum swinging again.

Conservatism is coming in a big way and all the environmentalism will be cast aside.

PJfanwillneverleave1

The pendulum swings....

hedonist

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

hedonist said:

I tried, I give up!

Apologies if my prior input came off as....something unworthy? Guessing not a decent contribution.

Hope the rest of this conversation continues to be productive and constructive.

Shall be reading.

Hedo...

What other animal on the planet carries the burden of the earth on its shoulders? What other animal concerns itself with the fortunes of other animals? We have illusions of greatness sometimes. At the very core of our existence is a need to survive and prosper- we're no different from any other species. Environmentalism is more or less guilt for realizing the impact our activities are having on the earth.

We should be concerned with our impact, but not at such a degree that we sacrifice any quality of life that makes the gift of life such a great gift.

We'd be framing if we think we will ever move to local economies and all the other items necessary to reverse course from the critical threshold we will someday meet. All individual efforts amount to drops on the bucket.

You're a good man, Thirty.

Sometimes life's circumstances put what's more important to others in the back lane, in our own realm. We have to.

BS44325

tempo_n_groove said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

hedonist said:

I tried, I give up!

Apologies if my prior input came off as....something unworthy? Guessing not a decent contribution.

Hope the rest of this conversation continues to be productive and constructive.

Shall be reading.

Hedo...

What other animal on the planet carries the burden of the earth on its shoulders? What other animal concerns itself with the fortunes of other animals? We have illusions of greatness sometimes. At the very core of our existence is a need to survive and prosper- we're no different from any other species. Environmentalism is more or less guilt for realizing the impact our activities are having on the earth.

We should be concerned with our impact, but not at such a degree that we sacrifice any quality of life that makes the gift of life such a great gift.

We'd be framing if we think we will ever move to local economies and all the other items necessary to reverse course from the critical threshold we will someday meet. All individual efforts amount to drops on the bucket.

Every drop will eventually fill that bucket. Eventually you will have "buckets". Then it will be common place where people actually care.

I am worried though of the pendulum swinging again.

Conservatism is coming in a big way and all the environmentalism will be cast aside.

This makes the incorrect assumption that conservatives don't care about the environment. We care a lot. We just don't think it makes sense to pass ineffective economy damaging bills based on nothing more then emotion.

brianlux

BS44325 said:

We're here for a good time. Not a long time. So have a good time. The sun can't shine eveyday.

Reminds me of something Kurt Vonnegut Jr once said: "We're here to fart around."

He's also the guy who once wrote:

brianlux

hedonist said:

I tried, I give up!

Apologies if my prior input came off as....something unworthy? Guessing not a decent contribution.

Hope the rest of this conversation continues to be productive and constructive.

Shall be reading.

We're all worthy, just missed your post is all. Sorry.

hedonist said:

I believe it's all relative.

Illegal for a woman to have an abortion may likely be more important in that time vs smog.

It's just not either / or.

...or about greed and stupidity.

I'm neither greedy nor an idiot for focusing on other issues based on the usual shit that happens in life.

In the moment everything is relative. If my hair is on fire, I'm going to be more concerned about that than the loss of another species. What I'm suggesting is that in the big picture, if there are no mega fauna anymore there are no people and if there are no people there are no social issues and so, therefor, in the big picture, environmental issues are more important than social issues. Seems logical doesn't it? I'm always a bit surprised to see resistance to this premise.

Why, just look at these AMT forums. What gets talked about the most? War, firearms, racism, killings, riots, politics, etc. All very important issues, to be sure! But no more people means no more war, firearms, racism, killings, riots, politics, etc. Maybe we want to end those things by ending ourselves. If so, something's pretty fucked up in our collective psyche. But I think we can do better than that.

BS44325

brianlux said:

BS44325 said:

We're here for a good time. Not a long time. So have a good time. The sun can't shine eveyday.

Reminds me of something Kurt Vonnegut Jr once said: "We're here to fart around."

He's also the guy who once wrote:

Saved the earth from what?

BS44325

A solar minimus is likely upon us

http://nypost.com/2016/06/29/why-the-sun-going-blank-means-a-game-of-thrones-like-winter-is-coming/

And there is not much anyone on here can do about it.

JWPearl

brianlux said:

Is it possible that If we don't address major ecological/biological and climate related topics like the rapid loss of biodiversity in our world and human induced climate change and continue to see our world filtered through, and skewed by, an Anthropocene viewpoint, will all of the other other things we talk about here will become irrelevant or at least comparatively so in the big picture?

The answer may well be found in Edward O Wilson's 2016 book, Half-Earth. Among the many and varied I've read, it's the best book/summation/proposal I've found regarding our post industrial condition and what we might consider doing to salvage much of what is left that we are quickly losing. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Good post
There's awareness on many things but this subject is just not hammered enough
Or at least people don't take it seriously enough but I don't mean all people but many

brianlux

JWPearl said:

brianlux said:

Is it possible that If we don't address major ecological/biological and climate related topics like the rapid loss of biodiversity in our world and human induced climate change and continue to see our world filtered through, and skewed by, an Anthropocene viewpoint, will all of the other other things we talk about here will become irrelevant or at least comparatively so in the big picture?

The answer may well be found in Edward O Wilson's 2016 book, Half-Earth. Among the many and varied I've read, it's the best book/summation/proposal I've found regarding our post industrial condition and what we might consider doing to salvage much of what is left that we are quickly losing. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Good post
There's awareness on many things but this subject is just not hammered enough
Or at least people don't take it seriously enough but I don't mean all people but many

rgambs

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

The way I see it, you sort of have the analogy backward. Worrying about the environment when you can't afford food or can't marry and direct the medical care of the person you love deeply is like worrying about painting the eaves on a house that is burning down around you.
Social and socioeconomic issues have direct, tangible effects on a person's well-being and happiness. Environmental issues are a distant concern, even with changing climate and desperately shrinking biodiversity, the time has not yet come when those issues will impact us all in painful, unforgettable ways.

It sucks, we are a short-sighted race of fools.

But about the rest of animal life? Are we the only ones who count? Anthropocentric thinking only sees life, our planet and the universe from a human perspective. Biocentric thinking sees all of it as all encompassing, all valuable and all interconnected. Many people think we are more important or above all other life. The irony is that such a limited viewpoint is actually counter productive to our own well being!

But don't listen to me, Gambs. I really do encourage you to check out E. O. Wilson's book!

I understand what you are saying, and in the grandest, biggest scale, I completely agree. When you scale it down to individuals who have true suffering to deal with, it's hard to imagine they will place the Panamanian Golden Frog on the same level importance as they struggles that keep them mired.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

rgambs said:

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

The way I see it, you sort of have the analogy backward. Worrying about the environment when you can't afford food or can't marry and direct the medical care of the person you love deeply is like worrying about painting the eaves on a house that is burning down around you.
Social and socioeconomic issues have direct, tangible effects on a person's well-being and happiness. Environmental issues are a distant concern, even with changing climate and desperately shrinking biodiversity, the time has not yet come when those issues will impact us all in painful, unforgettable ways.

It sucks, we are a short-sighted race of fools.

But about the rest of animal life? Are we the only ones who count? Anthropocentric thinking only sees life, our planet and the universe from a human perspective. Biocentric thinking sees all of it as all encompassing, all valuable and all interconnected. Many people think we are more important or above all other life. The irony is that such a limited viewpoint is actually counter productive to our own well being!

But don't listen to me, Gambs. I really do encourage you to check out E. O. Wilson's book!

I understand what you are saying, and in the grandest, biggest scale, I completely agree. When you scale it down to individuals who have true suffering to deal with, it's hard to imagine they will place the Panamanian Golden Frog on the same level importance as they struggles that keep them mired.

Correct.

brianlux

rgambs said:

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

The way I see it, you sort of have the analogy backward. Worrying about the environment when you can't afford food or can't marry and direct the medical care of the person you love deeply is like worrying about painting the eaves on a house that is burning down around you.
Social and socioeconomic issues have direct, tangible effects on a person's well-being and happiness. Environmental issues are a distant concern, even with changing climate and desperately shrinking biodiversity, the time has not yet come when those issues will impact us all in painful, unforgettable ways.

It sucks, we are a short-sighted race of fools.

But about the rest of animal life? Are we the only ones who count? Anthropocentric thinking only sees life, our planet and the universe from a human perspective. Biocentric thinking sees all of it as all encompassing, all valuable and all interconnected. Many people think we are more important or above all other life. The irony is that such a limited viewpoint is actually counter productive to our own well being!

But don't listen to me, Gambs. I really do encourage you to check out E. O. Wilson's book!

I understand what you are saying, and in the grandest, biggest scale, I completely agree. When you scale it down to individuals who have true suffering to deal with, it's hard to imagine they will place the Panamanian Golden Frog on the same level importance as they struggles that keep them mired.

Ergo, by that logic, there must be a lot of true suffering going on with AMT folks because generally we don't discuss environment much here relative to other subjects. But I think my point is lost or sunk here. Do I at least get a silver star for trying? LOL.

PJfanwillneverleave1

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

The way I see it, you sort of have the analogy backward. Worrying about the environment when you can't afford food or can't marry and direct the medical care of the person you love deeply is like worrying about painting the eaves on a house that is burning down around you.
Social and socioeconomic issues have direct, tangible effects on a person's well-being and happiness. Environmental issues are a distant concern, even with changing climate and desperately shrinking biodiversity, the time has not yet come when those issues will impact us all in painful, unforgettable ways.

It sucks, we are a short-sighted race of fools.

But about the rest of animal life? Are we the only ones who count? Anthropocentric thinking only sees life, our planet and the universe from a human perspective. Biocentric thinking sees all of it as all encompassing, all valuable and all interconnected. Many people think we are more important or above all other life. The irony is that such a limited viewpoint is actually counter productive to our own well being!

But don't listen to me, Gambs. I really do encourage you to check out E. O. Wilson's book!

I understand what you are saying, and in the grandest, biggest scale, I completely agree. When you scale it down to individuals who have true suffering to deal with, it's hard to imagine they will place the Panamanian Golden Frog on the same level importance as they struggles that keep them mired.

Ergo, by that logic, there must be a lot of true suffering going on with AMT folks because generally we don't discuss environment much here relative to other subjects. But I think my point is lost or sunk here. Do I at least get a silver star for trying? LOL.

hedonist

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

The way I see it, you sort of have the analogy backward. Worrying about the environment when you can't afford food or can't marry and direct the medical care of the person you love deeply is like worrying about painting the eaves on a house that is burning down around you.
Social and socioeconomic issues have direct, tangible effects on a person's well-being and happiness. Environmental issues are a distant concern, even with changing climate and desperately shrinking biodiversity, the time has not yet come when those issues will impact us all in painful, unforgettable ways.

It sucks, we are a short-sighted race of fools.

But about the rest of animal life? Are we the only ones who count? Anthropocentric thinking only sees life, our planet and the universe from a human perspective. Biocentric thinking sees all of it as all encompassing, all valuable and all interconnected. Many people think we are more important or above all other life. The irony is that such a limited viewpoint is actually counter productive to our own well being!

But don't listen to me, Gambs. I really do encourage you to check out E. O. Wilson's book!

I understand what you are saying, and in the grandest, biggest scale, I completely agree. When you scale it down to individuals who have true suffering to deal with, it's hard to imagine they will place the Panamanian Golden Frog on the same level importance as they struggles that keep them mired.

Ergo, by that logic, there must be a lot of true suffering going on with AMT folks because generally we don't discuss environment much here relative to other subjects. But I think my point is lost or sunk here. Do I at least get a silver star for trying? LOL.

I did get your point, just see it from a different perspective. And I think environmental issues are mentioned quite frequently in this forum.

There are many going through their own shit who don't necessarily mention it here. Myself included.

Maybe the term true suffering is relative?

BS44325

hedonist said:

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

The way I see it, you sort of have the analogy backward. Worrying about the environment when you can't afford food or can't marry and direct the medical care of the person you love deeply is like worrying about painting the eaves on a house that is burning down around you.
Social and socioeconomic issues have direct, tangible effects on a person's well-being and happiness. Environmental issues are a distant concern, even with changing climate and desperately shrinking biodiversity, the time has not yet come when those issues will impact us all in painful, unforgettable ways.

It sucks, we are a short-sighted race of fools.

But about the rest of animal life? Are we the only ones who count? Anthropocentric thinking only sees life, our planet and the universe from a human perspective. Biocentric thinking sees all of it as all encompassing, all valuable and all interconnected. Many people think we are more important or above all other life. The irony is that such a limited viewpoint is actually counter productive to our own well being!

But don't listen to me, Gambs. I really do encourage you to check out E. O. Wilson's book!

I understand what you are saying, and in the grandest, biggest scale, I completely agree. When you scale it down to individuals who have true suffering to deal with, it's hard to imagine they will place the Panamanian Golden Frog on the same level importance as they struggles that keep them mired.

Ergo, by that logic, there must be a lot of true suffering going on with AMT folks because generally we don't discuss environment much here relative to other subjects. But I think my point is lost or sunk here. Do I at least get a silver star for trying? LOL.

I did get your point, just see it from a different perspective. And I think environmental issues are mentioned quite frequently in this forum.

There are many going through their own shit who don't necessarily mention it here. Myself included.

Maybe the term true suffering is relative?

Let's get real...Nobody on here is suffering as much as the Panamian Golden Frog.

PJfanwillneverleave1

BS44325 said:

hedonist said:

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

The way I see it, you sort of have the analogy backward. Worrying about the environment when you can't afford food or can't marry and direct the medical care of the person you love deeply is like worrying about painting the eaves on a house that is burning down around you.
Social and socioeconomic issues have direct, tangible effects on a person's well-being and happiness. Environmental issues are a distant concern, even with changing climate and desperately shrinking biodiversity, the time has not yet come when those issues will impact us all in painful, unforgettable ways.

It sucks, we are a short-sighted race of fools.

But about the rest of animal life? Are we the only ones who count? Anthropocentric thinking only sees life, our planet and the universe from a human perspective. Biocentric thinking sees all of it as all encompassing, all valuable and all interconnected. Many people think we are more important or above all other life. The irony is that such a limited viewpoint is actually counter productive to our own well being!

But don't listen to me, Gambs. I really do encourage you to check out E. O. Wilson's book!

I understand what you are saying, and in the grandest, biggest scale, I completely agree. When you scale it down to individuals who have true suffering to deal with, it's hard to imagine they will place the Panamanian Golden Frog on the same level importance as they struggles that keep them mired.

Ergo, by that logic, there must be a lot of true suffering going on with AMT folks because generally we don't discuss environment much here relative to other subjects. But I think my point is lost or sunk here. Do I at least get a silver star for trying? LOL.

I did get your point, just see it from a different perspective. And I think environmental issues are mentioned quite frequently in this forum.

There are many going through their own shit who don't necessarily mention it here. Myself included.

Maybe the term true suffering is relative?

Let's get real...Nobody on here is suffering as much as the Panamian Golden Frog.

rrribit

rgambs

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

brianlux said:

rgambs said:

The way I see it, you sort of have the analogy backward. Worrying about the environment when you can't afford food or can't marry and direct the medical care of the person you love deeply is like worrying about painting the eaves on a house that is burning down around you.
Social and socioeconomic issues have direct, tangible effects on a person's well-being and happiness. Environmental issues are a distant concern, even with changing climate and desperately shrinking biodiversity, the time has not yet come when those issues will impact us all in painful, unforgettable ways.

It sucks, we are a short-sighted race of fools.

But about the rest of animal life? Are we the only ones who count? Anthropocentric thinking only sees life, our planet and the universe from a human perspective. Biocentric thinking sees all of it as all encompassing, all valuable and all interconnected. Many people think we are more important or above all other life. The irony is that such a limited viewpoint is actually counter productive to our own well being!

But don't listen to me, Gambs. I really do encourage you to check out E. O. Wilson's book!

I understand what you are saying, and in the grandest, biggest scale, I completely agree. When you scale it down to individuals who have true suffering to deal with, it's hard to imagine they will place the Panamanian Golden Frog on the same level importance as they struggles that keep them mired.

Ergo, by that logic, there must be a lot of true suffering going on with AMT folks because generally we don't discuss environment much here relative to other subjects. But I think my point is lost or sunk here. Do I at least get a silver star for trying? LOL.

I see what you mean, I wonder is it because we have enough consensus that it makes the discussions less entertaining? Maybe somewhat, but that doesn't account for it entirely.
To preface this next part, I mean no disrespect to anyone here, and even if many of you are included in this observation directly, I still don't mean it in a judgemental way and I know it is a generalization.
I think that the "generation" most heavily represented here (and in media and life in general) is the generation of humans that are the most disconnected from the environment yet. I am speaking of those from age 40 to 60, roughly. The economy was just super stable and technology was growing so fast, so many of the things which keep us tethered to the natural world were rendered unnecessary or obsolete. Growing and preserving, mechanical repairs, building, hunting, fishing and enjoying the woods, appreciation of the seasons, living outside the city...all things that were held by one generation and dropped by the next. The growth of the cities and the urban/suburbanation of the country has so much to do with it. I often feel like I am the only poster on these boards that lives anywhere near the solitude that was once a near-universal experience for humanity. I would bet my farm there are people here who think that a city of a half million people is a small town lol
Of course many would jump to millenials, but those of you who are older truly wouldn't believe how common and huge a trend it is for "hipsters" and many others to be getting back to nature. Hikers, yakers, climbers, and most importantly (to me) homesteaders, farmers, and gardeners. The skills and pursuits that were dropped in the 70s, 80s, and 90s are being picked back up and many are heading back out of the cities to find a different, simpler way of life.
Then again, many of them are closer to their devices than they are to any flesh and blood people in their life, so maybe not.

All I know for sure Brian, is that many, many of us under 35 care deeply about the environment on a micro and macro scale. Personally, I live so deeply in the minutiae of natural life that I can scarcely lift my eyes to the biggest problems we face.
I feel like that shares a kinship with a Wendell Berry style of perspective: "Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red (black in my case) berries in a cup."

It is berry season, an hour and a half each day or 3 hours every other day to harvest what the world gives freely, and with deep love, to those who are open to reaping. Rain has been sparse this year, but life is hanging on. It was the year of the 17 year cicadas and the pressure on our fruit trees and berry bushes is just now letting up as the din subsides. The days of spinach, peas, mint, nesting barnswallows and beautiful dames rocket are passing into the days of beets, berries, bumblebees, baby bunnies, Indian paintbrush and ox-eye daisies. Soon these will pass too, and it will be the time of pesky yellow-jackets, fresh tomatoes, peppers and squash, cabbage and potatoes and onions, goldenrod and wild mustard will make the world yellow and pokeberries will accent it with the deepest of purples. It is a wonderful world out there.

Manifesto:
The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

by Wendell Berry

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.

And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.

When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.

Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.

Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.

Listen to carrion -- put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.

Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.

As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go.

Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

rgambs

Ergo, by that logic, there must be a lot of true suffering going on with AMT folks because generally we don't discuss environment much here relative to other subjects. But I think my point is lost or sunk here. Do I at least get a silver star for trying? LOL.

I see what you mean, I wonder is it because we have enough consensus that it makes the discussions less entertaining? Maybe somewhat, but that doesn't account for it entirely.
To preface this next part, I mean no disrespect to anyone here, and even if many of you are included in this observation directly, I still don't mean it in a judgemental way and I know it is a generalization.
I think that the "generation" most heavily represented here (and in media and life in general) is the generation of humans that are the most disconnected from the environment yet. I am speaking of those from age 40 to 60, roughly. The economy was just super stable and technology was growing so fast, so many of the things which keep us tethered to the natural world were rendered unnecessary or obsolete. Growing and preserving, mechanical repairs, building, hunting, fishing and enjoying the woods, appreciation of the seasons, living outside the city...all things that were held by one generation and dropped by the next. The growth of the cities and the urban/suburbanation of the country has so much to do with it. I often feel like I am the only poster on these boards that lives anywhere near the solitude that was once a near-universal experience for humanity. I would bet my farm there are people here who think that a city of a half million people is a small town lol
Of course many would jump to millenials, but those of you who are older truly wouldn't believe how common and huge a trend it is for "hipsters" and many others to be getting back to nature. Hikers, yakers, climbers, and most importantly (to me) homesteaders, farmers, and gardeners. The skills and pursuits that were dropped in the 70s, 80s, and 90s are being picked back up and many are heading back out of the cities to find a different, simpler way of life.
Then again, many of them are closer to their devices than they are to any flesh and blood people in their life, so maybe not.

All I know for sure Brian, is that many, many of us under 35 care deeply about the environment on a micro and macro scale. Personally, I live so deeply in the minutiae of natural life that I can scarcely lift my eyes to the biggest problems we face.
I feel like that shares a kinship with a Wendell Berry style of perspective: "Better than any argument is to rise at dawn and pick dew-wet red (black in my case) berries in a cup."

It is berry season, an hour and a half each day or 3 hours every other day to harvest what the world gives freely, and with deep love, to those who are open to reaping. Rain has been sparse this year, but life is hanging on. It was the year of the 17 year cicadas and the pressure on our fruit trees and berry bushes is just now letting up as the din subsides. The days of spinach, peas, mint, nesting barnswallows and beautiful dames rocket are passing into the days of beets, berries, bumblebees, baby bunnies, Indian paintbrush and ox-eye daisies. Soon these will pass too, and it will be the time of pesky yellow-jackets, fresh tomatoes, peppers and squash, cabbage and potatoes and onions, goldenrod and wild mustard will make the world yellow and pokeberries will accent it with the deepest of purples. It is a wonderful world out there.

Manifesto:
The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

by Wendell Berry

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.

And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.

When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.
So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.

Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.

Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.

Listen to carrion -- put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.

Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.

As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go.

Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.