Since launching the Dendroica Project, I have sought to reserve this space for writings with an ecological spirituality theme while maintaining my old blog for more philosophical or scientific posts relevant to current events. These themes intersect when it comes to the larger picture of exactly where we are at collectively and where we might be headed, of attempting to explore deeper causal understandings of our never-ending series of crises and controversies and political battles, and I feel like such explorations belong here. So this will be a philosophical post – one that speaks more to the mind than to the heart. For more of a heart experience, I encourage revisiting last year’s Solstice post:
There are a few lines in here that are particularly resonant, Mark. Being here rather than getting somewhere. We stand to gain as much as we stand to lose. You and I are not safe from "observer bias" ourselves, but your observations are potent and cut deeper than any analysis of the daily news. Thanks again for provoking refreshed consideration of our condition.
Wonderful essay, Mark. This past week I have been meditating on the Quadrature of the Circle and I have come to the realization that it represents cycles. The transition of two opposites into four quarters that make a whole and how things cycle between them, constantly. Lets hear it for cycles.
Thanks Mark - the whole Musk thing is a strange one and for me there's these echos of Tony Stark and Depp in the movie 'Transcendence' that make him feel even more unreal and fictional.
Definite dissonance in the air so keeping some grounding close to home sounds good advice.
Mark, I'm so grateful I've encountered you in this busy and populous world. In your writing I see the jumble of ponderings, observations, and feelings I spend so much time trying to sort out inside my head penned so articulately that it would be easy to jokingly claim you are my more calm and mentally organized twin.
On another note, have you ever encountered a fellow named Joel Caris in the food systems world? It's probably been 8-9 years now since I first ran into his writing about peak oil/hard physical limits, the de-glorification (is that a word?) of Progress, and the heartsong of community connection and food. His writing reminds me of yours, and vice-versa. Some of his work and my reflections on it have served as points on a timeline for me in looking back and recognizing the progress I've made in my philosophy. As a kind of silly example, though one relevant to the organization you and I have both been participating in serving, I remember early in my readings of Joel's work, probably 2014 at the latest, he wrote that he didn't hesitate at spending $10 for a gallon of milk despite knowing he could buy a gallon at the local grocery story for about a quarter that price. He explained well his reasoning, all the sorts of things I don't have to explain to you about quality, local food systems support, knowing your food, building positive connections with other in your community, etc. I still remember my circa-2014 self mentally reeling along the lines of "That's all fine and good, but how can people afford to eat like that??" That's probably a good summary of the early stages of how I came to feel so passionate about the intersection of the economic strain so many feel, and the deserving food producers who just want to feed their community well without also being in constant economic stress.
The last couple of years I've sort of lost the thread on what Joel is up to and writing, but your essay here reminded me to go look up his work again. I wonder if you might enjoy it too. https://joelcaris.com
There are a few lines in here that are particularly resonant, Mark. Being here rather than getting somewhere. We stand to gain as much as we stand to lose. You and I are not safe from "observer bias" ourselves, but your observations are potent and cut deeper than any analysis of the daily news. Thanks again for provoking refreshed consideration of our condition.
Wonderful essay, Mark. This past week I have been meditating on the Quadrature of the Circle and I have come to the realization that it represents cycles. The transition of two opposites into four quarters that make a whole and how things cycle between them, constantly. Lets hear it for cycles.
Thanks Mark - the whole Musk thing is a strange one and for me there's these echos of Tony Stark and Depp in the movie 'Transcendence' that make him feel even more unreal and fictional.
Definite dissonance in the air so keeping some grounding close to home sounds good advice.
Mark, I'm so grateful I've encountered you in this busy and populous world. In your writing I see the jumble of ponderings, observations, and feelings I spend so much time trying to sort out inside my head penned so articulately that it would be easy to jokingly claim you are my more calm and mentally organized twin.
On another note, have you ever encountered a fellow named Joel Caris in the food systems world? It's probably been 8-9 years now since I first ran into his writing about peak oil/hard physical limits, the de-glorification (is that a word?) of Progress, and the heartsong of community connection and food. His writing reminds me of yours, and vice-versa. Some of his work and my reflections on it have served as points on a timeline for me in looking back and recognizing the progress I've made in my philosophy. As a kind of silly example, though one relevant to the organization you and I have both been participating in serving, I remember early in my readings of Joel's work, probably 2014 at the latest, he wrote that he didn't hesitate at spending $10 for a gallon of milk despite knowing he could buy a gallon at the local grocery story for about a quarter that price. He explained well his reasoning, all the sorts of things I don't have to explain to you about quality, local food systems support, knowing your food, building positive connections with other in your community, etc. I still remember my circa-2014 self mentally reeling along the lines of "That's all fine and good, but how can people afford to eat like that??" That's probably a good summary of the early stages of how I came to feel so passionate about the intersection of the economic strain so many feel, and the deserving food producers who just want to feed their community well without also being in constant economic stress.
The last couple of years I've sort of lost the thread on what Joel is up to and writing, but your essay here reminded me to go look up his work again. I wonder if you might enjoy it too. https://joelcaris.com