Voting, the last bastion of mind control that civilization keeps on many of us anti-civilizationists. I mean, why not vote? All you have to do involves scribbling in a few bubbles and dropping the paper in a box. Voting can’t hurt, right? …Wrong!
Oh right. Week 34. Sorry. I have to admit, I haven’t done much hunting and gathering lately. I spend most of my time reading, laying in Penny Scout’s bed and surfing the internet at coffee shops. WTF?
The days have become short. I find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. I crave more protein. I would rather sit around a fire in a warm room and do absolutely nothing but stare into the ashes. But I have things to do.
“Civilization is not and can never be sustainable.â€
This is the first of fourteen premises in author Derrick Jensen’s revolutionary book Endgame. For the last decade Jensen has written articles and books concerning the problems of civilization and what we must do about them. In Endgame Jensen challenges the values and tactics of some of histories most influential pacifists, the sustainability™ movement and the painful games we play with those in power while trying to save what is left of our environment. The last time Jensen came to Portland, the Q and A went late into the night and ended with many questions unanswered. This time around Jensen is throwing out the reading and going straight to the Q and A!
Some of you may have heard of the worst drought in 100 years happening in the S.E. United States. A lot people these days know all about peak oil production, but I remember hearing a few cries in the wilderness claiming we would reach peak water production long before peak oil. Does this drought signify more than we think?
Since its inception civilization has created a value system of good vs. evil. The concept of good and evil (or the more scientific “right” and “wrong,” seems to permeate so much of our thought, that we have projected it onto indigenous mythologies as well. “Surely the notion of good and evil comes from human nature, not culture!” Perhaps if we look deeper, we may see that the notion of good and evil live and die with a culture of destruction.
I don’t see any other gentle way of saying this; I have cancer. Don’t freak out now, it won’t kill me. I found out a while ago, but haven’t said anything because I wanted to learn more about it before sharing something this personal with the world. They call it, “basal cell carcinoma.” It refers to a superficial, slow-growing skin cancer. Since it happens to live in the crook of my nostril I don’t feel so scared about it (aside from the horrific Michael Jackson fantasies).
I made this in 2002. Old school, yo.
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Dear Mr. Scout,How far do you intend to take your journey? Do you see yourself living full time in the wilderness or perhaps roaming the ‘wilderness’ of the burned out remains of industrial world?How many humans do you think the ecosystem can support? I think Jared Diamond reckons it’s around 10 million. That’s a huge die-off. Is it possible or desirable to compromise between completely wild living and maintaining a low impact village?
I grew up and live in the Sierra Nevada near Yosemite and know little about wild living but strive to learn more. I was pleased to run across your blog. It was inspiring to see a young person with courage and ingenuity.
Stay Wild
Darrin
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I thought I would post my the text of the intro I gave to the Road Warrior at the film center. I hoped to film it, but that sort of fell through. Anyway, enjoy!
