I have been hesitant about watching that film. I almost feel like I need to guard my heart from adding things that haven't happened yet to the things that are happening. The politics of this day are shocking to me (how the hell did we get here?...how the hell do we get out?). I'm trying to shrink my life by concentrating on what is directly in front of me...the land...the sky...people I love...people I want to love better. Wonderful and thoughtful piece Laurie Stone.
My partner and I became acquainted in late middle-age and have managed to strengthen our relationship even as we enter early-stage finality. We are Alaskans, already removed from the mainstream. We both have retained our Whole Earth Catalog hippie-era attitudes of shunning toxic consumerism. We grow, gather, forage and catch most of our food. We now live in our state’s largest city with a population less than some neighborhoods in the rest of the world. We wouldn’t classify ourselves as survivalists, but do have the skill sets and, despite old age, the physical ability, to live off-grid. We have no desire to do so, however. Our house is heated with natural gas and we are connected to city water/sewer, electrical and internet services. We have lived without those conveniences, but have happily succumbed to enjoying those basic comforts, although we both refuse to watch TV. We are aware of the madness of the world, the insanity of MAGA, and our local political and social dysfunction. We each have bright, curious and innocent grandkids, so we try to be optimistic, but that is becoming more difficult. All I can do is keep on keeping on. I’ll walk over to my son’s house soon and take the g’daughter to kindergarten by sled. We’ll sing and laugh en route as if all is right and good in the world. As I walk back home, I’ll be wondering when my microcosm of perfection will evolve into Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’. I don’t see any other likely outcomes. Sigh.
Thank you for this extraordinary piece. "We’re not detached from reality, but we’re made to feel we are by the consuming ideology of violence and of war as uppermost contemplations. On the last day of my life, I hope I will also laugh." Such potent words.
I found this so interesting, wide ranging and engaging. I also loved the line about Bacon and Hawke (they sound like a cut-price firm of lawyers). I am with you on rejecting the history of wars as a model of history. I think a good place to look for a different view of our origins as political beings is here: The Dawn of Everything https://g.co/kgs/VnvPKn if you haven't already found it.
Lots of food for thought in this piece! Really resonate with this in particular: "In the history of human narratives and in the popular imagination, war exists in the category of male preoccupations. The glamor of war is male, and often things that are not related to war are considered not that male. People read about things that excite them and do things that excite them. As long as people are excited by thinking about war and by considering war the most serious subject that people can contemplate, there will be a market in the imagination for war. As long as there is a market in the imagination for war, there will be wars."
Every time there is another violent conflict around the globe, it is revealed that a few power-hungry, ruthless men have yet again put the dignity, safety, and lives of thousands or even millions of women, children, and other men on the line for some petty matter of pride. It's embarrassing to our humanity that we keep going through cycles of violence at the hands of a few men in power when there are so, so many other ways to envision our world.
This was a very compelling read that I didn't anticipate getting so hooked into, but I got hooked! So cool where you took your theme and thoughts. You managed to set some sparks off in my brain on a morning where I'm feeling tired and a wee bit despondent. I actually found this read inspiring. Maybe because you point out that we do have strategies for "survival" and we do have a fighting chance if we need to rely on them? Something like that. Anyway, thanks for your words.
oh wow, this exactly encapsulates so much of what i'm feeling these days: the desire to escape all the horrors of real life and the guilt of being irresponsible, disconnected. it is terrible having to imagine these escape hatches, tho i suppose every generation throughout civilization has had to. (and i haven't even watched the movie yet!) here we are, still. i'm grateful for any nugget of joy and wonder and intelligence—so i'm really grateful for this post. all the connections made, the jump cuts and looping back, the comedy and poignancy. this is one to bookmark.
Thank you for putting that into words. The history of war and all the theatre of it bores me too! I'm trying to write non-violence-focused narratives and it sometimes feels like that's the only thing that "matters". Thank you again.
Thank you, Laurie and Sari, for the thoughtful conversation you've inspired. I appreciated the book more than the film (well, the film up to the point my husband and I turned it off because we're disturbed enough by the everydayness of war and suffering, we don't need it in our entertainment, or maybe we do--yes, I can hear Horace whispering in my ear, the job of art is to inform and delight--but the inform part overwhelmed the delight part.) As always, I appreciate your take on things, Laurie.
"Another thing we’re told about aging is that life shrinks back. The meat falls away from the bone. You stand there, saying goodbye to people and your hopes as they recede. This, I find, isn’t true. Anything can always happen. Friends can arrive you had no idea existed. I can see Richard and me living a whole new life..."
I hope you and Richard don't have to flee for four years. But if you do, I know we will be hearing wonderful things about your new place!
Ahh this is a great piece on so many levels! I haven’t watched the movie yet but wanted to add, for whatever it’s worth -- that Alam’s book is ENTIRELY character driven. We never see scenes of what’s actually happening (they’re too isolated and afraid to go out) so the story is all in the mystery, and how primal fear of unknown plays out among the four main characters brought together under strained circumstances. Similar pressures and questions, but far less “message” as so much is left to the imagination of the reader. It’s the reason I’m hesitant to watch the film (but I’m so glad it’s not just me on the Bacon/Hawke thing and part of me wants to watch just for that!) Thank you for sharing this!
I think we all got a taste of this during Covid lockdown, with the empty grocery store shelves and fighting over toilet paper. Nothing can seem farfetched after worrying about a virus so severe that doctors and nurses had to wear Hazmat suits.
We 'joke' that our friends will protect us: one husband is a hunter (I guess I'll learn to like game) and another is a former Marine. As we have nothing to trade, we will do our best to entertain and take care of the homes.
In addition, I just saw a trailer for a movie called 'Civil War' with Kirsten Dunst as a Journalist. Apparently Texas and California band together to secede?
Excellent commentary, Laurie! I hope the film will make more and more people see the danger of disconnection and polarity, how it makes a society vulnerable.
I have been hesitant about watching that film. I almost feel like I need to guard my heart from adding things that haven't happened yet to the things that are happening. The politics of this day are shocking to me (how the hell did we get here?...how the hell do we get out?). I'm trying to shrink my life by concentrating on what is directly in front of me...the land...the sky...people I love...people I want to love better. Wonderful and thoughtful piece Laurie Stone.
My partner and I became acquainted in late middle-age and have managed to strengthen our relationship even as we enter early-stage finality. We are Alaskans, already removed from the mainstream. We both have retained our Whole Earth Catalog hippie-era attitudes of shunning toxic consumerism. We grow, gather, forage and catch most of our food. We now live in our state’s largest city with a population less than some neighborhoods in the rest of the world. We wouldn’t classify ourselves as survivalists, but do have the skill sets and, despite old age, the physical ability, to live off-grid. We have no desire to do so, however. Our house is heated with natural gas and we are connected to city water/sewer, electrical and internet services. We have lived without those conveniences, but have happily succumbed to enjoying those basic comforts, although we both refuse to watch TV. We are aware of the madness of the world, the insanity of MAGA, and our local political and social dysfunction. We each have bright, curious and innocent grandkids, so we try to be optimistic, but that is becoming more difficult. All I can do is keep on keeping on. I’ll walk over to my son’s house soon and take the g’daughter to kindergarten by sled. We’ll sing and laugh en route as if all is right and good in the world. As I walk back home, I’ll be wondering when my microcosm of perfection will evolve into Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Road’. I don’t see any other likely outcomes. Sigh.
Thank you for this extraordinary piece. "We’re not detached from reality, but we’re made to feel we are by the consuming ideology of violence and of war as uppermost contemplations. On the last day of my life, I hope I will also laugh." Such potent words.
I found this so interesting, wide ranging and engaging. I also loved the line about Bacon and Hawke (they sound like a cut-price firm of lawyers). I am with you on rejecting the history of wars as a model of history. I think a good place to look for a different view of our origins as political beings is here: The Dawn of Everything https://g.co/kgs/VnvPKn if you haven't already found it.
Lots of food for thought in this piece! Really resonate with this in particular: "In the history of human narratives and in the popular imagination, war exists in the category of male preoccupations. The glamor of war is male, and often things that are not related to war are considered not that male. People read about things that excite them and do things that excite them. As long as people are excited by thinking about war and by considering war the most serious subject that people can contemplate, there will be a market in the imagination for war. As long as there is a market in the imagination for war, there will be wars."
Every time there is another violent conflict around the globe, it is revealed that a few power-hungry, ruthless men have yet again put the dignity, safety, and lives of thousands or even millions of women, children, and other men on the line for some petty matter of pride. It's embarrassing to our humanity that we keep going through cycles of violence at the hands of a few men in power when there are so, so many other ways to envision our world.
This was a very compelling read that I didn't anticipate getting so hooked into, but I got hooked! So cool where you took your theme and thoughts. You managed to set some sparks off in my brain on a morning where I'm feeling tired and a wee bit despondent. I actually found this read inspiring. Maybe because you point out that we do have strategies for "survival" and we do have a fighting chance if we need to rely on them? Something like that. Anyway, thanks for your words.
Heavy pain. Heavy joy. As an old friend and I used to say. The both of us laughing. And crying too.
So much to think about here — I appreciated the ideas you've woven together here, Laurie. Thanks for publishing this, Sari!
oh wow, this exactly encapsulates so much of what i'm feeling these days: the desire to escape all the horrors of real life and the guilt of being irresponsible, disconnected. it is terrible having to imagine these escape hatches, tho i suppose every generation throughout civilization has had to. (and i haven't even watched the movie yet!) here we are, still. i'm grateful for any nugget of joy and wonder and intelligence—so i'm really grateful for this post. all the connections made, the jump cuts and looping back, the comedy and poignancy. this is one to bookmark.
You made me want to see the film, Laurie, even with the flaws you mentioned. Also, do you have a recipe for avoiding media about TFG? I need it.
Thank you for putting that into words. The history of war and all the theatre of it bores me too! I'm trying to write non-violence-focused narratives and it sometimes feels like that's the only thing that "matters". Thank you again.
Thank you, Laurie and Sari, for the thoughtful conversation you've inspired. I appreciated the book more than the film (well, the film up to the point my husband and I turned it off because we're disturbed enough by the everydayness of war and suffering, we don't need it in our entertainment, or maybe we do--yes, I can hear Horace whispering in my ear, the job of art is to inform and delight--but the inform part overwhelmed the delight part.) As always, I appreciate your take on things, Laurie.
"Another thing we’re told about aging is that life shrinks back. The meat falls away from the bone. You stand there, saying goodbye to people and your hopes as they recede. This, I find, isn’t true. Anything can always happen. Friends can arrive you had no idea existed. I can see Richard and me living a whole new life..."
I hope you and Richard don't have to flee for four years. But if you do, I know we will be hearing wonderful things about your new place!
Ahh this is a great piece on so many levels! I haven’t watched the movie yet but wanted to add, for whatever it’s worth -- that Alam’s book is ENTIRELY character driven. We never see scenes of what’s actually happening (they’re too isolated and afraid to go out) so the story is all in the mystery, and how primal fear of unknown plays out among the four main characters brought together under strained circumstances. Similar pressures and questions, but far less “message” as so much is left to the imagination of the reader. It’s the reason I’m hesitant to watch the film (but I’m so glad it’s not just me on the Bacon/Hawke thing and part of me wants to watch just for that!) Thank you for sharing this!
If you make it to Lyme, let me know! We're just down the coast from there.
I think we all got a taste of this during Covid lockdown, with the empty grocery store shelves and fighting over toilet paper. Nothing can seem farfetched after worrying about a virus so severe that doctors and nurses had to wear Hazmat suits.
We 'joke' that our friends will protect us: one husband is a hunter (I guess I'll learn to like game) and another is a former Marine. As we have nothing to trade, we will do our best to entertain and take care of the homes.
In addition, I just saw a trailer for a movie called 'Civil War' with Kirsten Dunst as a Journalist. Apparently Texas and California band together to secede?
Excellent commentary, Laurie! I hope the film will make more and more people see the danger of disconnection and polarity, how it makes a society vulnerable.