"The skin of the restless sea laps at our feet ..." is a reflection of not just a truth in action but the metaphor of our relationships and understanding. We are daily, often within moments, challenged by our binary selves.
There is a fascinating undertow within this piece that I look forward to resting with today.
So beautifully written and so powerfully freighted with deep insights. One of your best. In my morning liturgy there's a passage,
"Homage to the awakening of the Buddha, which transcends the vehicles, the lineages, the doctrinal and philosophical systems and all such fabrications so wearisome."
I say this standing and facing two lit incense sticks symbolizing the dualities, the maps we seek to impose on reality. The x and y coordinates we bind ourselves to in a restless sea of constant change.
Now not to bring religion into it, just substitute "truth seeker" for "Buddha". There are fictions that we feel serve the truth and fictions that we feel oppose the truth but in the end they are all fictions, even "Truth" itself. It is then that we find ourselves in the trackless wastes of Antarctica, all maps blown away.
Jason, Thoughtful as usual. I love this sentence. "I like the idea that the surface of the ocean is already above sea level…" Food for thought. Thanks. David
Thanks, David. I was happy with that line too, though I didn't see any of my sources saying it. So it's possible that the geniuses calculating the geoidal sea level might not agree with my poetic license.
As always, Jason, you've expanded and enriched my mind with ideas. And thanks for mentioning my essay. You actually filled in some of the blanks that troubled me as I wrote, mostly that, yeah, the tides may be reliable, but by burning things we humans have managed to alter their intensity and impact.
Thank you, Bryan. Yes, now there's our turbulence atop the normal turbulence.
I'm always happy to link my writing to yours. You've reminded me to take a walk with Heather to see who's floating in the bay here. Never seen a King Eider (other than the local pub by that name), so should make a goal of that.
But what REALLY intrigues me is what is REALLY at the top of your mind as I watch it bubble over; forcefully spilling into your article about the recent existential capture of America. Quotes such as (but not limited to) "Christian nationalists in the White House using the New Testament as a fascist bludgeon."
I would LOVE it if you could take the time to tease apart a well examined analysis of this incredible moment in US and global history, and why it has captured so much of your current psyche.
Thank you, Keir. I appreciate your invitation here. My focus is on this moment (and its deep future) in human and natural history, but that topic is already as deep and broad as the natural and human worlds... Political realities are an essential element to all this, but I limit my commentary to how they interact with policy or, in a more general sense, to what they say about how we got into this mess.
As for the sentence you quote, that's a quick take on Project 2025 and what I've read in it and about it. I'm not well-read enough on any of the elements in that sentence to go much deeper, and certainly the Field Guide isn't the best venue for it.
Or maybe I've misunderstood your idea here. Feel free to clarify. Certainly, the Field Guide exists to express how the Anthropocene has captured so much of my current psyche, but the nexus of politics and religion is just one of many aspects.
You have a very sharp mind, With keen insights on the topics you discuss. So yeah It would be Fascinating to get your reflections On the crazy things that are going on in american politics.
As to the connection to the anthropocene, People like trump, or Mussolini and hitler in the past, These people seem to reflect something Deep within our evolutionary psyche, That draws us to perceived strong men, to our own detriment, And seemingly to the detriment of Our society and perhaps way of life. Fascinating meanderings At the intersection of politics, religion, human nature, and a continuing series of head scratching poor choices
That's very kind of you to say, Keir. As you say, there's such a deep and complex mix of influences on the U.S. electorate today. Much of it is radically intensified by the level of disinformation possible on social media. I just heard today that a tiny fraction of users, maybe less than 1%, is responsible for most of the active mis- and disinformation campaigns, which makes me wonder how "divided" we really are beneath the surface. Anyway, everything we're experiencing now has both political precedent and evolutionary footing, as you point out, which means it's all both fixable and here to stay...
Wow, I am continually amazed by the quality of writing, and more importantly the insight fullness, of many pieces on Substack. Who knew there was so many thoughtful and amazing minds in this world?
In reflecting on the theme of this piece, I’m reminded of another fundamental truth we tend to overlook or paper over with a lot of abstract and subjective concepts. At our very core, we are animals that evolved in a very specific environment. Homo Sapiens. Many of the things we think we know or understand are just manifestations of our basic nature and fundamental needs. Shelter, safety, water, food, sex. We seek to fill unmet needs in ever more abstract and complex ways and the more we strive, the less satisfied we seem. Before we kill the whole planet in this pursuit, we should probably stop and reflect on how little we actually need to be whole.
Thank you, Paul. Substack is a rapidly broadening "ecosystem" of writers and readers that is populated with some truly wonderful thinkers. (Like any ecosystem it's actually getting a bit overwhelming...)
And yes, absolutely, we're a species like any other, an animal like any other, and an ecological community member like any other, in nearly all ways. (I often describe the key difference between humans and the rest of life as the ability and willingness to reimagine the world.) This troubling point in time is characterized by how we're acquiring what we need/want, as you say, and how many of us are doing it, but I'd qualify that by saying that the Anthropocene "we" is not the ancient "we". The entities driving the harmful nature of consumption are often artificial - incorporated companies driven solely by their own abstract wants - rather than human. And that artifice driving consumption is a primary reasons why those of us consuming are not satisfied by it. There's a lot more going on, too, as you note.
Nature is resilient; industrial humans are planet-destroying monsters. Reducing harm means reducing industrialism which nobody wants to do. It's always more growth, more people. Always.
Lovely writing, and wise. Earth as ballast for sanity.
Thank you, Rob. Ballast is the perfect word here.
"The skin of the restless sea laps at our feet ..." is a reflection of not just a truth in action but the metaphor of our relationships and understanding. We are daily, often within moments, challenged by our binary selves.
There is a fascinating undertow within this piece that I look forward to resting with today.
Thank you, Stacy. Enjoy your day; happy that the writing is part of it.
So beautifully written and so powerfully freighted with deep insights. One of your best. In my morning liturgy there's a passage,
"Homage to the awakening of the Buddha, which transcends the vehicles, the lineages, the doctrinal and philosophical systems and all such fabrications so wearisome."
I say this standing and facing two lit incense sticks symbolizing the dualities, the maps we seek to impose on reality. The x and y coordinates we bind ourselves to in a restless sea of constant change.
Thank you, Michael. A restless sea of constant change, indeed. And yet it calms us.
Sorry Jason, to wax so abstractly, but after recent events in my life I'm looking at some things sub specie aeternitatis!
No apologies, Michael. Wax on, please. I always look forward to it. And yes, my writing this week also finds a breather by looking to the horizon.
Now not to bring religion into it, just substitute "truth seeker" for "Buddha". There are fictions that we feel serve the truth and fictions that we feel oppose the truth but in the end they are all fictions, even "Truth" itself. It is then that we find ourselves in the trackless wastes of Antarctica, all maps blown away.
Love this piece, so gentle, but cuts deeply to the heart of many of our problems. Thank you.
Thank you, Geoffrey. That's nicely said.
Your essay was exceptional. It showed a peace and perspective desperately needed.
Jason, Thoughtful as usual. I love this sentence. "I like the idea that the surface of the ocean is already above sea level…" Food for thought. Thanks. David
Thanks, David. I was happy with that line too, though I didn't see any of my sources saying it. So it's possible that the geniuses calculating the geoidal sea level might not agree with my poetic license.
As always, Jason, you've expanded and enriched my mind with ideas. And thanks for mentioning my essay. You actually filled in some of the blanks that troubled me as I wrote, mostly that, yeah, the tides may be reliable, but by burning things we humans have managed to alter their intensity and impact.
Thank you, Bryan. Yes, now there's our turbulence atop the normal turbulence.
I'm always happy to link my writing to yours. You've reminded me to take a walk with Heather to see who's floating in the bay here. Never seen a King Eider (other than the local pub by that name), so should make a goal of that.
My aspiration now is to meet up with you at The King Eider!
I'd love that. Looking forward to it.
Beautiful, thank you
Really nice piece of writing.
But what REALLY intrigues me is what is REALLY at the top of your mind as I watch it bubble over; forcefully spilling into your article about the recent existential capture of America. Quotes such as (but not limited to) "Christian nationalists in the White House using the New Testament as a fascist bludgeon."
I would LOVE it if you could take the time to tease apart a well examined analysis of this incredible moment in US and global history, and why it has captured so much of your current psyche.
Thank you, Keir. I appreciate your invitation here. My focus is on this moment (and its deep future) in human and natural history, but that topic is already as deep and broad as the natural and human worlds... Political realities are an essential element to all this, but I limit my commentary to how they interact with policy or, in a more general sense, to what they say about how we got into this mess.
As for the sentence you quote, that's a quick take on Project 2025 and what I've read in it and about it. I'm not well-read enough on any of the elements in that sentence to go much deeper, and certainly the Field Guide isn't the best venue for it.
Or maybe I've misunderstood your idea here. Feel free to clarify. Certainly, the Field Guide exists to express how the Anthropocene has captured so much of my current psyche, but the nexus of politics and religion is just one of many aspects.
Again, thanks for chiming in.
You have a very sharp mind, With keen insights on the topics you discuss. So yeah It would be Fascinating to get your reflections On the crazy things that are going on in american politics.
As to the connection to the anthropocene, People like trump, or Mussolini and hitler in the past, These people seem to reflect something Deep within our evolutionary psyche, That draws us to perceived strong men, to our own detriment, And seemingly to the detriment of Our society and perhaps way of life. Fascinating meanderings At the intersection of politics, religion, human nature, and a continuing series of head scratching poor choices
That's very kind of you to say, Keir. As you say, there's such a deep and complex mix of influences on the U.S. electorate today. Much of it is radically intensified by the level of disinformation possible on social media. I just heard today that a tiny fraction of users, maybe less than 1%, is responsible for most of the active mis- and disinformation campaigns, which makes me wonder how "divided" we really are beneath the surface. Anyway, everything we're experiencing now has both political precedent and evolutionary footing, as you point out, which means it's all both fixable and here to stay...
Wow, I am continually amazed by the quality of writing, and more importantly the insight fullness, of many pieces on Substack. Who knew there was so many thoughtful and amazing minds in this world?
In reflecting on the theme of this piece, I’m reminded of another fundamental truth we tend to overlook or paper over with a lot of abstract and subjective concepts. At our very core, we are animals that evolved in a very specific environment. Homo Sapiens. Many of the things we think we know or understand are just manifestations of our basic nature and fundamental needs. Shelter, safety, water, food, sex. We seek to fill unmet needs in ever more abstract and complex ways and the more we strive, the less satisfied we seem. Before we kill the whole planet in this pursuit, we should probably stop and reflect on how little we actually need to be whole.
Thank you, Paul. Substack is a rapidly broadening "ecosystem" of writers and readers that is populated with some truly wonderful thinkers. (Like any ecosystem it's actually getting a bit overwhelming...)
And yes, absolutely, we're a species like any other, an animal like any other, and an ecological community member like any other, in nearly all ways. (I often describe the key difference between humans and the rest of life as the ability and willingness to reimagine the world.) This troubling point in time is characterized by how we're acquiring what we need/want, as you say, and how many of us are doing it, but I'd qualify that by saying that the Anthropocene "we" is not the ancient "we". The entities driving the harmful nature of consumption are often artificial - incorporated companies driven solely by their own abstract wants - rather than human. And that artifice driving consumption is a primary reasons why those of us consuming are not satisfied by it. There's a lot more going on, too, as you note.
That as no you Jason, that was a very intelligent and thoughtful read. I’m glad I’ve found your work.
Thank you, Jonathan. Happy to have you here.
Apologies Jason, I see my previous comment was a bit weird, it's supposed to say "Thank you" at the beginning 🙄
That's what I figured, Jonathan. Fingers and machines betray us in small ways all the time...
Nature is resilient; industrial humans are planet-destroying monsters. Reducing harm means reducing industrialism which nobody wants to do. It's always more growth, more people. Always.