Posted by john on June 11, 2002 at 15:05:27:
In Reply to: laboring for full manifestation: repost: correct version posted by giveawayboy on June 10, 2002 at 08:49:09:
I get it Bill. I know how you see things. Honestly, I intend my responses more for the people who don't respond, or who pipe in once but won't continue the conversation. While you and I are as usual saying the same thing from different angles, i am more concerned with those who ARE content with the flickers. Those who say things like, "oh that bird is so pretty, let's go to the new mall that destoryed 100 acres of it's habitat." I'm not directing this at anyone personally, but it goes beyond idle sentiment. You want to change the city by embracing it. I want to come to the same result by rejecting it... or rather the premis on which it is founded. I know we can't all move out, but we need to have the attitude that we are not satisfied with things as they are. We need to voice this in some way, either by investing in social programs, or refusing to invest in detrimental programs. But to say we like healthy nature (not the pretty park sense, but the real wild chi-giving sense) and then go on with our lifestyle that funds the distruction is hypocritical, and frankly, the bottom-line capitalists aren't concerned with our opinions. We have to put our money, and time where our mouths are. If you spend time promoting healthy conceptions of cities in art and in social work, that becomes part of the collective conscious. If I refuse to buy unneccessary material goods. If I spread my skills and tell people they don't need the consumer culture, that too becomes a part of the conscious and both affect how people spend money and that affects what goes on TV and into Stores, and what gets built.
: :: But my question is are we going to be content with the candle flickers? Are we going to huddle around the tiny flames when we could experience the absolute conflagration? I am not content with any less. I don't understand how people can find this mutilated shred of hope and be content with that. It only fuels my desire to see the full beauty manifested.
:
: : I guess what I'm saying is that at some point we need to be content with the lack, but not give up our desire for the full manifestation. I don't mean by content that we are content and do not wish to change it. It's only that we should be content to stay on and labor to bring something to full manifestation or greater manifestation, than abandon it and labor somewhere else apart from the place where the seeds are already planted and trying to grow. Also, look at Gaudi, look at Hundertwasser. Here are two architects that worked within cities who reenchanted cities. Hey John--I'm trying to work w ya here. Hope you get my drift. Read in [positive tone/energy]here. Thanks. Maybe I'm just too into the INDIGO GIRLS lately.
: : O.K. See ya, Bill