The Old Timers in Alaska will tell you there's an old "cabin code" out here. The code was a simple rule- that you never lock your cabin in case a wondering or lost soul needed to seek shelter there.
Unfortunately those days are coming to a close. I hear folks complain that cabins are now being vandalized instead. And it isn't hard to believe, considering how many wilderness areas I have hiked to, only to be met by relics of the previous weekends party: broken glass, shot gun shells and huge ruts where 4x4 action had taken place.
I'm trying to sort out in my own brain the reasons behind this kind of vandalism. Of course there is an adrenaline rush with the shooting, the drinking, the 4x4 riding. But the perplexing question is: why are there no thoughts of how one's behavior affects others?
Has our "right to party" really become the right to destroy others property? Or destroy the environment?
I can't help but feel that a society that encourages individual achievement above community fosters this type of thinking.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Can't Shake the Lawn Monkey off my Back
One of my most outspoken gripes against suburbia has always been the homogeneous, green lawns in front of all the homes. The street of my childhood was the worst offender. The keeping up with the Jones' lawn game was played at such a high level that it morphed into a mind-numbing traffic jam of landscapers and yard workers.
The strange, green glow emitted from these perfect lawns symbolized all that I found wrong with suburbia: intolerance of differences, boredom and egos based on financial status. I fantasized of burning obscenities in our front lawn grass just to scandalize the neighborhood.
Now, so many years later I sit on my acreage in Alaska, looking at my pseudo-lawn. At first I was so proud of how easily I could accept this field of dandelions, chick-weed, crab grass, dog burn spots and baby cottonwoods. I thought I was above the Suburban status quo!
Then the unspeakable happened--I began watering the dog burn spots. Next, I pulled the chickweed patches and planted arctic grass. Last summer I began obsessively mowing off the thousands of yellow dandelion heads that kept popping up throughout June. Oh I loved seeing the neat & tidy look of the freshly cut lawn.
What has been happening to me?? Why can't I shake the need to have a tidy green lawn?
I refuse to go down the path of weed and feed, but isn't the neatness I crave almost as bad?
After some thought, I surmised that somehow it is deeply embedded in me that an untidy lawn symbolizes laziness. It is something within me, that I won't easily shake. It's certainly not for the sake of conformity, especially when my current neighbors idea of lawn care is moving a rusty car from one end to the other. I suppose it is an interesting example of how your childhood environment can't easily be untaught. So I will continue to be a slave to the green beast.
The strange, green glow emitted from these perfect lawns symbolized all that I found wrong with suburbia: intolerance of differences, boredom and egos based on financial status. I fantasized of burning obscenities in our front lawn grass just to scandalize the neighborhood.
Now, so many years later I sit on my acreage in Alaska, looking at my pseudo-lawn. At first I was so proud of how easily I could accept this field of dandelions, chick-weed, crab grass, dog burn spots and baby cottonwoods. I thought I was above the Suburban status quo!
Then the unspeakable happened--I began watering the dog burn spots. Next, I pulled the chickweed patches and planted arctic grass. Last summer I began obsessively mowing off the thousands of yellow dandelion heads that kept popping up throughout June. Oh I loved seeing the neat & tidy look of the freshly cut lawn.
What has been happening to me?? Why can't I shake the need to have a tidy green lawn?
I refuse to go down the path of weed and feed, but isn't the neatness I crave almost as bad?
After some thought, I surmised that somehow it is deeply embedded in me that an untidy lawn symbolizes laziness. It is something within me, that I won't easily shake. It's certainly not for the sake of conformity, especially when my current neighbors idea of lawn care is moving a rusty car from one end to the other. I suppose it is an interesting example of how your childhood environment can't easily be untaught. So I will continue to be a slave to the green beast.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Human Brain is Not Wired for Annihilation
Lately I've seen quite a few disturbing numbers. Such as 90% of Iraqi children are experiencing PTSD or a large number of Darfur refugees have suffered complete emotional breakdowns. Those folks who question the validity of PTSD or anxiety symptoms during or after war and other violent acts, are simply lucky. In my opinion, most sane individuals who have seriously grieved or seen unspeakable acts of violence understand how profoundly that changes an individual.
Scientifically speaking, the human brain reacts chemically to such a stressor and tries to prepare you for the next attack- by providing anxiety- to increase your alert system.
But this primal alert system was never built to process violence with semi-automatic weapons, bombs and other unnatural acts.
In my opinion, the brain just can't keep up with modern violence.
I know people have been killing each other since the dawn of time. Yet, their tools- such as fists, swords, clubs, fire or boulders just weren't capable of providing the gruesome displays seen in today's acts of genocide or war.
When will people understand that violence begets more violence, and our minds aren't really up for it?
Scientifically speaking, the human brain reacts chemically to such a stressor and tries to prepare you for the next attack- by providing anxiety- to increase your alert system.
But this primal alert system was never built to process violence with semi-automatic weapons, bombs and other unnatural acts.
In my opinion, the brain just can't keep up with modern violence.
I know people have been killing each other since the dawn of time. Yet, their tools- such as fists, swords, clubs, fire or boulders just weren't capable of providing the gruesome displays seen in today's acts of genocide or war.
When will people understand that violence begets more violence, and our minds aren't really up for it?
Friday, May 11, 2007
Homesteaders Can Save the World
First of all, for this title to make any sense I need to elaborate what may possibly destroy the world. Which, in my opinion, is conspicuous consumption. Basically, the thinking goes- if every inhabitant on earth (peasant, nomad, refugee, what have you) aspired to live like any American (multiple cars, 17 outfits from Wal-Mart, super sized hamburgers) there wouldn't be any earth left.
I don't care what your politics, or environmental feelings are, just do the math. We just can't and don't have the room to grow trees, mix concrete, pave roads, build houses, etc.....for every citizen on earth to live "comfortably". People need to step up and stop consuming like mad. I know some folks think that kind of thinking is socialist zeal, but what language you speak or where you live doesn't make you less human (or does it?)
Many of my neighbors here in Alaska are true "homesteaders". Their sole occupation is repairing their homes, raising animals, growing veggies, collecting junk to use later and fixing the car.
To many suburbanites, their lifestyle seems preposterous. Yards full of containers, car parts, fencing, etc. all collected for free and to use at a later time.
I'll admit, to a city girl, their properties are quite the eyesore. I've often wanted to scurry over and start sorting their stuff. Yet, when I look past my prejudices, I see true environmental stewards.
Homesteaders are frugal and live through recycling. They don't ever buy 16 pairs of shoes, don't build giant McMansions or jet around the world. The term "carbon footprint" isn't even in their vocabulary, nor should it be, because it is so minimal.
So who is the true environmentalist? Someone like John Edwards talking about carbon emissions and living in a 29,000 square foot house? Or the unknown fellow tinkering in his poultry yard ?
I don't care what your politics, or environmental feelings are, just do the math. We just can't and don't have the room to grow trees, mix concrete, pave roads, build houses, etc.....for every citizen on earth to live "comfortably". People need to step up and stop consuming like mad. I know some folks think that kind of thinking is socialist zeal, but what language you speak or where you live doesn't make you less human (or does it?)
Many of my neighbors here in Alaska are true "homesteaders". Their sole occupation is repairing their homes, raising animals, growing veggies, collecting junk to use later and fixing the car.
To many suburbanites, their lifestyle seems preposterous. Yards full of containers, car parts, fencing, etc. all collected for free and to use at a later time.
I'll admit, to a city girl, their properties are quite the eyesore. I've often wanted to scurry over and start sorting their stuff. Yet, when I look past my prejudices, I see true environmental stewards.
Homesteaders are frugal and live through recycling. They don't ever buy 16 pairs of shoes, don't build giant McMansions or jet around the world. The term "carbon footprint" isn't even in their vocabulary, nor should it be, because it is so minimal.
So who is the true environmentalist? Someone like John Edwards talking about carbon emissions and living in a 29,000 square foot house? Or the unknown fellow tinkering in his poultry yard ?
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