Over a few drinks the other night, a friend and I were talking about life and how each of us has chosen to live. We both have many of the same priorities and views about the world, society, politics and capitalism, but we have gone about living our lives in two rather distinct ways.
My friend is a carpenter by trade who lives on a relatively self sufficient farm in Sandy Mush. He rarely needs anything outside of his biodiesel and a few other things that he “treats” himself to (electronics, CDs, or the occasional DVD). He views the outside world as a rat race and hopes to just do the best he can through his farm and his work for himself and his family and sees no point in interacting with the outside world- unless it’s on his terms.
I see the point in his philosophy, but isn’t there something good about good old fashioned subversion? Isn’t there something to be said about someone being relatively in the middle of things and interjecting ideas that are unpopular?
I guess the thing I don’t get is how living a relatively off the grid lifestyle anything but an extension of an “I got mine, #### the rest of you” attitude?
(Piff and Tattooed Jay- I know you guys are interested/participate in this lifestyle to an extent, and I mean no ill will by that statement, it was just the best way to describe the sentiment I was going for).
yes, that is a very valid perspective. it can be ‘escapism’. but it doesnt have to be. it’s about one’s intentions. Another way to put it would be, people who stay ‘within’ the system are just too lazy to figure out an alternative and prefer to stay in a disempowering situation.
as far as the idea that one must work within the system to effect change (which is essentially what your saying, i think), i don’t buy it. The thing about the dominant culture is it will always change you more than you change it. And the argument you’ve made can easily be reversed to say the person who opts-in merely uses the ‘subversion’ as an excuse to participate in the same system they complain about.
I spent a good deal of my 20’s living a life that felt very removed from that dominant culture. and my own personal experience was that it is far more important (at east for me) to create some room and infrastructure for myself outside of the culture i disliked/couldnt understand than to compromise myself in many ways in order to play that subversive roll.
But living within that little para-culture i also became aware that merely disconnecting wasn’t particularly effect either, and that living somewhere in-between was probably the best, for me at least, partly because of the reasons you list. (although this could be a whole ‘nother topic in itself-‘Why did you opt-in?’)
the process of becoming relatively self-sufficient (in whatever fashion) is a very Empowering expereince for many people, and that experience itself is, i think, the best thing that can come out of the -disconnection from mother culture. this ###### up culture that we all rail against in some fashion is dis-empowering by its nature, and gaining a better sense of self and strength can be a wicked blow to the system. plus, in the end, we dont need t change this ###### up culture, we have to abandon it.
So, although it can be fun to interact with it in a punk “#### shit up” sensibility, in the end, the best option i can come up with is to dis-connect and create a comfortable safe space for yourself, with room at the table for others. The most important thing about continuing to interact with the dominant culture that i can see, is to avoid that escapism you are referring to. for me, it was working in an inner city school after living in the woods or in squats for years in a very cash-free life. Re-connecting for me grounded me and helped me gain some perspective, amke connections within the system, and not completely alienate myself from my rather ‘normal’ family.
Or at least, that’s my first-draft quick answer as i dig into this kale and eggs and sausage dinner. Mmmmmmm.
yes, that is a very valid perspective. it can be ‘escapism’. but it doesnt have to be. it’s about one’s intentions. Another way to put it would be, people who stay ‘within’ the system are just too lazy to figure out an alternative and prefer to stay in a disempowering situation.
When I was in my 30s I was fortunate enough to be part of “The Governors Task Force to Promote Self Esteem and Social Responsibility” In California..that was 1985…California at that time was the 6th biggest economy in the world..32 million folks running around trying to get ahead..North Carolina has 8 million folks..
I was chosen for this group because I had started some of the most successful arts programs
for the Ca. Arts Council in Prisons , Mental Hospitals and Schools..in the history of the Arts Council..
AT that time I was just going along with the flow ..doing my best and trying to change the world through..music, film and art..
I learned a few things..change happens people to people and not so much in committees..usually you need at least one maniac to work 16 hours a day and make things happen..
Resisting being in the main stream has never been a choice for me..I have always been different..I work harder..think faster and think weird things are funny..I’m just that way..can’t help it.I’m different..folks have always either loved me or hated me..I guess we know which response has happened here. on the MX forum…
Regardless of what emotional response folks have toward me .I need to feel I’m moving things along..It really feels better for me..
What’s weird is I have more in common with you Piffy and Bugg than most folks..at least you guys ask the big questions once in a while..
I learned long ago you have a purpose and what ever happens is part of that purpose..even things that are perceived as negative..The resounding negative response to me on this forum is disturbing and amusing to me..I have had enough success in this life that I just can’t be harmed that much by a bunch of hill hippies..I still dig you guys regardless what you feel about me..occasionally I get grumpy..But I respect you guys and dig your commitment to asking hard questions and attempting to find answers..That’s noble..
Administrators: Isn’t this in violation of at least one of the so-called “rules”?
Resisting being in the main stream has never been a choice for me..I have always been different..I work harder..think faster and think weird things are funny..I’m just that way..can’t help it.I’m different..folks have always either loved me or hated me..I guess we know which response has happened here. on the MX forum…
Regardless of what emotional response folks have toward me .I need to feel I’m moving things along..It really feels better for me..
What’s weird is I have more in common with you Piffy and Bugg than most folks..at least you guys ask the big questions once in a while..
I learned long ago you have a purpose and what ever happens is part of that purpose..even things that are perceived as negative..The resounding negative response to me on this forum is disturbing and amusing to me..I have had enough success in this life that I just can’t be harmed that much by a bunch of hill hippies..I still dig you guys regardless what you feel about me..occasionally I get grumpy..But I respect you guys and dig your commitment to asking hard questions and attempting to find answers..That’s noble..
I mean, it has little to nothing to do with the topic and is more of the usual, self-aggrandizing all-richey-all-the-time 100% off-topic drivel. what, of WHAT, will it take to get someone to enforce rule #1?
Richey already has his all richey thread, why does he feel the need to tell us stupid shit that has nothing to do with the ####### fucking ####### topic? He treats this entire Forum like his own personal ####### diary and it is ####### fucking ####### lame. maybe because he knows the Administrator doesnt give a #### fuck ####?
The BUFF will not stand idly by while this travesty continues un-moderated. Thank you
1. Think before you post: Seriously. We’re trying to spark interesting conversations about local topics here, and the last thing we want is to flood the board with thoughtless content…
I mean, it has little to nothing to do with the topic and is more of the usual, self-aggrandizing all-richey-all-the-time 100% off-topic drivel. what, of WHAT, will it take to get someone to enforce rule #1?
Richey already has his all richey thread, why does he feel the need to tell us stupid shit that has nothing to do with the ####### ####### ####### topic? He treats this entire Forum like his own personal ####### diary and it is ####### ####### ####### lame. maybe because he knows the Administrator doesnt give a #### #### ####?
That’s a lot of bad words….I thought it was on topic..you want to see what is intentional off topic drivel you should go see what you posted on “All About Richey All the Time”..
I thought my post was quite civil and on topic compared to the threats and insults you post on “All About Richey All the Time” below is asmall sampler of the constant stream of hatred and harassment you dole out on anyone who rubs you the wrong way..I believe you have some control issues..
Only a complete ASSHOLE would uphold the OBVIOUS DELUSION that some kind of mythical audience exists beyond the handful of lurkers and participants.
Only a complete ASSHOLE would stay somewhere he isnt welcome.
Only a complete ASSHOLE would go on SPAM rampages, self-promoting his own off-topic idiocy in threads where they didnt belong, only to apologize in the morning for
“sorry, too much mead”
Only a complete ASSHOLE and TOTAL FU¢¢ING MORAN would not even understand what he is responding to, thereby effectively derailing EVERYTHING he posts on.
But i suppose some would prefer to watch the Forums turn into Topix instead of ENFORCING THE GODDAMNED TOS AND BAN THE ####### IDIOT WHO OFFERS NOTHING BENEFICIAL TO THE CONVERSATION WHATSOFUCKINGEVER.
so, #### it. oh well. Richey won..
Now Piffy I don’t intentionally assault you verbally..or at least I try to not..you on the other hand degrade and ruin this forum for folks who just want a little info and entertainment.. easeup bro..this is just a little fun with pixels..and stop using the bad words..some grandmas find it offensive..
so, i’ve been reporting these posts where richey copy and pastes something from another thread and he takes it completely off topic and ruins YET ANOTHER interesting thread with his ‘let’s talk about richey” stupid shit.
I too have been reporting your harassment and hatred posts toward me..put me on ignore..and leave me alone..for your sake..hatred can destroy from the inside out..leave me alone and never speak or post my name again..the forum will be a a better place..and you’ll feel better..
Reporting richey’s posts is pointless, pfff. it just mucks up the thread, and the Admins have no desire to see the Board be richey-free. He will be free to post his ####### fucking ####### grocery list in a thread about suntans and no one will do anything about it.
I am sure that most of you followed along in September as the Ottawa Dog Blogs got skunked and I went through an array of products and many MANY baths to try to rid them of the smell. I will freely admit that the Drypet towel was my SAVIOUR during this time.
A while back, a reader sent in a comment about how amazing Drypet towels were so I contacted Drypet about doing a review earlier that month and they wonderfully agreed and sent me a towel to test out right away. And test we did. In that week alone, the dogs probably had close to 5 or 6 baths. They stunk…oh man it was bad. They don’t like baths to begin with so they were not thrilled at my many attempts to rid them of their stench. My dogs have longer hair and they are tiny therefore they get cold quickly so after the bath, there is usually quite a bit of toweling off…usually not very successfully.
Therefore, the BUFF will do the same:
Teh BUFF are here to protect the sanctity of our intellects. Teh BUFF are here to make sure the richey is digging his own grave. Teh BUFF are here to make sure richey stops using this as his own personal cat box. The BUFF are here because teh BUFF represents those who have cared for, added, to, and improved this Board greatly over the years, and are tired of richey’s clueless, pointless, off-topic drivel that hides behind some pseudo-un-elitist nonsense. Teh BUFF are here to either make the boards as shitty as richey does, or to petition for his permanent removal from said Boards. Teh BUFF do not want to cause problems, or harm civilians. Teh BUFF just wants a Board not filled with stupidocity.
the Boarders UNITED FREEDOM FRONT will not stand for this outrageous ludicrosity, which is an affront to anyone you can think in complete sentences, or who has reading comprehension, or who isn’t just some lazy old #### searching for relevancy in a world passing him by at light speed.
Richey, i hope you lose your fingers in a horrible boating accident.
Richey: here is where you can sign up for a Blog for free and post whatever you want without your legion of mythical fans (re: delusions) being offended by people telling you to shut the #### up. Or, buck up and acknowledge that this public form means people might call you an idiot, because you are indeed an idiot.
I mean, it has little to nothing to do with the topic and is more of the usual, self-aggrandizing all-richey-all-the-time 100% off-topic drivel. what, of WHAT, will it take to get someone to enforce rule #1?
It was astonishingly on-topic. (all things considered) The topic specifically questions being out amongst the mainstream in unpopular ways. ie:
Bugg - 19 November 2009 12:13 AM
I see the point in his philosophy, but isn’t there something good about good old fashioned subversion? Isn’t there something to be said about someone being relatively in the middle of things and interjecting ideas that are unpopular? (emphasis added)
Richey’s post speaks directly to the topic albeit with some extraneous elaboration. The poster who derailed the thread is the whiny puss who went off in needless overreaction. The simple use of the “ignore” function would have completely solved the issue. The function provides a simple solution for anyone with a minimum of self discipline.
