My lack of hope is for society and our culture. Not for individuals. I know of a lot of people who are working very hard to change at least their own small piece of the world and yes, that’s often with the hope that it will ripple out and change the wider world. But a lot of factors are at play, things most people don’t ever think about. I doubt there has ever been a “safe time” in human history. Humans are dangerous. To others and to ourselves and to our planet.

I’m glad you commented. Food for thought.

Perhaps you’re too young to have lived through enough that can give you a more hopeful outlook. I have difficulty with those who proclaim what a “dangerous time” we live in. When I was coming of age there were thousands of Russian nukes pointed in my direction, this nation was on fire with rage - the civil rights movement was major - people literally died for their beliefs. When’s the last time you knew someone who went off to help a cause and got lynched? There was the Weather Underground, the Symbionese Liberation Army, the Black Panthers. Half the population of young people were stoned and holding hands proclaiming that all we needed to do was sing Kum-bay-ya and all would be well. Pfffffftttttt. I was young but knew enough to realize that things could change simply by dreaming and believing in peace and love was at the least naive and very dangerous. It requires alot of really hard work to change the world. And no one changes unless they’re forced to, so until a perturbation occurs all the cultures on the planet will continue business as usual.

You know, I have never been about the comfortable lifestyle thing, really, But I am all about good tools. And your new wok sounds very cool.

Good weekend to you!

I’m using the wok for the first time tonight. I keep looking at it and thinking what a beautiful piece it is… bed of hot coals sounds like a great way to use it. I was thinking of doing that with a lodge Dutch oven. Can’t see myself putting the orange Le Creuset dutch oven on an open fire.

Happy weekend!

1) I got a lot of gift cards for Christmas, notably about $150 worth for bookstores and got around to reading Kim Stanley Robinson’s trilogy of environmental speculative fiction, a lot of theatrics, but some very compelling arguments about the long term damage of Industrialism and Consumerism.

2) The Lodge cast iron wok is great, once it’s hot it can heat a small room, I’m thinking of getting a second one for use outdoors on a bed of coals.