I decided to just be with the traffic.
I didn't obsess over the speed limit. I didn't look for cops off to the side. I didn't stress over who was coming or going. How long it would take me to get there. Nope. Everything was natural and fine.
I was just being with the fucking traffic! It was enlightening and liberating.
I think I'll try that approach more often. Simply being with the present reality. Alert and ready to respond.
Love,
Jason
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
An Email Reply.
Dear ones,
I think the whole political system is bullshit. A big game to dupe people into thinking that they have control via voting. Changing presidents is indeed rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. I think the real control is in the hands of a few bankers, corporations, and gangsterish political cabals. The change that really needs to happen cannot happen through the "official" political systems. It's up to the little people, who are often too well-fed and entertained to drop conveniences and get their hands dirty. Fascism has been growing, creeping and spreading while we've been enjoying our bread and circuses.
Complete de-industrialization is inevitable unless somebody starts space mining on a massive scale. We are running out of critical nonrenewable resources on this planet, namely the metals and fossil fuels which are the backbone of the global industrial economy. The global industrial economy is based on infinite growth within a finite physical area. This is the height of absurdity.
Ecologically, we are losing 200 or so species a day due to the global economy's industrial activity. Daniel Quinn likens it to building a building ever higher by taking bricks out of the lower part of the building. Eventually it collapses. Humans are at the top of the food chain and are not immune to the ongoing ecological collapse. In fact, we have the farthest to fall of any species. Ouch!
*SIGH*
I suppose that it makes me a pessimist, but this is the world as I see it. Actually, some people consider me an optimist because I don't say "fuck it" and go on some selfish hedonistic binge since "everything is going to hell anyway." I try to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I don't believe that humans will get it right without a big, hard spanking and it's being served up as we stare at our screens. I don't like this idea, but critical thinking and awareness of human nature lead me to this conclusion every time. I think that a lot of people are probably going to suffer and die before humans get sensible. Well, that's already happening, just not as much in America yet.
I feel like I've been preparing for this my whole life. I think that the shit has truly began to hit the fan on more levels than I'll discuss here. I'm doing the best I can to care for Cat & Avery and see them through the unfolding madness. I get really angry at my elders for letting things get to this point, but hey... Human nature strikes again. Then forgiveness happens.
I almost didn't type this, but sometimes you just gotta let it out. Thanks for reading.
For all my ranting, somewhere in my belly I do feel like humans can get it right eventually. Maybe. Sending out a big intention/prayer for that right now!
Love,
Jason
I think the whole political system is bullshit. A big game to dupe people into thinking that they have control via voting. Changing presidents is indeed rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. I think the real control is in the hands of a few bankers, corporations, and gangsterish political cabals. The change that really needs to happen cannot happen through the "official" political systems. It's up to the little people, who are often too well-fed and entertained to drop conveniences and get their hands dirty. Fascism has been growing, creeping and spreading while we've been enjoying our bread and circuses.
Complete de-industrialization is inevitable unless somebody starts space mining on a massive scale. We are running out of critical nonrenewable resources on this planet, namely the metals and fossil fuels which are the backbone of the global industrial economy. The global industrial economy is based on infinite growth within a finite physical area. This is the height of absurdity.
Ecologically, we are losing 200 or so species a day due to the global economy's industrial activity. Daniel Quinn likens it to building a building ever higher by taking bricks out of the lower part of the building. Eventually it collapses. Humans are at the top of the food chain and are not immune to the ongoing ecological collapse. In fact, we have the farthest to fall of any species. Ouch!
*SIGH*
I suppose that it makes me a pessimist, but this is the world as I see it. Actually, some people consider me an optimist because I don't say "fuck it" and go on some selfish hedonistic binge since "everything is going to hell anyway." I try to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I don't believe that humans will get it right without a big, hard spanking and it's being served up as we stare at our screens. I don't like this idea, but critical thinking and awareness of human nature lead me to this conclusion every time. I think that a lot of people are probably going to suffer and die before humans get sensible. Well, that's already happening, just not as much in America yet.
I feel like I've been preparing for this my whole life. I think that the shit has truly began to hit the fan on more levels than I'll discuss here. I'm doing the best I can to care for Cat & Avery and see them through the unfolding madness. I get really angry at my elders for letting things get to this point, but hey... Human nature strikes again. Then forgiveness happens.
I almost didn't type this, but sometimes you just gotta let it out. Thanks for reading.
For all my ranting, somewhere in my belly I do feel like humans can get it right eventually. Maybe. Sending out a big intention/prayer for that right now!
Love,
Jason
Friday, August 21, 2009
Weeding Out the Junk.
I hate having an appetite for the things of dominant culture!!! Every stupid thing. It all holds me back. Stifles me. Pacifies me. Weakens me. Plain ol' disgusting when I consider that my desire for all this crap is... Addiction, conditioning. Propagandized.
I keep telling myself, "naked into the wilderness." I've been telling myself that a lot lately. It's a way for me to check my desire for energy-draining cravings. I feel like each artifact of civilization that I crave is taking vital oomph away from me.
We're moving 40 minutes away. As I've been packing, I've had many moments where I hold something in my hand & think. Do I require it? Is it another dumb attachment? Does it make sense in light of my goals, principles and the state of the world?
I'm trying to get streamlined. Efficient. Solid. I'm upset when I notice myself wanting dominant culture's junkshit products and services. A buddy once told me that I shouldn't go ascetic. It's gotten really hard to take her advice...
"Naked into the wilderness." The title of one of my favorite books, and my mantra in the meantime.
Love,
Jason
I keep telling myself, "naked into the wilderness." I've been telling myself that a lot lately. It's a way for me to check my desire for energy-draining cravings. I feel like each artifact of civilization that I crave is taking vital oomph away from me.
We're moving 40 minutes away. As I've been packing, I've had many moments where I hold something in my hand & think. Do I require it? Is it another dumb attachment? Does it make sense in light of my goals, principles and the state of the world?
I'm trying to get streamlined. Efficient. Solid. I'm upset when I notice myself wanting dominant culture's junkshit products and services. A buddy once told me that I shouldn't go ascetic. It's gotten really hard to take her advice...
"Naked into the wilderness." The title of one of my favorite books, and my mantra in the meantime.
Love,
Jason
Monday, July 20, 2009
Crisis After Crisis? Remember the Root. The Culture Conversation Goes On.
"Energy" crisis. "Financial" and "economic" crisis. "Materials depletion" crisis. "Environmental" and "ecological" crisis... ALL SYMPTOMS!!! We have to remember this. What's the fundamental sickness? The root of all these intense pains?
Culture! Alright! Good job!...
Consciously influence culture and you consciously influence everything. "Patterns, traits and products."
Do I want to be intensely influential? Well, yeah, I guess. Sure! Is that bad? I think you can only philosophize or make a subjective call on that, so I'll call it fine. I'm pretty much existentialist, with Taoist leanings (and an occasional Nietzschean itch). If we wanna use those kinds of words. I don't think I usually like to use those kinds of words...
I believe that we determine our own course and meaning. Cumulatively. It's my natural behavior to attempt to have an influence on the way people live together. I've always done that, and though I may wish there were more people who consciously or intentionally influenced culture (We all influence culture, even if it's not intentional!), I understand that lots of people are not wired that way.
I get a little goofy about the existence and health of life on Earth. I want it all to be better. I try to make it better. On a good day, I actually believe than WE CAN make it all better. Maybe.
Even if we can't make it better, I see value in throwing myself against the current.
Love,
Jason
Culture! Alright! Good job!...
Consciously influence culture and you consciously influence everything. "Patterns, traits and products."
Do I want to be intensely influential? Well, yeah, I guess. Sure! Is that bad? I think you can only philosophize or make a subjective call on that, so I'll call it fine. I'm pretty much existentialist, with Taoist leanings (and an occasional Nietzschean itch). If we wanna use those kinds of words. I don't think I usually like to use those kinds of words...
I believe that we determine our own course and meaning. Cumulatively. It's my natural behavior to attempt to have an influence on the way people live together. I've always done that, and though I may wish there were more people who consciously or intentionally influenced culture (We all influence culture, even if it's not intentional!), I understand that lots of people are not wired that way.
I get a little goofy about the existence and health of life on Earth. I want it all to be better. I try to make it better. On a good day, I actually believe than WE CAN make it all better. Maybe.
Even if we can't make it better, I see value in throwing myself against the current.
Love,
Jason
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
My New Site for Earth Skills Education.
Yo,
I decided that I need a separate site for this stuff...
New Culture Earth Skills.
...Updating it often. I will be putting the majority of my creative energy into this educational venture for right now. Still going to be doing music & other things, but this Earth skills education biz is something great that I really need to be doing do a lot more of. My conscience (or whatever you wanna call it) has been nagging and nudging me for some time to get on the ball with this. Shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who really knows me.
:-)
Stay tuned...
Love,
Jason
I decided that I need a separate site for this stuff...
New Culture Earth Skills.
...Updating it often. I will be putting the majority of my creative energy into this educational venture for right now. Still going to be doing music & other things, but this Earth skills education biz is something great that I really need to be doing do a lot more of. My conscience (or whatever you wanna call it) has been nagging and nudging me for some time to get on the ball with this. Shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who really knows me.
:-)
Stay tuned...
Love,
Jason
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Learn to Make Your Own Cordage. Make and Successfully Use a Friction Fire Kit.
Make and use your own cordage (twine, thread, shoestrings, etc.) and friction fire kit (hand drill, tinder bundle, hearthboard) from local materials in Southeast Michigan. Get in touch with the natural world. $20 an hour. Some tell me that I sell myself short... Well, call or email to make an appointment or ask questions. It's fun!
313.258.1401
jasonhogans (at) gmail (dot) com
313.258.1401
jasonhogans (at) gmail (dot) com
Summer Sanity?
There's something interesting going on with me.
For the past few years I've been a total news hound. Checking sites, blogs, magazines and papers whenever I could for the latest info on whatever mattered to me. But the past few weeks I have been less & less curious about anything outside of my immediate everyday life. I know the general direction civilization is going in and why. I still check a little bit every day or two to see if there's something I should pay particular attention to, but it's almost always business as usual. Not much need to dig.
I think something may have fundamentally changed in me. I dunno.
I've absorbed enough news. I'm interested in doing and being MYSELF. I pretty much know how I want to live. I want to continue deepening my relationship with the natural world. I want to continue to do my best to stop industrial civilization from destroying life on Earth. I want to continue educating people. I want to continue learning and experiencing things that will add value and richness to my life. I want to share my real life, in the real world, with real people who appreciate good stuff.
I'm really getting sick of computers! This laptop is making my hands buzz and itch. For real. Creepy. I have to stop this post or I might puke all over the keys...
Love,
Jason
For the past few years I've been a total news hound. Checking sites, blogs, magazines and papers whenever I could for the latest info on whatever mattered to me. But the past few weeks I have been less & less curious about anything outside of my immediate everyday life. I know the general direction civilization is going in and why. I still check a little bit every day or two to see if there's something I should pay particular attention to, but it's almost always business as usual. Not much need to dig.
I think something may have fundamentally changed in me. I dunno.
I've absorbed enough news. I'm interested in doing and being MYSELF. I pretty much know how I want to live. I want to continue deepening my relationship with the natural world. I want to continue to do my best to stop industrial civilization from destroying life on Earth. I want to continue educating people. I want to continue learning and experiencing things that will add value and richness to my life. I want to share my real life, in the real world, with real people who appreciate good stuff.
I'm really getting sick of computers! This laptop is making my hands buzz and itch. For real. Creepy. I have to stop this post or I might puke all over the keys...
Love,
Jason
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