From: S.J. Van Sickle (sjvan@csd.uwm.edu)
Date: Sun Dec 10 2000 - 21:27:00 MST
On Sun, 10 Dec 2000, Nicq MacDonald wrote:
> Exactly. And I probably never will, unfortunately.
I hope, for your sake, you never do.
> It seems that all
> authentic experiences are being replaced with mediated fantasies and
> simulations... war is something that I read about.
Books and movies are by far the best place for war. However, if you
really want some "authentic experiences", there are a number of little
wars all over the world. You could just join the US military and hope you
get lucky, but there are lots of oportunities elsewere. Everything from
American volunteers in Bosnia to narco-traffickers in Columbia. You seem
fairly smart; the Legion Estranger would probably snap you up...they tend
to see quite a bit of action. Hell, if you want the experience without
the messy business of actually killing anyone, or you've got flatfeet or
something, become a war correspondent or photographer. I've met a number
of them...they even claim to be immortal (or at least act like it). If
you are so keen on an adventure, what are you doing wasting your time on
this list? Go do it...it is still just as easy as when Byron did it. Just
don't complain to me later....
> There are no revolutions
> left.
Haven't read this list very carefully, have you? What do you think is
going on all around us now? What do you think we mean when we say
(small S) "singularity"?
> I've never really loved or hated anyone.
To not have loved is sad, but I suspect will come with time.
Unfortunately, the same probably goes for hate.
> I'm not sure if I'll even
> get the priviledge of dying.
I'm not sure I would call it a priviledge. From what I've seen of it, it
is pretty ugly...nothing like the movies. And to not to put too fine a
point on the matter, any of my suggestions above could rapidly solve this
lack.
> I don't feel like I'm even alive half the
> time.
I sometimes feel that way, too. I call it depression, and I've struggled
with it most my life. But guess what? It is an "experience", too.
> If these are all so terrible, why do I long for them?
Perhaps because you are young, and don't know any better?
> And I appreciate your telling of them. I'm afraid I don't have any stories
> to tell.
You will. Believe me, you will.
> But you wouldn't have the tales to tell without the philosophies that
> created them.
Oh yes I would. I have many other tales, that I tell more often, that are
much happier. The day I met my wife. Being snowbound in Kentucky. A
wild cross-country trip in an old MG. My first skydiving jump. Getting
lost in Rome. My very silly honeymoon. The time my dad almost set the
house on fire. The time *I* almost set the house on fire. One or two
world class practical jokes. The huge bolide I saw. Living aboard ship,
prospecting for oil. A handful of books that shattered my world and
rebuilt it in an afternoon. The story of my great-grandfather crossing
the Black Hills of South Dakota on one of the first wagon trains. A
certain teacher who made all the difference.
No "philosophies" needed. No violence, or war, or revolution, no pain
that was not self inflicted. I'm much fonder of these stories, these
memories. I intend to make a lot more of them.
"Mediated fantasies and simulations" will come and seek you out...its a
lucrative business. If you want "authentic experiences" you've got to go
out and find them. It takes effort. If you want to live, then *live*.
Don't wait for history to make a life for you...you probably won't like
it.
> You just don't know me.
No I don't. But I remember saying many of the same things, not all
that long ago, so perhaps I understand more than you think.
steve van sickle
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