Thought for the day (one anyway): Nov.1

Subject: RE: Thought for the day (one anyway): Nov.1
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 04:12 PM

Hi, Doug, Peter said it well, no rules. He was going away once for the weekend and I offered. Anyone is welocme to put in their own, too.

I feel some ambivalence at the quote, too. I like your likening it to the Internet re' ad hoc adventurism, but I am also grateful that many communities, some great ones of civilisation, have gone on despite the demise of some of their founders. On the other hand, it is the nature of things to be constantly changing, so, even when we are a part of them, they are never the same as times goes by, eh?

Subject: RE: Thought for the day (one anyway): Nov.1
From: Peter T.
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 01:07 PM

No rules, darkriver, I just sort of started it on a whim, and kat bravely joined in, and every once in awhile people stick their own up. Sorry I missed yours when I first scanned today's list, otherwise I would have added to yours rather than posting one separately -- I apologise.

Having said that, I wonder about the quotation. I am not one for nationalism, but I think the dearest communities are often ones that you feel will outlive you, and may even be ones that you were born into. They are bigger than you. We are now moving into an era of "communities of choice" -- which I am in favour of too -- but one thing about previous communities was that you had no choice, you had to accept everyone good or bad, whether they shared your tastes or not. That can be dreadfully stifling (which is why people flee them), but there is something to be said for them too.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: Thought for the day (one anyway): Nov.1
From: darkriver
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 12:25 AM

(I hope I'm not breaking any rules by posting a TFTD ahead of Peter T. or Katlaughing.)

The dearest nation of all is one that will survive no longer than you and I, a common movement at the mercy of death and time: the ad hoc adventure.     -- Gravity's Rainbow (1973)

This popped into my head while I was thinking of the nature of this community, not bound by geography (well, except for the Earth), race, economics--the whole ball of divisive wax. The internet has really promoted ad hoc adventurism.

darkriver (doug m.)