As I approach my canonical 14 day limit at a location that has internet, a sense of setback is understandable. I had been on a roll of internet-free living, before I backslid into sin, here. Let's back up a step and look at the Big Picture.
This all starts from the premise that there are few better ways to spend the end of your life than in pursuing Moral Perfection, a la Ben Franklin. I'm afraid the results of this project have been disappointing, so far.
Rather than merely dwelling on "Thou shalt not...", the positive agenda is to be more light-hearted when reading real books off-line, and to break my concentration whenever possible. In doing so I can co-opt the cheap trick that the internet uses to sink its hooks into its victims.
Another positive approach is to dwell on the geographical freedom I gain when camping in places where the internet is not available. Tomorrow I have a chance to put this into practice. Ah dear me, let's hope this doesn't lapse into sterile rhetoric.
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The last 14 days of moral setback came with an upside gain: I attended the Band of Boondockers in Buena Vista, CO. RV camping desperately needs alternatives to the uninspiring stereotypes and limitations of the past. It is worthwhile to give the benefit of the doubt to anyone attempting to improve a culture. I leave, feeling that a little progress has been made.
Metaphorically, this quest is in greater need of a "Brigham Young" than a "Joseph Smith." (Apply now!) Culture, like politics, is the art of the possible.
This all starts from the premise that there are few better ways to spend the end of your life than in pursuing Moral Perfection, a la Ben Franklin. I'm afraid the results of this project have been disappointing, so far.
Rather than merely dwelling on "Thou shalt not...", the positive agenda is to be more light-hearted when reading real books off-line, and to break my concentration whenever possible. In doing so I can co-opt the cheap trick that the internet uses to sink its hooks into its victims.
Another positive approach is to dwell on the geographical freedom I gain when camping in places where the internet is not available. Tomorrow I have a chance to put this into practice. Ah dear me, let's hope this doesn't lapse into sterile rhetoric.
______________________________________________________________
The last 14 days of moral setback came with an upside gain: I attended the Band of Boondockers in Buena Vista, CO. RV camping desperately needs alternatives to the uninspiring stereotypes and limitations of the past. It is worthwhile to give the benefit of the doubt to anyone attempting to improve a culture. I leave, feeling that a little progress has been made.
Metaphorically, this quest is in greater need of a "Brigham Young" than a "Joseph Smith." (Apply now!) Culture, like politics, is the art of the possible.
Comments
Chris
Is it an inner path as that is the only thing really available for people who live in a high degree of solitude as I guess you do? That is a noble path.
I'm sure there are many others. For me, who lives in a town, I volunteer many hours for a local nonprofit, also serving on their board.
I am of the mind though that "moral perfection" seems to require getting out of one's little self and somehow reaching out to something bigger than oneself. I don't know for sure if this be true.
George
Reading history is my version of "reaching out to something bigger than oneself."
Yes, it was referring to the band of boondockers.
I would guess that those who choose the self-absorbed path (constant entertainment) are those who might have a more difficult time giving it all up when their time comes. Those who focus on a bigger picture are perhaps more likely to give it all up and go with the flow as they tend to see the grand scheme of things.
I believe that getting oneself ready for one's demise is a necessary part of living a life of "moral perfection."
George