My wife who is likely my most consistent reader, suggested that I draw a shorter line between the Iditarod-Alaska article and the quotation from Martin Heidegger.  I knew she was right.  She said out loud, what my inner voice of instinct already was saying.

The weather conditions in Alaska, the effect of a shift in climate which continues to disrupt the Iditarod event are the large scale effects of a way of thinking which perceives the earth, Nature as a storehouse, a reserve of “natural resources” that are subject to our technical ability to extract at a profit.  That was a long sentence.  In short we have come to think about everything in terms of the analytical ordering that is the essence of technology.  A way of thinking, of enframing reality, despoils the earth, and increases the heat load of the atmosphere and the oceans.  In plain speech, the earth is regarded as object of a global gold-rush, an 1889-style stampede for “surplus” that is now in the public domain, open for global corporation grab-fest.

There is an alternative perception of reality, which we are acquainted with, –a more diffuse, organic logic, a logic apt for living things.  I’d rather show you an example than attempting to go on, with a lame description.

This tune performed by Sinéad O’Connor, lyrics by Prince, was a big hit in 1990.  A comment will follow…..

A organic logic, a way of thinking amenable to the adaptation required by all relationships is available to us.  The intent to extract every advantage/value possible from a relationship, always destroys the bond.  We know instinctively that we must attempt the difficult, the improvisational adventure of cultivating what we have between us.  This is so of all relationships.  …..a logic that allows what is hidden to be revealed, unanticipated beauty, meaning, depth beyond a surface impression.

When reducing everything to cause-effect coherence, the mystery is stripped away.  Heidegger elegantly makes the point.

Your thoughts?

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Nothing Compares 2 U

It’s been seven hours and fifteen days
Since you took your love away
I go out every night and sleep all day
Since you took your love away

Since you’ve been gone I can do whatever I want
I can see whomever I choose
I can eat my dinner in a fancy restaurant
But nothing
I said nothing can take away these blues

‘Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

It’s been so lonely without you here
Like a bird without a song
Nothing can stop these lonely tears from falling
Tell me, baby, where did I go wrong

I could put my arms around every boy I see
But they’d only remind me of you
I went to the doctor and guess what he told me?
Guess what he told me?
He said, “Girl, you better try to have fun no matter what you do,”
But he’s a fool

‘Cause nothing compares
Nothing compares to you

All the flowers that you planted, mother, in the back yard
All died when you went away
I know that living with you, baby, was sometimes hard
But I’m willing to give it another try

Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you
Nothing compares
Nothing compares to you