Hi Focs:
I never really noticed the Indian/freedom theme until last month's
re-reading project. Its still a new idea to me and I'm pretty excited about
it. Sadly, it seems I'm alone in this.
Even Bodvar is dismissive toward Pirsig's discussion of the Indians. Surely
no one thinks it was a mistake to include that material in his novel. I
mean, Pirsig opens Lila with that Indian stuff for a reason, right? And
there's plenty more thoughout the book.
What's wrong friends? Don't like Indians? Is it too American for you? Is it
the peyote thing?
In the news just the other day... Archeologists recently found 13,000
year-old Indian artifacts in Virginia. Imagine life thirteen thousand years
ago. Wow. Guess it is safe to say the Indians have been there for a long
time. It makes 1492 seem like yesterday.
That first encounter is really something to ponder. Two cultures that had
evolved in different directions for hundreds and hundreds of generations
finally met. Wow. Add to that the most amazing discovery to the European
mind of 1492: A whole new world was discovered, people suddenly became aware
of two vast continents. Today it would be like discovering another earth
behind the moon or something. It must have opened a space in the Euroopean
imagination. It must have been a little like turning that dirty old sock
inside out.
I wonder if stone and metal civilizations trade security for freedom.
Castles are safer than teepees, swords and armor are more deadly than bow
and arrows, but I wonder if security is paid for with freedom. I wonder if
its worth it. A risk-free and heavily insured life doesn't strike me as a
very dynamic life. Hmmm. Love my house and the furnace works well, not
saying we should chuck it all and live naked-in-the-woods, but there is a
certain oppressiveness to our well insulated lives. Or is it just me?
Proper order is a liberating thing, but I'm talking about that stuffy, stale
air that makes you just want to rip your shirt off and scream.
------- End of forwarded message -------
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