253) When a man has no chaos and no challenge and feels as though he is among the schnooks, his mind may indeed reject the experience as having any meaning.
254) Your mind can reject meaning and purpose as easily as it can create it, but without challenge and chaos, this is much more difficult. Indeed an office worker or lawn mower COULD find meaning in his way of life but it would be impossibly difficult. The bicycle tourer has an easier time finding chaos and meaning but alas, once bicycle touring becomes routine, the meaning is more elusive.
255) Thus far danger has been approached with intent, with Maximin taking a lane and becoming traffic in Brazil, with Moraline's great escape through the bathroom window, with nothing more than shame staring him down. Shame is a powerful motivator, yes, but when shame replaces adrenaline and other narcotics produced by the body, perhaps the man is too comfortable.
256) The sights at 4,000 meters in South America, are beautiful indeed. Sights, without someone to share them with, are not enough.
257) A challenge in which a successful outcome is assured is not a challenge at all.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
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Excellent thinking here Dr. Chrome. Nature, raw and untapped nature, is best for a man's soul in these matters. He does not want chaos in the wilderness, but it can occur. And it he can handle the chaos (in the wilderness, he has no choice), he is strengthened beyond strength. This is what I am learning now from my travels, now that I have cycled away from the sirens of the beach and the coast and motherfucking highway 101.
ReplyDeleteYes, about this chaos you are correct. But it must be chaos in the mist of nature. I think often of the waiting chaos not far outside of Gunnison. I saw much other chaos on that ride to Durango, but I remember just right outside of Gunnison on my way riding into to the city as the sun had set and the sky was red.
the natural world is rarely chaotic. men are more often designers of chaos for themselves than nature is for them. the animals and plants, the wind and rain and sky have their rhythms and patterns. a man who comes to them with skills is not overwelmed. he has the gear and the knowledge. perhaps a lesser man, skill-less & unprepared, is overwelmed. confused, cold, and abandoned he calls his situation chaotic. he calls nature a chaos. verily, there is more chaos to be known among men than without them.
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