Ep 48: Doing the right thing

Despite the rich culture, knowledge and humanity around us, the ability to harness and contribute to community wellbeing is eluding us.  With the insights of Wendell Berry, Robin Dunbar and Miles Kington, we might find our way back.  Recognising the joys of contrast, hosting and a massive sleepover.

Lao Tzu said, “A good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving”.   Queuing for Sting, travelling for ABBA, the flying hens, and a Norwegian prison.  The artist MC Escher said, “Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible”, while W.H. Auden asks to be told the truth about love.

Doing the right things, for the right reasons.  Capitalism with a conscience, from Chocolate Wars to B Corporations like Patagonia.  The historic impacts of Quakers and the extraordinary story of Christopher after a journey on the London Underground.  The joy of everyday kindness.

Speed and convenience challenge slow appreciation.  Drive-through diners and slow food, media acquisition and consumption.  Speeding penalties, Delusional Entitlement Disorder on the road and the Door’s ‘Roadhouse Blues’.  As Wendy’s strives to beat McDonald’s by 45 seconds and Aesop’s tortoise is victorious.

Gaps of wealth, distance and health are not new, but they can be bridged.  Adam Smith’s ‘The Wealth of Nations’, the United States Declaration of Independence, the peace and quiet of an airport and the recognition that we don’t know our friends as well as we might assume.

Analogue pleasure, Digital Natives, Immigrants, the skills of indigenous people, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and the Jamaican poet James Berry

Joan Didion said “we share our stories to live”.  Beryl Cook celebrated people enjoying riotous fun.  Keen observation and the sharing of travel stories keeps those journeys and memories alive. With trips to Xanadu, Llareggub and the moon.

The mystery of E and F.  Distractions for power or profit and the cognitive surrender fuelled by sycophantic AI.   We don’t know what we’re missing.  

Comfortably anonymous, occupied or lonely. How different are we?

Recognising when we’ve had enough and reducing our waste - whether it’s puddings, public space, speed or energy