Thanks Dan! I really like the way you've summed up and connected some important ideas and observations. I would like to note that often, meaningful inter-species communication is quite possible, given that shared context you mention. Should we be open enough to noticing, that is.
Our spoken and written languages are capable of more nuance, but then, most of the time we use them to conceal truths, not reveal them. The most important things in life can usually be said with a snuggle (or its withholding), as a wise goat once said, with a snuggle.
I really liked your piece; the ideas and writing, and the stillness they provoked. I do not know if there is a more important mission than getting humans to chill the fuck out and just be, and I very much appreciate you quietly shouting this message from the rooftops
Thanks - these are really poignant reflections. Maybe Wittgenstein might have changed his tune somewhat had he snuggled to animals more.... (albeit he would have done well to start with goats before putting his arms around lions). "The mission [of] getting humans to chill the fuck out and just be" - yes sir, and I'd add the caveat that this can be understood not as "being instead of doing" but rather as coming back to being as a precondition for more considered, constructive and compassionate forms of doing.
I really enjoyed this, Dan. I find your writing style itself very good at doing what you're often writing about—inviting me (or giving me no choice but) to slow down and reflect. It's nice being thrown out of the almost maximally mindless state of trying to clear my inbox and into the aperture-widening world of your Substack.
Luke, thanks so much for reading and taking the time to feed back... I'm really touched by the comment as I put so much time into the writing process to try to make for a spacious and enjoyable reading experience. I'm reminded of an artist I admire, Lina Iris Viktor, who once said in an interview about how her artistic practice is geared towards creating an environment where they people can slow down and "feel welcome to spend time" with her work... I guess I aspire towards something like that with this Substack. Thanks again for the comments ~~
Thanks Dan! I really like the way you've summed up and connected some important ideas and observations. I would like to note that often, meaningful inter-species communication is quite possible, given that shared context you mention. Should we be open enough to noticing, that is.
Our spoken and written languages are capable of more nuance, but then, most of the time we use them to conceal truths, not reveal them. The most important things in life can usually be said with a snuggle (or its withholding), as a wise goat once said, with a snuggle.
I really liked your piece; the ideas and writing, and the stillness they provoked. I do not know if there is a more important mission than getting humans to chill the fuck out and just be, and I very much appreciate you quietly shouting this message from the rooftops
Thanks - these are really poignant reflections. Maybe Wittgenstein might have changed his tune somewhat had he snuggled to animals more.... (albeit he would have done well to start with goats before putting his arms around lions). "The mission [of] getting humans to chill the fuck out and just be" - yes sir, and I'd add the caveat that this can be understood not as "being instead of doing" but rather as coming back to being as a precondition for more considered, constructive and compassionate forms of doing.
I really enjoyed this, Dan. I find your writing style itself very good at doing what you're often writing about—inviting me (or giving me no choice but) to slow down and reflect. It's nice being thrown out of the almost maximally mindless state of trying to clear my inbox and into the aperture-widening world of your Substack.
Luke, thanks so much for reading and taking the time to feed back... I'm really touched by the comment as I put so much time into the writing process to try to make for a spacious and enjoyable reading experience. I'm reminded of an artist I admire, Lina Iris Viktor, who once said in an interview about how her artistic practice is geared towards creating an environment where they people can slow down and "feel welcome to spend time" with her work... I guess I aspire towards something like that with this Substack. Thanks again for the comments ~~