Thinking out loud

Back on the subject of the doom...so I am wondering if there are there people out there who don't think were fucked? Not "were fucked but I'm cool with that" or "were fucked which means Jesus is coming soon, so I am cool with that" or even "the universe ends in 2012 so it doesn't matter" but actually thinks things are just peachy? I kind of figure that the really, really cynical rich could figure that they have enough money, so perhaps they personally won't be fucked- and there is a whole class of humans who know we are fucked and so watch some more America's Top Model, take the dog to the groomer, and have another carmel Xanax frappuccino.

I've started a new practice, where (when I remember) I try to start conversations with three people I don't know each day. Sometimes this works really well, like Saturday when I ended up talking Roller Derby with Mona Lethal from Grave Danger. Mona is seriously cool and a pleasure to talk with. Mostly it's people who seem a little put off that I am trying to talk to them. I figure that that's only fair since I am a little put off myself that I am trying to talk to them. Frankly, however, the whole self sufficient recluse shtick was getting pretty old, and I am nothing if not systematic.

The three people a day thing came up at one of the movies last week when people asked how they could make more community, and I suggested the three people a day approach. I think it's a good one.

One of the other things I have been doing is talking about the doom more. Not all crazy or anything (though I would be happy to go there if anyone wants to play), but just not steering the conversation away like I always have. It's been interesting. A number of people have been really obviously relieved to be talking about it. I think it's a big open secret- it's not that people don't know about the various forms of genocide and ecocide and non-cides-but-still-really-bad shit that is going on, but unless you are some kind of an activist you don't much talk about it. Instead, we recycle a little more stuff and think about banning plastic bags.

Today I thought we should have a global moratorium on shopping. A full on shopping boycott. Start freecycling like mad- really, just everything- books, clothes, magazines, music, food, appliances, tools- and really try to keep any food purchases reasonably local- certainly nothing that crosses a border. It may sound crazy, but I would ask that you think about it. I'd even go so far as to say that other than food, we should try to a) trade everything or b) at least buy nothing new. For like a year.

A penny for your thoughts...