6 August 2007 - Keene, NH
After coffee and granola and some sweet conversation with Annabelle and Robert, we headed out once again, to make our way across the state, across the Connecticut, and to our next event. We drove down Highway 100, down the long valley south of Killington (lots of skiing… well, until climate change screws things up…) to Ludlow, where we stopped for a quick snack before catching 103 to the state line, and on to Keene.
We got there a bit early, so we scored some iced coffee for Sally (in need of a jolt!) and hung out in the Eco-Garden for a bit. We met up with Rachel and Tim, who worked together to organize the Keene screening, at the Antioch New England Graduate School venue, then drove into town for a nice meal of Thai food.
The Keene event went very well. The room was full, with at least 56 in attendance. The picture, projected onto a wall, was large and clear, and the four speakers in the room’s corners sounded great. The audience laughed at the appropriate moments, which is always gratifying, and when it was finished, 31 of those 56 stayed for the dialogue.
We found out after we’d started that we only had 30 minutes before we had to be out of the building, which was a major bummer. The circle was large and appreciative and moved by the film, and we could easily have stayed and talked for a couple of hours. As it was, limited by the rules of the school, we had a nice “lightning round” dialogue.
Most moving to me were those who passed along the talking stick without speaking, who were attuned to the needs of the group, and to their own sense of whether they were truly called to speak, such that they could simply be there in their silence and be content with that. An act of grace, and of graciousness, one which is more rare than I would wish.
We closed the circle and packed up, hurrying outside for a bit more “parking-lot dialogue”. With hugs and thank yous and best wishes, we said goodbye to Rachel and Tim and headed back to “the barn”. Ninety minutes later, we fell into bed once again. Almost midnight… it felt very good.
We have a few days off now, to rest and re-charge, to explore the state and drink in the cool Northern air. We hear it’s topping out at a hundred degrees back home in North Carolina right now, and will for the rest of the week. Glad to miss that.
Back in a few days. Next stop: Norwich/White River Junction.
Peace, Tim
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August 15th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
I attended this showing, but have been procrastinating about posting a comment! The film mesmerized me, for many reasons. Visually it’s stunning, working in so much great imagery from the 50’s and pop-culture. The video production and editing is top-notch, and audio is great as well. The music chosen also really adds a fitting and appropriate mood to the film. I’m trying to find the soundtrack online somewhere!
It was also wonderful to be able to spend some time, short as it was, with Tim and Sally. A half hour just couldn’t quite do it justice, but it was better than nothing. It was moving to listen to others express their feelings about the film. As the talking stick was passed around, my comment said something to the effect that even if we can’t fix any of the problems described in the film, we can work to create community, and that may end up being the biggest challenge of all.
Having watched the film again on DVD, I was just as impressed and humbled all over again. This is something I intend to share with everyone who I care about. Great work-I wish that I could say that I “liked” the film, but somehow I don’t think that this was the intended effect!
August 18th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
In an email discussion with a friend, he had this to say:
My thoughts on the film…
It is extraordinary, moving, depressing, and sobering. It reinforces what I have been feeling and believing for years. I’ve shared my thoughts on the subject with friends and family but they rarely see the big picture as I do. Those who do are terrified and depressed, and try to make the best of the situation as I do. A few months ago I had a conversation/debate with my father about capitalistic growth. I explained that it could not go on forever. His response was that he believed the Dow could hit 20k. Then what? He thought it would go higher. He’s near 70 and is not really concerned with the world his grandkids will live in. Money is his real god, as it is for most capitalists. And that god shall be worshipped at the expense of everything else. For the people who are wrapped up in the American way, to deny the system is to deny their life’s work. For this same reason, many religious folks will not abandon their belief systems, despite overwhelming evidence that their concept of a higher power does not exist.
Modern life in the US is a new serfdom. We pay tribute to the captains of industry with our time, skills, and contentment. Most of us are attached to our current situation with little hope of measurably upgrading our lot in life. We spend our time on couches, in cubicles, behind the wheel or in bed trying to sleep. We have the illusion that we are free to not do these things, but we really don’t have a choice unless we like living in the street. I live in Los Angeles. I’ve lived in the area for 35 years. It’s not what it used to be, and it seems to be going downhill at a rapid pace. When the oil, water, and food runs out, I don’t want to be here.
I’ve always felt that the population explosion is the real problem. If the global human population was 10 percent of what it is now, all of our wasteful and destructive activities might be manageable. Currently, we’re fucked, and within our lifetimes our society will change for the worse.
No one wants to believe that their life and career path are pointless, but for the majority of Americans, that’s the truth. My feelings on the matter are vindicated. It’s so easy to see, but incredibly hard to accept. I’m not the only one who’s rational, there are others, and for that I’m happy.
I found it to be a very good film. It pulls no punches and offers no answers, because the truth is that there are no answers. Ask the Easter Islanders.
Kento