IT’S COMPLICATED
Saturday, October 31, 2020
We are, for a short time, custodians of this planet.
Currently, 8 billion of us eating and bathing every day – not unlike our critter friends, our first focus of survival involves sanitary food, water, and wastewater.
Food, clothing, and shelter are essentials. Though needs vary around the planet, our cultures and practices vary, our need for basics is essential to survival.
We Canadians live in one of the largest and resource richest countries on earth. Yet, we’re most concentrated in this two hundred mile strip along our southern boundary, or as our American cousins might describe us, concentrated near their northern border …
When we travel and visit each other’s country. Our language is common, a large portion of our popular culture is common, and we each call our currency a dollar. We assume similarities. Beyond those few, we are more profoundly different, not just in our landscape and our government structure, but in attitudes and priorities.
Maps imply that southern Alberta is like next-door Montana – but anyone venturing far into that state quickly learns both landscape and people are far different. Just as Quebec and Vermont, or Ontario and New York, or Saskatchewan and North Dakota meet on a border, these places and their peoples are not the same, while at the same time not being opposite either.
Ghost stories and children canvassing for candy will dot most communities.
Tricking and treating will take a little longer this year – and it might take a couple of weeks to inventory and count the votes candy.
Cold air, costumes, and keeping your distance matters ~ drive slow, watch out for goblins and pirates.
Reader feedback:
Great reminder of how incredibly blessed we are living this ‘100’ years! You, like me, Mark, have finished the first 2/3rds without significant, horrific, world events. Covid19 doesn’t hold a candle to our ancestors’ trials and tribulations! Yeah team Canadians! I hope for our American brother, the bleeding stops on Wednesday!, SF, Lethbridge, AB
You and I are members of a rather peculiar species, a puzzling primate. Check out: “The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter” by Joseph Henrich. As for your column today, I certainly agree the view forward should be made with optimism and the curiosity innate in our species. I remember 40 years ago quite clearly, 50 and 60 years a bit more faded, but some memories still stand out clearly. The iceman with his tongs and leather apron loading the icebox with blocks carved from Lake Simcoe. (Years later I was the insurance broker for that same company and their modern manufacturing plant. Closed the circle...). Milk delivery with a horse drawn wagon cooled with the same ice blocks. And here we are today poised on the edge of more wonders yet to come. I would love to see what transpires over the next 50 years, but for now will rely on the visions provided stimulated by forward looking thinkers and innovators to spark what for now will have to exist in my imagination. Cogito ergo erit meditate ..., DM, Okotoks, AB
|
|
|