What Am I Supposed To Do With This?

A Response to Part 2 of Brad Kik’s Series on Shifting Our Culture Toward Ecological Ways of Being in the World

Toward the 10,000 Stories: A Manifesto is full of needed reminders. I don’t have pushback that’ll help it hit home.

You want some critical thoughts? Fine. One could say it tries to cover too much ground.

Irony! That’s often the culprit with my writing when I request Brad’s feedback. I like to piece seven subjects together rather than nailing down one solid theme in seven ways. You could argue that that’s going on in Toward the 10,000 Stories. Frankly, I think the fact that it ties so much together is a strength. Either way—it doesn’t matter much. Sometimes, the muse offers up a gem of clarity, something substantial enough for sustained scrutiny — other times, the muse gestures in a direction, but you’ve gotta do the rough assembly and make some sense out of things.

Why is the dialogical (as in dialogue, or back and forth) endeavor of critique, of “calling out,” so vaunted? Critique is easier than construction, but that ease doesn't limit its effects. I’ve seen careening messes of words and ego materialize from the process when blunt tools are used. Admittedly—it can be a way of expressing care for someone’s words, as well as respect for what’s true in general. Our hyperstimulated, novelty-minded culture monopolizes focus, concentration, time, and thought, so making the space to respond to longish-form writings isn’t trivial. It also, at best, lays a foundation for the fine-tuning of an author’s proposition. Constructive critique expresses consideration and holds the potential to improve written work. It’s still not my first choice.

I’m more drawn to care in the form of offering grace towards others’ words and ideas. I can be attentive, yes, but I also keep in mind that people’s priorities, personal experiences, and persuasions are scattered. If something sticks out kind of funny, maybe I let it be for a bit. I can take some of that saved energy and pursue a different approach.

I won’t start with “What quibbles do I have with this?” nor “How would I write this differently?” I’ll start by asking what am I supposed to do with this. Amongst my community. In my place. With whatever circumstances are before me. Saving more critical analysis to be leveled towards my own lived response and integration of whatever resonates is a positive start.

There are reasonable limits. Hold words accountable, by all means. You probably have a line in mind, and I’ve got one too.

Writings like Toward the 10,000 Stories boil down to exploring facets of living well (“for living in right-relationship with that place”). I’d rather spend time with whatever hits deepest in that realm than whatever I don’t find helpful. If something trips me up, I can just set it aside. The language is secondary. How often have I scrawled a question mark next to a phrase or paragraph in a book, only to return later and find those exact words understandable?

Anyway, with that aside, here’s the arc of Brad’s piece:

“There are ten thousand ways to live in the world, each with its own economy and culture, its own spirit, its own poetry, mythology, and unique way of being. Let us not presume that we’ve already found the best one, nor that there is only one to be found. There are some truly desirable, well-drawn ideas out there — ways to restore the raucous chorus of wild places, to feed our communities while regenerating the land, and to move away from economies that exploit and dehumanize, toward cultures of reciprocity and care. As for the idea that there is a “best” way, I’m agnostic. I don’t know what it is and I don’t think anyone else does either. Let’s grow multitudes, one by one, place by place. The particulars of each are beautiful, embedded in these ten thousand ways through ten thousand x ten thousand stories.

These are not stories we need to invent, because they are already here, alive in the landscape”…

Read the full essay (1056 words, 5-minute read)

Listen to the audio version

The Warp — Ideas and Inspiration

|| 1 || I’ve just seen the future in the form of the next writing staged for the Whole Field. It’s a counter from Brad (leaning on some of Amanda’s thoughts as well) to the last edition’s essay, and just one perusal has made me aware of gaps in my last writing as well as today’s. Suppose you’ve attempted consistent and substantial writing or spoken word or any kind of soul-baring work to be shared with a substantial amount of people. In that case, you know how difficult it is to construct something air-tight and representative across the board. Things invariably will get left aside, and whatever (or whoever) is left aside likely outlines the forms of your own experience.

That’s why I’m thankful for the approach of today’s essay, despite being reminded just now that calling out call-out culture is easy if you haven’t needed to draw much attention to your own plight. It’s also why I’m looking forward to what’s coming up, and you should, too. Stay tuned, especially if you’ve found yourself with some “Wait, buts...”

|| 2 || Finding the Heart is a short film offering a glimpse of musicians Jeffrey Martin and Willy Tea Taylor on their way and at a tour stop. Willy has been a favorite of mine for a bit over a decade now. Long based in California, he moved to Michigan not long after our family packed up and headed back in this direction. Martin is a rare bird too—I’m stopping myself from recommending everything and am saying click, read and listen to this new single.

The name of the film and its content reflect the antithesis of “phoning it in.” If you’re pouring your heart into things, however small and in whatever way that looks like, you’re creating space for magic. If you’ve largely given in to rote motions, it’s hard to keep things rolling. That’s touring philosophy that pans wide. These two would be a dream at the Alluvion. Until then, Willy Tea Taylor & The Fellowship’s new album, The Great Western Hangover (released yesterday!), in the car will probably be the closest I’ll get. That, and Jeffrey Martin’s album coming out November 3rd. I’ll be okay—there’s no shortage of heart-filled happenings on deck in TC. Find a quick list below in The Weft.

The Weft — News and Events

We’re heartened by a wide-range of expressions of resilient communities and gatherings. Here’s a smattering of regional events and happenings that reflect that diversity, collected for your consideration. Choose your own adventure!

|| 1 || Enrollment is now open for Crosshatch’s '23-'24 Carbon Farming and Forestry Planning Cohort. The program focuses on peer-to-peer learning for a small group of land stewards in Northwest lower Michigan. For more information on what the program entails, click here. For any additional questions or inquiries, contact program coordinator Daniel Marbury at daniel@crosshatch.org. Please register by November 8th to participate

|| 2 || The Edible Trails Project will be hosting a workday on Thursday, November 9th. Details on the upcoming event will be posted soon at crosshatch.org.

|| 3 || Pollinate 2023 | an inclusive conference for women and beyond in ag. The November 2nd date of the Pollinate Conference will be organized by the Grand Traverse Conservation District at the stunning (and woman-run) Chateau Chantal Winery and Vineyard on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City. Enjoy delicious wine and delicious company at Chateau Chantal's award-winning, conservation-minded grounds.

Register and/or find more information here.

|| 4 || Happenings at The Alluvion Between Now and the Next Whole Field include: Funky Uncle, Swingbone North, Rob Smith, Djangophonique featuring Katie Smith, Mindful + Musical Kids Class with Miriam Pico, Metal Bubble Trio, A.S. Lutes, Hearth & Hymn, Big Fun, and MashUp Rock & Roll Musical Presents: Look Who’s Talking Heads.

Find more information on any of these that catch your fancy at www.thealluvion.org.

|| 5 || “Is your organization who focuses on clean energy or climate work interested in engaging on agriculture work or understanding the interconnections of agriculture and climate? We've got an opportunity for you!” The RE-AMP Network is putting on the 2023 Midwest Climate and Agriculture Summit in Nebraska City, Nebraska, November 15-17. Click here to see the agenda, and/or register to save a spot.

|| 6 || The Traverse City Film Festival began anew on October 3rd. The new iteration of the annual festival features a curated film every Tuesday of the year, along with Q/A sessions with filmmakers, $2 popcorn, and more. Find details here.