When I think about my future plans, I’m usually flip-flopping between two distinctly different options.
a) Build a small house in the country that can completely support itself.
b) Stay in the suburbs, or move to a city, and try to influence things there.
I usually end up going in circles if I think about this for too long.
In the country, it’s easy to create something in the image of an ideal. But in urban areas, there is so much more to work with. But people are set in their ways, you’ll always be fighting against the current. Change is the one constant feature of culture. You’ll be stepping on people’s toes instead of letting them choose to make a change. You’re asking too much of people – most can’t make that change. You need to go to them. At least those who came would be committed. They’d also be disconnected from the rest of the world. What is the value in that? Isn’t there value in living well and being happy? Isn’t there value in helping other people? I don’t know.
I’m hoping I’ll have a better grasp of this by the end of this summer.