When we come from the womb into the world we are already the chosen, the blessed by God. We are given lives which most of the universe will never experience. We have been chosen to live in this world for as long as God gives us power to live. We have been chosen to see the universe dancing and to dance along with it.
Still, some people feel no blessing and chose to hold tightly to a branch blowing in the wind or to a piece of land hoping to own it. Sharing in the commons is not their way, for they are afraid they will not get a share. Afraid, they become thieves, stealing from universe thy put up fences and hire guards to defend them.
But no place is new. All places have been crossed by animals and men. Women have given birth on each lot, each rock and chunk of beach. All places have been owned and then not owned, and may be owned again. Ownership is a fleeting figment, supported by a few today and none tomorrow.
I see in Thailand a partial spurring of ownership, a partial glimpse of the abandonment of ownership and government that is coming to the USA. When too few people hold the keys to the common land, those keys become nothing. Folk will simply tear down the walls, whether they be in New York, Berlin or China.
I gave up owning some time ago. I walk with minimal baggage. A sharp knife, strong string and a few rat/ mouse traps give me protean. Steel and flint, a lighter, and a hand axe let me cook. A glass, a cup, a plate allow portioning of my dinner. A poncho, a space blanket and a bit of coffee, for sleeping and waking.
If I lose these, it does not matter. I can walk naked in the world, or pick up a shard of glass to restart a new civilization.
Still, some people feel no blessing and chose to hold tightly to a branch blowing in the wind or to a piece of land hoping to own it. Sharing in the commons is not their way, for they are afraid they will not get a share. Afraid, they become thieves, stealing from universe thy put up fences and hire guards to defend them.
But no place is new. All places have been crossed by animals and men. Women have given birth on each lot, each rock and chunk of beach. All places have been owned and then not owned, and may be owned again. Ownership is a fleeting figment, supported by a few today and none tomorrow.
I see in Thailand a partial spurring of ownership, a partial glimpse of the abandonment of ownership and government that is coming to the USA. When too few people hold the keys to the common land, those keys become nothing. Folk will simply tear down the walls, whether they be in New York, Berlin or China.
I gave up owning some time ago. I walk with minimal baggage. A sharp knife, strong string and a few rat/ mouse traps give me protean. Steel and flint, a lighter, and a hand axe let me cook. A glass, a cup, a plate allow portioning of my dinner. A poncho, a space blanket and a bit of coffee, for sleeping and waking.
If I lose these, it does not matter. I can walk naked in the world, or pick up a shard of glass to restart a new civilization.
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