I read it through the first time and savored your words. I read the second time to dig in to the meaning. Too many quotes to decide my favorite, Jonathan. I am glad you went back to your archives, this particular line, highlighted itself in flaming red. Thinking about the true reason Trump took the entire world to war—the ultimate Epstein file distraction. He knows he would be impeached and imprisoned, his DOJ complicit—“this shimmering facade, this lunatic pretence, this deliberate debacle”
You wrote this in 2023, perhaps among your many talents, you are a soothsayer—truth-sayer.
I felt such a brutal rage writing this. And helpless. So I wrote poetically, a steel fist in a velvet glove, but I still felt helpless. And that's the worst of it.
I was reminded yesterday that a few years back I did some work comparing speeches made at the 1972 Stockholm Environmental Conference with speeches made at Cop 26 (held in 2021). Maybe this essay comes from that rage, that nothing changed, the speeches called for the same things and still nothing changed. Except the brutality which is now just regular behaviour.
I'm so glad you read this, Lor. I knew you'd appreciate this one :)
To be broken by the travesty that we have caused and to laugh at its absurdity - this is how we cope. This is being human in 2025. This is a beautiful soul wrenching essay 🙏
No, thank you for helping people see what is happening beneath the surface of sea. A lot of us are turning a blind eye to something avoidable, but doing so will only make the suffering so much more intense down the road. Frustrating times.
It’s true what you say, Although I’d like to suggest also that this insane inequality and condensing of power means there’s little most people can actually do without, shall we say, regime change, a shift in values and vision and a good dose of real democracy.
I do think writers like you and I help to normalise thoughtful and gentle hope though Troy. The love of nature and humanity the honest expression of that love is a powerful thing.
I completely agree. It’s astounding what a tiny butterfly’s fluttering of love will do in this hurricane of stupidity. Even having the bravery to say “love helps” can be enough.
Btw, on a different note (or maybe same note) I’ve had your story pop into my head a few times in the last few days. Your forest walk and thoughts of your father, was wonderful Troy. That’s a sign of powerful writing I think. I’m looking forward to more.
Thank you for that encouragement, Jonathan. I think I may have made the fatal mistake of writing something too long. Those read times that Substack places on our pieces can be a major deterrent. I know I'm guilty of that too. Definitely more to come, and your writing and thoughts absolute inspire me to do so. Thanks again.
It's my pleasure GGD. And thank you for reading and all the support. I can quite honestly say that you have encouraged these weekly missives and I'm immensely grateful for that.
Beautiful, poignant words that resonate. Thank you for sharing them.
Thank you Ralph. And thanks for reading, I really do appreciate it.
I read it through the first time and savored your words. I read the second time to dig in to the meaning. Too many quotes to decide my favorite, Jonathan. I am glad you went back to your archives, this particular line, highlighted itself in flaming red. Thinking about the true reason Trump took the entire world to war—the ultimate Epstein file distraction. He knows he would be impeached and imprisoned, his DOJ complicit—“this shimmering facade, this lunatic pretence, this deliberate debacle”
You wrote this in 2023, perhaps among your many talents, you are a soothsayer—truth-sayer.
I felt such a brutal rage writing this. And helpless. So I wrote poetically, a steel fist in a velvet glove, but I still felt helpless. And that's the worst of it.
I was reminded yesterday that a few years back I did some work comparing speeches made at the 1972 Stockholm Environmental Conference with speeches made at Cop 26 (held in 2021). Maybe this essay comes from that rage, that nothing changed, the speeches called for the same things and still nothing changed. Except the brutality which is now just regular behaviour.
I'm so glad you read this, Lor. I knew you'd appreciate this one :)
To be broken by the travesty that we have caused and to laugh at its absurdity - this is how we cope. This is being human in 2025. This is a beautiful soul wrenching essay 🙏
Thanks so much Cathy, I really appreciate your comment, thanks :)
Powerful words and testimony. This was all I could think of while reading your post:
First it came for the capelin, and I didn’t speak out because I’m not a capelin...
That's really made me laugh Troy, a brilliant connection and summing up. Thanks for that :)
No, thank you for helping people see what is happening beneath the surface of sea. A lot of us are turning a blind eye to something avoidable, but doing so will only make the suffering so much more intense down the road. Frustrating times.
It’s true what you say, Although I’d like to suggest also that this insane inequality and condensing of power means there’s little most people can actually do without, shall we say, regime change, a shift in values and vision and a good dose of real democracy.
I do think writers like you and I help to normalise thoughtful and gentle hope though Troy. The love of nature and humanity the honest expression of that love is a powerful thing.
I believe the only way to save the things we love, is to help others fall in love with them too. I don't know if that is enough, but hope it helps.
I completely agree. It’s astounding what a tiny butterfly’s fluttering of love will do in this hurricane of stupidity. Even having the bravery to say “love helps” can be enough.
Btw, on a different note (or maybe same note) I’ve had your story pop into my head a few times in the last few days. Your forest walk and thoughts of your father, was wonderful Troy. That’s a sign of powerful writing I think. I’m looking forward to more.
Thank you for that encouragement, Jonathan. I think I may have made the fatal mistake of writing something too long. Those read times that Substack places on our pieces can be a major deterrent. I know I'm guilty of that too. Definitely more to come, and your writing and thoughts absolute inspire me to do so. Thanks again.
Loved it the first time and today again. Thank you Jonathan for bringing a moment of sanity, humanity, truth and playfulness into the weekly madness
It's my pleasure GGD. And thank you for reading and all the support. I can quite honestly say that you have encouraged these weekly missives and I'm immensely grateful for that.