Re: [pf] redefining luxury (Sustainable living, lifestyle diversity)

>>· In:
http://csf.colorado.edu/mail/pfvs/2001I/msg01020.html  I said: 
>>
>> ... we four have been settling down to live at a certain level that IMO
is not far from sustainable.
>>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
At 11:22 3/8/2001 +1200, I wrote {at:
http://csf.colorado.edu/mail/pfvs/2001III/msg00832.html } :-
>
>· Here I'm commenting on the process of redefining Desirables and Luxuries.
> ...
>· Consequently I see a necessity for those living high-off-the-hog to
"rough it" for enough time to start really appreciating what I regard as
luxuries: clothes washed, dried and waiting; ... overseas travel; ...
>· ... I would prefer that people _choose_ to make such changes, because
they will like and appreciate themselves and others better after doing it.
>· ... because it's my choice, I've been able to put up with the privations
and have come to enjoy some aspects of it ...
>

· Molly Williams wrote to me about this (after I sent her a Bcc of it):

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To a large extent, this is what people do who thru-hike the Appalachian
Trail, here along the U.S. east coast mountains. [One of my relatives, at
age 65] thru-hiked the AT (over 2,000 miles, from Georgia to Maine) a few
years ago, and David Appell did about 1/2 of it the year before that,
before injury led him to stop. The hikers live for 5-7 months on the 50
pounds of stuff they carry on their backs, with stops every week or two for
more food. When they get into a town, they eat large quantities of ice
cream and salads -- stuff they can't get on the trail -- and luxuriate in a
hostel sleeping environment (no, not hostile!). They burn about 5,000
calories a day, endure quite a bit of hardship, boredom, pain, and
privation, and I think most really appreciate the things most of us take
for granted, like a warm and dry place to sleep, nearby medical care, fresh
food, hot food, clean and plentiful WATER, clean clothes, an indoor
lavatory, protection from bears and other animals, etc. 

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· I'm glad to hear that there are some fairly ordinary Americans who have a
wish, or feel the need, to test themselves against such a standard.

· I don't think it's necessary, for the "opening one's eyes" purpose I'm
talking about, to add the physical effort (walking with a pack for days on
end, 5000 calories per day, etc), so I would guess what I'm talking about
is tent-camping in the parks that don't have modern facilities - the sort
of thing I did while growing up in the '40s and '50s. But for _many_ weeks,
hopefully months.

· For those who've /never/ done it, I'd recommend camping in your backyard
for at least most of a week, first.

· The goal is, as Molly said, to "really appreciate the things most of us
take for granted".

David.
David MacClement [davd @ ihug.co.nz] (remove spaces)
http://davd.tripod.com/GrRR-010727_titles.html#top
http://www.geocities.com/davd.geo/index.html#top
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