what may we say

In Albert Camus' The Fall, Clamence says, "A single sentence will suffice for modern man: he fornicated and read the papers."

That book debuted debuted in 1956. This morning I was listening to Gideon Tsang talk about he found it challenging and enjoyable to work through the nature of his relationship to God and his place in the world, as long as it was on his own time. The hard part, he said, was when it involved actually being with other people. Because other people are annoying. We all laughed, but sadly, the aphorism is true.

Hemingway said that other people are the limiters of one's happiness. And the more I think about this, the truer it becomes, and the more I realize how selfish I am. We are so driven, so ambitious, so efficient. I know I do it - I put my academic goals and studies above other people. And I'm becoming painfully aware of the consequences. Where am I going to turn when I need understanding and friendship. I can communicate myself on paper, and paper and words can talk back. But paper can't listen any more than a wall can. Thankfully I do have a few good friends here. But we can't keep friends and community if we don't give of ourselves. In short, what may I say about modern man in 2007?

A single sentence will suffice for modern man: He has no sentence that will suffice because he is too busy to know his neighbors well enough to say.

On the bright side, this a spring of good music. Modest Mouse, The Arcade Fire, my new study favorite Explosions in the Sky (Thanks Scott), and the new Kings of Leon next month.

I know it's been a while. Sorry, I've had a dry spell.

Nords