Chris Clarke has hit a rough patch, struggling to make ends meet and suffering with a sense of failure. I wouldn’t call him a failure at all; he’s a fabulous and provocative writer with an acute sense of the importance of the cause. I read his work every time I find it, and I look for it every day.
I think his problem is simple: he won’t sell out. But think of it! All he has to do is go to one of those corporations he keeps nagging and name his price, his price to shut up, his price to flog corporate PR. And then he could write pieces that, instead of talking about what people are destroying as they shred his beloved desert (downer, man!), he could write about their bright shining future of shiny technology and never-ending comfort (happy happy bliss!), and everybody will love being reassured.
There’s money in abandoning all your principles, you know.
Or readers could notice that big “DONATE” button at the bottom of his post, and click on it. Of course, that will only encourage him in his wayward course, and keep him poking at the powerful and comfortable.
Done. Poke away, Mr. Clarke. Poke away.
Chris Clarke is awesome. I admire him greatly. Failure? Hell, no. Hero.
This is why I’ve already donated some of my smallish amount of money. Go get ’em Chris!
This is why I wish I had money. Sigh. One day, fates, one day.
As true as this is the money can never be enough – just don’t do it!
I’ll be adding to the beer and tacos fund this weekend. Keep fighting the good fight, Chris!
PZ, thank you.
Horde, thank you.
The votes of confidence you folks keep sending, in whatever form, do help very much.
You’re a good person, Chris, and not even close to being a failure.
I’m not in your shoes, but I do often have to fight feelings of despair and “knowing” that I’m a good for nothing failure. Those feelings lie to you. Don’t trust them.
One of the things I like best about Chris’s writing is not just its beautiful structure, but the sense of presence in each piece.
All of us, like Chris, are present in this place. I like that he gently reminds us of that and our responsibility to our world. No one reading here may say that the didn’t contribute to our situation. It’s only a question of how we can, each with our unique qualities, make this place better.
Sometimes, it’s hard to frame things properly: Our corporate environment thrives on stolen wealth and a mechanistic processing of resources. It is voracious, faceless and inhuman; tearing away the valuable, human(e) aspects of our human society, which are deemed meaningless if they doesn’t fit the agenda of PR, marketing and profit.
None of us should buy into that garbage and none of us should feel a failure to being human or asking for some help. Humans do one thing that corporate organizations don’t: We often build supportive human communities.
Done…a pittance…but it will hopefully cover morning coffee for a coupla weeks.
I have loved Chris since his “Ev Psych Hardwired” essay. That one should come with a “pee first” warning for post-menopausal middle-aged women!
a little help sent…a little “bucket filling” feels good amidst mayoral tales of “drunken stupors” in my neck of the woods
Added some to the coffee/meds fund.
I’ve enjoyed his writings and chipped in a few bucks. Hope it helps him over the bad patch.
Well, if he was here in Melbourne I’d be happy to shout him a beer. He’s not though, so I’ll send him the money that would go towards a beer. He doesn’t have to spend it on beer if he doesn’t want to, obviously.
Mmmm, beer.
It’s Friday afternoon, does it show?
If only principle was embraced as strongly by all. Most give it mere lip service and leave it for others to give it substance. Its too damned hard. It can knock one off one’s pet personal plans. And when it crosses big powerful interests to the contrary (as many a principle inevitably will) it can turn fearsome.
Chris dares to operate under it in spite of the problems it invites – AND despite infirmity and hardship. That takes a constitution that can’t possibly be associated with “failure”. Precisely the opposite. It is, in fact, stunningly successful and inspiring, a perseverance and allegiance to the principle, of advocating a true course of the right thing in the blasts of the wrong current, which is nothing short of electrically amazing.
Chris: hang in there man. There are many who stand alongside you – and have been inspired to conduct their own campaigns on principle following your example. You have friends and friends will help each other.
Done!