One of the things that's interesting about Thoreau's book is the glimpse it gives of life in a different time, and back then people were more self-reliant and more spread out than they are. I get the impression that he was less isolated in that context than someone doing the exact same thing today would be.
...bah, you can probably see where I'm going with this. Even if one could have the same experience today, it wouldn't be the same, etc etc.
I heard about a school (summer program?) that alluded heavily to Thoreau; they studied his stuff outdoors around Walden...and I wondered if they were missing the point. I'm sure it would be an interesting experience, but I don't think his core message was 'live in a hut around this particular pond.'
I don't doubt that he got a lot out of conversations with people who visited him while he lived there (a -lot- of people visited him, and apparently he visited town enough to know the way in the dark; his social connections weren't dwelled on, but I suspect that he had more than I would if I was in his place), but I think he got stuff out of them because he was ameniable to. He speaks glowingly of conversations and observations but dosen't imply (that I can see) that any of them couldn't be had elsewhere.
...on the other hand, I -do- see how moving, or getting a new job, or living in a different place, or changing one's name/species is signifigant and can help one focus. Just changing your name or moving dosen't make you a different person by itself, much, but combined with the desire to do or be different it can really work. I like to think that the desire is the prime mover, but everyone WANTS things that they aren't able to put into action, so maybe the important thing is if one pulls it off...and everything that went into that can take credit.
Living in a modern city lacks a lot of freedoms or spaces that were common or at least realistically attainable way back when, but it has its own opportunities and beauties, its own places where people can find what they're looking for. I like to think there are folks that can get something out of being asked to move by the police. :) Hmm, I'm thinking of 'The Magic Christian' now...
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branchandroot
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Date: 2009-08-31 04:46 pm (UTC)...bah, you can probably see where I'm going with this. Even if one could have the same experience today, it wouldn't be the same, etc etc.
I heard about a school (summer program?) that alluded heavily to Thoreau; they studied his stuff outdoors around Walden...and I wondered if they were missing the point. I'm sure it would be an interesting experience, but I don't think his core message was 'live in a hut around this particular pond.'
I don't doubt that he got a lot out of conversations with people who visited him while he lived there (a -lot- of people visited him, and apparently he visited town enough to know the way in the dark; his social connections weren't dwelled on, but I suspect that he had more than I would if I was in his place), but I think he got stuff out of them because he was ameniable to. He speaks glowingly of conversations and observations but dosen't imply (that I can see) that any of them couldn't be had elsewhere.
...on the other hand, I -do- see how moving, or getting a new job, or living in a different place, or changing one's name/species is signifigant and can help one focus. Just changing your name or moving dosen't make you a different person by itself, much, but combined with the desire to do or be different it can really work. I like to think that the desire is the prime mover, but everyone WANTS things that they aren't able to put into action, so maybe the important thing is if one pulls it off...and everything that went into that can take credit.
Living in a modern city lacks a lot of freedoms or spaces that were common or at least realistically attainable way back when, but it has its own opportunities and beauties, its own places where people can find what they're looking for. I like to think there are folks that can get something out of being asked to move by the police. :) Hmm, I'm thinking of 'The Magic Christian' now...