To the question about generations , if you want the wisdom of the “aged” , go to church and build friendships.

Prayer is indeed that subtle but powerful element that prevents the complete attachment to people and place so much so that one begins to disrespect and overpower other peoples and places. It is also the element that allows for fulfilment of human life through meaning rather than through the meaningless "S's". Prayer (i.e. any form of intimate connection to the benevolent unseen world) is the that psycho-spiritual reminder that we, like Christ, are on this world but not of it.
Wholeheartedly, thank you so much to Paul Kingsnorth for putting into words and hence giving an existence to shady impressions and foggy emotions that are very hard to verbalize. Many blessings to all and happy holidays.

Here’s to all the peasants at heart

I visited relatives in West Ireland in 1978.  I spent an afternoon with my grandfather's oldest brother, who was in his eighties.  He asked me if I wanted to hear a poem, and of course I said yes.  It was the Legend of Priest's Leap, or something like that.  It was longish, and I was impressed with his ability to recall.  I often think about going back, but I'm afraid so much has changed since I was there, I would be disappointed.  I'm afraid that visiting now would spoil my wonderful memories.

You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away, here today and gone tomorrow. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men

Enjoyed this a lot. As a subscriber to your substack I've enjoyed another of your commentaries on society

I really enjoyed Paul’s talk and the subsequent discussion. But there might have been a bit of lost opportunity here. I saw that Eric Bende asked a question at 45:52. Eric has a fascinating story. He’s written many articles and a wonderful book titled BETTER OFF about his experiences in living a low-tech lifestyle with his family. He and Paul Kingsnorth could have certainly had an interesting conversation. FPR should consider having Eric as a speaker at a future conference. And I’d like to see Paul back as well. Thank you!

Bravo

Sometimes it's funny how you seem to stumble over a thinker just when you needed him. Only a short while ago I wrote down some thoughts how I thought culture and nature weren't really seperate, but necessarily linked to each other. And now over Jonathan Pageau I find Martin Shaw and through him I find Paul Kingsnorth, who starts off a talk by stating just that same idea I had.

Prayer! Algorithm bump!

I spy Graham Pardun there in the first row :)

I listen to Paul alot and love his work, but he is very mistaken to say Nomadic people don't have a link to place because they move around so much. It's an oft sighted misunderstanding. I recommend a read of anthropologist Hugh Brody's 'The Other Side of Eden'.

What was the name of the writer he quoted; Rand something?

Thanks. Paul dares to say the obvious, but supposedly unsayable. Speak up, reasonably and with wit, then you can draw a crowd. I can't dislike a man who enjoys his best insults.