WHOLE EARTH CATALOG. REMEMBERING. CREATING A RETRO-FUTURE

 

 

 Our 1968 house qualified as a commune because there were over 15 people living in a two bedroom home.  One block from campus.  One of the most coveted spaces was a basement stairwell with a Hindu tapestry.  We did not rate full hipness status because we had no eloquent activists in the upper echelon of the SDS or demonstrators who had actually been arrested.  

We still knew the correct slogans and made the scene in full regalia.  For me, the most boring aspect was the constant vocabulary of smoking dope.  I did not like it.  I don't regret some other trips of alternate or expanded consciousness, but once you learn something there is a real high found in returning to good mental and physical health.   

I was about to let myself be convinced that my musical equipment (acquired through working construction) should be liberated to the eloquent upper echelon because it "belongs to the people."  

Then it happened.  Whole Earth Catalog arrived on the scene.  The world, outer space, and inner space was offered by great minds. Buckminster Fuller, Norbert Wiener, John C. Lilly, Frank Herbert, and a teeming alternative university of real educators arrived via some startling book reviews.  The I-Ching, Castaneda, and vast resources of homesteading skills and tools were offered up for building a better world rather than stealing an established one.

I remember a fascination for hopeful knowledge and suddenly being allowed to find my self-esteem.  The paradox is that esteem for others was also heightened.  

My purpose here is to indicate that the WEC era might be upon us again.  How to build your own computer and information culture were among those 1968 topics facilitated by Stewart Brand.  I find the same enthusiasm for aware achievement on some corners of the internet experience.

It is my hope that someone, or many people, create information pages toward what is possible with the same indomitable spirit.  I have so many recommendations that I won't mention any one person or group lest I leave anyone out.  Maybe I'll put together a catalog of the greats with the understanding that I need guidance and the input of those more qualified.  This is just a beginning.  Stay tuned.