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Show Jim Stiles, CRASH COURSE ON COSMIC MATERIALISM/BEHAVIORISM Basically, everything about cosmic materialism/behaviorism is already known by those who take the time and effort to objectively observe. So this is a review of things we already know. Simply put: COSMIC MATERIALISM/BEHAVIORISM IS ... BEHAVIORISM: Editor's Note: This letter was never intended for publication in The Zephyr.It wasn't even written to The Zephyr; it was addressed to Ms. Katie Lee, famous river runner, author and nudist. Katie (and Mr. Trible) have been kind enough to share it with us...JS Dear Ms. Lee: Until last week, I've never had a reason to like Barnes and Noble. Thanks to these chain bookstores, many good independent bookstores in Tucson have gone out of business. What a pleasure to see you again. To reintroduce myself, I last saw you at Tequila Mockingbird, the place where you were forced to perform after the Folk Festival was canceled due to weather conditions. I finally remember that it was a Larry Gatlin song that Start with the Stoics. Over 2,000 years ago, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Zeno, started it all. They said: 1 Man should learn to banish anger from his mind, respond with mercy, because the important issue is to get on with living, not sitting around and moaning about it. All a good man can do is offer himself to fate; that if a man isn't afraid to die, fortune has no power over him. Check library for more... However, there were many things the stoics missed, perhaps because they weren't scientifically oriented. Here are a few: Nothing lasts. There is no particular reason why we lost out on things. We don't really control anything. you sang whereupon you apologized for not sounding as slick as Larry. Anyway, I regret that it's taken this long to meet you again. I haven't had a chance to start reading your book yet (for me, reading a book is an event, not something to fill time) but I'm confident that it's at least as good as Ten Thousand Goddam Cattle. Each of us is ultimately alone. If you have a hero/heroine you are diminishing yourself. At the bookstore, I introduced myself as a fellow Naturist. It occurred to me after saying it that perhaps you either didn't know that the term meant or that it just didn't There are no hidden meanings only speculation. register. If the former is true, then let me point out that in the word “naturist” you'll notice that there is only one “a”. A naturist is one who believes in a clothing-optional lifestyle. You'll appreciate the following quote. “Naturists believe that clothes-optional lifestyles can resolve the ‘eternal’ Puritanism vs. Pornography confrontation. Body acceptance is the rational and healthy but suppressed answer which should be—but is denied the possibility of becoming, in today's North America—the mainstream solution.” The writing isa little convoluted but you get the gist. This is my main reason for writing you. I belong to the Southern Arizona Naturist Society and we would like two things from you. We would like permission to quote your words in our literature and to invite you and Joey (is he a kangaroo??) to our campouts. SANS has one once a month along with a once a month house party. I was going to give you a copy of the March newsletter but was shocked to note that one of the items listed was the offer of signing up for a houseboat trip on Lake Powell. In defense, it should be pointed out that this is not a SANS function per se and I personally gave up) thanks to people like you) the notion of wanting to visit Lake Powell. Have you ever met Ed Keeylocko? I must confess that most of the SANS camping sites are fairly nondescript. Being societal outcasts, we don't have access to any spectacular locations. Nevertheless, we would ~ be honored by your company. If even slightly interested, let me know and I'll send you info. Perhaps with your help, we could plan a Mingus Mountain rendezvous or some other location of your choice. If you'll forgive us for endorsing a Lake Powell boat trip, I'll forgive you for appearing at Barnes and Noble. Please reply, Sincerely, Richard Trible Cortaro, AZ LETTERS TO FEEDBACK are printed at the whim of the publisher. When there isa Letter of the Month. the writer receives a complimentary one year subscription. Try to be literate. Katie Lee..Naturist (see letter above) You can't make anyone love you. All important decisions are made from insufficient data. It's a random universe to which we bring meaning. If one doesn't want to get in too deep, there are always the axioms: Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. Fate leads him who will follow and drags him who resists. Check library for more.... Even the renowned cynics have their points: 1, H.L. Mencken said: “Metaphysics is the attempt to prove the incredible by appealing to the unintelligible.” “Conscience is the inner voice that warns us that someone may be looking.” “What men enjoy is not rights, but privileges.” 2. Luther Burbank said: “For those who do not think, it's best to rearrange their prejudices once in a while.” Check the library for more... For the beginner, one can find wisdom in comics and comedians. For example: Popeye said: “I yam what I yam, and that's all I yam.” Skippy said: “Live and let live.” Jimmy Durante said: “Dems the conditions dat prevail.” Doris Day said: “Que sera...” (whatever will be will be) COSMIC MATERIALISM Four stages or reality: Things we can detect with our senses. Things we can detect with special equipment. Things we have yet to detect. Things we will never detect. The second part of cosmic materialism is the on-going energy—electrical, chemical, And mechanical—that creates constant movement and changes that can be instantaneous, or can take thousands even millions of years. (cause and effect/stimulus and response.) This can be proven by the fact that everything had to move and change to get where itis now, today (buildings, streets, glaciers, canyons, mountains, solar systems...) and had NOW AT ‘BACK OF BEYOND’ BOOK STORE (and fine book stores across the land) The Incomparable Katie Lee's ALL MY RIVERS ARE GONE The only important element missing from this book is the sound of Katie Lee's voice singing her superb river songs; songs that tell us where she has come from---right out of the Colorado River itself. Read this book and learn what we have lost in the drowning of Glen Canyon; read this book and be inspired to fight for its restoration. David Brower |