Luddite in Eden…
Ms. Jeffers lives alone, much like the current day Amish. She has a “claimed space” of about one acre in a deeply wooded area on the Rockies.
Today is her annual visit from a “Census” worker who confirms that Ms. Jeffers is getting along.
The Census worker inquires about her decision to be alone deep in the forest.
Ms. Jeffers:
“I guess I decided to be out of the system when I was just a child.
I never trusted government and I can't say Itrust today's much either.
People change when they're in a group and I never was comfortable with that.
Didn't it ever strike you how a friendship could be so divergent growing up in school?
You know, friend today, who are you, tomorrow.
It's no different in the work place when they get older.
Some go for the brownie points.
Some try and show off being a rebel and all... While others, which I guess includes me,
just watch the whole thing like it's some kind of Broadway play.
I always thought it was a circus.
And who really is your friend?
Everyone's got ego and a social ladder to climb.
All right, so it isn't about money any more.
The government said- oh, excuse me- I mean "the people" said "no more capitalism. No more greed."
Yeah well "power', however it manifests, is the real issue.
Look at history.
Why would someone that was already rich want to be president in the old United States of North America?
The job seemed like a big pain in the ass to me.
Ha, "power." Yeah, that's it. Look at me. I hold all the cards.
What I'm saying is that these people had a vision beyond "Civil Duty."
These people had visions of grandeur.
That's right, let's not have history forget this rich man.
"Maybe I'll do something radical and offer social programs using the people’s money?"
Yeah, well they can have their power and all their little sheep “believers”.
Civilization no matter how civilized breeds discontent and corruption.
In world history terms the "revolution" as they call it is still young.
Once the paradigm is in place and generations take their destined role...
the hammer will fall once more.
That's why I'm here, deep in the country.
My world is with nature.
I'm the wolf that hides in the mountains;
the eagle that nests high on the cliffs, the underground spring that sweeps soil from beneath your feet.
I share with you this world, but your world has nothing that nature doesn't already provide.
Her authority doesn't bind me; it makes me alive as certain as it will have me die.
Now you, my dear, I know you mean well. But it is the force that brings us together that concerns me.
I didn't just pack up and move out here.
The government, represented by you, obviously knows where I am.
This is nothing more than a follow up interview.
Their own little way to make sure I'm not forming a little conspiracy out here in the backwoods.
Reply from Census Worker
“Yes, Mr Jeffers, that is one way to look at it, but few people are prepared for such a transition.
Even with educational assistance the failure rate is quite high.
You have willingly excommunicated yourself from society.
I believe our concern is genuine and you should be made aware of the risks.”
Excommunicated! Yes dear, you certainly have given me a reason to fear your vocabulary if nothing else.
Well, "big sister" I apologize.
You did it for me because you care so much.
I'm certainly glad we rescued Indigenous Africa, the Aborigines, and the Native Americans from making the same mistake I'm making.
I mean why wouldn't I want to be a part of guaranteed health care, public education, and my fractional say in government?
Why, I must not be well after all. The next thing you know I'll propose the silly notion that there are thirteen months instead of twelve. Perhaps excommunication was the word you were looking for?
I'm fully prepared to live above as well as within the earth, are you?
Or perhaps you need to think about that in a controlled environment. Oh no, wait! You better freeze your ass so you don't go to heaven or hell at all. The government will wake you up when we're all immortal. Now wouldn't that be a beautiful thing!
Census Worker- agitated:
“Ms. Jeffers, I am only here to make sure you’re doing okay.
We’re not policing you or telling you how to live.”
Did I strike a nerve?
So sorry. So many have friends and family on ice these days, don't they?
But let’s face, you came up here to check on me... who the hell is checking on you?
In all honesty, how long do you think it will last?
How long before everyone stops applauding this new democracy of the world?
Probably when they notice that Joe neighbor has managed to work the system a little better than they did.
Right now all seems fair and equal but human nature is and always will be human nature.
A custodial worker is still a janitor even if he reads Tolstoy and is in the philharmonic.
He'll want for his children something better just as his neighbor will want the same. Conflict is inevitable.
It's breed in the bone.
We do what is right at this moment for stability.
It's a new world government- technically the first.
Let's make everyone happy so they don't see the blanket pulled over their eyes.
Ha, I'm exploiting this moment of liberty.
In another twenty years a study will come out on why we should outlaw naturalist behavior.
"Obviously, people like me are insane and we don't know what is good for us."
Therefore, my big brother must rescue me from my freedom.
Put little sister in the sanitarium to cleanse her of her self-abusive behavior.
I'm no threat to anyone but myself and I still piss people off!
But, even if I were a threat, I have no real link to society.
I'm a hermit. I'm a Robinson Crusoe with no Friday…
Unless, a beautiful collie counts for something?
Now I do go to the farm market about once a month.
Remember, thirteen times a year. I guess I could burn down the market.
Yeah, I'm a true menace to society.
Excuse the pessimism,
but while the Utopians are out selling everyone on how beautiful and just the new world is,
Father Fascist is waiting till everyone feels “so damn good that” they fall asleep with the door open.
Then, holy cow, if that ain't Joseph Stalin wearing your bedroom slippers in the morning?
Then what happens? Everyone is in the system. Everyone has the same slippers.
But let’s not think that way now.
Everybody is free; everybody is equal, health care, mass transit.
We're saving the world.
We're living in outer space.
Look, there's even a sexual revolution.
Everybody is walking around naked. Looks like I even followed that trend.
I'm not saying it isn't all-beautiful,
But I have no more respect for what is beautiful than what is ugly.
It's the balance of nature.
It's everywhere I am.
For me that is life in Eden.
Ms. Jeffers lives alone, much like the current day Amish. She has a “claimed space” of about one acre in a deeply wooded area on the Rockies.
Today is her annual visit from a “Census” worker who confirms that Ms. Jeffers is getting along.
The Census worker inquires about her decision to be alone deep in the forest.
Ms. Jeffers:
“I guess I decided to be out of the system when I was just a child.
I never trusted government and I can't say Itrust today's much either.
People change when they're in a group and I never was comfortable with that.
Didn't it ever strike you how a friendship could be so divergent growing up in school?
You know, friend today, who are you, tomorrow.
It's no different in the work place when they get older.
Some go for the brownie points.
Some try and show off being a rebel and all... While others, which I guess includes me,
just watch the whole thing like it's some kind of Broadway play.
I always thought it was a circus.
And who really is your friend?
Everyone's got ego and a social ladder to climb.
All right, so it isn't about money any more.
The government said- oh, excuse me- I mean "the people" said "no more capitalism. No more greed."
Yeah well "power', however it manifests, is the real issue.
Look at history.
Why would someone that was already rich want to be president in the old United States of North America?
The job seemed like a big pain in the ass to me.
Ha, "power." Yeah, that's it. Look at me. I hold all the cards.
What I'm saying is that these people had a vision beyond "Civil Duty."
These people had visions of grandeur.
That's right, let's not have history forget this rich man.
"Maybe I'll do something radical and offer social programs using the people’s money?"
Yeah, well they can have their power and all their little sheep “believers”.
Civilization no matter how civilized breeds discontent and corruption.
In world history terms the "revolution" as they call it is still young.
Once the paradigm is in place and generations take their destined role...
the hammer will fall once more.
That's why I'm here, deep in the country.
My world is with nature.
I'm the wolf that hides in the mountains;
the eagle that nests high on the cliffs, the underground spring that sweeps soil from beneath your feet.
I share with you this world, but your world has nothing that nature doesn't already provide.
Her authority doesn't bind me; it makes me alive as certain as it will have me die.
Now you, my dear, I know you mean well. But it is the force that brings us together that concerns me.
I didn't just pack up and move out here.
The government, represented by you, obviously knows where I am.
This is nothing more than a follow up interview.
Their own little way to make sure I'm not forming a little conspiracy out here in the backwoods.
Reply from Census Worker
“Yes, Mr Jeffers, that is one way to look at it, but few people are prepared for such a transition.
Even with educational assistance the failure rate is quite high.
You have willingly excommunicated yourself from society.
I believe our concern is genuine and you should be made aware of the risks.”
Excommunicated! Yes dear, you certainly have given me a reason to fear your vocabulary if nothing else.
Well, "big sister" I apologize.
You did it for me because you care so much.
I'm certainly glad we rescued Indigenous Africa, the Aborigines, and the Native Americans from making the same mistake I'm making.
I mean why wouldn't I want to be a part of guaranteed health care, public education, and my fractional say in government?
Why, I must not be well after all. The next thing you know I'll propose the silly notion that there are thirteen months instead of twelve. Perhaps excommunication was the word you were looking for?
I'm fully prepared to live above as well as within the earth, are you?
Or perhaps you need to think about that in a controlled environment. Oh no, wait! You better freeze your ass so you don't go to heaven or hell at all. The government will wake you up when we're all immortal. Now wouldn't that be a beautiful thing!
Census Worker- agitated:
“Ms. Jeffers, I am only here to make sure you’re doing okay.
We’re not policing you or telling you how to live.”
Did I strike a nerve?
So sorry. So many have friends and family on ice these days, don't they?
But let’s face, you came up here to check on me... who the hell is checking on you?
In all honesty, how long do you think it will last?
How long before everyone stops applauding this new democracy of the world?
Probably when they notice that Joe neighbor has managed to work the system a little better than they did.
Right now all seems fair and equal but human nature is and always will be human nature.
A custodial worker is still a janitor even if he reads Tolstoy and is in the philharmonic.
He'll want for his children something better just as his neighbor will want the same. Conflict is inevitable.
It's breed in the bone.
We do what is right at this moment for stability.
It's a new world government- technically the first.
Let's make everyone happy so they don't see the blanket pulled over their eyes.
Ha, I'm exploiting this moment of liberty.
In another twenty years a study will come out on why we should outlaw naturalist behavior.
"Obviously, people like me are insane and we don't know what is good for us."
Therefore, my big brother must rescue me from my freedom.
Put little sister in the sanitarium to cleanse her of her self-abusive behavior.
I'm no threat to anyone but myself and I still piss people off!
But, even if I were a threat, I have no real link to society.
I'm a hermit. I'm a Robinson Crusoe with no Friday…
Unless, a beautiful collie counts for something?
Now I do go to the farm market about once a month.
Remember, thirteen times a year. I guess I could burn down the market.
Yeah, I'm a true menace to society.
Excuse the pessimism,
but while the Utopians are out selling everyone on how beautiful and just the new world is,
Father Fascist is waiting till everyone feels “so damn good that” they fall asleep with the door open.
Then, holy cow, if that ain't Joseph Stalin wearing your bedroom slippers in the morning?
Then what happens? Everyone is in the system. Everyone has the same slippers.
But let’s not think that way now.
Everybody is free; everybody is equal, health care, mass transit.
We're saving the world.
We're living in outer space.
Look, there's even a sexual revolution.
Everybody is walking around naked. Looks like I even followed that trend.
I'm not saying it isn't all-beautiful,
But I have no more respect for what is beautiful than what is ugly.
It's the balance of nature.
It's everywhere I am.
For me that is life in Eden.