[pct-l] Monetary Contributions

[Timothy Nye]

One of the great benefits of hiking the trail is that it provides time for thought.  I took away a belief that  in order understand something I really needed to understand the context in which it arose. I found that the largest barrier to my achieving the ability to place things in context wasn't necessarily a lack of experience, but the time compression I experienced in the 'real' world.  This sense of a hectic or relatively frenzied lifestyle wasn't even something I was aware of until the first time I had hiked for several weeks and gradually  settled into the natural rhythms of trail life.

The fact is, little time is afforded us in contemporary society to truly reflect and consider most issues or questions we encounter.  Time compression, or the way in which we jump from issue to task in the current societal construct,  reminds me of playing speed chess in which we play rote moves based on position rather than analysis; or a video game where previous choices dictate the rapid  moves required in the immediate present. This reality in the 'real' world seems to be at least one cause of dissension and conflict as we defend positions taken without fully considering other contemporaneous input.  Add in the possibility of an emotional component based on past nontrail experiences and difficulties are only compounded.

Yet, the list generally transcends this and seems to have a critical mass where disagreement rarely descends to fallacious argument or ad hominem attack. I think this entire discussion has brought out mature and thoughtful commentary that reflects credibly on the community as a whole. Would that the external political environment had the same level of discourse.

The fact is that the original post could be interpreted in so many different ways, and was, even to the point of the language of the post being changed, that it allowed many different salient points to emerge that in turn allowed a much more comprehensive discussion on the ethos of trail angeling. Each poster sharing the perspective brought from their own interpretation of the post.

I find it hard to imagine a better way to avoid greater dissension in the future than the current discussion. It allows the formation, if not necessarily of a consensus, but rather a shared understanding going forward for all those involved.

The original comment could well have been merely marveling at the return generosity of the thrus.  It's reception by some as the equivalent of an ostentatious, and judgmental, tip jar could also be true. So are other possibilities.  The world is beset by ambiguities, often created by ourselves and the immediacy of having to live in a foreshortened present where perception becomes reality.   Seeing an issue from these multiple viewpoints transforms a two dimensional view to a three dimensional one providing the necessary depth.

The trail unites us all by allowing us to experience the basis of true community unfiltered by politics or the present society.  As a side note, it's interesting that the trigger for the current discussion was money. When I yogi on the trail, the most effective way I have found is to offer money, usually held out, and offer to buy or pay for a soda, beer or even ride. ( I'll hold up a twenty) no one has ever accepted the cash unless I continue to insist after they first refuse. I also will secrete money or leave it on the seat if I think someone who still refuses probably needs it.  Perhaps this juxtaposition has also contributed to some of the posts without being specifically cited.



Gourmet



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