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Zak's Campfire Jam's avatar

Thanks for sharing this. I read Tom Brown Jr.'s "The Tracker" when I was living a miserable existence in a hovel in one of America's many neglected urban centers (doesn't matter which--they're "all ugly in the same way.") It became a touchstone of my life, & following its advice, I became pretty good at spotting hidden animals, though not on the level of those instructors, but more than that, I finally got steered away from the mano-a-mano man-against-nature motif of "survival" culture vs. "traditional skills" culture. And as you point out, this attitude then extends to many corners of your life. He's done wonderful things for people.

And also, THIS: "How many articles have you read about someone who joins an excursion with people who have principles that clash with the voracious consumption of everyday life, and then returns home to sneer about it to a national magazine?"

Answer: far too many, including a particular best-seller about the Appalachian Trail written by someone who couldn't do it & presented that as a point of moral and mental superiority. Ugh. Sneering is not a good look, or a good way to live. A week or two away from it is always refreshing. Sincerity is cool, you know? I'm mostly done with anti-heroes for the same reason--been there, done that. It's a cop-out.

Peace.

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Sara's avatar

Thanks so much for sharing, Thomas. I love the threads we’re both pulling on…excited to read more about Tracker School!

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