In the lake of the woods

Erik Kain

Erik writes about video games at Forbes and politics at Mother Jones. He's the contributor of The League though he hasn't written much here lately. He can be found occasionally composing 140 character cultural analysis on Twitter.

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10 Responses

  1. silentbeep says:

    Now this post is just lovely. Thanks for writing it.Report

  2. dexter45 says:

    I have lived deep in the Alaska woods and can relate to trying for the quiet mind. I can also relate to imaginary fear. One time I was hitchhiking to the lower 48 and had made it as far as Delta Junction. It is easy to get from Fairbanks to Delta Junction, but there is nothing but Alcan after and that rides are extremely hard to get. I had been in Delta for about a day and a half when, because of boredom, I decided to walk to the restaurant that I knew was about 18 miles down the straight as a tight string road. I had walked about half way when I started hearing crinkles. I walked and heard crinkles and with each little snap of a twig I worked myself farther and farther into a state of fear. By the time this had been going on for about an hour I finally jumped into the middle of the road and pulled out my little buck knife. I stood there and slowly but surely realized how dumb it was to think I could take whatever was following me with this little knife. I could see nothing but woods and the road that ended at a point in both directions. I really was in a state. I did not want to be eaten by whatever was making those fear inducing noises and as I comtemplated my situation I started listening, really listening and slowly, ever so slowly I realized the noise was coming from foraging rabbits. Congrat E. D. on a nice piece of writing. Also, I think Going After Cacciato is a better novel and one that deals with imaginary things.Report

  3. I’ve obviously said this privately, but it needs to be stated publicly so there’s no confusion for folks reading. You’re a good dude, running a stellar blog–not that you need any seal of approval from me.

    But bearing in mind our debate from last week, I thought I should say that. Thanks for linking.Report

  4. Eagle Driver says:

    This is an outstanding blog! Your insight is profound and needs to “get out there.” I especially liked your comment of:

    “Sometimes I think all this argument shrouds our thoughts, makes us less vigilant about the ideas we’re trafficking.”

    Ideas have consequences and as you said one of these consequences is: “Sometimes I think it’s a little poisonous.” Having spent time in different lonely parts of the country (survival training in the military) one is supposed to learn to control his fear at twig snappings (easier said than done and to confess I have done what dexter45 wrote about). One comes to the profound conclusion that this forest/desert/wasteland is “their house” and I can become “their” dinner, as such you appreciate home. And yet there is a peacefulness, a centered-ness that can only be found away from the urban life.

    Profound writing E.D. KainReport

  5. Mr. Prosser says:

    An excellent way to begin my day, thank you and Mr. Coates!Report