Or: What’s the point of writing in times like these?

06/21/2020 . I believe these times to be a continuation, and intensification, of the struggle among humans going on for some ten thousand years (since the so-called, “agricultural revolution”). That struggle is between those who get off on telling others what to do, and those that have no such need. That is, between psychopaths and non-psychopaths; between Daniel Quinn’s Takers and Leavers (re: Ishmael ); between Hemmingway’s Fascists and Freedom Fighters (re: For Whom the Bell Tolls ). I like to follow Thomas Merton’s example and call the psychopaths, Takers, and Fascists collectively, The Unspeakable. I believe that this year, 2020, the Unspeakable have launched their endgame via the COVID-19 pandemic hoax. See Peter Koenig’s article on the Global Research website: Coronavirus – The Aftermath. A Coming Mega-Depression… .

The implication of all this is that we are caught up in a struggle as intense, horrific, and consequential as the Spanish Civil War. I expounded on this in my last journal entry (06/07/2020 Truth from a classic book). I’m not advocating violence—that only plays into the Unspeakable’s hands. But I am left with the anxiety of how to deal with it all.

One way of dealing—maybe the most important way—is to not give into fear and depression, and to continue to live. Live as free as possible and pursue human activities in defiance of the Unspeakable. Cultivate and celebrate family, friendship, and the love of unmitigated nature.

For me, working towards these ends means I’ll keep writing. I’ll also support the work of fellow writers through my writers’ group. So I’m launching a long term initiative of working through all the writing exercises in Robert Olmstead’s book: Elements of the Writing Craft . I will do this in the pages of my writer’s group newsletter, Chapter Three . You’ll need to subscribe (it’s free) if you want to follow my effort. You can find more info on this Writing Elements Challenge here.