Curiouser and Curiouser

The three big globes were the landmark that made the journey back to camp at night quite a bit easier. They were well lighted, just slightly clockwise from us on the Esplanade. A beacon by day or night. The benches and Global Warming got some use during the day also, when we can sit, relax, consider the planet wihout needing to be warmed by it. A whole different energy from the nightime gatherings. Some burners found the first question perplexing and seemed to think of the things they'd want to have done by the end. But the point is, it's THE END of the world, everything's gone, nothing we did or didn't do matters, nothing is left. Not cleaning our closets, or stocking our pantries, or that final group hug. As at waking dreams, some answers were immediate and decisive, others followed some thought, some waffling, some back and forth no-ing and yes-ing. And again, I was challenged by someone who decided the second question was judgy, implying some connection between end of the world and growing food. We talked about growing food being more of an after the apocalypse skill or just general self sufficiency action and something spiritually satisfying, that connection with the planet. She messaged me later in the year and said she had a potted tomato plant going on her deck, and thanked me for being a good influence. Nice. I found out later that she was raised by a defense attorney known for argumentative tactics. I wondered if she had learned some questioning technique that maybe actually hit the mark. Maybe I am being judgy subconciously. Even though the food you grow yourself doesn't really help once the world has ended. So she was a good influence on me? So much dust on the playa.

What I Found.

Quite a few of the answers implied a consideration of more of an end of civilization mode of readiness than end of world. I often repeated, "Are you ready for the end of the world?" and sometimes noticed a little resistance to that train of thought. I'm not sure everyone appreciated the question, but didn't notice it was making folks uncomfortable exactly. Very slightly disturbed, maybe, and thoughtful. I don't regret asking these questions. Many of us enjoy talking about what we grow. And the end of the world is such a long shot so why talk about it. Well, maybe a cataclysmic vacuum decay could disturb the Higgs field so all the quarks separate and reality evaporates. Long shot, sure. Could happen though? Also, it's mildly interesting that the playa results here and at Waking Dreams show about the same percentage are ready for the end of the world as believe they have an immortal soul.