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Notes from a Garage

With John Gardiner

Universal consciousness; end of days; and playing my guitar…..

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Well, I was watching this philosopher guy on TVO very early one morning, and he was talking about surges in communications technology and how we’ve been moving in a gradual, but jerky progression toward universal communications…..like we have now…with the internet. Various surges in communications technology have been the development of writing, the discovery of paper, the invention of the printing press and stuff like that. This philosopher guy was arguing that the only way we can ever have real peace and harmony on the planet is when we’re all talking the same language. So, through the surges in communications technology – and although it’s hard to believe if you watch the news – we are gradually learning to get along better and co-exist on the higher plane. Problem is that every time we move through a major communications surge, we gobble up more of the earth’s resources. Printing press led to a whole lot of trees being cut down and a whole lot of energy required to produce printed materials. In the internet age, we’re just raping and pillaging the planet to come up with enough resources to fuel the technology. The philosopher guy on TVO said we’re basically in a race……will we learn how to get along and co-exist in some fashion before we wipe out the earth’s resource base – particularly in the area of energy reserves? It’s an interesting question and something I’ve sort of wondered for some time in a slightly different fashion. There was a 17th century French philosopher who suggested that we wouldn’t achieve peace and harmony on the planet until we somehow move to a higher level of consciousness – one where we realize that we’ve got to sublimate our personal wants and desires for the greater good of the rest of humanity. We really don’t get that these days. But you see there’s no way that every single person on the planet can have a piece of all the current technology – there simply wouldn’t be enough to go around. So, we need to come to terms with how to live together and share up the resources of the planet in a sustainable and equitable way. Until we figure that out, we’re going nowhere fast.

Watched a most interesting movie over the weekend – the end of the world flick, 2012. This is basically one of the old 1970’s disaster movies, but with more extravagant special effects. In 2012, some larger than life solar eruptions send out huge quantities of nutrino waves that act like a microwave and cause the interior of the earth to heat up and start to blow apart. It was a sobering piece to watch, seeing how things might play out if the end actually did come. There was a lot of screaming and gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands and general panic. People were running in every direction in wanton chaos. Except for this one old Tibetan monk. He sat quietly on the top of a mountain and sipped tea. He seemed at peace as the end arrived and there’s something to be said for that. I thought the makers of 2012 sort of looked at things optimistically…..they didn’t blame us for finally destroying the planet. Turned out to be a natural act that took us out. And I think that’s really giving us the benefit of the doubt considering the havoc we’re currently wreaking on the planet. Anyway, the reason I mention this is because apparently there is some belief among some people on the planet that the real end of the world is coming on December 21, 2012. Apparently, that’s the date when the Mayan calendar stops….and there are supposed to be other indicators as well. It’s probably not true….but I’m picking out my mountain top and getting my tea ready just in case….

Had a great time playing my guitar on Saturday. Played a backyard retirement party in the afternoon with the Hoodoo Band and then played the Artcrawl in Chatham with the Blues Review on Saturday evening. Had a truly wonderful time and feel extremely fortunate to be able to play in two excellent bands. Have been rocking and rolling and bluesing for the last 44 years…but not forever. When I got up on Sunday morning – after playing five sets of music – I couldn’t even move the fingers on my fret hand. Took a couple of hours of gradual working to get the mobility back in the hand. Apparently some type of arthritis is moving in and I fear it will end my playing career at some point. I will be deeply saddened when that day does arrive because I’ve really enjoyed my years of playing. But nothing is forever…..always have to remember….

Well, out of time for another week…..and hope everyone is enjoying the summer now that it’s officially arrived….take care…and remember, “Hew to the line; let the chips fall where they may.”



John Gardiner is a 25-year-veteran of the community newspaper business, but he is also a prolific writer of moralistic short fiction he refers to as "emotional thoughtscapes" or "adult fables". Samples of his fiction can be found at:

He has also produced a noteworthy piece of humanist philosophy which can be found at: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aboiten/ad502.htm He welcomes comments on his work.