I have a fascination with the tacky, kitsch,
souvenirs we human collect from holidays and trips in an
attempt to fix those events in our minds through looking
at a postcard or cute ceramic object. For me they
are a small example, particular to our culture, of
the human need to have memorials for life and death.
There are, of course, momentous and sometimes monstrous
examples - the pyramids in Egypt are probably the most
amazing tombs ever, (these guys had serious intentions to
be remembered!) and the multi-produced stone statues
of Lenin, once prominent in every Soviet town, were
grey reminders of the comminist dictatorship. <br>In a
way, we can see much of the seemingly relentless quest
of 'modern' civilisation where individuals aim at
attaining vast material wealth and possessions, (with the
American culture being the most extreme example), as an
extension of the 'make your mark' in life. Materialism
forming pyramids of money, rather than leaving your name
as a great thinker or do-gooder for humanity
overall.<br>Which brings me back to Pirsig. I see his writing as
the life's work of a man, which help individuals to
escape the reckless rush into consumer, 'me myself I'
mentality. The books are monuments to the beautiful search
for higher meaning in life, beyond earthly successes,
and try to form a connectedness to a greater GOOD.
<br>Yes, I see a higher level of consciousness as possible
for human beings. This will never be paradisical, we
have left the innocence and brutality of animal
existence long behind - but where we perhaps get a bit of
that interconnected cycle feeling of eden back again.
Through dedicating ourselves to MEANING, and living every
day in the pursuit of QUALITY in our life.
<br><br>Goodlove from Sara