This past weekend, I had a visit from one of my former river guide employees whom many of us liked to describe as our tribe’s in-house shaman due to his philosophical musings during his time as a dirtbag guide to any situation that might arise on or off the river. The Q-Anon Shaman was colorful but Rodney, designated shaman for the Tribe of the Tired and Stupid, could hold his own with his wearable purple sleeping bag and incisive, concise commentary.
We had a far-ranging discussion which included queries about where some people were and how they were doing and then a spirited exchange about the youthful Seattle Mariners and whether or not their current success was fool’s gold (as it has been throughout their not-so-storied existence—I believe they are the last major league franchise to have never been to the World Series in spite of having some of the biggest names in baseball play for them and a season when they set the American League record for wins and tied the Major League record for wins with the Chicago Cubs—116).
Ouch.
Rodney also brought up the word “anomie” and asked if I was familiar with it.
I wasn’t really as familiar with it as I thought I was but, now that I have looked up the definition, I can see how it very much applies to the times. Here are a few definitions and descriptions that pop up when you search for it:
From thoughtco.com —
Anomie is a social condition in which there is a disintegration or disappearance of the norms and values that were previously common to the society.
From wikipedia —
In sociology, anomie is a societal condition defined by an uprooting or breakdown of any moral values, standards, or guidance for individuals to follow. Anomie may evolve from conflict of belief systems and causes breakdown of social bonds between an individual and the community.
And Merriam-Webster —
Social instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values.
But, also, personal unrest, alienation, and uncertainty that comes from a lack of purpose or ideals.
I think my friend alluded to it because, even though we see it happening in society-at-large, were even shrouded by it over the past four to five years in a very in-your-face way with a rogue government and then a worldwide, apocalyptic-like virus—within our own communities—we feel, and are very much aware of—the determination from our fellow travelers to fight back. To do everything in our power to stave off the dissonance of the modern world and the erosive elements chipping away at a purposeful society.
I’m fully cognizant of my good fortune to be far enough along on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that I can even consider pushing back against the rise of anomie. Who else to carry the mantle other than those of us who have the luxury to do so? And, by luxury, I mean strong communities, strong families and strong social structures.
Those of us who fear and recognize that, with every small or great leap forward something is lost, will need to be the ones to fight to preserve our humanity. Those of us who can see and understand what’s surrendered with every new app, every satellite launched, every surveillance camera installed, every device unleashed need to do everything in our power to double down on building community whenever possible.
Most of the people I know are engaged in doing just that already whether it’s the minutiae or the big picture. Whether it’s as simple as initiating an impromptu gathering and breaking bread or marshaling folks to participate in a book club or, more involved, like pea patch gardens, farmers’ markets or developing a non-profit in service to the community. We lost a year (or four) to the chaos agents who champion anomie and, now that the government ship has been somewhat righted and—at least in America—the pandemic is at bay, we need to emerge from the post-pandemic funk and do everything we can to stem the tide.
As a badge of levity and some self-deprecating sense of humor, the community around my business made up of generations of employees is referred to as The Tribe of the Tired and Stupid. In my mind, it’s nothing like a pejorative, or a statement of negativity that is likely to weigh us down like the proverbial albatross around the neck—as a one-time guide and erstwhile self-help guru suggested it would—but a sly means of putting guides, often thought of by clients as ‘gods’, in their rightful frame of mind. To recognize it as such—an inside joke—creates common cause. A subtle fortification—the ability to laugh at yourself—strengthens the bond between us.
On the serious side, our original mission statement referenced our desire to ‘bring people together’. Today we say we are ‘building community one river trip at a time’. People, purpose, pleasure, profits—in that order—sums up the way I’ve always steered things, or intended to steer things.
Rivers, river trips, the nature of river running provided the framework and made it easy to stay on course. I wasn’t prescient, but I was intentional. I was the product of parents who valued a strong community over all else and, no matter what I wound up doing in life, it was going to involve weaving a web of (hopefully) positive interactions.
Homo sapiens were the branch of sapiens that won out over other branches like the Neanderthals because of our ability to congregate and cooperate. We didn’t bring down woolly mammoths because we were strong, burly athletes. We succeeded because we came together in large groups and hunted in teams.
It’s still our recipe for progress and success. Collaboration, communication, cooperation and community building.
I believe Rodney mentioned it because he wanted me to know the word most accurately painting the picture of society’s current predicament. In addition, the naming of something gives a point of reference and makes it a little less cumbersome to talk about.
As I’ve been preaching all along, it’s our task to counter anomie with vibrant, active communities. Keeping it real by keeping communities alive. The other thing I harp on like a one-trick-pony angel is you should never forget that those who sow discord don’t want you to be an active citizen.
Remember Killer Mike’s mantra: “Plot, plan, organize, strategize and mobilize.”
Vote. Rattle the cages. Let your voice be heard by the people who need to hear it.
AAR Clyde “the Guide” Dildine posted this terrific instructional video on rowing the rapids in the Grand Canyon. The good part is you can pick and choose which rapid you’d like to know more about without having to sit through the almost two hours of a veteran river guide talking “shop” with lots of good graphics and overhead footage. Even if you know nothing about running rivers, you’ll enjoy bits and pieces of this. Cheers!
Also, I have not read this article, but it looks interesting.
Dear readers, alert and otherwise, I apologize for the lengthening gaps between writings. It’s not going to get any better in the near term. I’m off to practice what I preach on the Main Salmon River for about a week with your typical motley collection of river runners. I am told there will be singing and cavorting involved along with one couple getting—officially—married by a Latter Day Abiding Dudess. I’ll be back around the 4th. Love - JLM
I like “building community one river trip at a time” if Emile D. were with us today, signing up for a trip, down the Wenatchee, he’d have to appreciate that “anomie” phrased in 1893 from the crimes of cities/societies, while still alive, that effort to keep us together, is found balanced one river trip at a time, steering a brave course, belongingness folks
Interesting and significant, as always, dear brother, but watch those run on sentences. I almost had to diagram one or two😝❤️