The Trees of Eternity

I've just finished two books. The Dispossessed by Ursula K Le Guin and Self Made Man by Norah Vincent.

Both books were glimpses into other worlds, of course all books are, but these were glimpses into other minds and possibilities unreachable by my own. The first book spoke of the mentality that could be brought about by being raised in an entirely non-commercial culture, a culture with no laws, no money and no prisons. A culture in which the idea of hierarchy is alien, ownership despised and education is undertaken free from any exams as a goal in and of itself. Because to grade is to create a hierarchy, this one is better than at one, to label one person a failure and another a success even if both put in the same amount of work.

Our education system is ridiculous. A concept created for the purpose of educating a very few scientists, doctors and priests applied to the masses without thought. You know what I'd like to have learned at school aside from basic math and English skills? Philosophy, debate and logic. Practical housekeeping skills of both the cleaning, DIY and serious building types. Social skills and child rearing, how to listen to people, how to express my emotions, practical psychology. Basic medical skills, colds, flu, common childhood diseases, vaccinations, first aid. How banks and financial systems work. Nutrition. All the stuff that would actually prepare me for life. I suppose you could argue that your parents should teach you much of that stuff, but your parents are equally capable of teaching you read, it doesn't mean they will. And most of what you learn at school you could teach yourself once you can read and know what you want to do with your life. Let the rest of it be child led, even a non academic child can ace a subject they actually care about. Private projects, encouragement to read and research and explore whatever appeals be it modern art, 12th century warfare or the lives of newts.

The other book was about a fairly masculine looking lesbian who spent a year and a half masquerading as a man in bowling leagues, strip clubs, a monastery, a men's self help group etc etc. There were two main things I took from this book. First was a deep annoyance that I could never experience what she did. Even if I sacrificed my hair and despite my unimposing bosom I could never convince anyone I was a man. I'm just the wrong shape all over. My hips are too wide, my shoulders too narrow, my lips too full, my skin too soft, my stature too petite. It would take surgery, hormones and probably another 15 years of ageing to even approach convincing... and that's way too much of an ask. I just want to try it, see what it feels like. Do I find it easier? Harder? Do women seem more attractive as a man? Which bits of my personality fit in and which don't, which feel more comfortable and which less? Would I get more acting roles? Would I feel less sexualised?

The second thing that really struck me was the willingness to depersonalise sex, the chapter on the strip club which I hopefully mark down as an American cultural issue. I don't think we have the same cheap titty bar culture in this country as there is in the States, at least I hope not. To degrade sexual interaction to that level is truly sick, I have no idea why people wouldn't rather wank at home than pay money to come in the environment described. I have no problem with strip clubs or prostitution as a concept, but I do have a problem with degradation of the human mind and body. Even if it is going to be tawdry, at least make it gloriously tawdry.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Self-made-Man-My-Year-Disguised/dp/1843545047/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dispossessed-Ursula-Guin/dp/1857988825/

Posted via LiveJournal app for iPad.