August 16, 2019
Dear Eric,
I'm a little intimidated at the idea of going alone without social media. So far, living untethered from the modern community has been much easier than I'd imagined. Being so long in the habit of sharing so much of my action and thinking seemed like it would be a hard thing to give up - but it isn't. I've quickly replaced this activity - distraction, really - with reading and writing, which are much more satisfying pursuits. But that's in my civilized life, where I have my family and people and my work. Going deeply alone here feels less so when I'm so well rewarded with the satisfying distraction of my books and my journal. What will this be like in Siberia?
I've long known that I've used the thin thread of connectivity - just one bar out there - at Siberia to assuage the sense of deep alone and even some fear which I suspect might be haunting my mind way out in the deep desert. Even when I've no bars of connectivity in the Deep Water wilds I nevertheless have my video camera, behind the lens of which I can quickly take shelter from the deep alone. I don't know if I'm yet ready to give up that particular false sanctuary, especially as talking before the camera lens still seems to have some value to me as a means to communicate my various messages of Going Alone and - more importantly - The Good Life. But what will it be like to face Siberia without Facebook, or Instagram or the rest? I think I know the answer. It will be better. Far better. The next stage of Going Alone.
Be safe... But not too safe.
Kurt
My name is Kurt Bell.
You can learn more about The Good Life in my book Going Alone.
Be safe... But not too safe.