on
gardening
Would
my own gardening failures seem more bearable if I accept that
"garden is an
unhappy place for the perfectionist" (Michael
Pollan)? I doubt it. I might be wrong but I doubt it: I’m just
not a true gardener, yet. The bearing of farming failures is an
essential part of the farmer’s living philosophy - and gardening
is agriculture. Yes, agriculture primarily by its civility
aspects.
In
the beginning of our civilization, there was agriculture. Before
agriculture, humans were just a kind of primates, barely
distinguishable from the other primates. Agriculture has
introduced a new set of social values. Being cautious, defensive,
plodding, and honest - those features are promoted by agriculture
while daring, aggressiveness, speed, and cunning mark a good
hunter. Hunters would never build cities, libraries and retirees
homes.
Agriculture,
like any other human activity, is clearly not for everyone. So is
true for the gardening. Then, although they have a great deal in
common, the inclination to farming and the ability to farm are not
the same thing. So is true for the gardening. Then, from the
economic and other social recognition criteria, including
esthetics, the dilemma between productivity and creativity sets
the frames. So is true for the gardening
However,
hunter’s mentality still prevails in our civilization.
‘‘Peasant’ is not a word of flattery. "Farmer’ sounds
with somewhat more dignity. How about ‘gardener’? |
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