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Waiting for Civilization: Meditations and Adventures in Reverence for Life
HARDCOPY EDITION
Civilization exists, right? After all, humans have walked on the Moon and sent robotic rovers to Mars. But Arik Bjorn argues that humanity has only just begun taking baby steps toward Civilization. Otherwise, there would be far more advances in global food programs and virtually no public sacrifices of zoo giraffes and Parisian cartoonists.
In this collection of essays, Bjorn examines the ape hate that still reigns inside us—from Haiti’s Auschwitz to squashed caterpillars to the Confederate Flag—and makes the case that a global foundation of Reverence for Life must be laid before True Civilization can exist.
Every person has a part to play in establishing this foundation: “It will in fact take tens of billions of acts of kindness and thoughtful gestures to finish laying.” Only then can the world attain Martin Luther King Jr.’s “audacious hope” for humanity.
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Arik Bjorn has published nine books. His most recent title, UBER NIGHTS, is about his late-night rideshare adventures in the Deep South. In South Carolina, you never know if your next passenger will be a naked lady with a toothbrush, a banana spider, or a punch-drunk redneck.
Civilization exists, right? After all, humans have walked on the Moon and sent robotic rovers to Mars. But Arik Bjorn argues that humanity has only just begun taking baby steps toward Civilization. Otherwise, there would be far more advances in global food programs and virtually no public sacrifices of zoo giraffes and Parisian cartoonists.
In this collection of essays, Bjorn examines the ape hate that still reigns inside us—from Haiti’s Auschwitz to squashed caterpillars to the Confederate Flag—and makes the case that a global foundation of Reverence for Life must be laid before True Civilization can exist.
Every person has a part to play in establishing this foundation: “It will in fact take tens of billions of acts of kindness and thoughtful gestures to finish laying.” Only then can the world attain Martin Luther King Jr.’s “audacious hope” for humanity.
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Arik Bjorn has published nine books. His most recent title, UBER NIGHTS, is about his late-night rideshare adventures in the Deep South. In South Carolina, you never know if your next passenger will be a naked lady with a toothbrush, a banana spider, or a punch-drunk redneck.
226 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
About the author
Arik Bjorn
12 books18 followersArik Bjorn is a novelist, essayist, and poet, but most importantly, a dad. He enjoys French silk pie as well as a quality shot of bourbon. His writing explores such themes as the Problem of Pain and building Civilization (or at least humanity's efforts to-date). He also likes to honk at slowpokes.
Bjorn has published nine books. His most recent title, UBER NIGHTS, is about his late-night rideshare adventures in the Deep South. In South Carolina, you never know if your next passenger will be a naked lady with a toothbrush, a banana spider, or a punch-drunk redneck.
Bjorn has also published a novel, THE PRODIGAL, as well as three essay collections: WAITING FOR CIVILIZATION, THE R-RATED THEOLOGIAN, and WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PARROTS. He has one short story collection, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, as well as a book of verse, POCKET LINT.
SO I RAN FOR CONGRESS chronicles his experience running for U.S. Congress. SHOW & TELL AT WORLD'S END is a social media diary about life in South Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He holds degrees in archaeology, ancient languages, and library science. He loves snow and hippos and enjoys retelling the story of how he was once shat upon by pigeons during Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and thereafter fled down the Via Dolorosa in search of a towel.
Bjorn is also the co-creator and co-host of the irreverent podcast, THE HATE NAPKIN, which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor FM, Audible, YouTube & more.
THEHATENAPKIN.COM
To read more of Arik Bjorn's writings, visit his website, VIKINGWORD.COM--he is also active (and sometimes passive) on social media.
Bjorn has published nine books. His most recent title, UBER NIGHTS, is about his late-night rideshare adventures in the Deep South. In South Carolina, you never know if your next passenger will be a naked lady with a toothbrush, a banana spider, or a punch-drunk redneck.
Bjorn has also published a novel, THE PRODIGAL, as well as three essay collections: WAITING FOR CIVILIZATION, THE R-RATED THEOLOGIAN, and WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PARROTS. He has one short story collection, BIRDS OF A FEATHER, as well as a book of verse, POCKET LINT.
SO I RAN FOR CONGRESS chronicles his experience running for U.S. Congress. SHOW & TELL AT WORLD'S END is a social media diary about life in South Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He holds degrees in archaeology, ancient languages, and library science. He loves snow and hippos and enjoys retelling the story of how he was once shat upon by pigeons during Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and thereafter fled down the Via Dolorosa in search of a towel.
Bjorn is also the co-creator and co-host of the irreverent podcast, THE HATE NAPKIN, which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor FM, Audible, YouTube & more.
THEHATENAPKIN.COM
To read more of Arik Bjorn's writings, visit his website, VIKINGWORD.COM--he is also active (and sometimes passive) on social media.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 19, 2020
Civilization
I relate to these essays. Lottery #75 I selected doing my time in the Air Force turning wrenches. Near misses to Vietnam twice I would spend 16 months in Thailand leaving behind a new bride. When the time came for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan I couldn't support them. Just as Vietnam was a folly so was these other excuses to kill the "others". As a history major, confronting the hard things of the past should provide insight on actions today.
Considering slavery shouldn't require deep contemplation to realize that it is morally wrong, and any vestiges of that past should be banished regardless of what Governor and Senator Tillman thought. Shunned, not sticking up statues to honor.
I got a chuckle out of the use of Pelikan's first and last name to create 2 pen names. I once owned his massive work on the development of doctrine. Shame it isn't available in Kindle versions.
Lots more to think about, I like zoos for several reasons. My first was the San Diego Zoo, one of the early zoos that worked towards more natural enclosures. I could go on but I will close by saying I thoughly enjoyed this book.
I relate to these essays. Lottery #75 I selected doing my time in the Air Force turning wrenches. Near misses to Vietnam twice I would spend 16 months in Thailand leaving behind a new bride. When the time came for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan I couldn't support them. Just as Vietnam was a folly so was these other excuses to kill the "others". As a history major, confronting the hard things of the past should provide insight on actions today.
Considering slavery shouldn't require deep contemplation to realize that it is morally wrong, and any vestiges of that past should be banished regardless of what Governor and Senator Tillman thought. Shunned, not sticking up statues to honor.
I got a chuckle out of the use of Pelikan's first and last name to create 2 pen names. I once owned his massive work on the development of doctrine. Shame it isn't available in Kindle versions.
Lots more to think about, I like zoos for several reasons. My first was the San Diego Zoo, one of the early zoos that worked towards more natural enclosures. I could go on but I will close by saying I thoughly enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review