In Unmarketable: Brandalism, Copyfighting, Mocketing, and the Erosion of Integrity, Anne Elizabeth Moore examines how the capitalist engine is coopting the language and style of free thinking independents to get them to buy, buy, buy.  Same is true of the power hungry, greedy, gubberment (not all politicians, but many.)  Their target is not the progressives (who they know are not buying it) but the “average joe’s” they want to keep buying it .  Palin was chosen because she speaks average joe.  And, the mainstream media, since it is owned by the conglomerates, who sleep with the political powers, fulfills its purpose by regurgitating the messages of what you should buy, and what you should think.

So, what Moore stresses throughout the book – holding strong to your integrity while being attacked from every angle – is relevant to what we believe, and who we support, just as it is to what we buy, and what we create.

“What is at stake here is far greater than even the questions of authenticity and authorial voice behind both underground marketing techniques and Anti-Marketing’s oddly intentioned but still anti-advertising ad slogan.  These issues spur this book: they are fun to argue about with friends when you chance upon an Astroturf (as opposed to grassroots) political protest, a piece of graffadi, a TV program that uses mocketing techniques, some street brandalism, or other realities of living in our big, fat, remix culture.  Yet hidden somewhere within these jarring dichotomous cultural products, the notion of integrity – the idea that individuals can act autonomously and honestly according to a privately held system of values – abuts the corporate-sponsored assertion that, in fact, they can’t.  As marketing strives to burrow deeper into our social networks and bypass our reason entirely, our ability to locate and uphold personal integrity – factors that must precede a demand for democracy – is being challenged.”

It is a commitment, so worthwhile for its potential to do good, so scary for the alternative.

Think, it’s democratic.

One that comes to mind is the story of Farmer John.  His passion is to work the earth and grow food to nourish others.  He is also passionate about creating characters and telling stories, and it has not been an easy journey for him to blend them and be successful at both.  What a great story, though, because he refused to (and the universe refused to let him) sacrifice what really mattered, and things did, gradually and with multiple setbacks, fall into place.  Holding true to that passion does not mean not compromising. What made it possible for him, beyond the commitment, was the willingness to use the challenges as opportunities to question, and learn.  We are just part of the whole so it makes sense that, in collaboration with life, our vision should accommodate and incorporate and evolve and change.

In thinking about all of this, I realized the importance of stating my own passions (another good slice of life guidance.)  So, recognizing that this will evolve, here they are:

• To tell stories, sharing what I am observing in life in an entertaining, and informative, way
• To renovate properties, giving new life to them through good design and healthy materials, and creating nurturing spaces for people, and creatures, to inhabit
• To support the many efforts to protect and nourish the creatures and life of this planet

I see my life as a hunk of rough stone and I am the sculptor, chipping away at it day, by day, working to reveal the shape within and hopefully create something beautiful to be enjoyed by myself, and others it may touch.