In the October issue of Harpers (way past the Index) there is a book review of K Wilson’s Walking the by-pass. The examination of the book is interesting, however the concluding sentence wraps up the basic response to our times: “In the enshitocene, trading utility for futility is a form of resistance.”  Many years ago my friend Pedro perpetually advocated acceptance of circumstance.  We shared many conversations about the futility of acceptance and the utility of acceptance.  The emerging world of social-media-skewering has muddied the spiritual principles. There is nothing new about obfuscation.  The rainbow stories and the science of fragmented light has obscured our acceptance of the spirited direction of the light on our path.

The motorized versions of the toys of childhood now race along traditional exercise trails. The couple riding along, nearly healthy.   A moment of childhood flashes through memory and posits an image into the penetration.  Shared experiences are about creating two versions of the same story.  Fast. Dangerous. Futile. Useful.

The wheels of progress.  At the centre of the wheel everything comes together! It is like Eliot put it,  “at the still point of the turning world…” that sweet spot that holds everything in place. The pedal pushing generates a cadence of acceptance.  A steady rhythm keeping time with the wave creases.  The ticking of a bent pedal arm against the frame comes from a memory bank.  If the bike was too quiet cigarette packages held with wooden clothes pins created their own “motor” sounds.  The silence broken with presence.

The rear rider breaks from the pack and moves into the lead.  From there the leader stirs the still air creating an opening for the team.  It would be easy to obfuscate the maneuver with technical details when simple observation is enough.  Acceptance does not require knowledge or skill.  At Pedros’ candy counter the flavors blend and disappear with a sugared acceptance, a childlike rebellion that blends utility and futility. There is no food value and the rules wont hold.