Living Complexly

We often look at the simplification of certain aspects of life as signs of progress towards a better future. We have made enormous leaps in scientific knowledge in recent decades, so why shouldn't we use what we've learned to our advantage and simplify a complex and confusing world?

What I've learned in the past year, from certain events in my life to all sorts of relationships I've had with people, is that leading a life that has been simplified much too much results in boredom and inactivity. Lives rich in emotion, be it sadness or joy, are not only interesting but also fertile ground for creating complex relationships with people. Reading The Omnivore's Dilemma has presented me an agricultural parallel to the issue of complexity versus simplicity that has dominated my thoughts over the course of the year. Pollan argues that farms rich in biodiversity, as opposed to farms which practice monoculture, help maintain a healthier planet. Pollan argues for a more complex form of agriculture that requires thought and intuition. Such a form of agriculture may require more work and involvement, but it also provides for a more interesting way of life. Monoculture, he argues, is single-minded and is contributing to a much too simplified world.

Living a life void of emotion or activity, similarly, doesn't provide for an interesting, stimulating, or productive environment for the person involved. The person never develops and learns, as a field farmed through monoculture only deteriorates in quality.

I spent all day today reading and thinking in a cafe. I've decided that it's important for me to get to know the earth better and that it would be interesting to try out an agricultural career later in life. For now, I'll do my best to continue learning about the issues and how I can contribute to a healthier, more diverse and more interesting world.