Ultimate Departure 2000

ULTIMATE DEPARTURE

http://www.TheScarletLetterComany.com

ULTIMATE DEPARTURE

FASHION PLATES IN DEFENSE OF

THE WILDERNESS

TTHHEE CCOOLLLLEECCTTIIOONN MMAADDEE

TTIIMMEELLEESSSS

BY

AMERICAN MANUFACTURINGTTHHEE SSCCAARRLLEETT LLEETTTTEERR CCOOMMPPAANNYY

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ULTIMATE DEPARTURE


ULTIMATE DEPARTURE


THE WILDERNESS


TTIIMMEELLEESSSS

BY



SETH SHAPIRO’SAMERICAN MANUFACTURING

ULTIMATEDEPARTURE

dependson you

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DESCENDENT BEINGWWIITTCCHHCCRRAAFFTTNATURAL MAGIC

Tomorrow


What can become of a non-existent fashion label calledAmerican Manufacturing? The continuation in a series ofwilderness enchantments impossible to luxuriate in architectsthat write books instead of making buildings. IT is simplynot a valid strategy to rise above the affectation and pro-claim oneself author and not a mere craft person. Realhuman activity cannot depend on wagering ones name upona FAIRYTALE existence! The role of artist, activist, punk, orpolitician is someone who generates a network of creativityand concepts, as opposed to the singular act of being in avoid-like studio....must now hear the siren warning(s) ofimminent reconstruction. In a moment of rebellious inspi-ration, the i becomes WE. And thus, to affect theframework in particular, WE turned away from the‘world’ and found one another. Crafted a new realitywith the words, paint, and song from the fragments ofour imagination and the rhythm of a drum. In this deri-sive moment when one beat comes to a final conclu-sion, another one immediately follows it to sustain the

camaraderie. On the archimental platform variedamong the current reality, a fashion company willemerge from obscurity. In this space i create.

THOSE WITH NO REPUTATION ROSEUP AGAINST THOSE WITH REPUTA-TION. THE FOOLS AGAINST THEWISE. THE YOUNG AGAINST THE OLD.


THIS WORK IS DOCUMENT BEFORE IT HAS A CHANCETO BE DOCUMENTED. IT TURNS AROUND TO UNLEASHWHAT IS ALREADY HISTORICAL (ALREADY PAST) ANDPLUNGES IT TOWARDS NEW POSSIBILITIES.

American Classic


C C CCCC CC

C C CCCC CC C CC

CCCCCC C C

TTHHEE CCOOLLLLEECC--

TTIIOONNMMAADDEE

TTIIMMEELLEESSSS


P a r D é c i s i o n

AAmmeerriiccaann MMaannuuffaaccttuurriinnggTTHHEE SSCCAARRLLEETT LLEETTTTEERR CCOOMMPPAANNYY

AARRKKAANNSSAASS - KKEENNTTUUCCKKYY - LLOOUUIISSIIAANNAA - MMIISSSSOOUURRII

CCLLAASSSSIICC

COLLECTION &

PRESENTATION

C C CCCC CC

C C CCCC CCC C C

CCC CCC C C


F FFF

F FF F F F F

F

F F F F F


F FFFF

F F F o r o v e r

3.5 billionsyears, life hasbeen blossom-ing, diversify-ing, andexpanding intoincredibleform s and unimag-inable complexity.And NOW, in the space

F F FFF

F F

of a human generation, we will momentari-ly truncate this creative flowering.H u m a n p o p u l a t i o n a n d c o n s u m p -tion has lead to this unprecedent -ed destruction of life. But it isc a u s e d m o r e f u n d a m e n t a l l y b y o u rour failure to overcome barriersthat keep us lockt in conflict andturmoil.


T h e c r i s i s w e a r e f a c i n g i s at o t a l m e l t d o w n . O n e - t h i r d o fa l l s p e c i e s o n E a r t h w i l lb e c o m e e x t i n c t i n l e s s t h a nt w e n t y y e a r s . T h e r e m a i n i n gd e g r a d e d l a n d s w i l l n o t b e a b let o s u s t a i n i t s d i v e r s i t y a n de v o l u t i o n a r y p r o c e s s . W e n e e da g l o b a l f r o n t t o h a l t a n dr e v e r s e t h e d e s t r u c t i o n .H e a l i n g t h e l a n d m e a n s r e c o n -n e c t i n g t h e p a r t s s o t h a t v i t a lf l o w s c a n b e r e s t o r e d t r a n s g e n -e r a t i o n . W e s h o u l d t h e r e f o r er e j e c t t h e n o t i o n t h a t w i l d e r -n e s s i s a r e m o t e d e s t i n a t i o ns u i t a b l e o n l y f o r b a c k p a c k i n g .W e m u s t s e e w i l d e r n e s s a s aw i l d h o m e f o r u n f e t t e r e d l i f e .

P r o t e c t i n g p a r k s a n d w i l d e r n e s si s n o t a b o u t s a v i n g a p r e t t yf a c e , t o p i c n i c o r a p l a c e t o b en - a - k - e - d . I t ' s a b o u t f o r e -s t a l l i n g e x t i n c t i o n . T h e b a t t l ef o r e n v i r o n m e n t a l s a l v a t i o n w i l ld e m a n d a t l e a s t t h e e n e r g y ,a n d l o n g - t e r m c o m m i t m e n t , a st h e b a t t l e t o a b o l i s h s l a v e r y .T h a t d o e s n ' t m e a n p a t i e n c e ; i tm e a n s p l a n n i n g f o r t h e l o n gh a u l . I t i s l e s s c o m m i t t e dt o w a r d s l a m e n t i n g d e c l i n e t h a ni n p l a n n i n g i t s r e s u r g e n c e ! I t


f o c u s e s o n W i l d e r n e s s a s w ei n h e r i t e d a n d a r e n o w d e s t r o y -i n g , b u t i t i s a l s o W i l d e r n e s sw e m i g h t y e t c r e a t e .

W i l l t h e e v o l u t i o n a r y f l o wo f t h a t b e a u t i f u l b r o w n b e a r i nG l a c i e r N a t i o n a l P a r k c o n t i n u e ?W i l l h u m a n i t y g r a n t h e r u r s i n ed a u g h t e r s e q u i v a l e n t r i g h t s t ol i f e , l i b e r t y , a n d t h e p u r s u i t so f h a p p i n e s s a s a r e a c c o r d e do u r o w n s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s i fa n y a r e b e a u t i f u l ? W i l l s h eb e q u e a t h t o o u r c h i l d r e n ,h u m a n a n d w i l d , a w o r l d o fs t e a d i l y d i m i n i s h i n g b e a u t y a n dc o m p l e x i t y - - - a p l a n e t o f w e e d s -- - o r s h a l l s h e l e a v e [ t h e m ] al e g a c y o f w i l d n e s s a n d d i v e r s i -t y ? W i l l o u r c h i l d r e n a n d t h e i rc h i l d r e n f e e l b e t r a y e d t o d i s -c o v e r ( a s s u m i n g t h a t s u c ht h o u g h t s a r e t h i n k a b l e i n t h ef u t u r e ) t h a t p r e v i o u s g e n e r a -t i o n s i g n o r e d t h e p r o b l e m o fo v e r p o p u l a t i o n a n d e c o l o g i c a ld i s a s t e r a n d d o d g e d t h e d i f f i -c u l t c h o i c e s i n f a v o r o f a c o m -f o r t a b l e , c o n v e n t i o n a l e x i s -t e n c e w h o s e p r i c e i n c l u d e dm i g r a t o r y s o n g b i r d s , l a r g em a m m a l s , o l d - g r o w t h f o r e s t s ,a n d p r e h i s t o r i c i c e s h e l v e s ?



(RETERRITORIALIZING THE REALM)

THEWILDeRNESSWITHIN IS THEWILDERNESS

WITHOUT. INSIIDE -

OUTSIDe.

TheKing isAlive



A simple, yet radical departure is required,especially a m o n g those living in "Westerncivilization." Let us not deceive ourselvesa n y longer. If w e d o not m a k e this break-a w a y our species will s o o n b e c o m e extinct,a fate already recently m e t by thousands ofthe other approximately 1 0 million specieso n this planet. T h e n u m b e r of extinctions isescalating daily at a n alarming rate primari -ly d u e to the destructive policies of theWest.

U p until n o w , our ancestors h a v e m a d ethe necessary adaptations required for ourcontinued salvation since our beginningabout 7 million years ago. T h e awaitedb r e a k - a w a y requires n o n e w technologicalinvention or physical alteration. T h erequirement simply is a n e w consciousness--or a revival of ancient consciousness--thatrecognizes d e e p within the p s y c h e ourintrinsic interconnectedness. This m u s t b efelt so that it c a n inspire daily life. T h equestion is whether w e c a n a c c e s s in timethis d e e p but s u b m e r g e d part of our p s y c h ein order to "realize" our interconnectednessso that w e c a n b e impassioned to m a k e radi -cally-different life altering choices.

T h e beliefs a n d s y s t e m s that h a v e d o m -inated m o d e r n m a n ' s existence for the past5,000 years h a v e evolved a r o u n d p o w e r c o m -plexes a n d bureaucracies aided by technolo -gy. T h e y h a v e thrived o n various forms ofthe control of large labor pools, u s e offorce, expansion of territory, a n d the pur -suit of e c o n o m i c gain for a few at thee x p e n s e of m a n y .


Since the end of the nineteenth century the UnitedStates of America has been a genuine world imperialpower. Since victory in World War II, the U.S. has beenon a campaign to assert its economic might throughoutthe globe. Shrouded under the cloak of "democracy," itengaged in a battle against terrorism. But was in fact aconcerted effort to contain people's independencemovements (generally in the Southern Hemisphere) thatthreatened the needs of unfettered capitalism to controlresources, markets and labor forces in its quest to feedan ever-expanding economy with associated greater pri-vate profits.

In the process, the American Way Of Life (AWOL)has become a monstrous threat to the health of theentire planet and all her species, including our own.With only 4.5 percent of the world's population, collec-tively the U.S. is responsible for massive, disproportion-ate amounts of terrorism on the earth's finite resourcesand corresponding pollution of the earth's ecosystem.


The countries that comprise the "First World Order"possess nearly a quarter of the world's population,consuming somewhere around 85 percent of theentire world's resources. The result is that 75 percentof the earth's human population is squeezed out andmust fight for the remaining 15 percent. Not only isthis grotesquely inhuman and unjust; it is totallyunsustainable and must not continue any longer.

The cries of the earth and her warning signs arenow ominous, as recognized by the vast majority ofthe world's scientists and common folks alike.People's revolts have continually "plagued" thesmooth operation of nation-states for centuries, being

especially con-spicuous fol -lowing WorldWar II, as peo-ple in the"Third World"v i g o r o u s l y

struggled to free themselves from colonialism in orderto attain some semblance of justice for theiraggrieved populations.


ALLcitizens living

in the "First

World," and especially tho

se residing in the United

States, in effect have bee

n complicit, virtually wit

hout thought, with

an economic-political syst

em that requires systemic,

global

exploitation, militarily enf

orced as necessary. (i.e.

why everyone

hates the US). It is a long

historic pattern that simp

ly has become

more intense and more far-

reaching under the concept

of "neo-lib-

eral" global economics dur

ing the last 30 years. Gen

erally, people

in the United States have

become spoiled rotten, bel

ieving they can

consume virtually everythi

ng they want at any time.

The trans-bor-

der, corporate economic

production system (our on

ly real export)

protected by most nation-s

tate governments, whether

called capital-

ist, socialist, or totalitar

ian, happily furnishes all t

hat we have been

induced to believe we mu

st have. Advertisers and

mass media,

along with the educational

system, all contribute to

this pattern of

consumptive addiction, wit

hout being able to critiqu

e the self-

destructive, therefore ins

ane, belief in infinite gr

owth through ever-

expanding production and

consumption.

The historic, ancient unde

rstanding of our intrinsic

and dependent

relationship with the Eart

h and the forces of the co

smos began erod-

ing some 5,000 years ago,

and has virtually disappea

red over the

past few hundred years o

f Western mechanistic th

inking. Founded

during the industrial revo

lution and subsequently en

hanced by petro-

leum, the religion of prog

ress has only escalated in

the information

and computer revolutions

. This process seems to

be spinning out

of control as the politica

l and economic structures

that are in

charge of the power comp

lexes proceed, ignoring

vast

amounts of suffering and al

lt h e o m i n

o u s ,clearly v

is -ible sign

sof ww oo rrll ddDD EE SSrr uucc tt iioonn..

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Fortunately, millions, perhaps billions, of the earth's nearly 6.5 billion

inhabitants either already adhere to or are beginning to grasp these

understandings of our intrinsic interconnectedness with nature. However,

we in the West have sanctioned them with our own living patterns, and

operate as oligarchs. Those at the top of the power complex (we) are

quite removed from being genuinely representative, and unable to pro-

mote just and sustainable policies that conflict with our oligarchic inter-

ests. Thus, a major challenge for those of us who live in the "First World,"

as we begin to seriously understand this sacred dimension, is to extricate

ourselves from continued dependency on and support for the structures of

this power complex. The complex is deeply and intrinsically flawed, and

has been throughout five millennia of oligarchic patterns and unaccount-

able power. Deliberate withdrawal of our continued support is therefore

necessary.

It makes no sense to petition the power complex (in our case the U.S.

Congress and the President) for solutions, for they are inextricably con-

nected with and committed to continuation of policies that create the

problem. The fact is that historically our power complex, like those in

other empires, is obsessed with its own power, both economic and politi-

cal, and has little room to maneuver toward justice and redistribution

policies. An issue that has rarely been examined, though there are excep-

tions, is that the size of structures, machines, administrative units, etc., has

been an intrinsic problem since the beginning of the advent of power com-

plexes. It is likely that, upon examination of the historic evidence, we will

find that size itself is an extraordinarily important independent factor that

must be considered when assessing the workability and practicality of

everything from machines, political and economic administrative units,

farming and production processes, to communities, cities even, fashion.

Of course, continuing efforts to block implementation of destructive poli-

cies is important. However, unless at the same time we find a solution by

intentionally and dramatically altering our consumption patterns, and

begin modeling sustainable, local alternative living practices, we will con-

tinue to feed and rationalize the existing power complex and its policies.

The former activity of resistance is, in form, something that people have

somewhat more experience with. The latter, which many people, of course,

have been taking seriously, is a path that requires more radical changes

than what we are normally used to. However, as the consciousness shifts

and emerges, new choices become more natural, and obvious.


FIGHT TO GETIN. FIGHT TO

GET OUT.THREE IN DIS-FIGUREMENT,

LET OUT!!!


TTHHEE ZZAAPPAATTIISSTTAASS defy authority by physically

blocking the military when it attempts to enter their villages. Theironly weapons are their strong desire to preserve their culture, andthe machetes needed for work in their milpas. They often refuse topay taxes or utility bills to the state, choosing in principle to forgothe services. They walk or ride on horseback from community tocommunity. They have no vehicles. They have few goods. Theirclothes and shoes look ragged to a Westerner. They conduct theirown checkpoints on the one dirt road that meanders through theirvillages. They do not want weapons, as they know how uselessthey would be against the well-equipped Mexican military. They donot want to provide any extra excuses to the Mexican governmentfor repression, already abundantly present. The military troops thatcruise daily through their territory wear new uniforms and boots,carry modern weapons, and ride in new Humvees and armored per-sonnel carriers, most of this equipment provided or paid for by theU.S. military. U.S.-supplied helicopters fly overhead.

The Zapatistas are relentless for one basic reason. They know thattheir lives and their dignity are on the line. They would rather diefighting for their self-reliance in the manner of their own choosing,than buy into the capitalist model that the Mexican and U.S. govern-ments are trying to impose on them. In the minds of the economicand political architects of "neo-liberalism," the Zapatista example ofdefiance is like a virus that might infect millions of other poorthroughout Latin America and the world. The fragile foundations ofunsustainable capitalism might then

come crashingto oblivion.


TTHHEE ZZAAPPAATTIISSTTAASS defy authority by physically

blocking the military when it attempts to enter their villages. Theironly weapons are their strong desire to preserve their culture, andthe machetes needed for work in their milpas. They often refuse topay taxes or utility bills to the state, choosing in principle to forgothe services. They walk or ride on horseback from community tocommunity. They have no vehicles. They have few goods. Theirclothes and shoes look ragged to a Westerner. They conduct theirown checkpoints on the one dirt road that meanders through theirvillages. They do not want weapons, as they know how uselessthey would be against the well-equipped Mexican military. They donot want to provide any extra excuses to the Mexican governmentfor repression, already abundantly present. The military troops thatcruise daily through their territory wear new uniforms and boots,carry modern weapons, and ride in new Humvees and armored per-sonnel carriers, most of this equipment provided or paid for by theU.S. military. U.S.-supplied helicopters fly overhead.

The Zapatistas are relentless for one basic reason. They know thattheir lives and their dignity are on the line. They would rather diefighting for their self-reliance in the manner of their own choosing,than buy into the capitalist model that the Mexican and U.S. govern-ments are trying to impose on them. In the minds of the economicand political architects of "neo-liberalism," the Zapatista example ofdefiance is like a virus that might infect millions of other poorthroughout Latin America and the world. The fragile foundations ofunsustainable capitalism might then

come crashingto oblivion.


00002200years

Those with no reputation rose up those with reputa-tion. The fools against the wise. The young against

the old.

For most people, pursuing the American Way Of Life (AWOL) is

generally a full-time individual endeavor that keeps people chained

to a frenetic rat race precluding time and energy for vital participa-

tion in local policy-making. The opportunity for reflection and critical

thought is virtually lost in frenzy. Exhaustion often results just from

keeping up the effort involved in making a living, managing a

household, paying taxes, buying all the necessary goods thought

necessary to have the "American" life, getting to and from work,

getting to and from the store, getting to and from children's activi-

ties, etc. The terrible exacting price we pay is to give up interactive

community (the man who believes in private spirituality only sees

half himself. Whilst his fellow man suffers he builds a palace and

calls himself king. Such a person cannot attain true spirituality) the

ill conceivd myth of rugged individualism. Now we know that this

lifestyle isn't even possible to sustain, whether examined from a

psychological, economic, political, social, ecological, genetic, spiritu-

al, or practical perspective. It simply will not continue much longer,

no matter how many plans Bush and other Western officials make

for controlling resources and people's lives. Something is going to

burst, and it might be that the karmic consequences of several cen-

turies of Western plunder and murder will catch up with us mighty

soon. Whether it is our own weapons returning to kill us, escalation

of catastrophic ecological, economic and, political collapse, or other

unnamed disaster, destruction is eminent.

To repeat: There is one path that is clearly, obviously, and readily

available to us that would offer an historic, evolutionary opportunity

for our survival with dignity. A manifestation of an already percolat-

ing ecological consciousness that deeply integrates the understand-

ing of our ancient interconnectedness with all the processes of


Earth and the Cosmos would quickly enable us to see our way to

radically different choices. The search for a different consciousness

leads to corresponding values.. Different values leads to correspon-

ding choices and policies, one will lead to the other. We must

break free from the current reality.

The famous Twentieth Century archaeologist, V. Gordon Childe

stated that "man" makes himself. His book by the same name, Man

Makes Himself (1936), is a classic study of the origin and progress

of "man" from earliest recorded history to the rise of modern civiliza-

tion. "Man" has made the institutions and structures, the power

complexes, that are on the verge of destroying the world as we

know it, even destroying ourselves period! "Man" can also undo all

of this and reinvent a way of life thatis beautiful and sustaining. As

a species we know what to do, and how to do it. We simply need

the will. "Man" can make the new world, the world that virtually all

the species on the planet, and the vast majority of the humans

around the world are desperately waiting for.

???? ?


/he big gun presently pointed at the earth and atour heads has been placed in the hands of a small oligarchy by thevast majority of the citizens living in the "First World." These citizenspay for the gun. Many even vote in elections believing somehow thatthey are part of genuine democracy behind the gun. The sons anddaughters of common citizens serve this power complex and actuallycarry and fire the guns. The few, who comprise the oligarchy, if notconverted quickly to humble, common person status, are about toorder the firing of the final bullets. In the meantime, those of us livingin the "First World" who to varying degrees have been complicit inallowing this out-of-control power complex to get to this point, mustnow begin an escalated nonviolent program to resist continuation ofthese destructive human [and ecological] policies, while having thecourage to radically shift our daily reality.

The Zapatista revolution that erupted in southern Mexico on January1, 1994, the day NAFTA went into effect, offers us a courageous andinspiring example for our own course of action. The Mayan uprisingwas precisely over their insistence on preserving their local culturaland economic self-sufficiency. Their culture, and their lives, was aboutto be destroyed by the requirements of "neo-liberalism" to incorporateinto a cash, rather than subsistence, economy, and to become land-less employees, rather than community owners of their small farms.They refused to allow their lands and their own labor to be sold for thebenefit of the "free" market. Everything is for sale under the terms ofthe new religion of "Globalization." That is how far removed ourspecies has come from our sacred connection to each other and theEarth.

The Mayans have shown us an example of defying authority, includingthe military, literally with their bodies, while deepening their local dem-ocratic, consensus decision-making community process. Other than ashort period of less than two weeks of a shooting war in early January1994, there has been no violence exercised by the Zapatistas. TheU.S.-equipped and supported Mexican military or their paramilitarysidekicks have committed virtually all the violence.

T


/he big gun presently pointed at the earth and atour heads has been placed in the hands of a small oligarchy by thevast majority of the citizens living in the "First World." These citizenspay for the gun. Many even vote in elections believing somehow thatthey are part of genuine democracy behind the gun. The sons anddaughters of common citizens serve this power complex and actuallycarry and fire the guns. The few, who comprise the oligarchy, if notconverted quickly to humble, common person status, are about toorder the firing of the final bullets. In the meantime, those of us livingin the "First World" who to varying degrees have been complicit inallowing this out-of-control power complex to get to this point, mustnow begin an escalated nonviolent program to resist continuation ofthese destructive human [and ecological] policies, while having thecourage to radically shift our daily reality.

The Zapatista revolution that erupted in southern Mexico on January1, 1994, the day NAFTA went into effect, offers us a courageous andinspiring example for our own course of action. The Mayan uprisingwas precisely over their insistence on preserving their local culturaland economic self-sufficiency. Their culture, and their lives, was aboutto be destroyed by the requirements of "neo-liberalism" to incorporateinto a cash, rather than subsistence, economy, and to become land-less employees, rather than community owners of their small farms.They refused to allow their lands and their own labor to be sold for thebenefit of the "free" market. Everything is for sale under the terms ofthe new religion of "Globalization." That is how far removed ourspecies has come from our sacred connection to each other and theEarth.

The Mayans have shown us an example of defying authority, includingthe military, literally with their bodies, while deepening their local dem-ocratic, consensus decision-making community process. Other than ashort period of less than two weeks of a shooting war in early January1994, there has been no violence exercised by the Zapatistas. TheU.S.-equipped and supported Mexican military or their paramilitarysidekicks have committed virtually all the violence.

T


Earth and the Cosmos would quickly enable us to see our way to

radically different choices. The search for a different consciousness

leads to corresponding values.. Different values leads to correspon-

ding choices and policies, one will lead to the other. We must

break free from the current reality.

The famous Twentieth Century archaeologist, V. Gordon Childe

stated that "man" makes himself. His book by the same name, Man

Makes Himself (1936), is a classic study of the origin and progress

of "man" from earliest recorded history to the rise of modern civiliza-

tion. "Man" has made the institutions and structures, the power

complexes, that are on the verge of destroying the world as we

know it, even destroying ourselves period! "Man" can also undo all

of this and reinvent a way of life thatis beautiful and sustaining. As

a species we know what to do, and how to do it. We simply need

the will. "Man" can make the new world, the world that virtually all

the species on the planet, and the vast majority of the humans

around the world are desperately waiting for.

???? ?


00002200years

Those with no reputation rose up those with reputa-tion. The fools against the wise. The young against

the old.

For most people, pursuing the American Way Of Life (AWOL) is

generally a full-time individual endeavor that keeps people chained

to a frenetic rat race precluding time and energy for vital participa-

tion in local policy-making. The opportunity for reflection and critical

thought is virtually lost in frenzy. Exhaustion often results just from

keeping up the effort involved in making a living, managing a

household, paying taxes, buying all the necessary goods thought

necessary to have the "American" life, getting to and from work,

getting to and from the store, getting to and from children's activi-

ties, etc. The terrible exacting price we pay is to give up interactive

community (the man who believes in private spirituality only sees

half himself. Whilst his fellow man suffers he builds a palace and

calls himself king. Such a person cannot attain true spirituality) the

ill conceivd myth of rugged individualism. Now we know that this

lifestyle isn't even possible to sustain, whether examined from a

psychological, economic, political, social, ecological, genetic, spiritu-

al, or practical perspective. It simply will not continue much longer,

no matter how many plans Bush and other Western officials make

for controlling resources and people's lives. Something is going to

burst, and it might be that the karmic consequences of several cen-

turies of Western plunder and murder will catch up with us mighty

soon. Whether it is our own weapons returning to kill us, escalation

of catastrophic ecological, economic and, political collapse, or other

unnamed disaster, destruction is eminent.

To repeat: There is one path that is clearly, obviously, and readily

available to us that would offer an historic, evolutionary opportunity

for our survival with dignity. A manifestation of an already percolat-

ing ecological consciousness that deeply integrates the understand-

ing of our ancient interconnectedness with all the processes of


TTTTTTTTT

The withdrawal of larger and larger numbers of

people from centralized economies of food, goods and ener-

gy production, is the most important aspect of these new

strategies. As that happens, dramatically simpler, higher

quality lifestyles will begin to prevail. This process requires

substantial dialogue and experimentation, while sharing

respective ideas with communities all over the world. There

is no magic in the ingredients of sustainable practices.

There is a consensus worldwide on the need to live within

the carrying capacity of nature in each region of the earth.

Consumption patterns within local resource availability must

be transformed from "thoughtless" practices to necessary

"mindful," sustainable ones. We need to reinvent within our

respective local communities to reduce, eliminate, or change

various choices--what and from whom we make purchases

of food and essential goods, by which means and for what

distance we regularly travel, taking back the day with

reliance on direct energy from the sun, reassessing all of

our past consumptive patterns, changing work endeavors,

etc.


TTTTTTTTT

The withdrawal of larger and larger numbers of

people from centralized economies of food, goods and ener-

gy production, is the most important aspect of these new

strategies. As that happens, dramatically simpler, higher

quality lifestyles will begin to prevail. This process requires

substantial dialogue and experimentation, while sharing

respective ideas with communities all over the world. There

is no magic in the ingredients of sustainable practices.

There is a consensus worldwide on the need to live within

the carrying capacity of nature in each region of the earth.

Consumption patterns within local resource availability must

be transformed from "thoughtless" practices to necessary

"mindful," sustainable ones. We need to reinvent within our

respective local communities to reduce, eliminate, or change

various choices--what and from whom we make purchases

of food and essential goods, by which means and for what

distance we regularly travel, taking back the day with

reliance on direct energy from the sun, reassessing all of

our past consumptive patterns, changing work endeavors,

etc.



FIGHT TO GETIN. FIGHT TO

GET OUT.THREE IN DIS-FIGUREMENT,

LET OUT!!!


Fortunately, millions, perhaps billions, of the earth's nearly 6.5 billion

inhabitants either already adhere to or are beginning to grasp these

understandings of our intrinsic interconnectedness with nature. However,

we in the West have sanctioned them with our own living patterns, and

operate as oligarchs. Those at the top of the power complex (we) are

quite removed from being genuinely representative, and unable to pro-

mote just and sustainable policies that conflict with our oligarchic inter-

ests. Thus, a major challenge for those of us who live in the "First World,"

as we begin to seriously understand this sacred dimension, is to extricate

ourselves from continued dependency on and support for the structures of

this power complex. The complex is deeply and intrinsically flawed, and

has been throughout five millennia of oligarchic patterns and unaccount-

able power. Deliberate withdrawal of our continued support is therefore

necessary.

It makes no sense to petition the power complex (in our case the U.S.

Congress and the President) for solutions, for they are inextricably con-

nected with and committed to continuation of policies that create the

problem. The fact is that historically our power complex, like those in

other empires, is obsessed with its own power, both economic and politi-

cal, and has little room to maneuver toward justice and redistribution

policies. An issue that has rarely been examined, though there are excep-

tions, is that the size of structures, machines, administrative units, etc., has

been an intrinsic problem since the beginning of the advent of power com-

plexes. It is likely that, upon examination of the historic evidence, we will

find that size itself is an extraordinarily important independent factor that

must be considered when assessing the workability and practicality of

everything from machines, political and economic administrative units,

farming and production processes, to communities, cities even, fashion.

Of course, continuing efforts to block implementation of destructive poli-

cies is important. However, unless at the same time we find a solution by

intentionally and dramatically altering our consumption patterns, and

begin modeling sustainable, local alternative living practices, we will con-

tinue to feed and rationalize the existing power complex and its policies.

The former activity of resistance is, in form, something that people have

somewhat more experience with. The latter, which many people, of course,

have been taking seriously, is a path that requires more radical changes

than what we are normally used to. However, as the consciousness shifts

and emerges, new choices become more natural, and obvious.



ALLcitizens living

in the "First

World," and especially tho

se residing in the United

States, in effect have bee

n complicit, virtually wit

hout thought, with

an economic-political syst

em that requires systemic,

global

exploitation, militarily enf

orced as necessary. (i.e.

why everyone

hates the US). It is a long

historic pattern that simp

ly has become

more intense and more far-

reaching under the concept

of "neo-lib-

eral" global economics dur

ing the last 30 years. Gen

erally, people

in the United States have

become spoiled rotten, bel

ieving they can

consume virtually everythi

ng they want at any time.

The trans-bor-

der, corporate economic

production system (our on

ly real export)

protected by most nation-s

tate governments, whether

called capital-

ist, socialist, or totalitar

ian, happily furnishes all t

hat we have been

induced to believe we mu

st have. Advertisers and

mass media,

along with the educational

system, all contribute to

this pattern of

consumptive addiction, wit

hout being able to critiqu

e the self-

destructive, therefore ins

ane, belief in infinite gr

owth through ever-

expanding production and

consumption.

The historic, ancient unde

rstanding of our intrinsic

and dependent

relationship with the Eart

h and the forces of the co

smos began erod-

ing some 5,000 years ago,

and has virtually disappea

red over the

past few hundred years o

f Western mechanistic th

inking. Founded

during the industrial revo

lution and subsequently en

hanced by petro-

leum, the religion of prog

ress has only escalated in

the information

and computer revolutions

. This process seems to

be spinning out

of control as the politica

l and economic structures

that are in

charge of the power comp

lexes proceed, ignoring

vast

amounts of suffering and al

lt h e o m i n

o u s ,clearly v

is -ible sign

sof ww oo rrll ddDD EE SSrr uucc tt iioonn..


The countries that comprise the "First World Order"possess nearly a quarter of the world's population,consuming somewhere around 85 percent of theentire world's resources. The result is that 75 percentof the earth's human population is squeezed out andmust fight for the remaining 15 percent. Not only isthis grotesquely inhuman and unjust; it is totallyunsustainable and must not continue any longer.

The cries of the earth and her warning signs arenow ominous, as recognized by the vast majority ofthe world's scientists and common folks alike.People's revolts have continually "plagued" thesmooth operation of nation-states for centuries, being

especially con-spicuous fol -lowing WorldWar II, as peo-ple in the"Third World"v i g o r o u s l y

struggled to free themselves from colonialism in orderto attain some semblance of justice for theiraggrieved populations.


Since the end of the nineteenth century the UnitedStates of America has been a genuine world imperialpower. Since victory in World War II, the U.S. has beenon a campaign to assert its economic might throughoutthe globe. Shrouded under the cloak of "democracy," itengaged in a battle against terrorism. But was in fact aconcerted effort to contain people's independencemovements (generally in the Southern Hemisphere) thatthreatened the needs of unfettered capitalism to controlresources, markets and labor forces in its quest to feedan ever-expanding economy with associated greater pri-vate profits.

In the process, the American Way Of Life (AWOL)has become a monstrous threat to the health of theentire planet and all her species, including our own.With only 4.5 percent of the world's population, collec-tively the U.S. is responsible for massive, disproportion-ate amounts of terrorism on the earth's finite resourcesand corresponding pollution of the earth's ecosystem.


A simple, yet radical departure is required,especially a m o n g those living in "Westerncivilization." Let us not deceive ourselvesa n y longer. If w e d o not m a k e this break-a w a y our species will s o o n b e c o m e extinct,a fate already recently m e t by thousands ofthe other approximately 1 0 million specieso n this planet. T h e n u m b e r of extinctions isescalating daily at a n alarming rate primari -ly d u e to the destructive policies of theWest.

U p until n o w , our ancestors h a v e m a d ethe necessary adaptations required for ourcontinued salvation since our beginningabout 7 million years ago. T h e awaitedb r e a k - a w a y requires n o n e w technologicalinvention or physical alteration. T h erequirement simply is a n e w consciousness--or a revival of ancient consciousness--thatrecognizes d e e p within the p s y c h e ourintrinsic interconnectedness. This m u s t b efelt so that it c a n inspire daily life. T h equestion is whether w e c a n a c c e s s in timethis d e e p but s u b m e r g e d part of our p s y c h ein order to "realize" our interconnectednessso that w e c a n b e impassioned to m a k e radi -cally-different life altering choices.

T h e beliefs a n d s y s t e m s that h a v e d o m -inated m o d e r n m a n ' s existence for the past5,000 years h a v e evolved a r o u n d p o w e r c o m -plexes a n d bureaucracies aided by technolo -gy. T h e y h a v e thrived o n various forms ofthe control of large labor pools, u s e offorce, expansion of territory, a n d the pur -suit of e c o n o m i c gain for a few at thee x p e n s e of m a n y .


(RETERRITORIALIZING THE REALM)

THEWILDeRNESSWITHIN IS THEWILDERNESS

WITHOUT. INSIIDE -

OUTSIDe.

TheKing isAlive


f o c u s e s o n W i l d e r n e s s a s w ei n h e r i t e d a n d a r e n o w d e s t r o y -i n g , b u t i t i s a l s o W i l d e r n e s sw e m i g h t y e t c r e a t e .

W i l l t h e e v o l u t i o n a r y f l o wo f t h a t b e a u t i f u l b r o w n b e a r i nG l a c i e r N a t i o n a l P a r k c o n t i n u e ?W i l l h u m a n i t y g r a n t h e r u r s i n ed a u g h t e r s e q u i v a l e n t r i g h t s t ol i f e , l i b e r t y , a n d t h e p u r s u i t so f h a p p i n e s s a s a r e a c c o r d e do u r o w n s o n s a n d d a u g h t e r s i fa n y a r e b e a u t i f u l ? W i l l s h eb e q u e a t h t o o u r c h i l d r e n ,h u m a n a n d w i l d , a w o r l d o fs t e a d i l y d i m i n i s h i n g b e a u t y a n dc o m p l e x i t y - - - a p l a n e t o f w e e d s -- - o r s h a l l s h e l e a v e [ t h e m ] al e g a c y o f w i l d n e s s a n d d i v e r s i -t y ? W i l l o u r c h i l d r e n a n d t h e i rc h i l d r e n f e e l b e t r a y e d t o d i s -c o v e r ( a s s u m i n g t h a t s u c ht h o u g h t s a r e t h i n k a b l e i n t h ef u t u r e ) t h a t p r e v i o u s g e n e r a -t i o n s i g n o r e d t h e p r o b l e m o fo v e r p o p u l a t i o n a n d e c o l o g i c a ld i s a s t e r a n d d o d g e d t h e d i f f i -c u l t c h o i c e s i n f a v o r o f a c o m -f o r t a b l e , c o n v e n t i o n a l e x i s -t e n c e w h o s e p r i c e i n c l u d e dm i g r a t o r y s o n g b i r d s , l a r g em a m m a l s , o l d - g r o w t h f o r e s t s ,a n d p r e h i s t o r i c i c e s h e l v e s ?


T h e c r i s i s w e a r e f a c i n g i s at o t a l m e l t d o w n . O n e - t h i r d o fa l l s p e c i e s o n E a r t h w i l lb e c o m e e x t i n c t i n l e s s t h a nt w e n t y y e a r s . T h e r e m a i n i n gd e g r a d e d l a n d s w i l l n o t b e a b let o s u s t a i n i t s d i v e r s i t y a n de v o l u t i o n a r y p r o c e s s . W e n e e da g l o b a l f r o n t t o h a l t a n dr e v e r s e t h e d e s t r u c t i o n .H e a l i n g t h e l a n d m e a n s r e c o n -n e c t i n g t h e p a r t s s o t h a t v i t a lf l o w s c a n b e r e s t o r e d t r a n s g e n -e r a t i o n . W e s h o u l d t h e r e f o r er e j e c t t h e n o t i o n t h a t w i l d e r -n e s s i s a r e m o t e d e s t i n a t i o ns u i t a b l e o n l y f o r b a c k p a c k i n g .W e m u s t s e e w i l d e r n e s s a s aw i l d h o m e f o r u n f e t t e r e d l i f e .

P r o t e c t i n g p a r k s a n d w i l d e r n e s si s n o t a b o u t s a v i n g a p r e t t yf a c e , t o p i c n i c o r a p l a c e t o b en - a - k - e - d . I t ' s a b o u t f o r e -s t a l l i n g e x t i n c t i o n . T h e b a t t l ef o r e n v i r o n m e n t a l s a l v a t i o n w i l ld e m a n d a t l e a s t t h e e n e r g y ,a n d l o n g - t e r m c o m m i t m e n t , a st h e b a t t l e t o a b o l i s h s l a v e r y .T h a t d o e s n ' t m e a n p a t i e n c e ; i tm e a n s p l a n n i n g f o r t h e l o n gh a u l . I t i s l e s s c o m m i t t e dt o w a r d s l a m e n t i n g d e c l i n e t h a ni n p l a n n i n g i t s r e s u r g e n c e ! I t


F FFFF

F F F o r o v e r

3.5 billionsyears, life hasbeen blossom-ing, diversify-ing, andexpanding intoincredibleform s and unimag-inable complexity.And NOW, in the space

F F FFF

F F

of a human generation, we will momentari-ly truncate this creative flowering.H u m a n p o p u l a t i o n a n d c o n s u m p -tion has lead to this unprecedent -ed destruction of life. But it isc a u s e d m o r e f u n d a m e n t a l l y b y o u rour failure to overcome barriersthat keep us lockt in conflict andturmoil.


F FFF

F FF F F F F

F

F F F F F


P a r D é c i s i o n

AAmmeerriiccaann MMaannuuffaaccttuurriinnggTTHHEE SSCCAARRLLEETT LLEETTTTEERR CCOOMMPPAANNYY

AARRKKAANNSSAASS - KKEENNTTUUCCKKYY - LLOOUUIISSIIAANNAA - MMIISSSSOOUURRII

CCLLAASSSSIICC

COLLECTION &

PRESENTATION

C C CCCC CC

C C CCCC CCC C C

CCC CCC C C


C C CCCC CC

C C CCCC CC C CC

CCCCCC C C

TTHHEE CCOOLLLLEECC--

TTIIOONNMMAADDEE

TTIIMMEELLEESSSS


THIS WORK IS DOCUMENT BEFORE IT HAS A CHANCETO BE DOCUMENTED. IT TURNS AROUND TO UNLEASHWHAT IS ALREADY HISTORICAL (ALREADY PAST) ANDPLUNGES IT TOWARDS NEW POSSIBILITIES.

American Classic


What can become of a non-existent fashion label calledAmerican Manufacturing? The continuation in a series ofwilderness enchantments impossible to luxuriate in architectsthat write books instead of making buildings. IT is simplynot a valid strategy to rise above the affectation and pro-claim oneself author and not a mere craft person. Realhuman activity cannot depend on wagering ones name upona FAIRYTALE existence! The role of artist, activist, punk, orpolitician is someone who generates a network of creativityand concepts, as opposed to the singular act of being in avoid-like studio....must now hear the siren warning(s) ofimminent reconstruction. In a moment of rebellious inspi-ration, the i becomes WE. And thus, to affect theframework in particular, WE turned away from the‘world’ and found one another. Crafted a new realitywith the words, paint, and song from the fragments ofour imagination and the rhythm of a drum. In this deri-sive moment when one beat comes to a final conclu-sion, another one immediately follows it to sustain the

camaraderie. On the archimental platform variedamong the current reality, a fashion company willemerge from obscurity. In this space i create.

THOSE WITH NO REPUTATION ROSEUP AGAINST THOSE WITH REPUTA-TION. THE FOOLS AGAINST THEWISE. THE YOUNG AGAINST THE OLD.


DESCENDENT BEINGWWIITTCCHHCCRRAAFFTTNATURAL MAGIC

Tomorrow


SETH SHAPIRO’SAMERICAN MANUFACTURING

ULTIMATEDEPARTURE

dependson you


ULTIMATE DEPARTURE


ULTIMATE DEPARTURE


THE WILDERNESS


TTIIMMEELLEESSSS

BY



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American ManufacturingThe Scarlett Letter Company

T H O S E W I T H N O P O W E R R O S EU P A G I N S T T H E S T R O N G , T H E

F O O L S A G A I N S T T H E W I S E , T H EY O U N G A G A I N S T T H E O L D

EE SS PP RR II TT DD EE SS MM OO RR TT SS

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American ManufacturingThe Scarlett Letter Company

T H O S E W I T H N O P O W E R R O S EU P A G I N S T T H E S T R O N G , T H E

F O O L S A G A I N S T T H E W I S E , T H EY O U N G A G A I N S T T H E O L D

EE SS PP RR II TT DD EE SS MM OO RR TT SS

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Ultimate Departure 2000

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Transcript of Ultimate Departure 2000