I get a fair number of inquiries from folks who’d like to help out at the Funky Butte Ranch, and even a subset from those who want to radically change their lifestyles to be more sustainable (either because of concern that this might be crucial for survival in the near-future, or just out of a desire to be “part of the solution”). But as you’ll see below, never before have I had an exchange with a repentant mortgage banker intent on undoing some of the damage from his industry’s role in bringing down the world economy.
The email wafted into my inbox on a winter morning so lovely and in-sync with the tune in my head that the chickens’ murmurs sounded like a cutting edge trip-hop effect on the beat four upbeat. So I was already smiling when I checked my messages. But “Fred”’s link to the goat herder stiffed for $53 grand by the collapsed Lehman Brothers firm jolted me comedically and culturally, for caprine reasons obvious to regular readers of these Dispatches.
Here’s “Fred”’s initial note (we’ve since had more exchanges), posted with his permission and some redactions, followed by my reply. And though it’s disturbing to hear a former financier speak of “fearing the Man,” (it’s like listening to a Bush Justice Department official lament hiring practices in the private sector), “Fred” comes across in our exchanges as a solid human intent on becoming “part of the solution.” So I say let’s wish him and his family the best. We’re all in this together.
On Jan 25, 2009, “Frederick Forsythe” Wrote:
Dear Mr. Fine,
I’d long planned to write you a letter after reading Farewell, My Subaru. It was an excellent read and as someone concerned about things like Peak Oil it was truly reassuring to read about a seemingly normal suburban guy starting over in the manner you did. I’m most impressed with your wit, courage, and likely your willingness to have old friends and family question your sanity.
The inspiration for me actually getting off my @ss and writing is that I was finally laid off a few days ago. I had a little General Tsao’s Tofu the night of my career’s passing and of course my fortune cookie said, “Now is the time to try something new”, and I’m highly superstitious. Then yesterday morning I was catching up on the news and I came across this article (http://bit.ly/47AU) about Lehman Brothers and the impact its bankruptcy is having on an outfit called Goats R Us, which apparently cleared brush on some of their residential property investments. Ironic perhaps that the goats did their job preventing Lehman’s investments from burning down and the company burnt to the ground anyway. The goats reminded me of you and the confluence of events has inspired me to write. Read more…