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Essays, Memoirs, & True Stories

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Yesterday, I mailed off my application

“Yesterday, I mailed off my application for the federal service entrance exam. After four years of seeking an alternative to the system, the possibility of a nine thousand dollar a year job working for the Environmental Protection Agency is almost appealing.”

By Joy Hewitt February 1974
Essays, Memoirs, & True Stories

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For three days last year I planted small trees

For three days last year I planted small trees and shrubs along Interstate 85 for $3 an hour. Mindlessness, talentless and eternal boredom became the key words filtering through my consciousness, as all sense of self expression and sensitivity took a back seat to survival.

By Stephen Martin February 1974
The Sun Interview

Dropping Out/Dropping In

Work on yourself first, before you work on something else. That’s kind of the basic idea. The Zen people say wash your bowl. The Sufis say clean your mirror. It’s all the same thing. Work on yourself first, then those other questions answer themselves.

By Mike Mathers February 1974
Essays, Memoirs, & True Stories

Sy’s Space

More jobs in the last year than I can remember, and so little sense, through it all, of any purposeful endeavor, of meaningful labor, of real work.

By Sy Safransky February 1974
Essays, Memoirs, & True Stories

[Big cities may shrink]

Big cities may shrink to more manageable proportions because of the fuel pinch, some regional planners believe.

By Anonymous January 1974
Essays, Memoirs, & True Stories

Alternative Energy

Solar energy, many scientists believe, is adequate for all the conceivable energy needs of the world. It is safe and clean, but expensive. The main technical obstacle is bringing down the cost of the solar cells, which convert light from the sun directly into electric current.

By Joy Hewitt January 1974
Essays, Memoirs, & True Stories

[The best alternative energy sources]

The best alternative energy sources, according to Watson Morris of ECOS, are “doing away with present wasteful practices.”

By Anonymous January 1974
Essays, Memoirs, & True Stories

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Lewis’ head is under the hood

Lewis, who lived through gas rationing in World War II, observes that “this country runs on gas and oil” and “the man with the money gets what he wants.”

By Van Fitchett January 1974
Essays, Memoirs, & True Stories

The Price Was Never Right

We will strip off the earth’s skin for oil. We will destroy the beauty of our shores. We will pollute the air for it. And we will kill for it. If we cannot buy it for what we consider a fair price we will take it by force, our need is so great.

By Mike Mathers January 1974