Medium Short: There Are No Instructions

Even not knowing, still we keep going

This was the blank display I saw during a blustery, snow-squally 30km time-trial run last weekend. It is meant to show if the 5km pedestrian/cyclist lane on Champlain Bridge is open, based on weather conditions. The sign being blank sums up the deal lately — basically: “You figure it out.” I ran across anyway. (Photo by me)

Welcome to the latest Medium Short, a weekly accountability practice highlighting what I am reading, writing, and doing along the unmarked trail towards #IndustrialHealing. This is a personal update — my (debatably) more professional writing is freely available through this link.

I feel more certain than ever that everything is unclear. I could wax on with unclarifying preamble, but instead I’ll turn to my read-write-do template (at least there’s that) and let the lack of clarity speak for itself.

Reading — the writing on the wall

As I warm my brain up for Glencore Matereality, I’m steeping in content about climate change and the energy transition that seeks to phase out fossil fuels while ramping up renewables. This topic is too huge to unpack in a Short — it’s like a rabbit hole where the rabbits are on LSD and they’re actively burrowing as I read. Still, I’m seeking out voices who can help me find my way (beyond saying, “It’s okay; it’s just the acid…”).

One such voice was in another podcast with Manda Scott (yes, that Manda Scott), in which she interviews mining engineer Simon Michaux. It’s a great listen (and, thanks to the multi-format, also a great read).