I am so hugely enjoying these chapters. A very long time ago I came across a quote of Lawrence's, to the effect that when electricity came into the cottages, it was the beginning of state-imposed conformity and the loss of the free soul—that soon people's houses would be all be the same inside and out, nothing made by hand, nothing idiosyncratic. And that the coming of electricity, which has been so celebrated, was rather like a piercing of the heart of the cottager. I think of a great uncle of mine who refused electricity when rural electrification came through the countryside where he lived. I remember as a child, visiting with my father in his kitchen on summer nights, and feeling such a difference from our new-built suburban well-lit and applianced house. It had a warmth in it. And I was happy to be in the softness and warmth of the lamp light, which in my child's mind seemed to make a halo around the room. I have made several attempts to find Lawrence's words about the coming of electricity but to no avail. Does anyone here know of his writing on this subject? I would so love to read his words on this again.
"Rationality has been the pillar of our age, so let’s get out of our heads, and get into our hearts. We have too much knowledge, too much science, too much thinking, and not enough poetry, not enough feeling.
...
"To change, one must first rediscover wonder, and then one must learn to live in the here and now."
I am so hugely enjoying these chapters. A very long time ago I came across a quote of Lawrence's, to the effect that when electricity came into the cottages, it was the beginning of state-imposed conformity and the loss of the free soul—that soon people's houses would be all be the same inside and out, nothing made by hand, nothing idiosyncratic. And that the coming of electricity, which has been so celebrated, was rather like a piercing of the heart of the cottager. I think of a great uncle of mine who refused electricity when rural electrification came through the countryside where he lived. I remember as a child, visiting with my father in his kitchen on summer nights, and feeling such a difference from our new-built suburban well-lit and applianced house. It had a warmth in it. And I was happy to be in the softness and warmth of the lamp light, which in my child's mind seemed to make a halo around the room. I have made several attempts to find Lawrence's words about the coming of electricity but to no avail. Does anyone here know of his writing on this subject? I would so love to read his words on this again.
"Rationality has been the pillar of our age, so let’s get out of our heads, and get into our hearts. We have too much knowledge, too much science, too much thinking, and not enough poetry, not enough feeling.
...
"To change, one must first rediscover wonder, and then one must learn to live in the here and now."
Not easy but yes yes yes!