Caged Bearcats 3: Compensation

“When you light a candle, you also cast a shadow.”- Ursula K. Le Guin

“Ready to give up so I seek the Old Earth.  Who explained working hard may help you maintain. To learn to overcome the heartaches and pain.” - “C.R.E.A.M” by Wu Tang Clan

Is this episode good or bad?  Trick question: Only a Sith deals in absolutes.  This episode two caged bearcats wrap-up their lengthy discussion of Ralph Waldo Emerson by reviewing his short essay, “Compensation.”   We were hoping for a get-rich-quick scheme but instead we got an essay on the inherent natural tendency of all things to find balance and the resulting ethical framework that transcends artificial institutions.  This “deep stuff” is balanced out with a lot of discussion about: Star Wars; sleeping on the job (and failing at it); life changing fortune cookies; financial fitness and weight loss: bowling and drinking at 7am; St. Nick Offerman; Star Wars, again; quarantine-induced Malort tolerance; and the very fine line between six-pack winners and losers.

(Note: This is a follow-on episode to our review of “Self-Reliance.” You should probably listen to that episode first but you do you.)

Book: “Compensation” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Drink: Reis (Rice Lager brewed with Jasmine Tea, Green Tea & Yuzu [tastes like Coors Light in a good/bad way]) by Aslin Beer

References and Attributes:

American Philosophy: A Love Story by John Kaag (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28116747-american-philosophy)

Closing:

Excerpt from the Urban Dharma Podcast, episode “Karma: Friend or Foe” August 5, 2019 (https://www.urbandharma.org/udharma9/dharmatalks.html)