Thank You, Zeitgeist Gatekeepers, For Smiling On the Dawn of the Drug Peace Era
[Pre-order the new book: TOO HIGH TO FAIL]
Timing is on my mind as the first Monsoon drizzles fall like a massage on my incontrovertibly red neck here in the high desert of the Funky Butte Ranch. In particular, I’m noticing something in the final lunar cycle before this book I’ve written about the last days of the North American Drug War hits bookstores and e-readers. What keeps popping up, especially now that I’ve started giving advance interviews for the publications that have longer “lead times,” is that one of my projections about the situation at publication time, like all expectations, was almost totally wrong. I mean, I could hardly have made a less accurate prediction.
And this, people, is a very good state of affairs, in my view, if you’re a sustainably-minded patriotic parent. I imagined that once I’d finished my work (and the work would be the same regardless of my perception of response: research and report as I see it from the front lines of the Drug War, not omitting the ubiquitous and considerable humor always to be found in the trenches of any war) I’d be exuding, in my interviews, a sort of semi-apologetic, “Listen, before you say anything, let me tell you why I’ve just dedicated upwards of two years of my professional life to researching, ya know, what the coming Drug Peace might look like.”
Instead, to generally quite educated and up to date interviewers (this week Stanford Magazine and Irish National Radio), I hear myself saying, in reply to the obligatory “Yes, but the people who want to fight on another 40 years, spending a trillion of our dollars for 1% results would say…” question is, “If you don’t recognize that America is about to get stronger, safer, healthier, richer and better educated about the whole realm of intoxicants (especially long utilized and comparatively benign medicinal plants) as the Drug War ends, then you’re behind Kansas and Indiana. You simply aren’t paying attention to economics, health research, or the facts on the ground. But I know a book that may enlighten you.”
Turns out America, and I mean mainstream America, heartland America, God-fearing America, where I raise my children, dodge coyotes and twice a day face a herd of goats very close to my own intelligence level, is not just totally ready but in fact quite eager to end the War on Drugs. For the good of the country. Having heard almost nothing but support in red and purple states, I’m no longer hesitant to discuss the subject of the coming Drug Peace in any company.
Once my preliminary research convinced me that the topic was important enough to move my family adjacent to the cannabis fields of Northern California for a year of study amidst the conflicting sounds of bumblebees and helicopters, my principal concern upon revealing the results to the world was, “Professionally, would I be Woody Harrelsoned (stigmatized for a topic mainstream journalism, politics and religion didn't yet consider top-tier-important)?” My confidants were mixed on that one, but one, it turns out, particularly astute friend said, "Didn't hurt Michael Pollan." Indeed two years of time (and polls, and Pat Robertson) have shown the zeitgeist is there.
So what I’m saying is, where my predictions were off was not in the realm of my own conclusions following research on the front lines of this war. It was in the realm of everybody else’s. I thought I’d have to explain why the topic of Too High to Fail matters. Instead, every time I tell someone what the new book’s about, I feel, as I put it in an earlier Dispatch, like a marathon running being given water and back pats as he closes in for the lead.
Hence the whole topic of timing, in this case, blessedly fortuitous timing, has been crossing my psyched RADAR screen almost every day this summer. American publishing is, for the moment, one of the last industries that requires a substantial lead time between inspiration and realization. Which is to say, it’s been nearly two years since I wrote the book proposal for Too High to Fail. There was simply no way for me or for my publisher to know Americans would be polling, as I type these words, at a record 56% in support of ending the War on Drugs – and that number is climbing (it’s 80% in support of medical cannabis legalization, and the 56% is up from 49% a year ago). In other words, I had no idea I’d be preaching (or at least providing what I hope are the humor- and adventure-laden facts) to the converted.
And I ain’t complainin’. There's going to be so much less background to explain at live events! In fact I’m just sending out big thanks to you, Zeitgeist Gatekeepers, for smiling on a release date for this book (and its offshoots in other media) about which I had almost no control. I’m not sure where you dwell, Mainstream Mindset Minders, but you somehow manage to do your job even now that there’s more than one Walter Cronkite broadcasting your decision. I don’t know how you do it. Maybe it’s in the Wi-Fi frequencies. But whatever you’re doing, it’s working. Keep up the good work. Collect your bonus.
Meanwhile, this literary zeitgeist appreciation is, if not getting lost in, seamlessly blending in with the forty two other flavors of appreciation I experience every day here in the remote canyon wherein lies the Funky Butte Ranch. A prominent one from before breakfast (in fact before sunrise) today came when my four-year-old joyfully announced the discovery of the year’s first ripe walnut. Woke me the heck up, in fact. Hooray local living. The message for me was about Climate Change in this high desert ecosystem: Drought? Sure. Still bountifully and generously giving land? You bet. Eminently survivable. Even for a greenhorn of a neo-Rugged Individualist like me.
But I've even had cause to wonder of late just how green my horns in fact are. Indeed bigger picture on the appreciation scale, I had an important moment in my solar-powered Organic Goat Herder career last week. Round about dusk, I had occasion to feel a feeling, while unloading several tons of organic alfalfa hay at a neighbor’s so unfamiliar that I didn’t exactly have a name for it at first. Now, upon a few days’ reflections, I think of it as “growing into my (hemp) cowboy hat.”
Which is to say, I think I might actually have kind of learned to live here in this gorgeous valley. I mean, ya know, if box stores go away. The first clue was my decidedly atypical lack of profound injury at the end of unloading day: evidently hay stacking is a matter of ergonomics and vertebrae feng shui.
The second hint was that I noticed I now think nothing of stashing my water bottle in a pile of oldish goat poop nuggets, if that’s where the shade is. And really hammering home this fun new “fitting in with the locals and maybe even being one” sensation were the terse words of grumpy old rancher Pat as she passed around beers to the bunch of sweat-soaked cowboy hat-wearers once the last bale was stashed next to a brand new litter of kittens: “Nice working’ with ya today,” she said to me. I'm pretty darn sure she was looking at me. Fairly sure.
This was a woman who, three short hay harvests prior, had abruptly ejected me from conveyer belt duty (this frightening device carries the bales from the truck up into her barn) like a Trump apprentice when I (admittedly) seemed to throw half the bales too far up the rubbery, rickety belt, and a good portion of the other half in the dirt in front of the finicky machine.
With those few words of kindness, accompanied by distant lightning emerging from a part of the violet spectrum never before visible to me, a month of triple digit tension, in fact three quarters of a decade’s suspicion that I’d always be a greenhorn, were gone. Evaporated into the suddenly moist atmosphere. I felt as though I were being baptized. Or, more culturally accurately, I felt like Jacob, finally outsmarting Laban and talking ownership of his goats. I was being dubbed a rural New Mexican – after only seven years study. I knew this lifestyle was a better decision than medical school.
Quite literally the next moment I nearly caught a mis-tossed grapple hook in the jugular, and then my work glove got embarrassingly stuck in a piece of bailing wire I was bringing to the recycle bin, briefly tipping over my beer. But that’s just part of my four decade-long reminder that if I lose physical contact with acute humility for even a second I generally get smacked down immediately by a universe with little tolerance for excess ego. Luckily I was distracted from too much of the requisite (and who’s to say whether accurate?) self-doubt by two emails that buzzed impatiently out of my phone before I was half done with my beverage. “Excuse me,” I said to Pat and the rest of the group, few of whom had smart phones.
I blew hay dust off the expensive device and checked the messages. One was a neighbor, asking if I wanted in on an elk hunt he was planning. “Yes,” I typed. "Thanks!" The other was a note from my colleague, a producer at the Conan show, asking if I was available to appear as a guest a week before publication time. I plonked my up an adjoining hay bale, examined the nursing, shut-eyed kittens, took a sip of ale, and sighed with satisfaction. “Yes,” I replied. "Thanks!"
I like Digital Age Neo-Rugged Individualism. I think Tommy Jefferson would, too. Thunderstorm lullabies one day, joking around with Andy Richter the next. Goat milking the next. I’m into it. I just hope the broad palette of wildflowers soon to emerge in the Funky Butte Ranch meadows, the offspring of this nascent Monsoon season, will arrive before I’m off to the coasts and then the heartland, to speak to you folks about why America will be stronger, safer, healthier, wealthier and even more creative in the coming Drug Peace era.
[See the short film about and pre-order the new book: TOO HIGH TO FAIL]
Comments
Shannon says:
July 10, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Mr. Fine,
I’m sure you have many big fans who email you daily. I guess I’ll join the club. Oh wait, is there a club? I would totally join!
I’m a NEW and BIG fan. Two weeks ago I happened across your book Farewell My Subaru while searching for a book on composting. I saw the title on the bookstore shelf and was intrigued. Read a page somewhere in the middle and decided I must read the entire book (yes I took home the book on composting too). Four sittings later and I had just finished reading one of the best books ever. Not to mention it was definitely the fastest I’ve ever read a book.
I love your creative style and sense of humor. Thank you for writing this book and I hope to see more books by you in the future.
Sincerely,
Another big fan….Shannon
OrgoCowboy says:
July 11, 2012 at 4:12 pm
Holey Gazoley, Shannon, I blush. Thank you for the kindness that gives me confidence to tell the stories that feel important to convey. Humor must be the gateway. Gotta remember that.
Elena says:
July 13, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Just another voice chiming into the chorus: You are awesome! Thank you! Elena
OrgoCowboy says:
July 15, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Well, Elena, in my view it is you who exudes awesomeness for taking the time to send that kind post.
Carla says:
July 15, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Love your writing! I hope you speak in Colorado Springs.
OrgoCowboy says:
July 15, 2012 at 6:42 pm
Thanks so much for the sweet and supportive note, Carla — So far I’ll be in Boulder August 16 (Boulder Books) and Denver August 17 (Tattered Cover Books). Hope you can make it, and do say hi. And for folks interested in the national tour schedule as it develops, we’re starting to post them here today (July 15, ‘2012’), so please do check and keep checking back under the Events link.
Suzette says:
July 16, 2012 at 7:43 pm
So I’ve been driving to the Farewell, My Subaru audiobook, I checked in here to see about the further adventures of Doug, and I find I only have to wait weeks to read the new book! FMS was super inspirational to me, by the way.
OrgoCowboy says:
July 16, 2012 at 9:59 pm
Thank you so much, Suzette and I have two related replies: the pre-order is on for TOO HIGH TO FAIL – just click on the sales buttons to the right of the short film on the home page (the sales buttons are also on the detailed TOO HIGH TO FAIL page you can reach from the home page). And since you listened to FAREWELL, MY SUBARU, Penguin has told me that an audio book is on the horizon. For now, though, you can pre-order hardcover and e-book. Plus, if (when?) sales are stratospheric, I’ll try to talk the publisher into a hemp edition!
Kym H says:
July 17, 2012 at 3:07 am
I just finished reading Farewell, My Subaru. Wonderful book; I hope you and your (mostly animal) scene are still thriving and enjoying the simple green life 🙂
OrgoCowboy says:
July 19, 2012 at 2:42 pm
Heading out to milk the goats as we speak. Hope that answers your question.
Denise says:
July 24, 2012 at 6:29 pm
read your interview with Mark F from BoingBoing
today, got totally stoked about your book, pre-ordered one straight
away… looks like you’ve been doing awesome work, and I
can’t wait to get my copy!Gaston says:
July 25, 2012 at 12:12 am
After a controversary law project and the Uruguayan president words on favour of government regulated cannabis market, a law project will be entering the parliament in the oncoming weeks.
From North to South, Drug Peace Era!!!!
JP says:
July 26, 2012 at 3:56 am
Doug, Thank you for jumping into the fray. We’re a democracy so that’s what it takes. Peace on you and the future.
Dan Sheridan says:
July 26, 2012 at 4:49 am
Hi Doug my name is Dan Sheridan and I’m interested in solar energy and the ability to redirect sun light at a focal point to heat water and organic matter to produce steam for turbine energy, and to heat organic matter in a large scale gassenator for production of a cleaner fuel source. Besides cleaner energy production I’m also interested in the use of organic herbs for medicinal uses I’m 20 years old almost every bone in my body is or has been broken, cracked, fractured, or dislocated. On June 1st of 2011 I had 2 titanium rods and 22 screws installed in my spine to immobilize 80% of my spine I had a broken back for ruffly 10 years before it was realized the end diagnoses was that I had 2 shattered knee caps 2 shredded ACL’s 2 hurniated discs in my lower spine 8 compaction fractured in my thoracic spine 5 compression fractured discs spread throughout my lumbar and thoracic spine 5 vertabrea tilting my head an extra 16 mm forward I’d like to hike cross country and eventually start my own self sustaining farm as well as teach the public about how many uses plants really have as well as give the public the option of herbal remedies compared to pharmesutical medications, allow people the option of plants or pills. I was compelled to write to you after seeing you on Conan. I am aware that last sentince will most likely recieve an onslaught of interesting comments I don’t watch Conan much but to Conan I do remember the point being made about your latest book too high to fail and someday I hope to visit those ” vineyards ” some day .
rebobbo says:
July 26, 2012 at 8:52 am
Hey Doug,
Just saw your appearence on Conan’s show 7/26/12 not sure of when it was first aired,exactly when is of no matter.I had a great laugh at his question to you as to the names,or labels that have been given to medicinal marijauna (thinking they where to complicated,or something).His act of total ignorance,or innocense on the subject alone,was quite comical.
Much like the names and labels given to the incredibly vast amount of wine that comes from abroad and the U.S..Marijuana of different strains and originations,have qualities and characteristics that are very unique and distinct.Those who know this to be true will gladly share thier knowledge on these matters.And in thier heart,mind and souls know this is not a criminal act,and look forward to the day when our government wakes up and realises the same.tron says:
July 27, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Hey D!
Saw you on Conan and I have to say that you did great! Thanks for doing what you do, and please keep up the great work! I wish this world was stuffed with people like you…. thank you!
tSean a North Carolinian Urban Hill Billy says:
July 30, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Doug,
As an entrepreneur who is starting a healthy food truck venture using local produce, I somehow ran across your book, “Farewell My Subaru”. I was doing a search at the local library and typed food truck in the search phrase. I read the abstract, became immediately interested and read the book in its entirety over the next 3 hours while in the library. How your book was cross indexed with food truck is beyond me; however having finished it and loving all the great details provided has really got me fired up. Thank you for living the experiment and providing such a humorous and thought provoking biography. I look forward to supporting all the Funky Butte Ranches in western NC in buying their wares and passing it on to the public. Also, the goal is for the truck’s equipment to run on solar power.Take care, Sean
OrgoCowboy says:
July 31, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Thank you SO much for the support for “Too High to Fail.” It means so much to me, and I hope y’all love the book when it arrives Thursday — pre-order’s on now everywhere, including the sales button above on this page. And the links to last week’s Conan appearance (thanks for the wonderfully boosting feedback) is at: http://teamcoco.com/video/doug-fine-1
and
http://teamcoco.com/video/doug-fine-2