I was at this Bluegrass festival years ago, one where you could camp for a couple of days. In the campground, they had this tent, called the Big Orange Tent, where musicians played long after the stage lights went dark. They had a rule, as long as there were two people playing music, the tent was open. It was great! Some of the headliners would stop by and jam until the wee hours with the Normals.

Is that a quote from “Silent Running” (1972)? Or “Walk Hard” (2007)?

I miss those who have left. Honestly, I do. I enjoyed the sparing, the duels, the effort put into making a cogent, substantiated, hopefully wittily written post.

Back in my field geology days, after a couple of cold ones around a campfire, we might play “Coal Toss.” Quickly grab a burning ember from the camp fire and start throwing in around. If you catch the coal, you can make a cage with your hands and bounce it around. If you are quick, you’ll not get burned. Toss it to the next stupid geologist sitting next to you on a cooler. Repeat. Great fun.

That’s the Habitable Zone. It’s why I always liked this place. Smart disagreement. Quick. Engaging sharing of knowledge and expertise.

About the Habitable Zone campfire, the evening grows late. One by one they stagger off to their tents.

Honestly, based on my observations of the social media world over the decades, I’m surprised this campfire is still burning.

A few things that help me are; genuinely listening, swallowing some pride, giving up the need to be right and allowing other people to wrong.

One thing I appreciate about ER is he usually doesn’t resort to ad hominem attacks.

Come back when you’re ready Buck. You’re one person I’ve always enjoyed reading.

Come on back and challenge us some more soon.

Take a few days off and see if you feel better about it. Think it over, cool off a bit. Politics is not worth it. After all, we do have something to be thankful for. Tucker Carlson got the sack.