Some interesting things I read today in A Sideways Look at Time

p. 244 - "An Unamplified Monk"
This is the term Ms. Griffiths coined for a monk who wouldn't use any technology he couldn't (or didn't) make with his own hands. The idea is that he's a natural person, and not dependent on society. He doesn't ride in automobiles or ships or planes or eat Pizza Hut or use telephones. He walked everywhere, and because he walked, he had a profound sense of being there.

p. 245 - "In Hindu thought, trees were the ancient philosophers..."
I like this line as it is, but it also reminded me of something unrelated I've been thinking about for the last few months. Trees are like the people of the plant world. They define the landscape where they are. Forests are like cities, and copses like towns. Animals, like plants, have personality, but trees are the ones you can imagine faces on - the ones you might have for a friend. I can imagine trees murmuring their philosophies in ancient groves, speaking slowly and softly, unconcerned with the men strolling between them, soaking up their knowledge.