Into the Wild, email with Ben

(Ben is my best friend, we grew up together. We always bounce ideas off each other, often times though, he keeps me grounded and challenges the things I say I can’t back up. This is a conversation we had about the movie Into the Wild)

On 1/15/08, Ben Bain wrote:

Brian,

First off, I read that article by Alex. Tell her I thought it was really well done.

I just saw Into the Wild tonight. Powerful. I'm trying to let it sink in right now. I've got to apologize for arguing with you so much. I knew that if I just dismissed the guy as an idiot, then I wouldn't feel bad about my decision not to pursue that same sense of freedom. Gotta hand it to him, he had some guts. Some great parts to that story. The movie really hit that feeling of wanting that something else, wanting to just be out there, away from it all.

When we going to Alaska?

Response:
I dig it. cant wait to see it.

supertramp questioned alot and he was on a quest. but he failed. im not sure how much the movie hits on it, but i remember the book didn't really to emphasize how he failed his mission. you can fight the norm, but unless you live to see the changes you foresee, what is it worth? this kid got lucky because krakaur happened to hear about his story and glorify his dream. this is good. this is what the world needs right now. its people willing to die for something. but the world needs these people alive. think what chris mccandless would be doing if he was alive right now and had lived through that experience. i can only imagine.

i was looking through kurt cobains journal the other day, they xeroxed his mead notebook, his personal journal, page for page. he had alot of the same thoughts it sounds like. he said stuff like, those corporate bastards think im nothing, they think im just some drug addict who hates everythign and im gonna kill myself. well, he did. he lost. as much as he thinks he was right, he played into the hands of the man. if it wasn't for the corporate man, he wouldn't have made it as far as he did.

you can fight the man, but im learning you have to play by some of the rules or else you won't live to see your dream come true. it aint easy, but you have to believe it will be worth it. thus you have balance. focus on your dream and tolerate the man.

its people like you who challenge me and make me explain the crazy thoughts that pass through my head. i feel like i have the determination of these cats, but because of friends like you, i can't win unless i convince you that im right. don't apologize for questioning what i say, because you just having the patience to listen to me is the type of support that i need.