As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these lenses of knowledge together to show that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings are we capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learning to give our own gifts in return."
which in Iceland ... back in the day when that was coined toilet paper was probably not yet a thing ... thus books. So no books means do not pull those trousers back up, no no no.
Absolutely. Although I should ask: have you ever been to the city of dreaming books? If not, search for it. That rabbithole is much lighter on a kindle than as a bookshelf...
No. A kindle isn't a book, a tool perhaps for something you can't get access to as hard copy in a hurry. It's permission to read certian ideas, thoughts and stories until the moment AWS says they're ungood thoughts.
Gonna have to disagree. I can get much more comfortable with an ereader than a heavy book. I can set it down for a second w/o losing my spot, I can turn "pages" with one hand, I can adjust the font size on the fly, it's always a manageable size, etc. I'll never go back to paper books for long-form text-heavy content, such as novels.
A book is about the content, getting lost in another world, not the physical paper.
I can’t hold books long enough to read them (thanks fibromyalgia) and even Kindles were too big/not ergonomic for my claw hands. BUT THEN the Kindle app happened and now I can carry my obscenely large library with me all the time.
As someone who lived in a van they most certainly do. I was turned away from many homeless services because I had a 20 year old shitbox van I could sleep in so I wasn’t really homeless according to the VA and many state programs.
It's got four walls and a roof so he has shelter covered. Home is a state of mind anyway, usually to do with security both in stored possessions and a safe place to rest which again, door locks.
I traveled across New Zealand for a year by van, its a fantastic way to explore a country. This could very well be in Australia, it’s majorly popular there too.
No, that car is his home. Living out of your car is a form of homelessness. I'm not knocking it, looks like he's making the most of it and I find that admirable. But he is homeless, nonetheless.
Right? I'm money poor as fuck. I have the exact same setup as this guy and a very inexpensive studio apartment. Already raised my kid and all that and decided that time and freedom from debt is the real wealth.
I always wished someone like this would do an AMA. So many questions! Where does he go to shower? Does it not get extremely hot sleeping in a car? What does he do to make money for petrol?
I shower when I visit friends (usually once a month at least) and at public showers, but usually rinse off in lakes and alpine streams.
It does once the sun comes back out, but at nighttime its' very cool. Great sleeping temps, especially with the amount of comforters I have. Getting hot when the sun rises is a great motivator to get up early and start the day, so I don't mind it.
I own my own business. Used to do photo & web design gigs, now I'm focusing on building my brand on social media to focus on conservation content. Patreon helps me cover my month-to-month while I learn this new type of business, and I'm very thankful to be able to live sustainably!
Very well done head-camera stabilization. Kind of a weird thing for me to focus on, but I thought it made the video pop a lot more than it might have otherwise.
Woah, that's me! Alex Haraus here, really glad y'all liked it. Thanks for sharing! If anyone has questions about the lifestyle, I'll do my best to answer! :)
You're good! Yeah, I work for myself. Traveling full time lets me take money I used to spend on rent and put it away, or toward other things. I've seen a couple "wow, what a nice car, doesn't seem that difficult with something like that" comments and, yeah - I can afford monthlies on a nicer car because I don't pay anything for rent! It's an intentional tradeoff.
Hello, I was just wondering how do you sleep if it’s raining since you have to close the back of the car ?
Also what do you do about toilet and showering ?
I just sleep in the car! Don't need to keep the back open, it's spacious enough that I don't even have to open the windows if it's really cold. The rain guards on the windows let me crack them, though, even if it's raining. It's actually really nice to hear the pitter-patter of rain at night.
Toilet = digging catholes in the woods, usually the most scenic, secluded spot I can find.
Showering = rinsing off in lakes/rivers, washing up I'll use a dishbin or shower at friends' places, public showers, and sometimes at motels if I'm feeling really fancy.
I really really want what you have. Im a 24 year old factory wageslave basically doing nothing but going from my shoebox-apartment to the factory or the gym, working eating sleeping and feeling like my soul is dying.
Im Envious as fuck. What did you study and how did you get a job that lets you work from a laptop?
And just generally lean and fit. The primary challenges of van dwelling are bathing and sleeping truly well, both are greatly facilitated by minimal surface area.
whew that's a relief because I really like "pwned."
I'm 45 and was playing Fortnite with my 9 yr old nephew the other night (he lives thousands of miles away and this is one way to keep in touch) and I said "we pwned them, right buddy?' And there was just silence on the other end. Then he said "yes Uncle **** we beat them."
Am I the only one who interpreted this as that thing where wealthy white people go “slumming” and do something like live out of their car for fun or “a new experience” instead of necessity? Because that’s how I interpreted this. If he were forced to live like this, he wouldn’t feel so content.
lol me too, I thought this was poking fun at how people assume their life is humble but neglect the entire support system and resources they have that makes it possible
The main difference is consent to living that lifestyle. He wants to live that way so he's happy living that way. Sure he might have some support, but that's a social currency he can afford and use to some extent.
If you take someone who wants to live in a house and a more traditional lifestyle, living in a car would be considered a "bad" thing or something to avoid. It's all about perspective. He chooses to live his life that way because he wants to and he can, so why shouldn't he?
I completely agree. But my comment was on how I interpreted the entire video, which begins with “tell me how you’re wealthy without telling me how your wealthy.” It could be interpreted the way most people on here interpreted it (I.e. the wealth of health and nature), but that wasn’t my interpretation. I interpreted it as someone who can afford to sustain themselves in a nice car with nice accessories and have the privilege to be able to work in a remote job that pays enough to sustain him. Certainly, it’s his prerogative if he chooses to live like that but it’s a privilege to be able to do that, especially with the accessories he has (nice new looking car, work equipment, custom shelving made to fit inside his car, instruments, good camera, etc.). If he were legitimately money poor, he most likely wouldn’t be able to do that and have all those things.
Interesting take. I've traveled for a few months and slept in my car. I dont know this man, but for myself I could easily afford a hotel, etc. It wasn't about "slumming it" it is about saving money and also seeing different parts of the US. I got to sleep in some of the best parts of the US for free. Idk you're comparing the two things when in reality I think that's not the message.
Just typically is, because white people are statistically more likely to be wealthy than other groups and thus are more likely to be in a position to go slumming.
I don’t think this guy is trying to pretend he’s been forced to live like this. I think the whole point of the poem is that he has chosen to live like this.
Consent is everything. If he wants to live this way, let him. If he doesn't then I'm sure he wouldn't put together a Dr. Seuss rhyme on tiktok portraying how content he is with his lifestyle.
Also, what's wrong with new experiences and discovering the world from a different perspective? If anything it leads to a much more realistic worldview than participating in a "normal" lifestyle.
Haha YES, you know! I'm the guy in the video, can confirm - although I have a proper shovel and toilet paper. But yes, cat holes are a thing. Helps to find a scenic spot, you can essentially pick whatever bathroom view you want. Definitely not for everyone, but it's not too shabby if you embrace it!
Tell me how you got that major gap between your eyes and your eyebrows on your own free will without telling me how you got that major gap between your eyes and your eyebrows on your own free will.
He rhymed
Indeed he dr suessed it
He is the Lorax.
He speaks for the trees
He speaks for the vans.
Hahaha
I’m going to seu you for that.
I didn't notice
I’m guessing nothing rhymes with “I shit in the woods”?
If i shit in the woods, than ill poop in the hoods.......
That rhymes..
He's cool. “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Kimmerer is one of my favorite books - on his bookshelf.
What's it about?
From goodreads:
As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these lenses of knowledge together to show that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings are we capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learning to give our own gifts in return."
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17465709-braiding-sweetgrass
Jesus Christ that's deep
Hippie vibes. I approve
I had to read this for a class a couple years back. Absolutely incredible from start to finish.
Braiding Sweetgrass, I imagine
i second this! beautiful book.
I loved it but did find it hard to finish. Seemed to go on longer than it needed.
If he got books, he’s fine. Never trust people without books.
There’s actually an old Icelandic saying which translates to “It is better to be without trousers than without a book.”
Which can I legally be out in public without?
Hmm... probably depends which book.
That’s really interesting because most medieval nords regarded reading and writing as witch craft and an extremely feminine concept
Source? That doesn't quite match with my understanding
The Viking Spirit by Daniel McCoy
which in Iceland ... back in the day when that was coined toilet paper was probably not yet a thing ... thus books. So no books means do not pull those trousers back up, no no no.
That's not what the librarian told me.
John Waters said something similar
"If you go home with somebody, and they don't have books, don't fuck 'em!"
What about a kindle, does that count ?
Absolutely
Absolutely. Although I should ask: have you ever been to the city of dreaming books? If not, search for it. That rabbithole is much lighter on a kindle than as a bookshelf...
KINDLE ISNT A BOOK.
No. A kindle isn't a book, a tool perhaps for something you can't get access to as hard copy in a hurry. It's permission to read certian ideas, thoughts and stories until the moment AWS says they're ungood thoughts.
”Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.”
Bcuz they dumb as shit
looking nervously at book shelf full of comics ‘books’ I am trustworthy
Are the stories bound in paper? Can they make you feel things? Challenge your assumptions?
I thought so. So don’t say that they’re books sarcastically. They’re books. Of course they fucking count.
Damn right they do.
Fr
That's actually quite a commitment to have books in that small space.
Seems easier to just buy a Kindle though.
You might be right but it looks like this guy isn’t into charging electronics
The e-ink Kindles are awesome though. You probably only have to charge it like a few times a year.
A few hard copy books are a must. Holding a book and reading with a cup of coffee is so pleasing. Can't quite get that coziness with a kindle.
Gonna have to disagree. I can get much more comfortable with an ereader than a heavy book. I can set it down for a second w/o losing my spot, I can turn "pages" with one hand, I can adjust the font size on the fly, it's always a manageable size, etc. I'll never go back to paper books for long-form text-heavy content, such as novels.
A book is about the content, getting lost in another world, not the physical paper.
I understand the pros, but I'd rather drop a paperback on my face than a tablet while reading in bed.
Haha. I’ve dropped my Kobo on my face multiple times, it’s not too bad. Much lighter than my iPad! :)
Everyone's different. Hey, isn't that interesting?
YMMV
You're the one who made an absolute statement that hardcopy books are a must and that you can't get that coziness with an ereader.
Did I? Interesting.
Just hollow out a Bible and put your Kindle in it. Lol
does manga count
If it has letters in it, it’s a book
Bowl of alphabet soup, book!
reddit, book!
Thank you for this glowing endorsement of the 50 Shades of Grey series
Does fanfiction on wattpad count?
Why is reading so important? Giraffes can't read and look at us, we're beautiful and full of life. Damn, I am beautiful.
We fellow other beings accept that and think you’re beautiful. That’s why we make books about you!
Yeah, and you better read them!
You know... there a giraffe-cooking-books too... “The taste of the wild” and such things...
I can’t hold books long enough to read them (thanks fibromyalgia) and even Kindles were too big/not ergonomic for my claw hands. BUT THEN the Kindle app happened and now I can carry my obscenely large library with me all the time.
Then you'd trust me with the lives of everyone in your family. I have all the books (slight exaggeration).
This guy fucks. And appears to be homeless. Respect.
just because his home doesn’t have walls, doesn’t make it less of a home.
I don't think the state asks if you are enjoying living out of your car or not before they consider you part of the homeless population
As someone who lived in a van they most certainly do. I was turned away from many homeless services because I had a 20 year old shitbox van I could sleep in so I wasn’t really homeless according to the VA and many state programs.
holy fuck
AMERICA
FUCK YA!
Coming again to save the mother-fucking day yeah!
Philosophically yeah, but legally he's totally homeless. Unless he maybe also has a home with an adress somewhere else.
It's got four walls and a roof so he has shelter covered. Home is a state of mind anyway, usually to do with security both in stored possessions and a safe place to rest which again, door locks.
Depends how cold it gets in the winter, I’d have to say.
I prefer the term “home free”
Are u aware of van dwellers?
I traveled across New Zealand for a year by van, its a fantastic way to explore a country. This could very well be in Australia, it’s majorly popular there too.
Houseless, as I liked to tell people.
That smile at the end. Definitely fucks.
Nah man the forest is his home
No, that car is his home. Living out of your car is a form of homelessness. I'm not knocking it, looks like he's making the most of it and I find that admirable. But he is homeless, nonetheless.
He's a van lifer dude, he chose that on purpose. It's a great way to travel and explore on a budget. Check out r/vanlife or r/skoolies
Not even trying to be deep, but what is a home? Really? Like I come home, sleep, cook, shower.... He does too. It's just smaller and has tires.
That ahem made me lose it
“I’m very rich. I just don’t have a lot of money.” From Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas
Right? I'm money poor as fuck. I have the exact same setup as this guy and a very inexpensive studio apartment. Already raised my kid and all that and decided that time and freedom from debt is the real wealth.
This is 100 percent what I want. No more debt or bills, just freedom.
"I have the world's largest collection of seashells. I keep it on all the beaches of the world."
~ Stephen Wright
In the Jewish texts called Ethics of Fathers it asks “who can be considered rich?” They answer those who are happy with what they have.
I can't stop watching it again and again. What a beautiful poem
Right?
Yes!
I honestly thought this was cringe content bc every tik tok I’ve ever seen is cringe
I always wished someone like this would do an AMA. So many questions! Where does he go to shower? Does it not get extremely hot sleeping in a car? What does he do to make money for petrol?
Visit r/vandwellers and ask away!
This was an awesome click!!
Hello, I'm the guy in the video! Happy to answer!
I shower when I visit friends (usually once a month at least) and at public showers, but usually rinse off in lakes and alpine streams.
It does once the sun comes back out, but at nighttime its' very cool. Great sleeping temps, especially with the amount of comforters I have. Getting hot when the sun rises is a great motivator to get up early and start the day, so I don't mind it.
I own my own business. Used to do photo & web design gigs, now I'm focusing on building my brand on social media to focus on conservation content. Patreon helps me cover my month-to-month while I learn this new type of business, and I'm very thankful to be able to live sustainably!
If you have any more questions, ask away!
Very well done head-camera stabilization. Kind of a weird thing for me to focus on, but I thought it made the video pop a lot more than it might have otherwise.
(oh my goodness someone noticed) Yes! The rigid arm is a MUST. Thank you!
Nice set up in your rig. Good luck with your business.
You can shower at gyms for cheap! Plus, a lot of van people with bigger vans will have showers in the van!
It can, but battery powered fan and some cracked windows will get you through
Idk about him but a lot of van dwellers will run their own business or have a remote work job.
Planet fitness
Looks like an arid area. Probably moderate to cool temps at night and you gotta get up with the sun to not fry
Woah, that's me! Alex Haraus here, really glad y'all liked it. Thanks for sharing! If anyone has questions about the lifestyle, I'll do my best to answer! :)
Omfg Hoi it's really cool to find u here man hey do you like hunt for food or what
I just stock up at a grocery store like everyone else when I'm moving to a new spot! Keep it in a little pantry drawer and a cooler!
So you have a job but choose to travel every where instead of living in a house ? Sorry if I sound rude.
You're good! Yeah, I work for myself. Traveling full time lets me take money I used to spend on rent and put it away, or toward other things. I've seen a couple "wow, what a nice car, doesn't seem that difficult with something like that" comments and, yeah - I can afford monthlies on a nicer car because I don't pay anything for rent! It's an intentional tradeoff.
That's so cool man you live a pretty cool life and you seem so cozy and like happy it's amazing bro.
Hello, I was just wondering how do you sleep if it’s raining since you have to close the back of the car ? Also what do you do about toilet and showering ?
I just sleep in the car! Don't need to keep the back open, it's spacious enough that I don't even have to open the windows if it's really cold. The rain guards on the windows let me crack them, though, even if it's raining. It's actually really nice to hear the pitter-patter of rain at night.
Toilet = digging catholes in the woods, usually the most scenic, secluded spot I can find.
Showering = rinsing off in lakes/rivers, washing up I'll use a dishbin or shower at friends' places, public showers, and sometimes at motels if I'm feeling really fancy.
I really really want what you have. Im a 24 year old factory wageslave basically doing nothing but going from my shoebox-apartment to the factory or the gym, working eating sleeping and feeling like my soul is dying.
Im Envious as fuck. What did you study and how did you get a job that lets you work from a laptop?
also helps to be attractive
And just generally lean and fit. The primary challenges of van dwelling are bathing and sleeping truly well, both are greatly facilitated by minimal surface area.
second best thing about him is he's not unattractive.
Don’t you dare forget his great speaking voice!
I mean that was part of it yeah. Just hot in general.
Yeah, he'd probably be arrested for trespassing otherwise. Unless he owns that land, in which case that's him showing us he's very wealthy.
You can sleep for free in almost any federal land for 14 days. Then you have to move like 5 miles.
Wait is does this apply in every state??
Yes, federal land
...
but the bed in a car looks cozy ngl
Frr
But... He straight up told her how wealthy he is
She’s so filtered, poor girl.
This guy is richer then me.
Uhmmm. He's.... 🔥
Uhh, marry me?
Why isn’t this guy sitting in a cube making $19 an hour for a company that makes billions? Fucking loser.
Extreme sarcasm
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I'm saving this because this dude is so wholesome he nearly turned me gay and I need to learn to use his power for myself
It's like as if Jack Dawson lived 100 years later.
My god that’s so incredibly wholesome. Like I couldn’t even cringe.
wait is she being serious? not only what she said but the way she said it?
and that dude pwned her.
do we still say pwned?
Oc man sure I haven't heard anyone say it in a while but I still say it lmao
whew that's a relief because I really like "pwned."
I'm 45 and was playing Fortnite with my 9 yr old nephew the other night (he lives thousands of miles away and this is one way to keep in touch) and I said "we pwned them, right buddy?' And there was just silence on the other end. Then he said "yes Uncle **** we beat them."
Ah hate it when younger kids dont get jokes from back then u seem like a cool uncle lol
Nah I think he got the reference. He just didn't think it was "cool" because an adult said it!
Oh I get that Haha
No, the full video was saying “tell me ur rich w/o telling me ur rich... by putting money in my account” it was just a joke
Am I the only one who interpreted this as that thing where wealthy white people go “slumming” and do something like live out of their car for fun or “a new experience” instead of necessity? Because that’s how I interpreted this. If he were forced to live like this, he wouldn’t feel so content.
lol me too, I thought this was poking fun at how people assume their life is humble but neglect the entire support system and resources they have that makes it possible
Me too. I don't know what kind of car that is but it's a lot nicer and newer than mine. Living in that doesn't seem super hard.
The main difference is consent to living that lifestyle. He wants to live that way so he's happy living that way. Sure he might have some support, but that's a social currency he can afford and use to some extent.
If you take someone who wants to live in a house and a more traditional lifestyle, living in a car would be considered a "bad" thing or something to avoid. It's all about perspective. He chooses to live his life that way because he wants to and he can, so why shouldn't he?
I completely agree. But my comment was on how I interpreted the entire video, which begins with “tell me how you’re wealthy without telling me how your wealthy.” It could be interpreted the way most people on here interpreted it (I.e. the wealth of health and nature), but that wasn’t my interpretation. I interpreted it as someone who can afford to sustain themselves in a nice car with nice accessories and have the privilege to be able to work in a remote job that pays enough to sustain him. Certainly, it’s his prerogative if he chooses to live like that but it’s a privilege to be able to do that, especially with the accessories he has (nice new looking car, work equipment, custom shelving made to fit inside his car, instruments, good camera, etc.). If he were legitimately money poor, he most likely wouldn’t be able to do that and have all those things.
Exactly. There’s usually someone back home holding it down or supporting the person in some way.
Interesting take. I've traveled for a few months and slept in my car. I dont know this man, but for myself I could easily afford a hotel, etc. It wasn't about "slumming it" it is about saving money and also seeing different parts of the US. I got to sleep in some of the best parts of the US for free. Idk you're comparing the two things when in reality I think that's not the message.
Why is it white? Smfh
Just typically is, because white people are statistically more likely to be wealthy than other groups and thus are more likely to be in a position to go slumming.
I don’t think this guy is trying to pretend he’s been forced to live like this. I think the whole point of the poem is that he has chosen to live like this.
I wasn’t saying he was forced to. I was saying he has the privilege to choose it.
Consent is everything. If he wants to live this way, let him. If he doesn't then I'm sure he wouldn't put together a Dr. Seuss rhyme on tiktok portraying how content he is with his lifestyle.
Also, what's wrong with new experiences and discovering the world from a different perspective? If anything it leads to a much more realistic worldview than participating in a "normal" lifestyle.
just scrolled passed his video like 20minutes ago
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I love him
I want to see more about the Subaru Outback camper
He sounds like a Disney character
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I wasn’t expecting that and it’s so calming
Quality of living is the only true currency
Well said
Holy shit is that Ron Swanson!
Notice he didn't show the bathroom, which is probably a hole in the ground about 30 yards away behind a tree stump.
He forgot the verse, "When I need to take a dump, I grab handful of leaves and wander to the tree stump.".
Haha YES, you know! I'm the guy in the video, can confirm - although I have a proper shovel and toilet paper. But yes, cat holes are a thing. Helps to find a scenic spot, you can essentially pick whatever bathroom view you want. Definitely not for everyone, but it's not too shabby if you embrace it!
When I traveled like this I used a 5G bucket and a snap on toilet seat. It was just as comfortable as a real toilet.
Ten out of ten she did not respond 🙄
[deleted]
True..
But how is this relevant to this post?
haha sure thing comrade. Qanon is on a different website.
I wish wish him a long summer!
I love this. ❤️
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Reim dich oder ich fress dich.
Damn this dude is living the life I always wanted to live.. Looks so cozy.
his voice omg... love it.
He so cute and calm about it, too
This is so god damn wholesome I'm tearing up. Wanna do this for the duration of the witcher series tbh.
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Is that girl using a filter or is that makeup? Her face is like..without contrast.
Probably both
i fucking hated living in my van.
Fuck living in a car.
Tell me how you got that major gap between your eyes and your eyebrows on your own free will without telling me how you got that major gap between your eyes and your eyebrows on your own free will.
...