tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post3948664586660940908..comments2008-10-30T14:36:31.980-07:00Andrew!http://www.blogger.com/profile/02170615547522584268noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post-60206649230684188732008-10-30T14:36:00.000-07:002008-10-30T14:36:00.000-07:00Enjoyed this post. It reminds me of one of my political science professors, who often postulated that it was inherently and essentially indisputably better for people to have access to phones and clean water and labor-saving devices than not to have access to them. It sounds simple, but it gets very easy to "noble savage-ize" under-developed countries. I thought it crystallized things well.<BR/><BR/>Regarding the story with the Southern farmer, I think there are a couple things that make me say "hmm" in that parable. First is that the Northerner probably employed lots of people, enabling them to fish on their weekends. The Southerner employed none. The second is it presents a very shallow view of contentment, which I see as a very deep concept. The third is that too many Northerners would probably extinguish the fish population -- just to prove that I'm not against all regulation!<BR/><BR/>I pop in only periodically, but as usual enjoy your blog.NJRhttp://www.tiesenga.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post-57720929394559732862008-10-19T17:55:00.000-07:002008-10-19T17:55:00.000-07:00I feel like the sentiment 'pura vida' is sort of a cop out. The words are used when you have nothing better to say. They are used as a greeting, as an exclamation, in place of the word cool, as a general lament be it positive or negative. My problem with 'pura vida' is it doesn't really mean anything. In English I can see it loosely translated into 'what ever' depending on the tone of voice. I do feel that Ticos over use the term for settling for mediocrity but they also use it to lament the beauty of life... I think the real problem with 'pura vida' is that there are so many words that can accurately describe a situation and saying pura vida is the easiest way to express yourself without saying anything.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835654671793189055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825516930488582601.post-33788891763779061302008-10-15T21:16:00.000-07:002008-10-15T21:16:00.000-07:00in my eyes, pura vida is indeed about being happy with what you've got, earned, stolen even, i guess one could say. but it's more about not needing a thing or things to make you happy, in the moment. you just hang out with your friends and forget about your troubles for a handshake, a minute of conversation, or an hour over cervesas -- because all your troubles can't be changed by worrying every moment away. <BR/><BR/>it's not an excuse to accept one's poor plot in life and not do anything to improve oneself. And just because there are many many things about life in c.r. that could be improved doesn't make pura vida a less honest sentiment. in my view, we are always going to recognize what's worth changing in our lives, and some of us will go out and make efforts to make changes. others (in america, costa rica, or any other country) will do nothing but bitch about it. either way, pura vida is about not letting shit get you down, as simplistic as that sounds.<BR/><BR/>it's also as simple as a way to say hello to someone, a way to greet the day, a way to say 'i will survive!' <BR/><BR/>i will survive<BR/>Oh as long as I know how to love<BR/>I know I'll stay alive<BR/>I've got all my life to live<BR/>I've got all my love to give<BR/>And I will survive<BR/>I will survive<BR/>Hey Hey!<BR/><BR/>so sue me for quoting cheesy songs, but not for being an eternal optimist... (or costa ricans!) :-)Beccanoreply@blogger.com