The problem I have is not the compound bows, but in the mentality of not all, but quite enough of the compound shooters. They are constantly getting this barrage of psychological warfare called Madison Avenue Advertising telling them how inadequate they are with what they have. They have deepseated insecurities so they get suckered by yet another gadget thinking they just gotta have it because so and so on the Horn Porn channel has it and I wanna be like him. No independent thought, no critical thinking skills, just meek lamblike follow-the-leader mentality. And what does Madison Avenue do? They find names like Rage, X-treme, and so on to bolster their insecurities.
Is that bad in and of itself? Not so much. Really. We all buy things to make us feel better about ourselves. I buy wines that have received better reviews because I want to know what is like to taste "better quality" wines.
What bothers me is that the whole advertising message is that you didn't do good enough hunting last year with that equipment. The hunter does not look back with love and reverence for that deer that he finally arrowed on the last (or first for that matter) weekend. Instead, he is demon driven willy-nilly with a look of desperation in his eye to the archery shop to upgradeupgradeupgrade. No matter what satisfaction he derived from the last year's hunt, his heartless Masters on Madison Avenue denigrate his hunt by telling him what he has is not good enough, he MUST upgrade.
We in the Primitive circles have those people as well, but just not as many. We hold what we have killed and are eating now with a reverence similar to the Disciples breaking bread and wine together in celebration. Before we even made that kill, before we ever walked into the woods that morning or evening, we poured hours of work into the tools. Eventually we looked at it and said to ourselves, "For what it's worth, it's done. I made this. I can hunt with this." With that comes a satisfaction based on achievement long before we draw that fateful arrow, pick the spot, and exhale the arrow to it's intended mark. I only wish those that don't understand my words may someday have the chance to take a stave down and work it until the bright new day comes when their hand, wet with their quarry's blood, stains the handlegrip. And then they too, can see the chains fall from their wrists, free from their tormented pursuit of more betterer upgradeupgradeupgrade.
"If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumber'd here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend:
if you pardon, we will mend:
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long;
Else the Puck a liar call;
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends."
-W. Shakespeare
