Coal, Carbon, Crap
When I started Coal we brainstormed what the name could mean. I gave my reasons for using it, some readers gave theirs. They were exclusively positive, if I remember.
With time, I’ve come up with a couple more, less positive. ‘Just coal in the furnace’ signaled a modest contribution to some kind of intelligent discussion, considered much larger than the people involved or anything they had to say. Under pressure, coal’s main ingredient (carbon), turns to diamond, something truly valuable. But coal itself is only valuable for other, less aesthetic reasons. At the same time, take a look at unprocessed Coal and you’ll find a strange, dark beauty there. A dirty beauty. If beatniks had a gemstone, I’d put my money on Coal.
What struck me recently are a few related facts: in the modern world, coal is still used but it’s somewhat outdated, and used primarily because it’s cheap. But it’s less efficient than modern fuels, and more importantly, it doesn’t burn clean. Coal is a hazard for its environment.
Metaphorically speaking, you can go a couple of ways with that. One way is positive. Mostly, I’m thinking that coal’s messy, damaging, and by comparison to modern alternatives, a waste of resources. It’s mostly used in developing countries (namely, China and India), who don’t give a damn at the moment about any harm they might do, so long as they make it where they’re going economically. You can’t blame them: the first world already did the same thing.
I still think the name is a good one. I should write an in depth exploration. Word explorations in general are a riot.
There’s no conclusion to read here other than the literary one. I just found these thoughts, in part, interestingly applicable.
Tartski said,
Jan 30, 08:05 #
Coal is the poor man’s gold. It’s a nice way to preserve both ambition and modesty.
Interesting that sulfur is the main ingredient in coal that must be removed in the diamond-becoming process.
Tristan said,
Jan 30, 08:39 #
Interesting indeed.
So Tartski, send me an email already and tell me what you’re up to.
Theburdman said,
Jan 30, 12:35 #
I always liked that it was an allusion to Coleridge for you.
Coal is outdated… it used to be used more in factories and on trains, but now not so much, at least not here. Still, what it stands for is important. It is a means through which many things can be accomplished.
I also think it is funny that people complain about compact florescent bulbs having mercury in them, but using an incandescent bulb will put more mercury into the atmosphere in it’s lifetime than a compact fluorescent will. This is because of the importance of coal power in the US.
Tartski said,
Jan 31, 07:57 #
If I recall, I e-mailed you last.
Or did you lose my e-mail address?
(Yes, I’m a petty little bastard.)
Tristan said,
Jan 31, 13:58 #
No. I sent you a large email just last week. Maybe you didn’t get it for some reason.
Njero said,
Feb 9, 10:30 #
Actually Tristan, I believe the correct response was, “Your Face!”
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