I'd love to say this cheered me up, but of course it didn't. RW's outlook is the antithesis of optimism, which is not to say it isn't focussed and accurate. But I don't know whether it touches the essence of Zen, because I am not sure what that is really. Maybe having your drawing room full of rocks? Does it touch the essence of Bikes? Maybe not. The biker may ride side by side with death or paralysis for every mile he travels, but ne never the less travels those miles with exhilaration, with community, with a sense of one-ness with the world, and with fun. And also, don't Americans go on about themselves? The ones that love the corporate establishment and the ones who hate it can sound much the same to an outsider. Even one that learned the language.I think maybe less Zen, more Bike in future. How did you escape your certain fate? Or maybe, why?