I used to spend time in the woods alone, a long ways from anyone. Since the purpose was to hear what I said when I talked to myself, I deliberately didn't take books, magazines or radios.

Isolated like that, language is no good, as there is no one with whom to talk. And after 3 days things begin to happen

The first time I did this, I found myself spending an inordinate amount of time throwing rocks into rivers or lakes. I'd "launch" small pieces of wood, and bombard them.

At night, even though it was usually a warm, summer evening, I'd build a fire. No need for a fire, cooked on a small stove, but built a fire anyway.

I finally realized that the rocks and fire were an attempt to have something respond to me, to know that I was alive, that I was "effective", a part of my environment.

After 7 days I was always eager to get back to my car. The radio was a delight, and other cars seemed to be old friends.

I can see why they have parrots on ships, or trappers have dogs, and the old miners had their donkeys, besides the utilitarian uses for some of these. After I was done with my "experiments", I got a dog. He could carry 35 pounds all day long, and responded to me, too. A great addition.

Gotta have something to talk to, something that responds to us.

Arf