Three Pillars Of Civilization

This is the time of year for travel. I haven’t been flying about like I used to but it wasn’t long ago that I would roll up a couple of changes of clothes, pack them in a seabag and head for the airport. It was during this packing that I had to be sure to throw my trusty Swiss army knife into the bag so I wouldn’t wind up at security with it in my pocket. I’ve lost good knives that way.
I’ve had to ruin a good Zippo too. I did not know that lighters weren’t allowed on flights so I had to take apart a new lighter and throw away all the fuel soaked cotton.
These are small concessions when it comes to being more secure when we fly the friendly skies. But I’ve noticed a lot of people don’t carry knives and lighters in their day to day lives.
For all our technological advances I still think there are three basic implements of civilization that every person should carry with them:
A knife, matches or a lighter, and a pen.
A knife is the refined extension of the chipped flint of our earliest ancestors. I prefer to carry a Case yellow handled medium stockman model at the present time but there are a host of options to choose from. A good knife with an interesting handle of bone, stag antler, celluloid, or wood makes a handy tool and a great conversation piece. Another great thing about carrying knives is that people always know something safe to get you for Christmas. You never wind up with that pair of baby blue Izod pants like I once did.
Carrying a lighter could literally save your life. There is nothing more human than the ability and desire to make fire. That few people today can make a fire from rubbing two sticks together doesn't matter if you have a lighter. As Geico would say, “Its so easy even a cave man could do it.” You don’t have to smoke to need a lighter. What if you wanted to burn trash or destroy documents?
Lastly, a pen is the most important implement a person can carry. Unlike a knife or lighter there is hardly ever a time I go out that I don’t need to sign my name or write something down. And before using that plastic Bic the girl at the cash register shoves your way think how many people have picked their nose and then used that pen. In the Navy I used to tell the younger Sailors that a pen was a basic part of their uniform. The salty First Classes and Chiefs had already figured that out (and taught that lesson to me). I carry a medium point retractable Parker in my pocket. Though I am still fond of the Danish pen my dad gave me when I was a little kid. It has a photograph of a pretty girl on it whose swimsuit falls off when I turn the pen upside down. It survived getting confiscated by my tenth grade French teacher and sits on my desk waiting to be turned upside down to this day. Writing utensiles have come a long way since chisels and charcoal.
Your pockets are what you make them. I choose to make mine a triune testimonial to human achievement.