Fire Topics

Persons grouped around a fire or candle for warmth or light are less able to pursue independent thoughts, or even tasks, than people supplied with electric light. In the same way, the social and educational patterns latent in automation are those of self- employment and artistic autonomy.
—Marshall McLuhan (1911–1980)

The principal saloon was the Howlin’ Wilderness, an immense log cabin with a log fire always burning in the huge fireplace, where so many fights broke out that the common saying was, “We will have a man for breakfast tomorrow.”
—For the State of California, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)

Tut, man, one fire burns out another’s burning,
One pain is lessened by another’s anguish.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)