The Irony of Tolerance
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Kevin Godbee - Aug 4, 2014
- 7 min read
G. L. Pease
"A pipe is the fountain of contemplation, the source of pleasure, the companion of the wise; and the man who smokes, thinks like a philosopher and acts like a Samaritan." -Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton (19th C)
I grew up with the notion that other people’s views, no matter how different from my own, even if those opposing ideas were completely unsupportable, often have nuggets of gold buried within them that we can mine and learn from. It was one of the best lessons my dad taught me, and even though he didn’t always follow his own advice, and I certainly don’t, his instillation of the value of tolerance has served well.
By tolerance, I don’t mean a blind acquiescence towards egregious, cruel or inhumane behaviors which are never acceptable, but the allowance for thoughts and ideas that may differ from our own in the quest for those nuggets of gold that serve to open our minds, broaden our world views, and make us more human.
It’s probably safe to assume that most people reading these words have similar feelings. As pipe smokers, we seem to be a fairly thoughtful, and therefore tolerant collection of reasonable, sensible and kind-hearted folk. This is demonstrated in many ways; by the generosity of those who pass along tobaccos and pipes to others via "bombing" missions, by the kind support we offer others in need, by the enthusiasm we share when someone tells us of their latest acquisition, by the advice we freely give when others are seeking it. We are human, of course, and suffer to a greater or lesser extent from our frailties, but it seems true that pipe smokers are truly a special bunch.
It makes sense, really. It requires patience to be a pipe smoker, and it takes more than patience to become one. Most of us suffered through the early days of puffing, learning the ins and outs of choosing blends that suit us, perfecting the mechanics of filling the bowl, lighting the tobacco, keeping it lit without sautéing our tongues, the challenges of choosing and breaking-in new pipes, the ritual of keeping the old ones clean; to the onlooker, it’s a deceptively simple thing, but those of us who remember our early experiences, and persisted despite them, know otherwise. Those with less resolve would likely abandon the pastime long before graduating from aspirant to the ranks of the initiated.
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I don’t mean to over-inflate a sense of "who we are," to make us out as being somehow saintly, or better than the rest of society, but to revisit something that we probably already know. It’s nothing new. Thackeray, in The Social Pipe, famously penned the often misquoted phrase, "The pipe draws wisdom from the lips of the philosopher, and shuts up the mouth of the foolish: it generates a style of conversation, contemplative, thoughtful, benevolent, and unaffected."
Thackeray’s sentiments resonate with many of us, and show that through the lens of history, pipe smokers are a reflective lot. Albert Einstein, in 1950, gave us, "I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs." Many similar quotes elude to our tendency as a group towards reflective, philosophical thinking. Maybe there’s something to it.
There are certainly larger questions implicit in these, albeit biased, observations, assuming there is at least a seed of truth in them. Why are we perceived this way? Does pipe smoking, as an activity, select for those who are more patient, more tolerant, possessing of a more philosophical nature? Or does the act of smoking a pipe somehow shape us to be this way? Either way, a picture is painted, a perception created and shared, and, generally, we willingly accept this image.
As pipe smokers, we routinely engage in an unhurried, almost ritualistic and decidedly analogue activity within the context of an increasingly fast-paced, digital world. We can’t download tobacco, or digitize our experiences so that we can share them with others. We are forced, when we want to express the tastes and aromas of a certain tobacco, the feel of a pipe in our hands, the joy of a new acquisition (granted, often accompanied by digital photographs), or the sadness of a broken shank, to use one of the most powerful tools of our humanness. We are forced to use language, and that means slowing down a little, taking some time to compose our thoughts, and writing them down in a way we hope will convey something to others who share the passion of our pastime.
Over the past couple decades, the interwebs have given us a wonderful opportunity to connect with one another, to join together as a global community. At no time in history have we been able to so easily, albeit virtually, commune with others who are part of the coterie of briar and leaf. The doors have been opened wide. We can instantly find answers to questions about every aspect of tobacciana, share our thoughts, and read those of others.
Newsgroups, chatrooms, forums and now social media have also become the gateway to exploration of other cultures, and we make friends along the way with people who share a common interest, many of whom we would never otherwise have met. At no time in history have we had this ability; it’s truly a remarkable thing that’s sometimes easy to take for granted.
Of course, the medium is imperfect. It’s not always easy to express ourselves in a way that is clearly understood by those for whose native language is not our own, or whose cultural perspectives may be very different, and this can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and hot tempers, especially when we’re being satirical or sarcastic, but it’s to our credit that these misunderstandings usually work themselves out. The thoughtful pipe smoker seems to be alive and well, and that’s a good thing.
I realize this runs pretty far up the pitch from my usual discussions in this column, but with the rise in hostilities in so many parts of the world, it seems to me that it might be a better place if more of its citizens embraced at least the allegorical image of the pipe smoker, if not the "gentle art" itself. Sadly, as the world’s tensions mount, I’ve witnessed a rise in hostility even within our own ranks, and that’s where the irony lies; it’s the very fact that we are a tolerant bunch that allows this to occur. I think we can sometimes do better. And, I think we should.
We can’t do much about the global situation, but we can make sure that we make the effort to behave in our own quarters as the historical image of the pipe smoker would prescribe, with the hopes that some of it might rub off on those around us.
For all our good nature, we are, as a group, marginalized by society at large simply because we are smokers, users of tobacco, and so we have to do everything possible to stick together, to respect each other, to mine those nuggets of gold implicit in other views, even when they are at odds with our own, because only when we stand together can we endure against the social and political pressures against us all.
In The Results and Merits of Tobacco (1844), Doctor Bernstein wrote, "Nowhere in the world will such a brotherly feeling of confidence be experienced as amongst those who sit together smoking their pipes." Whether or not this was actually true then, we can all probably make a more conscious effort in striving to make it true today.
I’ll close with one more quote, from A. Conan Doyle’s The Problem of Thor Bridge: "There you have it," said Sherlock Holmes, knocking out the ashes of his after-breakfast pipe and slowly refilling it.
Your turn.
-glp
 Since 1999, Gregory L. Pease has been the principal alchemist behind the blends of G.L. Pease Artisanal Tobaccos. He’s been a passionate pipeman since his university days, having cut his pipe teeth at the now extinct Drucquer & Sons Tobacconist in Berkeley, California. Greg is also author of The Briar & Leaf Chronicles, a photographer, recovering computer scientist, sometimes chef, and creator of The Epicure’s Asylum. See our interview with G. L. Pease here. |
Written by Kevin Godbee
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When I first started with the pipe as a quirky and precocious teen, the only tutelage I had at my disposal were scenes from old movies in which a well dressed chap would stick his pipe into a pouch, scoop tobacco into the bowl and press it down unceremoniously with his thumb. Then, with great flourish, he’d strike a match and light the thing with all manner of cinematic excess, puffing up vast clouds of smoke falling just short of completely obscuring his visage. While it may look good on film, it’s a terrible approach to actually enjoying the thing. Somehow, though, this “technique” seems to have survived in the contemporary vernacular, at least to some extent, even with bit-loads of information handily at our fingertips that should dissuade us from the practice. But, at the time, this misguided approach was all I had; it’s no wonder my early days of puffing were fraught with difficult lighting, harsh, bitter smokes and tongue bite, all culminating in a fireproof mass of ye old soggy dottle in the bottom of the bowl. Ultimately, the resulting frustration made me give up the pipe, at least for a while. While the idea of it was still very appealing, the practice of it was not. It wasn’t until a few years later when, still full of curiosity and romantic notions of pipe smoking, I wandered into a real tobacconist’s shop, and learned my “method” was a long way from the techniques that would bring me to any sort of pipe smoking bliss. So, after my poor start, and under the guidance of someone who actually seemed to know how to do it right, I was given the opportunity to approach the process anew, this time with much greater success. 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Before we begin, I should tell you: this tobacco review is being written by an A.I. Not the fancy new GPTs or their ilk; no, this is last century’s meat-and-bone, all-organic model. To be fair, a large part of what we call knowledge is merely the accumulated perceptions and impressions gathered from a life wandered through, synthesized into a spongy mass of what-it-is-that-we-think-that-we-know. The algorithm for this prompt is simple enough: pump thousands of bowls of smoldering plant matter into a gaping maw, cross-reference the chemical sensations with all other matter previously ingested or inhaled, sieve it all through the diffuse and fractal twin lens of memory and emotion, and churn out a panoply of adjectives that attempts to convey the sensations to someone who hasn’t experienced it yet. Odds are that a diligently trained monkey could succeed half the time; if this reviewer nears fifty-one percent then that would qualify as an unrivaled success. There must have been some similar musings perambulating through the mind of Per Jensen when he began his mad scientist routine at Sutliff with the Pipe Force project, which brings us to the current mixture under the microscope—Sutliff’s Pipe Force: Episode I. Here again are the unusual ingredients that engendered the series, with the stoved Rustica being the defining voice in this composition. From the tin: The Latakia-forward English mixture offers plenty of smoky flavor from the fire-cured leaf, which is artfully harmonized with floral, earthy Stoved Rustica. A mixture of high-grade Virginias imparts a natural sweetness. Katerini, the sole Oriental component, offers herb and spice notes bringing complexity and nuance to the flavor profile. It’s certainly Latakia-forward, with the stoved Rustica doubling up on the rhythm section like a second bassist. A first whiff from the tin releases the aromas of shoe leather and hide glue in a base of clay soil with a campfire wafted over it like last night’s beach party. Once it’s been accustomed to oxygen again, subtle hints of sweetness poke through from the Virginias: lemon rind, light milk chocolate, the dregs of a peaty Scotch, and muddled cherry. Old regulars like fresh-sawn oak and tilled earth are there, of course, with distinct notes of truffle, creosote, damp peat, and pine bark mulch. As an aside, I’ve been re-potting my camellias and the similarity of aroma to the ericaceous soil mix is notable; the Katerini really brings the unique depth of its vegetal complexion when supported by the Rustica and afforded more voice in the mix. 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I started out my tasting in cobs, then cut short an unpleasant bowl in a meer, and finally landed on my best instrument with the lovely Dunhill 4427 pictured, a quaint group 4 shell briar with a gentle curve and Cumberland stem supporting a perfectly executed acorn bowl. It surprised me here, as I’ve learned through the years that I generally have the best experience with English blends in large, wide bowls. With this blend it seems that to get the best out of the Katerini’s somewhat diaphanous influence the smaller bowl fared much better. Room note is very English, so the company you keep will either love it or hate it, and it doesn’t linger too much. I find it paired best with a strong coffee; Sumatran beans complement the flavors well, as do Ethiopian if a lighter brew is preferred. Overall impressions of the blend are that it’s a curiously interesting take on the English genre, almost a reductive reconstruction of the theme using the unique components. This blend, if nothing else, expanded my vocabulary of sense perceptions with the uniquely treated leaf. While the average human can distinguish approximately one trillion (1,000,000,000,000!) different aromas, multiplied by seven basic tastes, and wholly dependent on variables from body chemistry to atmospheric conditions, our overworked and underpaid simian brains can’t effectively catalog them all. Our pet adding machines are exceedingly good at this, however, and someday soon they’ll be the ultimate and unequivocal authority on what something tastes, smells, looks, or even feels like. Until that time, friends, revel in the moments that can be stolen to savor over a bowl of Pipe Force: Episode I.
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Very nice article. I guess if there would be one thing about myself I’d like people to remember was my contemplative demeanor and pipe smoking only adds to that image. Not a bad picture for sure. I generally take people at face value until they speak and I have always felt sometimes more can be said with silence and reflection.
I wished more people smoked pipes like they used to, we need more thought in our lives.
I can agree with Mr. Pease’s monthly. I do find that pipe smoking has a way of attracting those who hold knowledge, objectivity and thought in high regard. That and people who enjoy tobacco beyond cigarettes. I consider myself a part of both groups.
I’ve had a great time within this online community.
Yup, if we could just weed out the aromatics smokers and cob suckers, we’d be well-nigh perfect. 🙂
@Cortez That was either a sublime bit of wit, or an epic miss on very point of the post.
A well-written and thought-provoking article. It contributes to the general and justifiably widespread opinion that pipe people are, in the main, self-controlled, steady and reliable folk who don’t easily rub up the wrong way or become heated over the slightest thing (no puns intended in those last two statements). The pipe forces a slower and more conscious approach to things. You can’t just fling the tobacco in the bowl and then finish it five minutes later and a good thing this is too. A conscientious smoker will approach his/her pastime with as much care and consideration as possible and this is bound to rub off on other areas too.
Well done for highlighting the demands and joys of a pipe in an increasingly hectic, chaotic and ruthless world. I for one intend to get as much enjoyment out of my pipe as I can, but with the maximum amount of loving affection and care as I can, too. Here’s to those precious moments spent cleaning, reaming, polishing, filling, lighting, tamping, puffing and, finally, sighing in contentment whilst the world thrusts itself madly into our faces at almost every turn.
Thank you, sir, for your knowledge, wisdom and great encouragement here. Enjoy your pipe today and…take your time over it. It’ll be worth it.
I don’t know how much you/one can generalize about pipe smoking people. Smoking
a pipe is an activity that demands a certain deliberate quietude, which indicates or
maybe imposes some sort of serenity within yourself, if only temporary. Some pipe
smokers may find time by themselves more pleasant than painful, which is a hard earned
quality.
A wonderfully written article where many of the quotes are from the 18th and 19th century. Time has proven these quotes to be factual and makes us as pipe smokers feel well about ourselves and the way we live. I really enjoy reading the old tomes of days gone by with regards to pipes and tobacco. It’s nice to see more good publishing done by Briar Books Press and articles like this on pipesmagazine forum to bring about a renewed interest in our hobby and what we enjoy reading about most. Pipes and tobaccos and how we interact with one another in such a civilized manner. Personally I believe that we make the world a better place. A narcissistic statement? Maybe, but that’s my view.
Apologies for straying from your main point Mr. P. but I am compelled to note that the marginalization you mentioned is bidding fair to morph into outright persecution. End of digression.
Best article of yours I’ve ever read, Greg.
@Cortez: I’m with you on the aromatics , but leave us cob suckers alone =P
We are endowed with instinct and emotion and the ego king, with the supporting players intellect and identity, with their agents, perception and conception; what we commonly call the mind. As we mature we tend to acquire more states of being that belong to the heart, for instance gratitude, acceptance, humility and love as our experience repeatedly tells us the proof that heart must balance the head. Heart and head are two almost entirely different ways of being. While exercising the head we constantly encounter the fact that its version of events is faulty if not downright false, while on the other hand experiencing states of the heart axiomatically gives us contentment, happiness and peace. Again, ego, grounded in the heart, works just fine.
We are fortunate that someone with the authority of Mr. Pease has written this article calling for an end to the acrimony that comes from the head. Tolerance is of the heart. Who of us who participates in the internet pipe community has not been intolerant? I certainly have. But these days I have a class reserved for those whose views I find repugnant. When I come across them, I not only exit from their arguments, I also remember their IDs so that when I see them as the author of a thread, I bypass it entirely.
I have plenty of opinions, but in the end what do my opinions matter? Who cares about what I think except me? And as being locked in the consciousness of “me,” in the head, is a lonely, negative place, I struggle to remain in “we” or the heart.
As always, some excellent comments. Mike, your choice to remove yourself from discussions that you find repugnant shows the sort of wisdom that I hope, one day, to have some mastery over, myself. Thanks for the reminder.
“The thoughtful pipe smoker seems to be alive and well and that’s a good thing”
I could not agree more and what’s even more encouraging is the number of younger people (and women) that seem to be entering the ranks almost daily. Fill a room with pipe smokers and you will see representation from almost every demographic and the amount of mutual respect among those people is what is most noteworthy. An excellent piece and well worth re-reading.
Greg your columns are always so interesting to read and then reflect upon. This one as usual hits it home. Thanks and keep up!
As I’ve observed elsewhere, it is fundamental to western philosophy, Judaism, Christianity, Indian philosophy, the U.S. Constitution and many modern philosophies that no one can possess the truth. The truth is only approached in dialog with those we disagree with. Call it the Socratic method, checks and balances or whatever you choose. When anyone claims to own the truth they are wrong.
When dialog breaks down, when ideologues demonize rather than respectfully listen to their opponents, both sides lose and violence becomes the order of the day.
With so much of the world seemingly moving away from respectful dialog the community of pipers, at least amongst ourselves, can demonstrate a higher standard. Which is one of the reasons I choose to hang out here.
What a terrific essay, Greg. I remember years ago sitting next to the great Italian pipe maker, Paolo Becker, at the Chicago pipe show and discussing some serious debates that were going on in the hobby at the time. There were many heated tempers on both sides of various issues. I will never forget the way Paolo smiled, sat back, puffed on his pipe and said, “Yes, but in the end we will all emerge as friends because we are pipe smokers.” And he was right.
Thanks, Rick, for the kind words and for sharing that wonderful anecdote. Paolo carries on his father’s legacy as a true gentleman, as does his son, Frederico, who is also emerging as a fine pipe maker in his own right.
Very nice article. That’s why I love this family of pipe smokers.
Dear Greg, You can certainly pack a lot of thought into a small space. I’ve read this article several times and each time came away with something new, so thanks. The very act of smoking a pipe demands an appreciation for the concept of achievement requiring effort. Indeed I believe it is the single idea that binds us together. In the progression from novice to devotee, one must embrace the idea that only after you have given that wonderful implement in your hand the proper homage of preparation, can you hope to coax from it the wonderful experience you seek. Indeed the practice is almost, if not actually, ritualistic for most of us. The idea good things come from our effort is not at all abject but rather reinforced daily and our concept of reality reflects it. We accept the idea that results are the product of good effort. From there it’s an easy jump for that view to become reality in all that surrounds us. We are those things you so eloquently portrayed for that reason more than any I believe. What I do determines the outcome I experience and pipe smokers are always willing to do “the right thing” because doing that rewards them very day. Failing to always has an undesirable consequences. Its real life and at the core of our belief system. We behave accordingly.