The famous line from the 1972 edition was "We've been through a lot of changes in the last few years, and we're beginning to realize that we're going to have to change some more."
This line was followed by a passage that said:
> "We can't afford to be passive. We're going to have to seize control of our lives and our communities, and we're going to have to do it now."
While the catalog didn't directly promise to tell readers how to "seize control of their life," it advocated for self-reliance and taking action to shape one's own destiny. The catalog was filled with information and resources for individuals seeking to live more independently and connect with the natural world.
The magazine's message resonated with a generation seeking to break away from traditional norms and create a more meaningful life. It became an iconic symbol of the counterculture movement and its emphasis on self-sufficiency, environmentalism, and social change.