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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Where civilization went wrong



Humans spent most of our existence as hunter/gathers. That's what we are evolved for.

Life, in most ways, wasn't too bad. About 4 hours of each day was spent doing what was needed for survival: food, clothing, shelter -the whole bit. The rest of the time was spent socializing, telling stories, making music, and doing the wild monkey dance.

Even that hunting and gathering stuff was done with other people. Their “work” is what a lot of people do to relax these days -berry picking, basket weaving, fishing, hunting, and the like.

So it look like the whole agriculture/civilization thing goes against our nature. No wonder we are stressed out.

Now I happen to like some things about civilization: cold beer, hot showers, and good books. Maybe a few other things. We are clever people. By now we should have figured out how to get back to the 4 hour/day work schedule. In fact, since we are supposed to be so smart, why can't we meet our needs on 2 hours or less.

Instead, we have people working 12 – 16 hour days. Their phones and computers keep them tethered to work, even on their so called days off. Normal social life: visiting, music, mattress dancing -all that now takes place on special occasions, if at all.

We've been enslaved. Partly it's been by our own greed. We fell for the allure of big houses, beads and trinkets. Mostly, however, it's been forced on us by the tiny percentage of people who actually run things. Civilization has been a scam by a priest/king class that puts them on top and everyone else serving their wants and desires.

I believe we have the technology and know how to get back to our natural rhythms and still have a decent civilization. There's enough stuff for everyone to have enough. Automation could be put towards freeing up time for everyone rather than making a tiny elite filthy rich. We might have to do more gardening, but if we've got a lot of time, how bad will that be? There are techniques like permaculture and some forms of hydroponics that require little labor once set up.

Our houses would shrink down and we'd have a lot less clutter in our lives. On the upside, we'd live like humans again. Life could be one big party.

Why don't we stive for that? Looks like this current version of Civilization/industrialism/priest/king thing has just about run its course anyway.


-Sixbear

20 comments:

  1. Sixbear i know you have heard of hellen an scott Nearing.They homesteaded in Maine and wrote that work only took 4 hours a day.The other 12 we work is for our wants not our needs. If we want less we can all live more!!!

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  2. A lot of folks want that extra stuff just so they can brag to those who don't, so that would stay the same. Also, in primitive societies like that, there is NO land ownership, and most folks that already own land would fight that (understandably).

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    1. What if no one is impressed by extra stuff? I know I'm not. Look who controls all the good land right now. It's not the little guy.

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  3. You're right of course and too, you're preaching to the converted.
    What you need is a bigger readership for your commonsense approach to life...

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    1. Seems preaching to the choir is what I do more often than not.

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  4. Most young people are just greedy. They want more and more 'stuff' because someone has what they don't. When everything comes crashing down, they are not going to be able to cope. As you get older you realize that less IS better. A simple way of life that meets your needs is a good life.

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    1. The wonderful thing about humans is that we can fairly quickly change our culture.

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  5. Love this,sharing it on my blog. :)

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  6. I do like the way you think, my friend! I couldn't agree with you more, and that's one reason I retired when I did!

    Good job, Sixbears.

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    1. Retirement is as close as most people get to the old way of life. No wonder they are making it harder to dol.

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  7. Wow Mr. Six Bears!! As usual a most excellent post!! Lifestyle we have taught our kids and we enjoy!! Less IS MORE!! It has taken awhile for their spouses to catch on but hey better late than never!! REALLY ENJOYED this one!!

    Florida Mom

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  8. AMEN! HEAR, HEAR! And all that good stuff! I could work two days a week, my wife wouldn't have to work at all. If only they would listen to me... Too wrapped up in trends and consumerism to realize just how much life they are missing out on. I'd rather be casting a line somewhere than working. Crabbing, looking for clams and scallops, oysters, shrimping... Fun! And we'd be eating a lot better to boot!

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  9. Yes...social now means entertainment. Very different way of life today. Self achievement centered not group. Crippling humanity.

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  10. Sounds like a great life to me

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