Do we know too much?
08 September 2006, 05:08 PM
#1
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Do we know too much?
<philosophical mode>
I'm reading David Attenborough's autobiography and he descibes many visits to tribes in the 1950's and 1960's. By our standards they seem terribly backwards - but their simple life seems to make them happy.
Got me thinking - are we stressed out because we know too much?
I appreciate it would be impossible for us to go back to a simpler life because we've already opened Pandora's box - but should we try and drag isolated tribes/ people's into the 21st century? Or should we leave them alone?
</philosophical mode>
Off home for beer and pizza in 23 mins!
I'm reading David Attenborough's autobiography and he descibes many visits to tribes in the 1950's and 1960's. By our standards they seem terribly backwards - but their simple life seems to make them happy.
Got me thinking - are we stressed out because we know too much?
I appreciate it would be impossible for us to go back to a simpler life because we've already opened Pandora's box - but should we try and drag isolated tribes/ people's into the 21st century? Or should we leave them alone?
</philosophical mode>
Off home for beer and pizza in 23 mins!
08 September 2006, 05:46 PM
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Got me thinking - are we stressed out because we know too much?
08 September 2006, 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Saxo Boy
I have often thought this - I once argued on msn with my brother that tribal people have it easy by comparison. Their whole day is about not dying, getting some chow and trying to re-produce. He found my argument so absurd he kept the conversation - lol. I stand by my comments - it IS an easier life
08 September 2006, 06:02 PM
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I don't think the dissatisfaction felt with modern life is an inevitable consequence of knowledge. I think the problem is sociological.
In days gone by, you were handed your lot and you accepted it. Those who worked the land would never own land for themselves, nor would their children. But by and large people accepted their place in the world.
In today's society, anyone and everyone can supposedly rise to the top. The downside is that people feel negatively about themselves if they fall short of becoming a model, millionaire, world-famous scientist or movie star. This hasn't been the case for very many generations, and I see it as a culture shock, in the literal sense.
Far from this state of affairs being an inevitable consequence of progress, I believe that as we further advance as a society we'll get a better understanding of work / life balance and our own sense of self worth.
In days gone by, you were handed your lot and you accepted it. Those who worked the land would never own land for themselves, nor would their children. But by and large people accepted their place in the world.
In today's society, anyone and everyone can supposedly rise to the top. The downside is that people feel negatively about themselves if they fall short of becoming a model, millionaire, world-famous scientist or movie star. This hasn't been the case for very many generations, and I see it as a culture shock, in the literal sense.
Far from this state of affairs being an inevitable consequence of progress, I believe that as we further advance as a society we'll get a better understanding of work / life balance and our own sense of self worth.
08 September 2006, 07:22 PM
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As an aside, isn't it a wonderful book?
Took it on holiday with me
SB
PS And yes - I think we'd be better off if things were a little simpler. In some ways, anyhow. Maybe even doing without the internet...
Took it on holiday with me
SB
PS And yes - I think we'd be better off if things were a little simpler. In some ways, anyhow. Maybe even doing without the internet...
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11 September 2006, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Sbradley
As an aside, isn't it a wonderful book?
Took it on holiday with me
SB
PS And yes - I think we'd be better off if things were a little simpler. In some ways, anyhow. Maybe even doing without the internet...
Took it on holiday with me
SB
PS And yes - I think we'd be better off if things were a little simpler. In some ways, anyhow. Maybe even doing without the internet...
11 September 2006, 09:16 PM
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dont forget that living off the land can be back breaking work relying on nature and incredibly harsh at times, it aint all rose tinted you know. In those times you worried where you next meal would come from not stressing about commuter conditions. In that respect we dont have to worry about that now, so life is in fact easier
11 September 2006, 11:07 PM
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That reminds me of something my mother said the other day when I was lazing on the sofa on bank holiday Monday..
Why are you lying there wasting your life away.
This is why you'll never amount to much in life??
WTF !! (pot, kettle comes to mind, but anyway)
We life on a farm and working 24/7/365 has been the norm as far back as I can remember.
I chose not to follow in the family footsteps as I could see it was hard, back breaking, lonely, repetitive work and there was no fulfilment in it, and they pay is well there isn't any pay. lol
I have spent the rest of my life being "looked down upon" by the whole family because of this.
I like finishing at 5.30 and putting my feet up on the weekends... what's so bloody wrong about that !!
I think it's better to live a basic life, I'm not here to get some cat fat at the expense of my own existence, after all, this is the only one I'm going to get! <gulp>
Neither am I here to try and earn every penny the world has to offer, as I can't take it with me.
So far I've managed to do jobs that I enjoy, and earn enough to live comfortably on. Seems daft to do it any other way!
Andy
Why are you lying there wasting your life away.
This is why you'll never amount to much in life??
WTF !! (pot, kettle comes to mind, but anyway)
We life on a farm and working 24/7/365 has been the norm as far back as I can remember.
I chose not to follow in the family footsteps as I could see it was hard, back breaking, lonely, repetitive work and there was no fulfilment in it, and they pay is well there isn't any pay. lol
I have spent the rest of my life being "looked down upon" by the whole family because of this.
I like finishing at 5.30 and putting my feet up on the weekends... what's so bloody wrong about that !!
I think it's better to live a basic life, I'm not here to get some cat fat at the expense of my own existence, after all, this is the only one I'm going to get! <gulp>
Neither am I here to try and earn every penny the world has to offer, as I can't take it with me.
So far I've managed to do jobs that I enjoy, and earn enough to live comfortably on. Seems daft to do it any other way!
Andy
12 September 2006, 12:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Saxo Boy
I have often thought this - I once argued on msn with my brother that tribal people have it easy by comparison. Their whole day is about not dying, getting some chow and trying to re-produce. He found my argument so absurd he kept the conversation - lol. I stand by my comments - it IS an easier life
