care more than some think is wise; risk more than some think is safe;
dream more than some think is practical; expect more than some think is possible

1.20.2010

Are the 'civilized' people actually more barbaric?

I viewed a few minutes of a movie entitled "The Gods Must be Crazy" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080801/) ... and just this little introduction to the video was quite interesting. It opens with a narrative of the bushmen who live in the bush of the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. These people lead simple lives, with no thought of owning any single item, sharing all things with all members of their families. Of course, this movie is from 1980, so some of the realities of their living conditions may not be entirely true now ... but you must consider the chance that they are more civilized than we!


The point made was this. They have adapted to their single environment. They don't need money, they hunt never going hungry, and live in simplicity ... which in modern day society we have self-help books about leading more simple lives! They live in unity and harmony with each other, and their surroundings, instead of steadily destroying what resources they have!

On the contrary, we lead lives demanding adaptation to tons of environments - work, commuting, home life, weekend mentalities, work day mentalities, etc ... We are driven by some invisible force making us miserable and running for the most efficient and successful options, whatever they be. This force may be called 'pace' or 'materialism' ... is this not the driving force of American society? And the worst is that this "culture" is spreading all around the world! Increase commercialism and materialistic drives, and witness the misery upon misery on the faces and countenances you meet!

We, the "civilized," are no more driven by the rise and setting of the sun, than we are by some minutes according to a clock, according to "work days" ... Now I know God instated work and that work is good, but I don't think He meant it to be the way it is today!

So, I propose again, are the "civilized" people actually to barbaric? You decide!

2 comments:

  1. The bushmen of kalahari desert were traditionally hunter gatherers.They are part of khoisan group and are related to traditionally pastoral khoikhoi.They switched to farming as a result of government-mandated modernization programs as well as the increased risks of a hunting and gathering lifestyle in the face of technological development.

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  2. I just read a paper on a similar subject! (I'm in an Anthro class called Food & Culture this semester)
    THe author argued that hunter-gatherers were healthy, had everything they need, and probably had lots of free time...
    they werent scavaging around looking for food for 18 hours a day.
    the paper then brought up the point about living a simplified life...the hunter-gatherers had just what they needed each day, but no more than that. we burden ourselves down with many possessions and worries about what we "need"..
    very interesting and I believe has Biblical undertones to it! which is very interesting considering it was a paper by an anthropologist! :)

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