The information is wonderful Jace I wasn't being critical of the intent only of the result. It is such a beautiful example of the highway to hell.
The back to the land, back to nature movement is exemplary of how a good idea results in a bad product. The irony is that while the awareness and appreciation would be wonderful the result of more and more people trying to return to the land has had exactly the opposite effect of what the proponents claim is their intent. It destroys that which they claim to value, desire, and would ostensibly seek to preserve, the land itself. That is when it doesn't deteriorate into irrational mysticism that disqualifies itself from legitimacy and makes the positions held untenable for debate.
To add to your list of reading I suggest the
Foxfire Book Series on Appalachian craft. It is a compendium of numerous books that have been in print for a few decades now collecting the traditional methods for survival outside the grid.
One example of the same trend as what is at work now in environmentalism is seen historically in the understanding that it was in the name of the very pilgrims and quakers seeking refuge from the empire that the empire spread itself around the world. It was they that betrayed unwittingly the Native Americans by sincerely seeking peace only to have subsequent colonists betray that trust and exploit it to the detriment of the native populations.
Is it any wonder that all too many people around the world see those that seek to assist our western interests as quislings, and our ways as usurping theirs? History demonstrates that they have reason to be suspicious.
Environmentalism and its history is a fascinating study onto itself actually. Especially as the movement is the darling bastard child of the extreme wealthy elite and should be scrutinized more closely by all concerned especially those sincerely interested in preserving the environment.
BTW, the history of environmentalism is even worse in many socialist and formally communist countries and the general treatment of native populations by most dominant socialist movements and governments has been even more egregious and heavy handed than the Industrial Capitalists, so please I hope everyone can begin to see beyond stereotypes here.
Oh and as for some of the countries that claim to be Democratic Socialist states, how come many of them still have functional monarchies like Sweden etc?
Like I said Darktr00per these are vast problems that are miles wide but only a few ever bother to look more than a few inches deep.
LongeCity
