What's this theory called?

Hey all,
I'm writing an article for our facultypaper about natural living. Now I want to say something about this theory/lifestyle kinda thing but I forgot what it's called!
It has to do with people wanting to go back to the roots, and live like in past times. I think even prehistorical times. This is probably an ideal. It is highly critisized of course by people who think they should take it litteraly. I think most people who belief they should live like in past times each have their own way to incorporate this into their daily lives
Sorry I don't know if I'm explaining very well.. But I thought there was a name for this thing.
I need something because my natural lifestyle is mostly based on intuition and now I have to write this sorta university-proof article about it!!

Thanks for any help!!

 

How about Primordial Living, basically going back to the origin or roots needed to survive. To re-connect with your humanity, and to work with nature, not against it.
This may be primitive compared to modern society, but it's modern society that had taken and programmed people to forget the skills needed and to think otherwise...

Hope this helps, or sparks other ideas...
Peace

 

Cool thanks, that's exactly what I mean, but is that a real name or did you just make it up? Cause I have this idea that I once heard about a name but maybe it's all in my head

 

You might be thinking of primitive anarchism: http://www.eco-action.org/dt/primer.html

 

I thought that was called the "Shit, I can't afford a TV" theory.

 

yes... Primordial is a real word... look it up and do some research to be sure its what you're looking for.

Hope it work's out for ya...
Peace

 

Someone on another forum suggested primitivism. I think it's somewhere along these lines, I'll check out your link thanks!!!

 

There was the "Back to the Land" movement of the 1970s.
Though often people wanted to use less technology, it was not a rule that you couldnt, so it might not be what you are looking for. But it might be good to give it a look for your paper.

Circle eace:

 

Primitivism, Anarcho-primitivism, anti-civilization, civilization critique. All pretty much the same thing. And some of us do take it quite literally. Check out Derrick Jensen, John Zerzan, Kevin Tucker, John Moore, Ted Kaczynski (yes, I'm talking about the unabomber) Green Anarchy magazine. There's lots more. Most of my posts here tend to spiral off into an anti-civ rant.

http://www.insurgentdesire.org.uk/
http://greenanarchy.info/
http://green-anarchy.wikidot.com/
http://johnzerzan.net/radio/
http://www.primitivism.com/
http://www.greenanarchy.org/index.php?action=viewwritings

I know this post is a little old, but I haven't spent much time lurking on these forums till now. Hope someone finds this useful.

 

yeah thanks, that's totally usefull! I had so much to say on the suject that I didn't even get to primitivism yet but I will cause I get to write a whole series

 

Interesting. I wouldn't mind reading some, if you care to post some. I would also like to know how they are received. It's very encouraging that these ideas are gaining some acceptance. But it's not surprising, given the depth of the crisis we face, that some people are waking up and recognizing civilization and technology for what they are.
Anyway.... Good for you!

 

Oh yeah. Just remembered. Speaking of people recognizing tech for what it is.
I've been reading this for a few days.
http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/
It is a truly strange thing to behold. It's a blog by Kevin Kelly, editor in chief for Wired magazine. It's very rare for one of technology's apologists to speak so lucidly about civilization, to have so much insight into it's very nature, and yet still embrace it.
The post entitled "The Unabomber Was Right" is a real gem.

He goes on and on, basically confirming everything Ted had to say. I've never seen a pro-tech person so honest about technology. Then, toward the end of the article, he just ruins it all by saying 'oh, but look where he lived. In a shack. Isn't it dirty in there? he peed in a hole.' And he goes on to say how wonderful all the neat toys are, and how much choice we have in this culture. After all, who wants to pee in a hole when we can have fucking i-pods?
I'm over simplifying, sure. But anyone who can see the truth so clearly, and then just piss all over it, doesn't deserve to be taken too seriously. Oh well. At least he's chosen sides, which is more than I can say for most of us. And the site does provide alot of insight into the logic of the machine.

 

heya, thanks! that is interesting.
I would post up my article, but it's written in Dutch so.. if you happen to speak Dutch?
and I had some really cool reactions! this first article was mostly about cosmetics and stuff, and I got people coming up to me saying they tested not shaving their legs or their pits, and trying shaving with olive oil and not using mascara anymore.. like, wow!! one girl said she actually thought her new hairy pits were beautiful, and another friend's boyfriend never noticed she stopped shaving her legs and she was completely shocked, wondering why she ever did that then! no one noticed she stopped using mascara either and again she wondered... yeah really cool actually, and really surprising!!

 

There are many different things that living off the land has been called. Not all of them are anti-tech or anti civ. (I'll even refrain from ranting about people who post on the net about the evils of technology).

Homesteading and subsistence farming are what small farms are generally referred to as these days.

Personally, I don't have any issues with technology. When used appropriately, it does what it should, make our lives easier. The problem is with the people.

The need to own 'stuff' has overwhelmed almost every other drive in life.

Look at computers as an example. Going out and buying the newest and best computer every six months is a huge waste of resources, both in terms of manufacturing and pocketbook. This in no way means that having a computer is bad. They are extremely useful things. With the net, they become the single biggest achievement humans have made, for the very simple reason they allow us to instantly communicate with people from around the world on a one to one basis.

To decry technology as a whole as being evil is just plain silly. Lighting a fire iwith two sticks is technological. Using a hand carved wooden bowl and fire heated rocks to cook soup is technological. Making a tipi out of animal hides is technological.

To arbitrarily pick a point in our development, and say, there, everything that came after that point is wrong, is nonsensical.

As for the idea that technology has it's own agenda... Human beings, with our insatiable curiosity drive us forward to develop new technology, it is what separates us from the rest of the animals. To say otherwise would be crazy... like planting a bomb to kill people and then blaming the bomb for their deaths... oh wait... that's what your reference guy did...

go figure