As humans we’ve developed over the span of centuries; from hunters and gatherers, to farmers, to capitalists. During the SOMA conference, I heard a professor of Anthropology speak on his wish for mankind to return to the era of hunting and gathering. However, I don’t necessarily find myself sharing this wish. Although hunting and gathering comes with its benefits, the benefits that the progression of the modern capitalist era brings are significant.
The few societies who still rely on the human hunting and gathering stage for survival base their lives on relationships with friends and family rather than on money. This is an excellent way to live, in a society where the focus is not on material possessions but rather on relationships. Surrounded by people who are not dependent on money and ability to follow western civilization thoughts on being successful but rather dependent on using the resources provided by nature for survival through the help of relationships they build.
The Batak of Northern Palawan is a society in the Philippines that still follows the traditions of a hunting and gathering society. While their appreciation for all life has to offer is rather obvious and they are people that enjoy the happiness that comes with a simple lifestyle; they are also people who represent the classification of the poorest in the world, have no official settlement, are secluded from the rest of the world, and do not share in the many benefits of the capitalist world.
As someone who appreciates the choices made by people to explore life in a simple manner, I also believe in not only the capitalist world but the progression of every single human with the global community as it modernizes every day. As capitalists, we take advantage of all the progression the world has to offer. The new technology that effectively reduces the barriers in communication and connects the global citizens of the world, the chance for economic growth, the chance to progress our lives in many ways, most importantly there’s the chance to be happy.
We don’t need to live in the past when the future offers everything the past does and more. We do not need to take steps backwards in human progression in order to be happy and minimize the negative effects on earth. We simply need to maximize the benefits as present day capitalists and strive to move into a socially responsible environment for the future.
