Living the Simple Life
June 27th, 2009 by MilesVickstrom
Maybe it’s just me, or maybe it’s my relatives?, either way I don’t fit into peoples concept of a 21st century individual. Wanting more technology to do things I normally do myself doesn’t interest me – even if it makes life easier, except maybe when I’m too old to get out of bed without the aid of a hoist.
I like technology, I simply choose to incorporate a very limited amount of it in my life, like the computer, it’s great as far as communicating and exchanging ideas etc., but, do I really need a refrigerator that’s networked with my computer to share my internet connection should I feel the need to talk to my frig?… no. A quick scan of the frig in the morning when I reach for the half and half and I know what I have and might need.
Making what should be easy and simple into a complicated multistep process – that is my definition of technology for the consumer. When they said, “Build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your doorway” they were right, but, what happens when you’ve built the best mousetrap? you’ve streamlined it and refined it to perfection, now what? you complicate it of course. You add bells and whistles then lastly, the “ultimate”, you give it a brain – an onboard computer to perform the simplest of tasks, we have now reached TECHNOLOGICAL UTOPIA. The gadget people will love you.
So, when I was accused of being a “Luddite” recently, I couldn’t entirely disagree with them, but, I would call it selective luddism. Growth, whether it is intellectual or technological, is necessary if a society is to remain viable, vital, intact. Every society that existed and failed did so because of natural disater, conquest or stagnation, so I’m all for progress, so long as I’m free to persue my life of, consiously sought, simplicity. Notice I said progress not development, that is a whole other story.
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. – George Santayana. The Philosopher had it right, truer words have never been spoken. If you forget where you’ve come from or the “simple” elements that have been built upon to get you where you’re at, you are doomed to failure. How are you going to fix a complex piece of machinery without knowing the basics – you’re not – you’re going to have to reinvent the wheel.
Give me a shovel and some dirt to dig in and I’m a happy man, did I say I liked simple? that goes for simple pleasures also; usually the least complicated and simplest things are the purest and longest lasting. My case for Homesteading.
Jesse Turner
http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/living-the-simple-life-119258.html
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Posted in living life | 12 Comments »
June 27th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
What do you think about living a simple life?
I just bought a 1973 camper and am fixing it up so I can do some traveling during the summers I am in college. I am really thinking about slowly giving away most of my belongings ( television, clothes, junk that just takes up space) and living a simple life working, living in my camper traveling and saving money until I find someone to get married to. I am really serious about this….Do you think this would be a strange life?
June 28th, 2009 at 3:40 am
I think it is awesome!!
Have fun!
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:42 am
No, it would be a boring one. If you are really going to do that then you might as well just shoot yourself and save time, you would only be wasting your one and only life.
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:44 am
That sounds kind of cool, actually. Good for you to not get caught up in materialism
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:46 am
I honestly think you should do what makes you happy. If simplicity is what does it for you then lucky you. A lot of people spend their lives chasing something they can never have. You're aspirations are obtainable.
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:48 am
Sounds great.. Don't get tied down. See as much of the world as you can. I've done it… it was nice. Besides if you work hard and live cheap you can save tons-o-cash for later… while you are visiting every nude beach hot spot…
Not much to take chicks back to… but if they aren't interested they aren't worth your time.
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:50 am
It's easier said then done.
Nothing wrong with your idea, and more people should give it a try.
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:52 am
I am for it. I think it will reduce a lot of stress in daily living and in the end when you are fully adjusted to this mode of life, you will be a lot happier.
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:54 am
A simple life is a good thing. Good for you. Stefanie H: Pleaes forgive me. I gave you a thumbs down by accident. Meant to give a thumbs up
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:56 am
A meritorious pursuit ; one that I am experimenting with myself ; beware though, you are about to discover some not so glorious aspect of our society, simple life means relative poverty or at least the appearance of poverty ; that's when you find out how we treat the poor… Human love and justice is for the rich.
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June 28th, 2009 at 3:58 am
I think you are going to have lots of fun. But I would not call that the simple life. Fitting all your stuff into a small van is not as easy or as simple as it sounds. *grins*
I love the nomadic life style, so much more interesting than staying put.
Practicing Shaman… quantum physics rocks.
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June 28th, 2009 at 4:00 am
Sounds like you will be living the dream my friends, go for it…two thumbs up!
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