Once upon a time life evolved on a certain planet, bringing forth many different social organizations—packs, pods, flocks, troops, herds, and so on. One species whose members were unusually intelligent developed a unique social organization called a tribe. Tribalism worked well for them for millions of years, but there came a time when they decided to experiment with a new social organization (called civilization) that was hierarchal rather than tribal. Before long, those at the top of the hierarchy were living in great luxury, enjoying perfect leisure and having the best of everything. A larger class of people below them lived very well and had nothing to complain about. But the masses living at the bottom of the hierarchy didnt like it at all. They worked and lived like pack animals, struggling just to stay alive. This isnt working, the masses said. The tribal way was better. We should return to that way. But the ruler of the hierarchy told them, Weve put that primitive life behind us forever. We cant go back to it. If we cant go back, the masses said, then lets go forward—on to something different. That cant be done, the ruler said, because nothing different is possible. Nothing can be beyond civilization. Civilization is a final, unsurpassable invention. But no invention is ever unsurpassable. The steam engine was surpassed by the gas engine. The radio was surpassed by television. The calculator was surpassed by the computer. Why should civilization be different? I dont know why its different, the ruler said, It just is. But the masses didnt believe this—and neither do I. - Daniel Quinn, from the book: Beyond Civilization: Humanitys Next Great Adventure Continue reading: buff.ly/1nDbCCM
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:00:32 +0000
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