Whats a Primitivism?

[Guest eisanbt]

So I'm having trouble thinking of to post for you kids so here is an earlier rant I'd sent to a friend in regards to anarcho-primitivism.

 

Here is a link to some primitivist website for those of you, likely many, who dunno what the I'm talking about. (Primitivist website???-->Laugh!) I dunno how much of what this particular site says is tied into what I ramble about, but I leave it to your capable, if not otherwise booze covered hands to make some argument.

 

 

Primitivism

 

 

 

 

 

I think I share some Primitivist ideas, for example the belief that much of humanity's technological progress (especially anything beyond analogue) is detrimental to human health. I have a more Chinese medicine stance (forgive the new-agey undertones, I don't wanna come off as such) about mind and body being intricately linked; the health of one is tied directly to the health of the other and thus we can affect change though either conduit. Digital technology, or really any technology which creates a notable divide in which of these elements is necessary for interacting with the technology, leads to malfunctions most commonly manifested in the form of self-destructive neuroticisms or, on the flip, ignorance.

 

Furthermore, it has been a common trend that the more technology we produce, the more complications come with it. Our technological growth has been based on unsustainable methods and, seemingly, has only the option to continue on as such. Our level of technological development has also behind it a long trail of blood as domination, subjugation and privilege has allowed certain societies, and social groups, to develop technology at the expense of the lives of those crushed beneath them; EG our over the internet interaction came at great expense. Any change for an ideal social dynamic would not likely afford us the necessary privilege to sustain modernity.

 

Where I contrast with the polarized ideas commonly associated with primivitism is that I believe there are levels of technology which are not dependent on ecological destruction and the oppression of other people. Roll back the clock even 200 years and you find sustainable technology in common use which need not be born of the nasty things listed above (so far as I'm limiting my analysis to a western historical context anyway. There are plenty of cultures today where locally produced technologies are used out of economic and circumstantial necessity if nothing else).

 

We may also carry on, as they already exist, those lessons learned from our system of oppression if they can be healthy sustained and developed within the realm of new, un-oppressive societies. I'm also all for the scaling down of communities; a functioning city, so far as they exist in north america, is dependent on the same bull as high technology. I'm more keen on small, self-organized communities freely associating with one another and all that lovely anarcho-socialist jargon. It sounds pretty to me, but admittly unlikely. Gotta struggle on in maintaining hope though, or you end up unfulfilled and boring. Le sigh

[wez]

Perhaps you wanna join me and IWS in colonizing Mars? I got a tent...

 

 

Computer God

Black Sabbath

 

Waiting for the revolution

New clear vision - genocide

Computerize god - it's the new religion

Program the brain - not the heartbeat

 

Onward all you crystal soldiers

Touch tomorrow - energize

Digital dreams

And you're the next correction

Man's a mistake so we'll fix it, yeah

 

Take a look at your own reflection

Right before your eyes

It turns to steel

 

There's another side of heaven

This way - to technical paradise

Find it on the other side

When the walls fall down

 

Love is automatic pleasure

Virtual reality

Terminal hate - it's a calculation

Send in the child for connection

 

Take a look at the toys around you

Right before your eyes

The toys are real

 

Midnight confessions

Never heal the soul

What you believe is fantasy

 

Your past is your future

Left behind

Lost in time

Will you surrender

 

Waiting for the revolution

Program the brain

Not the heartbeat

 

Deliver us to evil

Deny us of our faith

Robotic hearts bleed poison

On the world we populate

 

Virtual existence

With a superhuman mind

The ultimate creation

Destroyer of mankind

 

Termination of our youth

For we do not compute

No !

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_kn9Nczbc4]YouTube - Black Sabbath-Computer God[/ame]

 

[phreakwars]

I believe in the Venus Project

 

The Venus Project - The Redesign of a culture

 

I believe that technology is the only thing that has ever set us free.

 

Not money, government, war, politics, economy, leaders, religion, or any other BS we like to cling to as our life support.

.

.

[Guest eisanbt]

I believe in the Venus Project

 

The Venus Project - The Redesign of a culture

 

I believe that technology is the only thing that has ever set us free.

 

Not money, government, war, politics, economy, leaders, religion, or any other BS we like to cling to as our life support.

.

.

 

 

 

There are 2 faces to technological development, maybe more I dunno, but as much as one is freeing and enabling, the other side is that of mad destruction (as I mentioned before, if history is any reflection, I don't think you can separate technological development from the domination that drove and permitted it, and will continue to). The social climate in which technology grows will determine its uses, and humanity seems unable to live peacefully (the idea of sudden global peace, barring some massive release of non-toxic/ ever-lasting opiates, is a tad far fetched in my opinion). In this way, politics and technology are forever connected.

Conversely, I do agree that there are freeing aspects to technology. EG: The freedom to not die from a cold, freedom of movement for the disabled etc etc... The elements have there own form of oppression as it were, but the level of technology we're running now, again my use of 'we' is limited to our small/silly western context, is over the top to the point of being self-destructive.

Ever watch Steam-Boy? Good flick about technology, and more.

 

 

As for mars, I'm totally down. I've got wheel barrow and a spork to contribute (or maybe its a froon, I'll have to check). We could brew cider and start and emu farm.

[wez]

There are 2 faces to technological development, maybe more I dunno, but as much as one is freeing and enabling, the other side is that of mad destruction (as I mentioned before, if history is any reflection, I don't think you can separate technological development from the domination that drove and permitted it, and will continue to). The social climate in which technology grows will determine its uses, and humanity seems unable to live peacefully (the idea of sudden global peace, barring some massive release of non-toxic/ ever-lasting opiates, is a tad far fetched in my opinion). In this way, politics and technology are forever connected.

Conversely, I do agree that there are freeing aspects to technology. EG: The freedom to not die from a cold, freedom of movement for the disabled etc etc... The elements have there own form of oppression as it were, but the level of technology we're running now, again my use of 'we' is limited to our small/silly western context, is over the top to the point of being self-destructive.

Ever watch Steam-Boy? Good flick about technology, and more.

 

 

As for mars, I'm totally down. I've got wheel barrow and a spork to contribute (or maybe its a froon, I'll have to check). We could brew cider and start and emu farm.

 

 

I agree.. Could be good..but I think building enough nuclear weapons to destroy the Earth 1000 times over for the last 50 years based on the good ol' "if I can't have her, no one can" theory, is a good hint as to mans ability to use technology in a purely good way..

 

 

Sweet... We can get sh tfaced on cider and go for rides in the wheelbarrow..

[hugo]

After the collapse of the Roman Empire there was a long era where technology was lost. It is referred to as the Dark Ages.

[snafu]

After the collapse of the Roman Empire there was a long era where technology was lost. It is referred to as the Dark Ages.

 

Experts unravel secrets of ancient computer - Science

[Anna Perenna]

anarcho-primitivism.

 

I have never put a label on it, but about a year ago I felt it would be a good idea to start turning everything 'off' in my home completely, in the evenings.

 

The television, radio, computer, stereo - all of it, except the fridge - is turned off at the power source and instead of listening to music or watching tv I read something or hang outside, or I go out until it's time to come home and sleep.

 

I sleep like a baby and feel much healthier mentally. It also reduces my carbon footprint.

 

After a day spent in front of computers surrounded by techno-waves I don't want to be surrounded by them again when I go home. I don't think we should stop producing and advancing technology - but humans definitely need to take a break from it every day and breathe some fresh air/get some exercise.

[Guest eisanbt]

After the collapse of the Roman Empire there was a long era where technology was lost. It is referred to as the Dark Ages.

 

After the collapse of the Roman Empire there was a long era where there was no force strong enough to maintain the upkeep of established infrastructure and local rulers monopolized on the situation to have pissing competitions and rape newly weds.

 

I don't think that was related though, but it was the golden age of the oath...