We live in a artificial world of our own manufacture which is chronically unsuited to our genetically programmed prerogatives.
In place of choices that give us an immediate return on our decisions, we are forced to make choices which only result in the promise of potential long term rewards.
What do I mean?
Natural: I am hungry, therefore I must find food or starve.
Manufactured: Working now will give me a paycheck in a week, with which I will be able to buy food for the following week.
This is extremely unnatural. Our nature demands we see an immediate reward for our efforts and when we cannot, we become stressed.
Why do you think so-called smartphones are so chronically addictive? I think it is because they are one of the few things that give us an immediate return on investment. We touch the screen, and something happens. We text someone, and they text us right back.
Smartphones give us instant feedback in a world we have rendered long-term.
Perhaps I should start using mine? No, I don’t think so. Why not? Because I realize my need for happiness is far deeper than a touch-screen will ever be.
such a valid point.
one of the many reasons i’m learning about foraging (http://www.foragingtexas.com/)
as i want to remove the need for $’s & stress created from work.
as it is an artificial construct contrary to my nature.
i may rename “camp david” to Malmaxa. 😉
There is so much food available in nature, all we need is to know where to look and how to listen to our instincts.
I remember being on a survival course during my Army days. They dropped us on an island in the middle of Kariba Dam and left us there with no food or water for two days. Obviously the no water part wasn’t significant :).
When we go back they offered us each a single boiled egg. I was so full from eating the roasted bulbs of various plants that I offered mine to someone else. The instructors thought I was being squeamish as the condition on which the eggs were offered was that we had to eat the shell as well. So I peeled my egg, ate the shell, and gave the egg to my friend. I vaguely remember the instructor hiding his smile with his hand.