Read this. And, if nothing else, you’ll understand a little (more or less) what I’ve been wanting to put into words for a while, but just couldn’t find the right ones.
I just stumbled across this essay after doing a google search for “drop out of society.” I decided to do this search for the heck of it after I spent the morning driving the tractor around the hayfield, raking the last of the hay into piles to take into the barn and then pitching the last of the hay into the haystacks. The phrase “dropping out” I think has negative connotations for most people. I grew up thinking that “dropping out” of school at any stage was always a bad thing. People used to be labeled “drop outs” if they were of questionable moral character.
So it is a silly idea, really, to think that what I really want to do is drop out of society. I really do, but I hate the phrase, which is why I like his essay so much. From what I’ve read of Ran’s essay, I agree or am working towards just about everything mentioned in it (aside from dumpster-diving for food, but even that makes sense). If I don’t agree with it, I at least find it interesting. (I like what he says about having kids, too.)
To drop out is to become who you are. Do not feel guilty about using strengths and advantages that others do not have. That guilt is a holdover from the world of selfish competition, where your “success” means the failure or deprivation of someone else. In the dropout universe, your freedom feeds the freedom of others — it’s as if we’ve all been tied up, and the most agile and loosely tied people get out first, and then help the rest.
It was hard to choose the right part to quote, but that passage says a lot. It is as if we’ve all been tied up, and in most cases, I think we tie ourselves up thinking we need what we do, when we truly don’t. Alas, he sums it all up very nicely in the last paragraph.
If you do read it, don’t miss the criticisms page too!
Impressive! I definitely agree that the current social system is designed to keep us slaves to consumerism and our mortgages. I definitely have thought seriously and even talked w/ Kelly about the logistics of just buying a plot of land and then starting w/ a pop-up and outhouse while building my own small place. You are certainly welcome to stay with us at any time for as long as you like.
Keep in mind though, no matter simple you make your living space, always make room for one of these:
http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/in-case-of-zombies-break-glass
I applaud you for making your dreams a reality. Eric and I both want to move to the mountains and have a substantial amount of land where we can grow our own vegetables, etc. He works from home already, so I just have to get my shit together and figure out a way to telecommute
Was the above link supposed to be funny? I have one of those zombie blasters on my wall right now!!
Wow! it’s great to hear from both of you. I wish more people had the same realizations. I applaud you both! It would be so great one day to be able to visit your properties (not sure if you’re thinking of a proper “farm” or not). Life great out here in the country! You don’t have to be a pea-brain redneck to appreciate it …
I want to get away from the “normal” city life more and more every day. I have been reading a lot on slowing down, simplifying, and accumulating less stuff. Eric is/was a boy scout and is all for the rustic life with very little dependance/contact with the outside world. I am very environmentally conscious and just want to have more control over my life: where the food comes from, power generation, etc. I would also like to co-exist with nature and not disturb it. There’s already enough of that going on in the world! I will let you know when we have made our dream come true and you will be welcome any time. Perhaps you could teach me some “farm” tips