Primitivism

[Jasper]

We all need to go back to the trees.  We all need to stop raping mother Earth.  We all need to stop being so damned modern, because modern values ruined everything.  Right?

No, not right.  Up your entire ass.  It is 2010, motherfucker.  The Future.  We have lasers and shit.  Yeah, toxic waste too, yeah.  Nukes too.  Sure.  But we also have the means to improve things now.  The technology to end hunger EXISTS.  The means to find cures for diseases and end them EXIST.  The means to make the world fucking WORK FOR ONCE is finally at hand and what do I hear people saying?  Back to the wilderness?  Fuckhead, there is no wilderness anymore.  Wherever you go there are machines in the sky ready to help you.  The least perspicacious observer can see that there are no perfect solutions, yet most cases of technology in society are doing more good than bad in the world.  On balance, it is constantly making our lives better.  

Let us speak no more of going back to the wild.  Let us now speak of sending more clenching pussy noises into space, of finding out how our universe works, and how to make our tenancy here somewhat more pleasant for everybody involved.  Who really cares about what nature intended anyway, if nature intends things like smallpox?

Or eat a lightbulb.

[Kai]

We all need to go back to the trees.  We all need to stop raping mother Earth.  We all need to stop being so damned modern, because modern values ruined everything.  Right?

No, not right.  Up your entire ass.  It is 2010, motherfucker.  The Future.  We have lasers and shit.  Yeah, toxic waste too, yeah.  Nukes too.  Sure.  But we also have the means to improve things now.  The technology to end hunger EXISTS.  The means to find cures for diseases and end them EXIST.  The means to make the world fucking WORK FOR ONCE is finally at hand and what do I hear people saying?  Back to the wilderness?  Fuckhead, there is no wilderness anymore.  Wherever you go there are machines in the sky ready to help you.  The least perspicacious observer can see that there are no perfect solutions, yet most cases of technology in society are doing more good than bad in the world.  On balance, it is constantly making our lives better.  

Let us speak no more of going back to the wild.  Let us now speak of sending more clenching pussy noises into space, of finding out how our universe works, and how to make our tenancy here somewhat more pleasant for everybody involved.  Who really cares about what nature intended anyway, if nature intends things like smallpox?

Or eat a lightbulb.

Cf. Aldo Leopold, for counterarguments. Particularly the part about "intelligent tinkering".

[Jasper]

He sounds like someone who mainly argues in favor of not totally screwing the environment, "environmentalism" or "land ethics", which is distinct to the ideology I am discussing, "primitivism".  Unless the wiki left out the part where he hates technology.

The only other scrap I can easily dig up is

To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.

Which doesn't really tell me much.

[Kai]

He sounds like someone who mainly argues in favor of not totally screwing the environment, "environmentalism" or "land ethics", which is distinct to the ideology I am discussing, "primitivism".  Unless the wiki left out the part where he hates technology.

The only other scrap I can easily dig up is

To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering.

Which doesn't really tell me much.

While I agree with you that primitivism is ridiculous, at the same time this technological utopianism tends to ignore natural processes which we know little or nothing about. I'm not endorsing technophobia, but I am endorsing some intelligent tinkering.

I'm know I'm off from addressing the main point of your essay, which I am in agreement.

[Requia ☣]

Primitavism is going to require 6 billion or so volunteers to not be part of the new utopia.

I suggest the primativists be the first to volunteer.

[Doktor Howl]

Greenland awaits!

[Jasper]

I don't think Utopia will ever be within the grasp of humans.  I've given it a lot of thought, and I just don't see it in the cards.  Maybe it exists for some race of sentients somewhere, but the ancient monkey in us just won't have it.

So I'm not advocating utopia.  I'm advocating futuristic progressive ideology.  I think we should stop worrying about nationality and historical differences, and start asking what we can do to start attaining the promises of the future, today.

I will be very mad if my good looks go before I can plug my severed head into a floating chassis.

[Doktor Howl]

I don't think Utopia will ever be within the grasp of humans.

Thank God for that.

  I've given it a lot of thought, and I just don't see it in the cards.  Maybe it exists for some race of sentients somewhere, but the ancient monkey in us just won't have it.

Don't tell the libertarians.  You'll ruin the funny.

So I'm not advocating utopia.  I'm advocating futuristic progressive ideology.  I think we should stop worrying about nationality and historical differences, and start asking what we can do to start attaining the promises of the future, today.

True.  Science and engineering are the only hope we have at this time.  We thought ourselves into these problems, we'll have to think our way out.  Also, I want my fucking flying car.

I will be very mad if my good looks go before I can plug my severed head into a floating chassis.

Too late.

[Doktor Howl]

Unfortunately I'm too lazy to care either way, whichever makes my life easier.

Translation:  LOOK!  I POSTED!

[Jasper]

I will be very mad if my good looks go before I can plug my severed head into a floating chassis.

Too late.

I AM LOVELY TO BEHOLD!!

[Doktor Howl]

I will be very mad if my good looks go before I can plug my severed head into a floating chassis.

Too late.

I AM LOVELY TO BEHOLD!!

Depends upon your means of comparison.  Stacked up next to me, you are an abomination.

Dok,
Sexier than fuck, and cheaper than your girlfriend.

[Jasper]

Yeah, you do have bigger tits.

[Doktor Howl]

Yeah, you do have bigger tits.

And they're on my back, which is 169% WIN.

[Freeky]

Yeah, you do have bigger tits.

And they're on my back, which is 169% WIN.

But srsly. I agree with you, Sig, that Utopia isn't for monkeys.

Also, who would want to live in a utopia? There just wouldn't be enough FUN, dig?

[Jasper]

Well...

My idea of "utopia" is a city-state sized amusement park with free food and housing, manned by robots, with only a basic set of peacekeeping laws and constitutional rights.

To each his own.