Thread: Anyone want to leave society?

Originally Posted by Dannon Oneironaut

It is not society that I want to leave. It is THIS society.
I can imagine the ideal society I would like to be a part of:
A society where all land is public. A society where necessities for life are free. A society where everybody shares the labor necessary to survive and helps those who are unable. A compassionate society where everyone has the right to think and feel and say and do what they want as long as it doesn't interfere with anybody else's right to do the same. Freedom. Responsibility and respect for the Earth rather than for money and the illusory economy. I hate that excuse "It is not economically feasible." While unsustainable and exploitive practices are economically feasible? A society without fences.

I can keep going, it is a way of life for me and I keep traveling and searching it out and meeting with like-minded people. My only hope is that someday we find what we are looking for and can share it with each other. The boat is my dream. I am thinking that I may have to build it, but I will need a big warehouse near the ocean to do that. And lots of money. See? See how this society gets in the way of doing what logically makes sense? I wonder if I am even allowed to go out into the forest and cut the timber I will need to build my boat.

I enjoyed that article or website somebody posted about sea colonies. What a great idea! If land is not public at least the sea is! We have freedom at sea.

But I have been really enjoying learning a lot from hanging out with the Indians. They really know a lot about good community and good society.

These were my thoughts too. It's not society itself, it's this society. I often day dream about a better society. Too bad it's something that we most likely won't reach anytime soon

Originally Posted by Dannon Oneironaut

Xaq, keep me in mind. I have experience. Also, we may be kindred spirits since we both have ridiculous mustaches and see eye to eye on many socio-economic issues. Where are you thinking? Vermont? Brrrrr....

I will keep you in mind. From my experience on this site, you and I have nearly exactly the same idea of what would be good. The location I have in mind now is in northern california but who knows? If the planet changes the direction of rotation in 2012 and every volcano on earth erupts, the west coast and basically the entire western third of this country will become mostly uninhabitable (yellowstone national park is actually a giant volcano; watch 2012 for a pretty accurate depiction of what it's eruption would look like) so maybe... asheville NC? I know some people down there and it seems like a good enough place. Lots of open space in NC. I can't know for sure for a little while. If the economy goes tits up by the end of this summer, I will be trucking off to the woods of northern CA at first anyway. My number one goal for the next 2 years is to just keep a good potential for mobility (my bus) and highly adaptable to change.

Yes, Northern California is great. I have been in between there and Southern Oregon for the past month and this is an area where if the economy collapses people will be fine. It is the State of Jefferson!!! It is far from any nuclear reactors and any major military targets. On the coast there is a risk of Earthquakes, but it is rural with no skyscrapers or gas lines. There is a risk of tsunami in some areas but they have sirens and alerts. There is a great underground economy out here and the peasants are prosperous. Asheville NC is great, I also have lived there. However, that area of the country is more toxic and there are many nuclear reactors near there and chemical plants. Not to mention some very old-school hillbilly rednecks out there in the woods. If shit ever goes down, they might turn on us. But Asheville is a great town. The West is the Best though.

Awesome. If you're still up there around september october, I'll be taking a trip up that way.

I've always dreamed of getting away and living in a small house in the center of Antartica, wirh my mate.

Wow Antarctica would be crazy cold. I don't think I could handle it there. But if you could get past that, it would be pretty sweet. I have been thinking of going to Alaska, because among other things, you get a lot of money every year just for living there.

Yea I would like to leave society, just for a week or two. Go to California where the mountains are, or some mountains in Japan...and just meditate the entire 1 to 2 weeks. Meditation retreat I guess.

It's not this society that's the problem, it's the people in it. In this society (America) People are extremely narcissistic, selfish, hypocritical, self-centered, hateful, ungrateful for what they have, just want to get away from it.......just for a little while

What is the difference between a society and the people in it?

I have been doing this for years now, but unless you have allies, do not expect it to be romantic. Yes, it is way better than some of the other choices that society now constrains one to, but be realistic about it.

I have been living this way out of principle mainly, as I firmly believe that one must lead by example, and that is what I have always done, though it has left me friendless my whole life. People fear what they do not understand, as most here know.

I am not completely without amenities. I still have my car, filled with all of my gear. Tons of military gear mostly. I have a -50 degree sleep system and all the winter gear I need, weapons galore (swords, guns, bows) 2000 rounds of ammo, extra food, tools, ponchos, tarps, and a TON more all in this little '86 Firebird. Anything that I owned (outside of music, this laptop, and a bag full of other technological devices) that could not be classified as "survival gear" was thrown away long ago. The car is really my lifeline, as unfortunately like everyone else of this generation, I have had to learn every skill I have on my own with no help, as virtually nobody these days knows how to do anything but what their career demands.

I live in the woods most of the time, except for more serious situations. For example in 2009 we had about 27 consecutive days of rain or something....and notwithstanding all my preparedness and endurance, 3 weeks was about as much as I was willing to endure; so I lived in the car for the last few days. Having the car allows me to be mobile obviously, and having a shiny sports car really helps to deter police from harassing me in parking lots (it makes me not look like a vagrant). I keep 1,000 dollars hidden for vehicle repairs and gear replacement while I spend most of my time, even after all of these years, training to survive without a car or other helpful gear.

I agree with Xaqaria about starting new communities. This is in fact what I really desire. Real "society" is something that has been lost in my opinion. It has become a Facebook, texting, cell phone world. I know it is different down south where people still talk to each other, but up here people don't even look you in the eye; I don't know if it is fear or whether people believe they are the only ones on earth.

The idea of leaving society for a principle is great, and I applaud all those who try it as it makes me feel as though I am not completely wasting my time. Most of my days are anything but enjoyable, but the only other option is death, as I must be free. When I tell people how I live, it is usually met with confusion and often disdain, as if I had some sort of nefarious intent. I sincerely hope that someday people will learn that what matters most is what is right, not what is comfortable; though perhaps I am crazy.

I have been to NC. In fact I was in Uwharrie national forest for a short time, but for me it was just too hot and humid. I just got back from there last week actually. Food is abundant there, but so are the bugs. The winter is great there, but the summer is not for me. I spent most of my time sitting on a log drinking water faster than I purified it.

All in all, it is well worth it. I have slept in some of the strangest places and under some very strange circumstances. I spent 4 months in parking lots once and a year on top of a mountain under some of the darkest skies in the country (breathtaking views of the cosmos that blow away anything you can see on a television).

It seems the last few times I came back to this forum there were threads about this sort of lifestyle, and it is refreshing to see. Above all else we must follow our hearts and act out our philosophies. Life is too short (or too long).

Originally Posted by Never

The car is really my lifeline, as unfortunately like everyone else of this generation, I have had to learn every skill I have on my own with no help, as virtually nobody these days knows how to do anything but what their career demands.

Wow, that is so true. Never thought about that specifically. But it is definitely how it is these days. People may give you passing platitudes on things, but nobody ever really trains you for anything. Unless it's at school, which is a pathetic excuse for education anyway.

Originally Posted by Never

I agree with Xaqaria about staring new communities. This is in fact what I really desire. Real "society" is something that has been lost in my opinion. It has become a Facebook, texting, cell phone world. I know it is different down south where people still talk to each other, but up here people don't even look you in the eye; I don't know if it is fear or whether people believe they are the only ones on earth.

Also very true. Some places are different.
But generally, we are just a group of people living in a congregated area. But having no contact or friendliness or caring between the people living in the area.
Unless you're forced to make friends with some of them because you go to the same building as them.

Originally Posted by Never

The idea of leaving society for a principle is great, and I applaud all those who try it as it makes me feel as though I am not completely wasting my time. Most of my days are anything but enjoyable, but the only other option is death, as I must be free. When I tell people how I live, it is usually met with confusion and often disdain, as if I had some sort of nefarious intent. I sincerely hope that someday people will learn that what matters most is what is right, not what is comfortable; though perhaps I am crazy.

Yes I really hope there is always a number of people who reject our modern "society".
I'm not sure it should be based solely on principle though.
It would have to have some basis. The life outside of society has to offer something better.
Principles are good, as long as they have a point.

Originally Posted by Never

All in all, it is well worth it. I have slept in some of the strangest places and under some very strange circumstances. I spent 4 months in parking lots once and a year on top of a mountain under some of the darkest skies in the country (breathtaking views of the cosmos that blow away anything you can see on a television).

This would be the best thing. There's way too much light pollution, even in the outer suburbs, to see the sky. Mostly because streetlights have uneconomic (80% of the light doesn't even go downward) and cheap covers.
Whenever I'm in the country/beach, I just look at the sky for ages.

Originally Posted by Never

It seems the last few times I came back to this forum there were threads about this sort of lifestyle, and it is refreshing to see. Above all else we must follow our hearts and act out our philosophies. Life is too short (or too long).

I think the main reason most people don't end up leaving is that they are waiting for other people to go with them. But those other people are also waiting.

Not many people want to be alone for more than a day.
I personally don't think I'd mind. I don't talk much anyway. But, I'm not really sure either, because I've never been alone for very long.

But I think that is the main reason more people aren't doing this.
Maybe I should set up a message board or something for people that want to connect with others. Although that might be a bit dangerous.... Going out in to the wild with strangers and all.

I dunno.

Originally Posted by tommo

Yes I really hope there is always a number of people who reject our modern "society".I'm not sure it should be based solely on principle though.It would have to have some basis. The life outside of society has to offer something better.Principles are good, as long as they have a point.

A principle without a basis is really no principle at all, so I agree. What is offered is freedom; always in choices like these the outcome is not always the best. Sometimes in choosing freedom, the free life is not what it could be, but one understands that without freedom, all is lost, not just for oneself, but for everyone.

Originally Posted by tommo

This would be the best thing. There's way too much light pollution, even in the outer suburbs, to see the sky. Mostly because streetlights have uneconomic (80% of the light doesn't even go downward) and cheap covers. Whenever I'm in the country/beach, I just look at the sky for ages.

Indeed. I am glad that you know about these things. Guess I need to spend more time online. Usually when you talk to people about the inefficiency and waste of money caused by porch lights you see the eyes glaze over and the weight start to shift back and forth. Most people cannot even point out the constellation Cygnus, or where you are, perhaps the southern cross.

Indeed I spend most of my nights lying on a sleeping pad looking up for as long as there is darkness. I have some good binocs too....the biggest one can buy, damn things are heavy, but I must have seen just about all of the Messier Catalogue by now.

Originally Posted by tommo

I think the main reason most people don't end up leaving is that they are waiting for other people to go with them. But those other people are also waiting.

Not many people want to be alone for more than a day.
I personally don't think I'd mind. I don't talk much anyway. But, I'm not really sure either, because I've never been alone for very long.

This is wise thinking. I have spent ALL of my life alone, and yet, the first time I went out, I was quite surprised at how much the world can close in around you out here. Decide what it is worth to you and get out as much as you can before you make a huge decision, unless of course it becomes necessary, as it was for me.

Originally Posted by tommo

But I think that is the main reason more people aren't doing this.
Maybe I should set up a message board or something for people that want to connect with others. Although that might be a bit dangerous.... Going out in to the wild with strangers and all.

Everything is dangerous. Danger is where the excitement is....just don't be stupid about it like most people; pick wise individuals, not retards, and arm yourself if possible; you cannot get a firearm in Australia, but arm yourself nevertheless. Trust, like respect, is earned.

Excellent resource for people interested in living w/o money or trying to leave society (because money and society go pretty much hand in hand).

Amazon.com: The Moneyless Man: A Year of Freeconomic Living (9781851687817): Mark Boyle: Books