Re: ‘real’ benefits of civilization – any write-up

[Guest guest]

Dan,

This is a topic which comes up quite often within my circle of friends with whom

I do historical re-enacting. Our time period is 1836/Texas Revolution, not all

that long ago in historical terms, yet so much has been lost even in this short

time period.

When we set up primitive camp at an event, and with great technological

advantage of tent(shelter), packed in food, comfortable and warm clothing, fire;

we are always amazed when people are impressed that we have spent the night on

site. They can't believe that we can cook on an open fire. As we relearn

simple skills like how to bank a fire for the night, or start a fire with flint

and steel, we lament was has been lost to civilization. For every technological

gain something is lost.

During the hurricane which came through Houston last season, we were left

without power for several days. People weren't prepared - didn't know how to

prepare - for this storm. We saw folks in the grocery store buying chips and

ice cream, or stocking up on huge piles of meat which they wouldn't be able to

keep from spoiling without refrigeration.

It's not the collapse of civilization's support which I fear, but what it does

to people who are helpless to take care of themselves and become desperate

without.

Almost every facet of our lives has been farmed out to others, and with each

generation this " learned helplessness " has become the only skill passed along.

Off my soapbox, now. A google brought up these meager results:

http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/features/icestorm/story.html?id=45e18b12-ca\

31-4aad-b683-feeb2e8f310a

http://www.neatorama.com/2008/09/06/are-americans-losing-their-diy-skills/

http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2005/05/24/421399.aspx

http://journal.km4dev.org/journal/index.php/km4dj/article/viewFile/41/48

-PattyT

>

> Has anyone come across any well-written article of what have we as a

generation lost in benefits because of advancement of technology or `civilized'

things – be in the health area or in general.

>

[Guest guest]

[catching up since the weekend - digests]

In 1994, I believe, TIME magazine wrote " Lost Tribes, Lost Knowledge " on vast

knowledge or technological skills lost when countries are modernized.

LAURA

>

> Has anyone come across any well-written article of what have we as a

generation lost in benefits because of advancement of technology or `civilized'

things – be in the health area or in general.

>

> Thanks

> -Dan.

>