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Or OP is simply the kind of person who would end up dead 200k years ago. But a more civilized world allows them to survive and potentially thrive. Technology (

Or OP is simply the kind of person who would end up dead 200k years ago. But a more civilized world allows them to survive and potentially thrive. Technology (especially medical) and civilization are forces that act against evolution; to the extent that they probably seek to stop human evolution.

twofornone 5y ago
I don't disagree - call it the uniquely human tendency for self-domestication.
adventured 5y ago
Today there are certainly drastically more opportunities for someone like me to not comform with the tribe. The risk is far lower than it would have been in past times. I tend to function like a robot in a traditional job context, my brain does some manner of emulation in those situations. Instead, I can be a remote software developer and never have to fit into a traditional team environment in an office, or slog through a corporate hierarchy. I can pursue high value contracting/consulting tasks that pay for the rest of my time to do what I want to do. I can trivially invest my earnings at zero cost into massive scale markets, again without requiring that I go through tribal/caste/cartel networks (bankers, brokers) to partake; specifically there is no permission required, no kissing of the banker's ring needed, I don't have to work through tribal networks to gain access, I don't have to win their favor (and they largely have no idea who I am in this context, whereas a thousand years ago the situation would have been entirely different for someone like me). I can fairly easily and safely roam at will, whether within the US or internationally courtesy of a passport. I plainly benefit from society, and I happily pay taxes into it (I benefit from the order and systems that helps deliver), even if I don't enjoy all aspects of society. There has never been a better time to be someone constructed as I am. I suspect that I would have operated on the edge of civilizations many thousands of years ago. I would be more likely to do fringe things, and trade. I've always enjoyed trading, the economic action of it, although I dislike traditional sales. Roaming trader or hunter would be most likely rather than shop owner in a bazaar. The roaming would be ideal for multiple reasons. I also prefer to be awake during the night and always have; I can easily sleep during daylight hours and without a darkened space.

twofornone 5y ago

I don't disagree - call it the uniquely human tendency for self-domestication.

adventured 5y ago

Today there are certainly drastically more opportunities for someone like me to not comform with the tribe. The risk is far lower than it would have been in past times. I tend to function like a robot in a traditional job context, my brain does some manner of emulation in those situations. Instead, I can be a remote software developer and never have to fit into a traditional team environment in an office, or slog through a corporate hierarchy. I can pursue high value contracting/consulting tasks that pay for the rest of my time to do what I want to do. I can trivially invest my earnings at zero cost into massive scale markets, again without requiring that I go through tribal/caste/cartel networks (bankers, brokers) to partake; specifically there is no permission required, no kissing of the banker's ring needed, I don't have to work through tribal networks to gain access, I don't have to win their favor (and they largely have no idea who I am in this context, whereas a thousand years ago the situation would have been entirely different for someone like me). I can fairly easily and safely roam at will, whether within the US or internationally courtesy of a passport. I plainly benefit from society, and I happily pay taxes into it (I benefit from the order and systems that helps deliver), even if I don't enjoy all aspects of society. There has never been a better time to be someone constructed as I am. I suspect that I would have operated on the edge of civilizations many thousands of years ago. I would be more likely to do fringe things, and trade. I've always enjoyed trading, the economic action of it, although I dislike traditional sales. Roaming trader or hunter would be most likely rather than shop owner in a bazaar. The roaming would be ideal for multiple reasons. I also prefer to be awake during the night and always have; I can easily sleep during daylight hours and without a darkened space.