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There is a certain myth that pre-industial peoples were in a more balanced relationship with nature. While less powerful technologies and thus more direct depe
by nologic01 3y ago
There is a certain myth that pre-industial peoples were in a more balanced relationship with nature.
While less powerful technologies and thus more direct dependence on natural processes and cycles made people more atuned to nature, the broad pattern seems to be one of unhindered consumption (deforestation, hunting etc) the impact of which was limited only by the relatively small population size.
- jacquesm 3y agoAnd by the lack of our present day very powerful tools. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvester_(forestry) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvester_(forestry) That sort of thing can level a whole forest in a very small fraction of the time it took to grow.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- goatlover 3y agoThe Avatar and noble savage myth. Also used to blame all the ills of modern society on colonialism (and thus capitalism). If only we could go back to living like the indigenous lived!. Well, evidence doesn't favor them being any more noble.
- titzer 3y agoWe used to be limited by what our stomachs could carry, but every leap in technology amounted to storing up more food and resources for later, or consuming them conspicuously for social status, particularly to attract mates. So nowadays not even a few lifetimes of wealth (tens of millions of dollars) is enough to sate.