Posted by
carlos on Sunday, July 09, 2006 11:32:12 PM
I was watching a huge (and I mean huge) bonfire this weekend
as Boy Scout Camp for our Troop drew to a close. It occurred to
me how much work went into building that fire, yet how many of
us it warmed. (In fact, the first row of scouts had to move back
a row -- it was too warm sitting that close.) But what if one man
had to do all that work? What if that was the source of heat for
your family? It would be a lot of work to gather a enough wood
to buld a fire like that -- every day. Now what about planting or
hunting? It seems that cooperation - community life, a village,
a shared fire, would be so much more efficient. It has been said
that humans are a social animal. More than just the protection
that the "pack" provides, there is effeciency in scale.
Now fast forward to modern life; can you see what luxury there is
in the indivuality that is a hallmark of our culture? The flick of a
switch and I have light, or heat, or cool air, or music, or transportation.
What a luxury! And it allows me the luxury of not having to cooperate,
not having to share, not having to be part of a community.
A blessing and a curse.