Iconoclastic Individualism - Henry David Thoreau (part 2)

[kevinutin]

The Individual way of Thoreau is a lie. Unlike the man himself, we now know that human beings are social animals. Even from the beginning of our existence man has seeked comfort and advantages in primitive tribes, and evolutionary developed huge parts of our brains dedicated to conjure empathy and altruism for our fellow men in order to substain and help the forming of these ancient tribes. The result is today's society, the real truth of human nature. Following Thoreau is denying this truth.

[TheWanderingPrimate]

The transcendentalists were of course big on "individualism", however, it is a grievous misconception to say that Thoreau had any opposition to collected society. He sought to bring the ideals of nature's balance back INTO society, but he never forsook his fellow man. He was a pivotal figure of his community, even while on Walden, his supposed refuge of solitude. This is perhaps the most common myth of Thoreau, and it's unfortunate that this narrator is perpetuating it.

[mepaleoindian]

"Conformity is not a spice of life or an individual expression" -indigenousman

[cybergeek100]

A tru human being

[Mindpetals]

This ROCKS!! Thanks So so so so much for doing this video for the world :) Blessings and Peace,

Dave

[goodguy2949]

The best video on youtube

[RedHatClub666]

good video

[PlayMan108]

Thtas why Tupac Shakur was successful, becuase he was true to himself!

[gmfk12lk]

something in your quotes have inspired me to write. this comment has nothing to do with the video nor is it a good read. i am writing because i feel like it. i have decided to do this more often. writing is one if not the only form of art in which i can sincerely express my emotions. this saddens me in many ways. i have always wanted to create a vivid picture with colors and figure, but then i realized that this can be accomplished with words! i am happy! my new found love has inspired me.

[tokatharma]

you are not the only but you are alone as all of us are.

[natritious1]

@tokatharma :) very clever. I bet you're correct.

[natritious1]

@gmfk12lk WONDERFUL!

[Jkelquedi]

be true to yourself

[ExclusiveTwilightNYB]

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[treid100182]

I am extremely interested in Transcendentalism, but it is way too idealistic, being that it demands people to break with society; something utterly impossible since having been rooted...it is now a necessity for people to work together - the links of the chain are too many.

[veryverymakmak]

It doesnt necessarily demand that you break completely from society, it demands that you take society in perspective and proportion and remain the individual (as a thinker, and in actions) enough to break free from being an obligated cog in an often unjust machine, As you suggest, there is only so much you can do, but do what you can surely! Best wishes from a devoted transcendentalist as much in society as anyone else will ever be!

[neven01]

you are close on HDT's ideas but consider how deep he was, he did not believe in slavery and took it to heart if I have to pay taxes at the threat of a barrel of a gun then is that not slavery? Aha! light coming on? All government in this case is slavery, Lights coming on yet?

He lived pre 1913 Constitutional times when every citizen was considered sovereign meaning had every right a King did. Does a king need to pay taxes? I think not. If I am sovereign why would I?

[oilslick00]

Recently, I have considered myself an individualists anarchist. You video on Thoreau is great. An excellent listen. Thoreau was right on! Governments being the machine they are have trampled on the individual. You have hit the right notes for all individualist. Thanks

[natritious1]

@oilslick00 Thoreau was my first exposure well well explained introduction to anarchism. This was only solidified after reading some Ayn Rand

[TheWanderingPrimate]

@natritious1 - Do you know that Ayn Rand often professed a hatred of anarchism?

Anarchists and right-wing libertarians all want her on their side, but I doubt she would have had much tolerance for any of them. Though her moral theories have been co-opted and twisted around to serve modern libertarian agendas, she herself would have been appalled at the corporate rampage of the modern world, and the mindless, propagandized mob which enables it. She likewise saw anarchism as a useless fantasy.

[tubester92]

souds like a jackass. Im here for me i dont care about anyone else. People could be dying all around me and it would bother me. This is what im hearing from this video.

[2KSport]

Do some more research and see if you still "hear" the same thing.

[nuclearG1]

In addition:

When discussing healthcare - be VERY clear that there are alternative cures for most diseases. This has been the case for many years. But these "natural" cures are kept from our availability by lobbyists of the drud and medical associations so that they can continue profiting from illness.

Also, many who become ill do so by their own lifestyles. What you eat, drink and think affect your health. Why should others pay for someone's bad habits? Socialism is for dependent children.

[ballpark4]

i think im this dudes reincarnated lol....

[mcdevster]

it is hard to imagine a natural state within a state that is not natural.. that is where people seem to resist Thoreau's theories but i think that those people need to reconsider where they are and what is influencing their responses.

[Teadon86]

Even if I understand the notion of this I still am a realistic person and understand that some few very basic things needs to be forcefully apply in society. This is ONLY because some very few items in society should be payed by society as a whole to let the individual give time for him-/herself, without the grudge of paying the entire bill of hospital stay by him-/herself. Or whatever that might burden the self in vain when he/she could enrich oneself and others in second hand.

[nuclearG1]

We do not have the system you talk about - healthcare that is a shared cost. Whatever might "burden" the self could be defined as TAXATION and LAWS which force the individual to work many months of the year to support a government which overspends without accountability on wars and pleasures we do not support morally.

Most of the "shared" costs are a scam - forced insurance, taxes, fees, interest - all against our will so that the elite may live like kings - collectors of OUR efforts.

[Teadon86]

Nice, that society sounds great! Then I'll lift my knife and plunge it into somebodys heart, since this is true to me.

COME ON! It's inert! How can man in natural state be alone when we're indifferently a flock animal? How can somekind of law that stables society with a just motivation be even wrong, even if it done by tax? I didn't know that money defined your freedom and richness as an individual. I didn't know that somekind of few forced institutions, like free health care, are wrong.

[nuclearG1]

What free healthcare? If we are TAXED to pay for the healthcare then it isn't free. A simple argument. Those who feel that shared expenses are somehow 'FREE" are ignorant. If you want AFFORDABLE and AVAILABLE healthcare for all - then that is another matter and has nothing to do with taxing us to pay for it. If we kept the taxes which are stolen from us in countless fees, taxes, interest etc - we could pay for our own healthcare.

Socialism is welfare for those who do not produce.

[Zobor111]

What a great teaching! I hope more resist war and stupidity. Taxes for war are a crime as is the entire system of taxes.

[JIM2u007]

Nice narrative essay. Transcending materialism and it's worldly mechanisms (social and economic dependence, conformity, rote compliance...), in short, the human condition ie. Society, is theraputic and liberating - if you can get there. Thoreau makes this easy and does for me intellectually what Jesus does for me spiritually. Food for ones thought and ones soul. Now may you truly live before you die.

[ataraxia151]

From 'On the Duty of Civil Disobedience'- "that government is best which governs not at all". Thoreau was a libertarian, not a liberal in today's sense of the word. For more, find a copy of F. Bastiat's 'The Law'.

[campusguy]

amazing!! thanks so much. PLEASE continue to speak about Thoreau. This was highly educational and inspiring. great work!!

[ihateyotube11]

Isn't the definition of "being on your chosen path" following your heart in earnest?

[MyCluein]

Even if you strive diligently on your chosen path day after day, if your heart is not in accord with it, then, even if you think you are on a good path, from the point of view of the straight and true, this is not a genuine path. If you do not pursue a genuine path to its consummation then a little bit of crookedness in the mind will later turn into a major warp. Reflect on this. Book of the Five Rings