Anarcho-Primitivism, Archeolgy and Anthropology 3/10

http://layla.miltsov.org/introduction_to_z

John Zerzan is one of the most interesting contemporary thinkers in the United States, at least. Like everything else in life, in order to fully appreciate Zerzan's contribution to epistemology or the philosophy of civilisation, first, one has to read his work and hear his conferences -- for, here, I only present my personal interpretation of his theory -- and second, consider the context through which his voice and energy resonate. His contribution becomes even more impressive in light of the processes of Western institutionalisation of Thought and commodification of Knowledge -- a totalitarian context that tolerates no challenge (philosophical or otherwise) that would threaten "the American way of life".

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Zerzan
• Montreal
• green
• anarchy
• anti-civilization
• freedom

[HopeVJustice]

Does anyone here know the Venus Project? What do you think about their plans for use of technology as opposed to what John is saying in this vid?

[masameus]

I think the fact that they didn't have tanks or the modern culture of death is the part that we want to remember. Yes, violence and the drive for power have always been part of our nature but different external conditions have caused these tendencies to manifest in varying scale and intensity. If there is no society based on possession and advanced technology, there is also that much less opportunity or even motivation for acting out the violent tendencies.

[bwhahrhr]

We know about inter-personal violence during the times he talks about and we know that these small bands had war. Sure they didnt drive tanks and didnt have standing armies but raiding parties, looting, etc. took place continusly and I think him ignoring this is a gross display of intelectual dishonesty.

[zezt]

hey man.............dont know if you got Alan Watts' book Psychotherapy East and West, ?

But in it he really exposes 19th c. anthropology, and how it's myth 'was' used to denigrate 'the unconscious' as a 'place' to be feared. is REALLY good ;)

[cchilder]

the progressivist attitude is soo bad, that needs to be changed bigtime. that which came before is NOT worse, deficient, insufficient, JUST before

one tenet i have picked up from my studies of biology is that the primitive is not worse but better. it was invented (evolutionarily speaking) before, it must work exceptionally well to still be around

[Deathicorn]

1:47 something everyone should be reminded of.

[immayhem]

fantastic... thanks bbbleaver!

[bbbleaver]

so many people need to hear this. because those euro-centric views are still frozen in place and uttered by "educated" folk everywhere i go...