“Unlike our economic system, the hunter-gatherer economic system rests on a set of highly formalized expectations regarding cooperation and sharing.”(Milton pg 7) Unfortunately, we have lost our sense of community. There was a time in early American history, where people cared about their fellow man. However, “City life made the “eye” and the “I” more important than they had been in the Village.”(Reilly pg 29) Self-preservation has become more important than the well-being of one’s own “brother” or “sister.” I find it difficult to find a place in modern society that truly promotes and nourishes communal growth. While both Milton and Reilly may have validity in both arguments, I believe that modern people who are driven by the acquisition of material goods have indeed lost some of their humanity. Furthermore, if we would readopt some of the values of the “village life,” we can then stimulate collective growth, minimize unhealthy completion and encourage much more sustainable and moral family lives.
Reilly states that “class divisions were, however, a definite stimulus to productivity and creativity in the early city civilization.”(Reilly pg31) Reilly was showing us that, because of the separation between the different classes, some were able to live prosperous while others were left to their own spoil. As an individual who is familiar with city life from personal experience, it is accurate to conclude that most people in the city are willing to “step on” anyone they possibly can to ensure their personal and family’s immediate survival. However, the commoners—typically considered low class individuals—are left with nothing. “As a result their horizons were severely limited.” (Reilly pg31) By implementing a system where everyone is truly considered equal, the morale of the “commoner” can be raised and bring about enthusiasm toward building a more promising community, and society would then be able to flourish like never before. A flourishing society takes away the insecurities of its people, and gives a more positive outlook on the city itself.
Not only would adopting some of the “village life” values stimulate collective growth, but it will also help to minimize unhealthy competition. “This didn’t mean that hunter-gatherers didn’t compete with one another for prestige…” (Milton pg6) This simply means that they had a different perspective of what should be competed for and what was necessary for survival. Unhealthy competition can cause people to lose respect for one another. For example, when a hunter kills a large animal, he knows instantly that, that animal is not merely for the feeding of himself and his immediate family, but that it is to be shared with everyone in that village. In fact, He was not allowed to even take his own portion off of the animal; it had to be given to him. (Milton pg6) While we have established that not all competition is bad competition; however, unhealthy competition also promotes selfishness. “Unable to contemplate returning to life without steel axes, the Indians begin to produce extra arrows or blow guns or hunt additional game….” (Milton pg7) Mass production of goods causes the depletion of natural resources and less of abundance for the common man. It then becomes a vicious cycle where it’s every man for himself.
What shall we say then? If would only readopt some of the values of the “village life”, we not only can stimulate collective growth and minimize unhealthy competition, but we can also encourage a more sustainable family life. “The most important possession that the Indians carry with them is knowledge.” (Milton pg5) Without knowledge of how to operate in the “us” most individuals will automatically adopt the theory of the “I.” However, a moral and sustainable family life takes the focus off the individual and places it on the family unit. This also promotes a very keen sense of interdependence where individuals can rely on one another for guidance and to lend that helping hand if needed. Though “the villager knew everyone personally,” and “cities brought together people who often did not even speak the same language.” (Reilly pg 28) if there was an equal balance of the two, people would be able to live harmoniously with minor issues. In lieu of that idea, healthy families stimulate growth and personal development. A healthy personal development alongside discipline, can and will minimize crime in the city.
“Once a society has reached a level of abundance, once it can offer technological means, the educational opportunities, the creative outlets necessary for everyone to lead meaningful, happy, healthy lives, then classes may be a hindrance.” (Reilly pg 31) Social class is just a way to keep the rich, rich, and the poor, poor. This is more of a reason for families to stick together, and become one unit. The pursuit of the “I” causes people to lose focus on the big picture, which is, that no matter what your social class, we still need each other to survive. It is ridiculous for a person to think that he or she could possibly make it in this world—on this planet—alone. We are creatures of cohabitation, form the existence of man, we have been cohabiting with each other, be it to find a mate, or just for companionship. I think that it is inhumanity at his finest to just write someone off for the sake of your own personal survival. If you survive and are alone, then what an African proverb suggest the theory that “I am because you are and because you are therefore I am.” I agree with Milton when she implies that if we could but go back to the jungle life that we would be much happier than we are now. (Milton pg10)
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