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Tribe - TV Series

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Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Narz » Wed 30 Jul 2008, 15:42:40

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribe_(TV_series)

Great show, where a British guy goes out and lives with various tribes from around the world & experiences how they live (mostly food gathering, construction & festivals) and takes note of their customs & traditions and how they are changing.

Highly recommended. You can find torrents of it if you look.

Watched most of Season 1 so far. My favorites episodes were of the Babongo's (African tribe) and the Darhad (nomadic Mongolians).
“Seek simplicity but distrust it”
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby IanC » Wed 30 Jul 2008, 21:17:12

Anthropology is the first stage of destroying a culture. I'd rather not watch.

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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Narz » Thu 31 Jul 2008, 04:42:51

Meh. I disagree. You can easily wipe out a people without the least bit of care about their culture. But to each their own.
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Ludi » Thu 31 Jul 2008, 07:47:11

http://www.survival-international.org/home
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Devin » Thu 31 Jul 2008, 09:21:20

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('IanC', 'A')nthropology is the first stage of destroying a culture. I'd rather not watch.

-IanC


I might say it differently -- that anthropology is more of a symptom of an already destroyed culture ("ours"), and that while I find culture and diversity fascinating I'd rather have my own tribe.

I can watch this stuff for inspiration and knowledge but if I'm watching this show like I'm at the zoo looking at an endangered species in a cage I start to feel... ill. Angry. And actually, if it is truly inspiring I start to feel empty in comparison, which also makes me angry.

So, different reasons but same conclusion - I'd rather not watch.
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Homesteader » Thu 31 Jul 2008, 09:40:12

I have watched quite a few of these shows. IMO and FWIW Bruce Parry does as good a job as can be done. To the greatest extent possible he joins the tribe. The Mongolion show was excellent. There was a show located (I think) in PNG where he joined a group of head hunter/cannibals. He dressed like them, went barefoot through the jungle getting his feet cut to shreds, joined the men in a shamanic ritual which included imbibing in a hallucinogenic drink and having a stick inserted in his penis. His respect for the people he is visiting is evident in everything he does. Plus, you can pick up some true skills relating to living in the bush.

Bruce is not your run-of-the-mill anthropologist. This is not the slick productions like you would see on National Geographic.


Devin, I totally hear what you are saying.
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Narz » Fri 01 Aug 2008, 01:02:18

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', 'w')hile I find culture and diversity fascinating I'd rather have my own tribe.

The good thing is that you can create your own tribe. Or co-create with likeminded individuals. This is one of the few positives about our modern empty culture, that from the emptiness can come something new, a mesh of whatever beliefs. rituals, ideas & practical knowledge you choose to add. Creating my own "tribe" to survive & thrive into the 21st century & beyond is one of my major goals in life actually.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', 'I') can watch this stuff for inspiration and knowledge but if I'm watching this show like I'm at the zoo looking at an endangered species in a cage I start to feel... ill. Angry.

I understand that completely.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', 'A')nd actually, if it is truly inspiring I start to feel empty in comparison, which also makes me angry.

So, different reasons but same conclusion - I'd rather not watch.

Anger isn't always a bad thing. Anger is released energy (that existed on some level before you felt it anyway) that can be used for good.
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Devin » Fri 01 Aug 2008, 06:20:17

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Narz', 'T')he good thing is that you can create your own tribe. Or co-create with likeminded individuals. This is one of the few positives about our modern empty culture, that from the emptiness can come something new, a mesh of whatever beliefs. rituals, ideas & practical knowledge you choose to add. Creating my own "tribe" to survive & thrive into the 21st century & beyond is one of my major goals in life actually.


I grew up Unitarian Universalist, which has a similar non-substantive approach where people "mix and match" from various religions. It is empty too -- and not in the Taoist sense of "the ground of fullness", either, where there is opportunity and space, it is empty in the same way that modern culture is empty: the emptiness of loud white noise. There are so many people, so many messages, so many distractions that it all runs together into one deafening roar of nothing meaningful at all.

I've been to intentional communities where people ostensibly want to create their own "tribe", and it feels forced or motivated by other things than a sense of connection and belonging.

So if it is possible at all to "create your own" community or tribe or culture, I have come to the conclusion that it is only possible in the backwards sense of not trying at all.

Lastly, just because I'd rather not watch something that makes me angry doesn't mean I judge my anger as bad. Or good, for that matter. 'sjust me.
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Narz » Sat 02 Aug 2008, 18:14:56

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', 'I') grew up Unitarian Universalist, which has a similar non-substantive approach where people "mix and match" from various religions. It is empty too -- and not in the Taoist sense of "the ground of fullness", either, where there is opportunity and space, it is empty in the same way that modern culture is empty: the emptiness of loud white noise. There are so many people, so many messages, so many distractions that it all runs together into one deafening roar of nothing meaningful at all.

Sounds like a project doomed to failure. I think I knew another lady who grew up in that subculture.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', 'I')'ve been to intentional communities where people ostensibly want to create their own "tribe", and it feels forced or motivated by other things than a sense of connection and belonging.

What types of other things would you say (I am curious)?

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', 'S')o if it is possible at all to "create your own" community or tribe or culture, I have come to the conclusion that it is only possible in the backwards sense of not trying at all.

I can see that there is a very high likelihood of failure but then again, so there is in start a small business (90%+) and even more marriages (60% or so). This might say more about the people trying to start these "tribes" & their own messy mass of issues (and nativity) than the idea itself.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', 'L')astly, just because I'd rather not watch something that makes me angry doesn't mean I judge my anger as bad. Or good, for that matter. 'sjust me.

I understand. I think anger is worth exploring sometimes but not all the time. There are plenty of things I know will piss me off that I avoid. For me, the show is educational, entertaining and moving enough to be worth watching. But given your background I can understand why you wouldn't want to be bothered?

While we're here, do you have any visions of a society you'd like to inhabit?
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Devin » Sun 03 Aug 2008, 11:25:32

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Narz', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', 'I')'ve been to intentional communities where people ostensibly want to create their own "tribe", and it feels forced or motivated by other things than a sense of connection and belonging.

What types of other things would you say (I am curious)?


Hmm, I suppose wasn't very specific. Heh.

"Environmental sustainability" is a big buzz-word, as are "outreach" and "education". Many intentional communities are religiously motivated, which to me is a huge bag of worms for reasons I won't go into (unless you're curious about that as well). The "eco-friendly" bullshit is a big sticking point with me. I don't want to save "the planet", I don't care about "the environment", I don't care about outreach or education or growing to a certain size or having this or that level of technology or whether or not being vegan or vegetarian or omnivorous is healthiest or better for said "environment".

This is a nuanced point, of course, because where "the environment" and "my home" intersect I definitely do care... but the importance of immediacy, belonging, community, home -- all of these seem to be completely lacking. I don't want to live with a bunch of activists trying to save the world, I don't want to live with people who care about "the environment" more than the trees in their backyard, I don't want to live with people who are continually trying to have relationships with people and places that are not immediately where they are.

And any community that markets itself, advertises itself, is actively looking for new members and has a membership process, any group that has a vision with established principles instead of just a loose framework for friends and family living together, is forcing it. Cultures and friendships are emergent, unintentional -- disregarding middle school cliques for the moment, no one signs up to be someone else's friend. Just as I would be confused and upset (and this is less hypothetical than I'm making it sound here) if my family asked me to sign a contract to be able to live with them, I would be confused and upset if my friends asked me to sign up to be their friend. Something is terribly wrong with this entire approach and yet it seems to be nearly universal in the "intentional" community "movement".

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Narz', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', 'S')o if it is possible at all to "create your own" community or tribe or culture, I have come to the conclusion that it is only possible in the backwards sense of not trying at all.

I can see that there is a very high likelihood of failure but then again, so there is in start a small business (90%+) and even more marriages (60% or so). This might say more about the people trying to start these "tribes" & their own messy mass of issues (and nativity) than the idea itself.


Fair enough, I do not exclude the possibility that the idea itself is sound, but again I think the approach is royally screwed up.


$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Narz', 'W')hile we're here, do you have any visions of a society you'd like to inhabit?

Yeah, nothing grandiose -- just my family and friends living in the homes we built, eating the food we grew/caught/hunted/gathered/whatever together. The relationships are what matter, not the specifics. I can go into more detailed visions but the dreams I have are mostly painful idyllic fantasies of being surrounded by loved ones in our home in the woods or mountains and I shy away from anything that smacks of central planning or overly rigid details. So I can answer more detailed questions about organization and food production and everything like that but in the end they're just words.
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Ludi » Sun 03 Aug 2008, 12:01:40

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Devin', ' ')a big buzz-word, as are "outreach" and "education".


That's how they make their money. :cry:
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Narz » Sun 03 Aug 2008, 17:04:19

Devin, I totally understand where you're coming from. Still, I feel like many people probably don't have the time anymore to let things happen organically. Contracts & sh!t are a nuisance but they are also part of life & can help protect the group (unless society breaks down to lawlessness).

I agree though that the whole 10 people in huts pretending to try to save the planet thing is a bit of a waste of energy, IMO and most effort & energy should go towards real sustainability rather than fluff & marketing.
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Devin » Mon 04 Aug 2008, 14:56:09

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Narz', 'D')evin, I totally understand where you're coming from. Still, I feel like many people probably don't have the time anymore to let things happen organically. Contracts & sh!t are a nuisance but they are also part of life & can help protect the group (unless society breaks down to lawlessness).

I agree though that the whole 10 people in huts pretending to try to save the planet thing is a bit of a waste of energy, IMO and most effort & energy should go towards real sustainability rather than fluff & marketing.


I don't understand how people don't have time... in my value set this is what matters MOST, more than anything else in the entire world. Not sustainability, mind you, but family and belonging and genuine relationships. I don't care how long it takes to have genuine relationships, I'm going to use my energy for that rather than the manufacture of inauthentic relationships. I don't see how people have the time and energy for such grandiose charades without even acknowledging that what really matters is right here in the present moment. ... And any group that needs a contract for self-preservation is hardly a group at all... if a contract is a mere legal formality I'd understand, but in the instance of these communities the whole thing is approached like a business plan where the contract is central to the relationship existing in the first place. I don't mean to rant about this, I'm merely saying that this sort of prioritizing/approach is utterly foreign to how I think and feel about relating with people. Relationships are not utilitarian transactions!

These "intentional communities" are better described as "non-profit organizations whose employees live in the same general vicinity." I want a real community. If this sounds judgmental or bitter, I acknowledge that there's certainly an element of that in what I am saying here, but I hope the heart of what I'm saying comes through regardless.
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Narz » Sat 09 Aug 2008, 16:12:12

Devin, again, I totally hear what you're saying.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')nd any group that needs a contract for self-preservation is hardly a group at all...

I feel the same way about relationships with women (hence I will never marry).

Why people think a contract is even an effective means to self-preservation is beyond me. Maybe it's that we've been groomed to imbue symbols (like a wedding ring) with power they don't really have.
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Re: Tribe - TV Series

Unread postby Devin » Sat 09 Aug 2008, 23:12:14

I usually feel like I'm talking to myself, so I really appreciate the continued feedback. I'm glad you can hear me. :)

I think you're definitely onto something there with the confusing of the symbol with the meaning. It reminds me of that common Zen/Buddhist teaching, one of many variations of "the finger pointing to the moon is not the moon." So many have mistaken the finger for the moon for so long, they have come to believe the finger is the moon.

Hmm... I don't particularly have any conclusions to make from this observation. In my experience, seeing clearly doesn't really provide much of a basis for drawing strong conclusions, despite my strong feelings.

...

We've gotten pretty far off the original topic. :o:
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