Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 08:31:18 -0800
From: Robbie.Price@env.qld.gov.au (Robbie Price)
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: Skin Boat and Hard-shell
Wolfgang Brinck wrote:
>
> Paul R. LaBrie wrote:
>
> snip
>
> > I've often wondered what the ancient Aleuts would do, given epoxy, fiber and
> > 1000 years.
> >
> > - paul -
>
> Interesting speculation, but the real Aleuts, given 50
>
> years and membership in the cash economy, have adopted
>
> the aluminum skiff and the outboard motor. Before that,
>
> given access to sawn boards, they built dories.
>
> Wolfgang
Which just goes to show that our modern western concept of spirituality
is way more superfluous (I almost incorrectly wrote advanced) than those
ancient cultures that we often seek to emulate.
I think that it also shows how significant a role economics plays in
culture. One can't 'improve' the material culture of a society without
also altering the social fabric of that society.
My experience with low material wealth societies has shown that even a
small increase in AUTOMATED PERSONAL TRANSPORT and FOOD SHELF LIFE will
bring more suffering and poverty than is imaginable. I'm trying to
write a paper on the subject at present (been three years so far)...
-- +----------------------------------------+ Robbie Price Queensland Herbarium - Conservation Strategy Branch Tel: (07) 3896 9670 Fax: (07) 3896 9670 E-mail: Robbie.Price@env.qld.gov.au