Today I was listening to the radio and the host was interviewing an author on "the search for the authentic", and why that is so popular for our times. The author was Andrew Potter and the host and the author were discussing why people want more "authentic" expressions (read items) and lifestyles. The return to nature is a big deal now adays. Can't give up your city loft?, that's Okay, you can eat a 100 mile diet, know the farmer who grows your chicken dinners, and buy organic hemp clothing or vintage (aka second hand) coats. This is done, partly, to get in touch with our roots.
Roots? As in agricultural roots?
Just a second, didn't agriculture and cities sort of develop together? I mean, perhaps a few centuries apart, but evolutionarily that is not enough time for our genes to develop a strong preference for one type of living over another. The percentage of a population living rurally (agriculturally) vs. urbanly (in cities or towns) may have shifted over time, but farmers living in the volatile Ancient Middle East couldn't have lived too far from town. Marauding armies and bands of thugs meant easy sprinting distance to the city gates was a necessity. So, are our neolithic roots any more agricultural than urban?
A truly authentic experience would be to take up hunting, spear-fishing and camping. Something that is hard to do while maintaining a city-loft lifestyle. Stanley Park, in Vancouver, may get a few more homeless as soon as people realize this is a truly authentic way to get back to your roots. Wild berry picking is hard when everyone else is keeps picking your dinner.
I get it, it's too hard. Try going to a stone age society - Brazilian tourism can let you know which group is giving tours of the amazon basin groups. It might make you nostalgic for your warm shower, air conditioning and veggies (fruit and monkey's brains get a little boring after a week or two).
I guess all those red necks are living the truly authentic lifestyle so sought after by the urban masses!
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