tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post3211607974010898733..comments2023-10-28T09:25:39.790-04:00Comments on The Atavist: The Plain PeopleThe Atavisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-3641804038306401722007-01-08T09:43:00.000-05:002007-01-08T09:43:00.000-05:00oops! I just realized I didn't answer jen's query...oops! I just realized I didn't answer jen's query about the documentary on Amish youth. I actually did see part of it. It should be no surprise that youth sheltered as the Amish are might experience problems in the larger community. However, I am always suspicious of drawing universal conclusions from very few examples. Viewing a documentary about how happy and well-adjusted most Amish children are wouldn't be very interesting to many people. It's like Michael Moore documentaries... as interesting and as entertaining as they might be, his outlook is well-known beforehand. He finds examples that will support conclusions he has already made. <br /><br />The fact is that there are misfits and malcontents everywhere. Some are Muslims, some are Amish, some are atheist. These individuals will be unhappy wherever they are, and whatever their influences might have been. <br /><br />The Amish I have known are well-adjusted, responsible, honest, dependable and humble. Their children are delightful. May we draw any universal conclusions from my observations? Of course not. I have only met several dozen Amish and although they were all great people, I'm sure there are examples of Amish who are less well-adjusted.The Atavisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-15469828607506515432007-01-08T09:19:00.000-05:002007-01-08T09:19:00.000-05:00jen: I have never been to a Quaker meeting, but ...jen: I have never been to a Quaker meeting, but have read about them. There are no Quakers, at least that I know of, in our part of the world. I find the diversity of all these groups quite interesting, although I am not likely to run out and join up with any of them any time soon. I found reading about the Shakers quite fascinating too, especially how their religious beliefs spilled over into the beautiful Shaker-style architecture and furniture design.The Atavisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-75145190066849786472007-01-06T22:38:00.000-05:002007-01-06T22:38:00.000-05:00Atavist - have you ever been to a Quaker meeting? ...Atavist - have you ever been to a Quaker meeting? i sort of find it to be a nice balance...<br /><br />on another note - the place we go in Belize is next door to a gigantic mennonite community - i so love, too, the simplicity, the know-how, and the community.<br /><br />And on another note - there was a documentary (I can't remember the name) about amish teens who leave the church and go off on their own - disturbing to watch..have you seen it?Girlplustwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07056576921114387218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-50447964069874835982007-01-06T16:05:00.000-05:002007-01-06T16:05:00.000-05:00Bellezza: I'm not usre how I might fare as a monk...Bellezza: I'm not usre how I might fare as a monk. I could live with one bed, one table, but I would definitely want two chairs and someone to share the bed.<br /><br />Sylvain: You make so many points that I can't possibly address them in a comment here. Maybe I'll write a post in response in a couple of days. Always nice to see your comments.<br /><br />Thailand Gal: I love your blog and yes, I have read L. Neil Smith. My favourite is 'The Probability Broach.' Great writer.<br /><br />Pam: Welcome, and thanks for your comment. I visited your blog and found your work and outlook on life inspirational.The Atavisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12529157597486952484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-57910990600277601522007-01-06T13:09:00.000-05:002007-01-06T13:09:00.000-05:00Thanks for dropping by my blog this morning. Anyon...Thanks for dropping by my blog this morning. Anyone who mentions "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" has got to be an okay guy. <br /><br />Have you read any of the very unusual libertarian science fiction by L. Neil Smith? <br /><br />Peace, <br /><br />~Chanithailandchanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171731740204067889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-47529229309417471412007-01-06T09:55:00.000-05:002007-01-06T09:55:00.000-05:00I discovered your blog while reading a favorite, "...I discovered your blog while reading a favorite, "Thailand Gal".<br />I read your profile and loved your choice of books (Atlas Shrugged is one of my favorites) and music. And your "why"!<br /><br />As for the Amish, I think the world today needs to take a lesson from them.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14040757371778588395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-8068982229438766632007-01-06T00:22:00.000-05:002007-01-06T00:22:00.000-05:00Agree with you completely. I've been living simply...Agree with you completely. I've been living simply for a very long time and can't imagine going back to anything else. As for the marriage aspect, I find that appealing as well. But I'll tell you the best thing about the Amish, imo. Their reaction to the schoolhouse shooting was just... inspired.<br /><br />Peace, <br /><br />~Chanithailandchanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10171731740204067889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-23686726699438822852007-01-05T16:37:00.000-05:002007-01-05T16:37:00.000-05:00I also admire their peacefulness and simplicity, a...I also admire their peacefulness and simplicity, and perhaps, if we don't start doing something about golbal warming now, we might all have to live like them in 50-100 years.<br /><br />However, I think your comparison between the Amish and Libertarians is flawed. They may, as a group, do pretty much what they want, but individual Amish persons see their liberties and choices SEVERELY curtailed by their own group's authority. It is a form of deeply repressive local government.<br /><br />Also, while they may not be unhappy, Amish kids are not given the same choices and opportunities as others. And if they ever want to get out into the real world, they will probably be very disfunctional and ill-equipped for modern life.<br /><br />I'm personally opposed to early indoctrination of children into their parents religion. Kids believe everything their parents say, so by the time they are old enough to choose whether or not they want to be religious, or which religion to join, they have already been brainwashed into believing their parent's religion is the ultimate truth. Most people never get over that early programming.sdufordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10229357891371095289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6931353.post-44000707651591349622007-01-05T16:15:00.000-05:002007-01-05T16:15:00.000-05:00I greatly admire simplicity. I often long for a ro...I greatly admire simplicity. I often long for a room such as one might find in a monastary: one bed, one table, one chair. I'm not sure how I'd fare as a Plain Person, but it seems awfully appealing to me in a town surrounded by materialism. Which everyone knows is not gratifying.Bellezza https://www.blogger.com/profile/18073864187188953633noreply@blogger.com