Integritus Prime

In Part I of this two-part series, I shared some principles from Daniel Quinn, from his book My Ishmael, about human history, and how agriculture, and the money economy changed the way we live, fight, and relate to one another. Specifically, in that post, it became clear that in focusing on resources, production, and consumption, we might be losing sight of more meaningful needs like social support, in favor of conflict. In Part II, I share Quinn’s predicted solution: a more tribal way of being that is self-organizing:

The new tribal revolution, based on the experience of the industrial revolution, has a seven step plan, according to Quinn:

1. The revolution won’t take place all at once
2. It will be achieved incrementally, by people working off each other’s ideas
3. It will be led by no one
4. It will not be the initiative of any political, governmental, or religious body (it will be self-organizing)
5. It has no targeted endpoint
6. It will proceed according to no plan, and
7. It will reward those who offer support to others. This reward will be support in return.

I find this to be a biomimetic example of how to thrive – superorganisms like bees and ants operate in this way too.

Quinn gives more pointers. Tribes will thrive; membership will be by choice. Typically, tribes will take the form of intentional communities, which are usually sanctioned, while gangs and cults are not. People are drawn to cults because they seek a support for support lifestyle. This is not insane – it’s healthy. There will remain no operational difference between a tribe and a cult – of course we’d have to consider cults that do a lot of harm and agree that those aren’t our goal. The goal would be to live in communities where you are supported, and you give support, for the rest of your life. As a childless daughter living with two aging parents, I find this idea very appealing – I need support, and I want to give support too, and I know more people would be a wonderful source of support for our current situation.

Essentially, Quinn’s theory is that because human “civilization” has become so embroiled in materialism and consumerism in order to protect the economy and it’s greedy ways, the planet and all her resources are suffering. Unless we change what we are doing collectively, away from greed and into sufficiency to honor the limits of the Earth, we will doom her and ourselves. Even as we are stuck in this world of haves and have nots, we crave security and support. Tribal ways, the ways of community, offers us what we really need and want: love, support, and relationships in a setting where we don’t have to struggle for essentials like food. This is, according to Quinn, the way forward.

Indeed, many young people are seeking out intentional communities these days, and many thriving communities exist around the world that model better ways to live so that we don’t destroy life, but nurture it, for all species. Share with me your thoughts on Quinn’s breakdown of how we got here, and how to get the hell out of this mess.