Maybe he's onto something. . .

Some good caht here and its nice to see it hasn't devolved into W&C.

I agree with PrimitiveMan, the guy is a bum, no two ways about it.

Lets look at another fella that wanted to go off grid, Dick Proeneke, I know that he was supplied by air occasionally by his pal Babe, but considering his location, I think we can forgive him that!

I'm in a funny situation here is Oz, as a Pommy, sorry Limey to you Yanks! I have often though how easy it would be to live off the land here. I think its possible without taking a cent from anyone, but it would be hard.

regarding kit, gear, booty or whatever we call it.

I like a few here have mentioned, have enough to last a lifetime if cared for. Why do we want more? Probably the same reason we have adapted so well, we probably see more as better and better is, well, better than less.

I admire him for having the balls to do this, but not the manner that he is doing it, if that makes sense? ;)
 
Many years ago I did what this guy is doing but I was just considered "homeless". Many other people were then and are today. I think there will be a lot more in the future, way things are going. In my case it wasn't by choice. The point is it is his life and as long as he is not harming anyone, then that is his right. But I do not consider this guy any kind of hero or role model. He takes from society and does not contribute in any way apparently. At least if he bought the stuff he consumes, it would benefit the economy. Picking it out of the garbage does nothing for anybody.
 
Several months back, our local free newspaper had an article about the "freegan" culture. It involved dumpster-diving, garbage picking, and a heavy reliance on the generosity of friends and strangers. They said that it was a statement on our wasteful society, but it seemed like voluntary homelessness to me.
 
I recently became catholic in order to marry my wife. As I learned I kept wondering why all these holier than thou types who go to church every week don't really do what jesus says. I think this man is closer. Jesus does not say save for retirement, work 80 hours a week to get tons of money so you can buy more stuff while neglecting your family friends and the beautiful world around you.

I also agree that the middle ground is the best way. Any extremes are unhealthy. Even extreme healthiness is unhealthy! Ever notice that extremely healthy people have a way of dropping dead of a heart attack while the lazy heavier ones seem to have bypass after stint after bypass :D

I do not believe that his life is an easy and lavish lifestyle. He is certainly roughing it. He's not on government assistance which is admirable.

I appreciate being made aware of him as it has caused me to look closer at my own lifestyle and the things I could easily do without. It is true that the things you own end up owning you.

My grandparents are wealthy. They dumpster-dive. They are wealthy because they don't spend their money. One day they were on the way to the mall, I asked my grandma what she was going to look at. She said "Nothing, I don't want anything."

However I did get my grandpa to take a yeller handled peanut, and gave my grandma an orange ladybug. SORRY FOR THE SIDETRACKING!
 
I've got a LOT more respect for someone that does this under duress and emerges from it to better themselves than I do some wing nut that tries to make a statement about it being all "Zen".

God forbid I am ever homeless and I truly feel for those that have been, but someone who chooses to live in squalor and filth and act like it is because they want to show how you can live a life without money gets little creedance with me.

He is sucking off the teat of society. AKA a "BUM"
 
Well, a lot of you guys must not be familiar with sadhu's. He says that is what he wanted to be, only in America. By saying that, you are basically saying you want to be a 'bum'. In India, sadhu's generally survive off of other people's contributions. They wander around, living "without", and some of them actually live in caves, to my knowledge. So, I guess he's doing what he said he was going to. Would I want to do that? No. But, it does make you look at the things you have, and feel a little bit more... maybe "grateful" isnt the right word, since I work for every thing I have. But maybe "content" fits right.
 
Well I have been dirt poor living with my grandparents in northern New Mexico. But as they say, a country boy can survive, without dumpster diving and living off handouts. I have stuff now. I don't live in luxury and am out of debt. All the things I have can be trade goods that have value to me. I don't spend my money on video games or beanie babys. I can let it all go and enjoy a lard sandwitch out of bacon grease and be glad to get it. I don't want to be Gandi. I am a productive citizen. I don't buy into all the hype. I could live on a lot less. I don't choose to be a bum. Everyone has value, even if it's to be a bad example. I like the Cody Lundin (sp) way better. This guy needs to start a school.
 
Skimo said:
he was a man of intellect, and he lived like a bum. just a bit of history is all :)
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History produced quite a few of these people, Gandhi for example.

Great article btw. I've passed it along to a few people as well. I have shared his thought on money on a number of occasions. However, I don't have the balls to do what he does and am not ashamed to admit that.

Still, the notion is true. Money is just paper and metal that is assigned a value, much like precious stones.
 
bmilla35 said:
The guy seems interesting to say the least...

I don't quite understand the fact that he seems to be a devout Christian (or maybe he just reads the bibile for fun?) but believes in natural selection. I never saw those two words in the same sentence :confused:
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Other than the one mention of the Bible it seems his dominant world view is a sect of Hinduism that lives this way in India.

I don't have a problem with the way he lives, its his life. He isn't taking government handouts. He doesn't seem to be begging either. All of us have eater over at friends homes, that just shows people don't mind his company.

As for what it "means" that's a legitimate debate. He is a bottom feeder in the world's richest throw-away society. We all do that to a degree. I'm going to the flea market later this afternoon, one small degree removed from dumpster diving. Mac
 
pict said:
Other than the one mention of the Bible it seems his dominant world view is a sect of Hinduism that lives this way in India.

I don't have a problem with the way he lives, its his life. He isn't taking government handouts. He doesn't seem to be begging either. All of us have eater over at friends homes, that just shows people don't mind his company.

As for what it "means" that's a legitimate debate. He is a bottom feeder in the world's richest throw-away society. We all do that to a degree. I'm going to the flea market later this afternoon, one small degree removed from dumpster diving. Mac
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I'm for the fleamarkets and goodwill etc as well. By buying from the Salvation Army or other charities you are still contributing to the wellfare of others less fortunate and you are recycling cast off resources. It provides resources for those who want to just hang out as a way of life.
 
I thought it was a good article. I really can't understand Primitiveman's hate for the fellow. Clearly his mode of living doesn't fit into what we often aspire to in terms of self sufficiency in W&SS but I think that is trying to place a square peg into a round hole. Self sufficiency wasn't his goal. He wasn't trying to live fully off the land so why judge him on that basis?

The fact that he isn't partaking of soup kitchens and food stamps also means he has a line over which he doesn't want to cross either. I wouldn't call the man a bum. He has an idea of principals, he isn't mentally ill (as far as I can read into it), he took in the reporter and put up with him for a few days without little gain. Heck, I wouldn't invite a reporter to my house for a day and a half let alone feed the guy :D

I wouldn't want to go to his primitive state of living, but I don't begrudge him for it. He might get tired of it and come back to society. It sounds like he has a head on his shoulders and could do that if he wants. The man has choices and is making them. Sounds like a pretty good chap in my books.
 
I don't hate him, I just think he is a Bum.

I guess I am a bit bothered by the fact that there is a question of whether he is a "Prophet" but as you said, he can live however he chooses.

The fact that his lifestyle was put out there in a blog and a zine article opens it up for critisizm. Including mine.

It is my opinion that you can live minimally without being a bum, that's all.
 
PrimitiveMan said:
The fact that his lifestyle was put out there in a blog and a zine article opens it up for critisizm. Including mine.
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I agree that the blog is kind of weird and it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the story.
 
PrimitiveMan said:
I don't hate him, I just think he is a Bum.

I guess I am a bit bothered by the fact that there is a question of whether he is a "Prophet" but as you said, he can live however he chooses.

The fact that his lifestyle was put out there in a blog and a zine article opens it up for critisizm. Including mine.

It is my opinion that you can live minimally without being a bum, that's all.
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The only person that equated him to a "prohpet" was the guy writing the article. One person. If you disagree with it, direct your sarcasm that way.
 
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