I wouldn’t be honest if I said I wasn’t jealous of Rob’s experience, and the path his life has taken. It seems that so many people are bogged down by the reality we’ve made for ourselves, that a tale of adventure and lifestyle, such as Rob has described, is almost ficticious, a dream through which one can experience vicariously. In more ways than one, I have been lucky enough to learn, change, and grow under Rob as my mentor...my Alpha, if you will. If one is shown, even just a simple glimpse, into something as uniquely exceptional as this path of his, it unconsciously forces you to reflect on your own life, your choices, and your goals. I have been doing much of this as of late; learning, changing, adapting, and growing. As a business owner, I have unshakable roots and a place I’ll always call home, but, the beauty of my business is that I CAN travel anywhere, all over the globe if I so choose, and be able to carry on my trade and support myself. It’s inspiring, this article, for me to step back and re-think the way I’ve thought about travel, or possessions (or lack thereof), and more importantly, what all these have to do with how I want to really live. Treasure your experiences through life, be good to yourself, and make the most of what the world has to offer, one day at a time.

Thank you for writing this, Rob, and J. for sharing it again. The inspiration I feel from these musings is limitless.

Worthwhile possessions are simply the physical manifestation of good ideas (spiritual)

As soon as I saw Rob's name attached to this I knew it was going to be thought provoking. If you haven't had a chance to check out his blog or his music you should do it. Nice work Rob!

Richard, of course you feel that way--it's the lifestyle you were raised with and the lifestyle you continue to live.

Me too.

I lack the guts at this point in my life to give everything up--and by that I mean a lifestyle with which I'm comfortable, as well as my prized possessions--and try a whole new way of living. But I do see some of the downsides of my current lifestyle and advantages to the one Rob and the gnolls have.

I do feel like my stuff owns me, rather than vice versa. My house, cars, computers, etc., all require constant attention and a constant stream of cash that forces me work a regular job, which forces me own a house and car... (Not mention the burden of "owning" the wife and kids.)

My dream is to achieve true freedom, if only briefly, before I die.

Richard's comments nicely demonstrate human loss aversion bias (the low-grade version of human motivation for the show Hoarders). To my mind, that's one of the primary maladaptive drivers of materialist/consumerist culture. We're predisposed to choose paths which are deleterious to our psychological well-being.

Then, after making bad choices, we backwards rationalize. The paradox of the irrational human mind having developed to believe it is rational. It's kinda depressing in that it's hard to override even when you know the bias is there.

I'm not sure it's as all-or-nothing as Rob makes it sound. In my 30s, I spent a month living across the country in a apartment-hotel (working on a project for a big aerospace co.). Getting used to living without my "stuff" meant I had to find other diversions in the local area. When I finally returned home -- my first reaction was: "OMG! I am SO encumbered!! I own -- and am owned by -- so much stuff!!" So I started thinking about what I could get rid of: obviously not my computer, and thus not my desk and chair and maybe a small bookcase for its gear and manuals.

My sewing machine? Hell no! Quilting was a major creative pleasure, and that meant my sewing table, my boxes of threads and fabric (maybe NOT all 40 boxes of fabric -- but as a quilter, I was using 'all those colors.') The TV? Diversion as I sewed or used the computer. My bookcases full of books that I read and reread? Why would I want to have to drive to the library every time I wanted to read or reread on a different topic or type of book? Pots and pans -- and a stove and fridge and then a cabinet for foodstuffs, and some plates and forks and knives? Absolutely!

And while I certainly had stuff I didn't need to have and I did, in fact, get rid of some stuff -- my PLEASURES dictated having a certain amount of stuff. I am NOT going to go 'live rough' as if that were the only successful way to live. If that suits you, go enjoy! For me, living *comfortably*, with my stuff at hand IS my chosen life! And if that requires working to pay a mortgage and electric bill -- fine! My JOY in owning my stuff, my sense of warmth and pleasure in being in my own 'nest' with my prized (or 'necessary') possessions around me? Priceless!

I'm not sure I don't see some 'noble savage' envy in this essay, some of the: 'it's so much easier if you have nothing, to avoid the pitfalls of owning anything.' Yes, Gryka (or Grok) only had what s/he could carry. And there is some attraction to that idea (maybe moreso to young folks) -- but not when it means sleeping bare and hungry in the rain or snow!!

Thought-provoking. Went out threw out half my paper bags I'd kept for 'just in case'. Sure could relate to the Human Loss Aversion Bias!

JS, may I respectfully disagree with Mr. Duff Watkins? Let's *not* stick to the diet. These sort of things are very valuable! Thanks

[...] state society is so far from our nature, we’re all radicals. And from a couple days ago, Freedom, Possessions, and Materialism, As Perceived By A Modern Urban Hunter-Gatherer. Suggestion [...]