Throughout
centuries there have always existed outcasts who had set aside norms and laws
of the majority and lived their lives in isolation from the outside world. The
feeling of dissatisfaction with the way they functioned inside the society has
been their common trait. What drives
people to run away? Is it a continuous process or a sudden impulse?
Everyone has that urge to escape sometimes, it is hidden deep under our sense of responsibility, our attachment to the surrounding world and our habit filled life. Still, we do not go to such extents. What causes it or what is different about them?
https://citydesert.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/hermit-nesterov.jpg
The hermit
This
biblical term refers to a person living in a seclusion from society. It might
appear to us that there are no longer any of them among us. Who would decide to
abandon all of the luxuries that the civilization is giving us? Medicine, food,
the internet? Still, some choose the way of solitude. Extreme introverts who
could not live any longer among other people. Ones driven by their faith in god,
others by their sense of miss belonging. Unable to fulfill roles given out by society.
They run to the wilderness or hide in their homes to find peace and begin the
search for meaning.
The devoted man
Recently I watched a short documentary about Polish hermit – Grzegorz Kuc. The movie called “Ja
pustelnik” gave me an insight into his world of
meditation, prayer and calmness. After being thrown out of monastery, he
continued his path of faith and served his God. I recommend to watch this
documentary.
Grouch
A term
used in the late 50 to describe farmers, who were conquering the secluded
regions of Chile. Faustino Barrientos for over 50 years has been living away
from the civilization in one of the least polluted regions of Earth, the human
deprived highlands of Patagonia.
The genius
Grigory
Pereleman – a mathematical genius.
A man who turned down the one
million prize offered by the Clay Mathematics Institute*. He hasn't shown up to
accept any of the offered awards or trophies. He said: "I'm not
interested in money or fame; I don't want to be on display like an animal in a
zoo." He lives with his elderly
mother in a 2-bedroom flat in St. Petersburg. Are there many of us who would
refuse fame and luxuries?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poincar%C3%A9_conjecture
Society within
There are many
groups that have stepped aside the society, opposed its norms and laws, began
to strive in this world on their own. Some of them prosper and other struggle.
Amish people are a good example of such behavior. They are traditionalists who
avoid modern age achievements like electricity and motor engines. Known for
their simple living and plain dressing, they are a very traditionalist
Christian church fellowships group. Its estimated that there are almost 250.000
members of this society.
https://blogdamarge.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/foundnatgeo31.jpg
Seclusion is not
always a choice. There have been reports of people living in wilderness for
decades in fear of justice system or oppressive governments, like in the case
of Karp Lykov who together with his family of six lived in the forest of
Syberia for over 40 years.
These is another
interesting case of secluded societies – uncontacted peoples. Indigenous
tribesmen who have been shut off from the rest of humanity by strange
conditions, for example wars or particular set of coincidences. They are an
object of great interest among many in western civilization. Much can be
learned from observing them and understanding their way of life.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermit
Comments
Their culture can be strange but I found it interesting and maybe we coud learn something from them.
Omitting outstanding cases when people willingly do not maintain relationships with others, the problem is the person eliminated from social life is not of their own volition. School children often face difficulties in contact with their peers.
But soon, I think that I will order satellite Internet and try to move, maybe after MSc?
My gradparents live in Odrynki, and there is living devoted man, orthodox catholic, they even have own website, but it's more like he was going to be expelled from church so he moved there - and people are travelling to meet him so he's not really living outside of society. If you would like to know more visit this website: http://skit.odrynki.pl/
However, I think that spending a month outside of the society would be very refreshing experience.
The paragraph about Amishes reminded me of a documentary I've seen some time ago on Discovery Channel or TLC, about people who want to escape such religious societies and have really big trouble. Basically, the members of such society are watched over constantly, even at night there are neighbor patrols all over the village. It's especially hard for women, because in some religions polygamy is practiced (Mormons Church, for example), and they can't let the number of women decrease. Terrifying...
When I’ve read your article more and more I think that this type of people exceed the higher level of existence than majority of us.
You’re right that seclusion is not always a choice. But can we do something with it? We probably don’t to have impact for it think.
Thanks for your great article. You choosed a great topic. Nobody have never befor raisen this subject.
Congrats.
I don't get why Amish decided that the best point in human evolution was the latter half of the 19th century, but I'm able to understand people who left civilization to live by their own rules.
Behaviour of Gregory Perelman is quite common in the academic society. I've read about mathematician who broke algorithm behind the scratch card game and instead of using his secret to win, he passed the info to the manufacturer for free.
Moving into the wild, to the Bieszczady sometimes is very, very interesting option. Sometimes I just need to take some rest and wildness far away from any civilization is blessing. When I was a kid I didn't understand how work could be so tiring, but today I know. But I can't imagine longer time without access to the Internet, medicine or other achievements of civilization.
Sometimes I wish I lived someplace more distant from the society. All this noise makes me tired and irritated, even though I live in a countryside. The neighbours are noisy, there is always somebody talking or shouting in my house, the TV is constantly on. I can't wait till I go to Norway this summer, I am planning on seeing some very remote places there.
I think there is something from a loner in each one of us, but still we need some contact with other people. The best situation is the one in which we are not overwhelmed by the society and only interact with it when we want to.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/may/28/s