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Post by gato on Jan 3, 2024 12:50:36 GMT -5
It is said that hundreds of thousands of years ago, our ancestors fell into two groups: those who stayed by the fire, and those with wanderlust, who set off for parts unknown, unwittingly spreading the seed of humanity in the process.
Which one would you have been?
Looking at life now, from my advanced years, I'd have been waving "bye" to the wanderers, and roasting mammoth burgers over the fire.
Although, forty years ago, maybe I would have pictured myself among those striding off into the sunset. How about you?
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Post by Taildragger on Jan 3, 2024 13:57:40 GMT -5
Based on recent primatology and paleo-anthropology reading, my own conclusion is that our wandering has often been a matter far more of necessity rather than of capricious whim. When there were no grocery stores or refrigerators, you went wherever the search for food led you. Nowadays, idle musings about such matters are often colored by our personal, roughly-100-year frame of reference (based on maximum, likely life span of the individual) which can blind us to the dynamic nature of conditions on the planet over extended periods of time. This is especially true regarding those conditions resulting from climatic variation and its effects on survivable environments and food availability, which can exert and have exerted drastic influence on how we behave and which of our genes are carried forward in time.
Throughout history and especially pre-history, the choices have often come down to:
•adapt in place to changing conditions if you are able
•move on in search of survivable conditions if you cannot
•die/go extinct
That said, I mostly hang around the house and immediate neighborhood these days. At this stage of life, I'm all but on my way out the door regardless of what I do, so being adventurous holds less potential of payoff than it did when I was younger.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jan 3, 2024 16:22:46 GMT -5
I often wonder about the previous inhabitants of this part of Texas. It's perplexing enough just going back decades and marveling "how did they live here without AC?" But seriously, imagine 107f and 95% humidity living in a tent, or out in the open. I suppose lakes, rivers and costal areas offered some relief. The winters can be brutal bone chilling too. I guess that's where migration came in.
I've become way more sedentary in my old(er) age. My wanderlust is gone and I'd easily fall into the category of campfire denizen. That is largely driven by the fact that the roads are insane and that I see an uptick in deranged people more often. I'm not happy where I live, so that adds to my autumn of discontentment. I would love to have land somewhere that human infestation hasn't taken hold. I'm not sure that exists anymore. I think about my father migrating from post WWII Europe as a young man. The balls that it took to make such a move has only struck me in more recent years.
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Post by Taildragger on Jan 3, 2024 16:34:57 GMT -5
If my ancestors hadn't fled Scotland to "the new world" in 1746, they likely would've been hung as insurrectionists by the English crown. "Holding in place" was not really a viable option for them.
I'm happy enough with our current location to stay for the duration. As a retiree, I sometimes wish I could live someplace where the cost of living is lower, but most places where that is the case come with their own set of disadvantages. I've lived in the same county for almost 50 years, so changing locations and "starting over" at this late date would entail major disruptions. Like many geezers, I'm set in my ways in familiar surroundings would find relocating difficult. In addition, we already live 400 miles from our kids and grandkids and moving someplace less expensive would likely only increase that distance.
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Post by Vibroluxer on Jan 3, 2024 20:23:41 GMT -5
Wanderer.
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Post by LTB on Jan 3, 2024 20:45:48 GMT -5
My ancestors were part of the Texas Revolution. I have lived here all my life and I cannot conceive of how they lived without A/C nor modern conveniences…Yes I would be considered “a wimp” by their standards! My biggest fear would be an EMP Pulse detonation high in the atmosphere knocking us back into the 19th Century.
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Post by K4 on Jan 4, 2024 10:24:32 GMT -5
My biggest fear would be an EMP Pulse detonation high in the atmosphere knocking us back into the 19th Century. I'm at the point where I would welcome it |
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Post by RufusTeleStrat on Jan 4, 2024 11:00:23 GMT -5
If Korea(N) can only muster one or two nukes, this strategy is a valid fear. I would hope that our system could prevent it from occurring.
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chucksmi
Wholenote
Posts: 173
Formerly Known As: Offshore Angler elsewhere
Age: I saw Jerry Live
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Post by chucksmi on Jan 4, 2024 17:16:55 GMT -5
I often wonder about the previous inhabitants of this part of Texas. It's perplexing enough just going back decades and marveling "how did they live here without AC?" But seriously, imagine 107f and 95% humidity living in a tent, or out in the open. I suppose lakes, rivers and costal areas offered some relief. The winters can be brutal bone chilling too. I guess that's where migration came in. I've become way more sedentary in my old(er) age. My wanderlust is gone and I'd easily fall into the category of campfire denizen. That is largely driven by the fact that the roads are insane and that I see an uptick in deranged people more often. I'm not happy where I live, so that adds to my autumn of discontentment. I would love to have land somewhere that human infestation hasn't taken hold. I'm not sure that exists anymore. I think about my father migrating from post WWII Europe as a young man. The balls that it took to make such a move has only struck me in more recent years. I'm old enough that I lived in Texas without air conditioning. We sucked it up. Gym class outside, woohoo! And then getting into the Chickenpit of a plane that has been sitting out on the ramp all morning, That was HOT! You close the canopy as you taxi onto the active cleared for takeoff. By this time you are soaking wet, steamed and covered with jet exhaust. Then quick climb to FL20 and your teeth are chattering from being wet and cold. And I see our software changes it to chickenpit, which I find wonderful and often apropos! New aviation term coined here today! |
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jan 4, 2024 17:27:13 GMT -5
And I see our software changes it to chickenpit, which I find wonderful and often apropos! New aviation term coined here today! I don't even bother these days with work arounds. Chickentails for everyone. It's a Moe's 2.0 thing, lol. |
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Post by tahitijack on Jan 4, 2024 18:11:13 GMT -5
I'm a descendent of travelers. My family originated in London, England, sailed to America and eventually moved west. In more recent times my parents moved from the south to the west coast. During my career I was happy that travel was part of my schedule including international destinations. Always had a bag packed as they say. In retirement I always up for a road trip or any destination far from home.
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 4, 2024 19:10:37 GMT -5
Wanderer. Seen most states, wife and I have had houses in CO, MN, SC, NC, now NY.
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Post by LTB on Jan 4, 2024 23:11:09 GMT -5
I often wonder about the previous inhabitants of this part of Texas. It's perplexing enough just going back decades and marveling "how did they live here without AC?" But seriously, imagine 107f and 95% humidity living in a tent, or out in the open. I suppose lakes, rivers and costal areas offered some relief. The winters can be brutal bone chilling too. I guess that's where migration came in. I've become way more sedentary in my old(er) age. My wanderlust is gone and I'd easily fall into the category of campfire denizen. That is largely driven by the fact that the roads are insane and that I see an uptick in deranged people more often. I'm not happy where I live, so that adds to my autumn of discontentment. I would love to have land somewhere that human infestation hasn't taken hold. I'm not sure that exists anymore. I think about my father migrating from post WWII Europe as a young man. The balls that it took to make such a move has only struck me in more recent years. I'm old enough that I lived in Texas without air conditioning. We sucked it up. Gym class outside, woohoo! And then getting into the Chickenpit of a plane that has been sitting out on the ramp all morning, That was HOT! You close the canopy as you taxi onto the active cleared for takeoff. By this time you are soaking wet, steamed and covered with jet exhaust. Then quick climb to FL20 and your teeth are chattering from being wet and cold. And I see our software changes it to chickenpit, which I find wonderful and often apropos! New aviation term coined here today! Yes, we did not have Air Conditioning until I was 16 or so. My first car did not have it either. I do not know how I survived but at that time not knowing anything else it was the norm. Now…it would be very hard. |
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Post by Ragtop on Jan 5, 2024 6:38:31 GMT -5
During my college years, and the years right after, the only place I wanted to be was someplace else. Give me a week off school or work, and I was gone. Almost always west. Myself and a friend once drove from Omaha to San Francisco non-stop just to see if we could do it (we did!).
But that was a long time ago. Now I am perfectly content to stay up here in my Rocky Mountain hideaway, and read my books and play my guitars. Take the dog on a long hike. Make a nice dinner, drink some wine, call it a day.
My son is a homebody. But my daughter has the wanderlust like I did. She's always planning her next getaway.
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