We have no interest in
going “back to the land”
if the deal includes the boring life
of a shit-kicking peasant
–nor do we want “tribalism”
if it comes with taboos, fetishes & malnutrition.

We have no quarrel with the concept of culture
–including technology;
for us the problem begins with civilization.

What we like about the Paleolithic life…
*the elegant laziness of hunter/gather society,
*the 2-hour work day,
*the obsession with art, dance, poetry & amorousness,
*“the democratization of shamanism,”
*the cultivation of perception
     –in short, culture.

What we dislike about civilization can be deduced from the following progression:
   the “Agricultural Revolution”;
      the emergence of caste;
         the City & its cult of hieratic control (“Babylon”);
            slavery;
               dogma;
                  imperialism (“Rome”)

The suppression of sexuality in “work” under the aegis of “authority.”
                                    “The Empire never ended.”

T. A. Z. The Temporary Autonomous Zone, Ontological Anarchy, Poetic Terrorism by Hakim Bey, COMMUNIQUE #7 Psychic Paleolithism & High Technology: A Position Paper, page 43.

More from Hakim Bey.

A survey of the news of the last 24 hours and it appears that America is “going back” to the land, to the ‘good ole days’ of patriarchy, of wealthy masters living in ‘big houses’ and the majority, servile, obedient, etc. You are included in the underclass if you happen to be female, are an educator, or a member of the working-poor. Become used to your lot or not, – the Empire is never to end.

Perhaps worst of all, work is transformed, becomes not unlike incarceration. Do as you are told, without deviation, nothing more and nothing less. No elan, no personalization, no embellishment, — any and all expression of sensuality in work is taboo, forbidden.

Your life is a dedication to the great lord, and his retainers, and you shall not harbor an intention to retain anything whatsoever for yourself. Not even a single thought.

Perhaps this sounds similar to a time of malnutrition, of scarcity, a plague-ridden feudal age of universal misery…

You would be right!