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Varlan Allan

Teacher,

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Why is it so difficult to live a simple life in First World Countries?

By this I mean. Why can I not build my own house on a simple piece of land and educate my child from home and generate my own power from an alternative energy source. All this without having some authority coming and disrupting such acts.
Let us slash bureaucracy and let people live life a bit easier.
Bureaucracy = uneventful life.

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    Colleen Steen 500+

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    Dec 6 2011: Hi Varlan,
    Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how we percieve it, the fact is that we have evolved to a point where we sometimes need rules and regulations to live peacefully and safely in a society, and I think we can still live a simple life within those boundaries. Perhaps it is even more creative to figure out how to live a simple life in the midst of bureaucracy? I know lots of people in the state where I live (Vermont, USA) who build their own simple homes, educate their children at home, grow and raise their own food, and live off the grid.

    I personally live a simple life in a home build in 1850, grow my own food, heat with wood, which is generously given to me by friends and family members. For entertainment, I hike and ski the beautiful mountains, kayak the rivers and lakes, and bicycle throughout the rural areas. Living a simple life in a developed country is a choice:>)

    • Varlan Allan 10+

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      Dec 6 2011: I agree with most of your points and was expecting the "creative within those means." But I find there are still too many regulation. Safety comes with a price too. It stifles the speed of progress. And of course the counter argument will be that we may end up with things like china's highspeed rail. Maybe I'm just frustrated with my current situation.
      I'm living in singapore and have a hard time figuring out how to be creative because i like to construct things(large) but very difficult to get space(red tape). I just wish things were just easier. Lately seems that every aspiration I have is so far away or impossible to reach. I still keep chugging along, but seems like the distance is expanding exponentially.

      • Muhammad Irfan Khan

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        Dec 6 2011: Human Being is species which is FREE by birth. Any attempt of imprisonment, of every type, will ultimately fail. History pages proved it. And we, human, are more happy in simplicity, in openness. For us, Sometime, this modernism also similar to an attempt confining us. As Ms. Colleen says that she seeks happiness and freedom in doing everything in natural ways, in the most simple form. And it’s pure joy I must say. Hope one day we step in the ERA OF INTELLECTUALISM, and get rid of this SYSTEM.

        Let us BE what we want to be, rather than pretending and acting. Mr. Varlan, Think.... If you are pretending then stop. and you will be fine. I wish you a good life. :-)

        • Varlan Allan 10+

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          Dec 6 2011: Thanks Muhammad.
          I thank your courage. If you want to talk about prison society, this is the ultimate place. I don't want to live the way I do. I don't even enjoy it. But maybe my perception is wrong. I have built a fear that not having a steady salary is the end all be all. I also have daughter and wife to take care of. And I have to consider their needs. Not easy. I so badly want to break the cycle im in.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Dec 7 2011: Varlan,
          I don't percieve your perception to be "wrong". It appears to be a perception that is taught to many people. If you truly want to break the cycle you are in, I have confidence that you will do so:>)

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