What do you think of this quote?

Question

"To allow ourselves to be dependent on some vast Thing created by the Merchants of Greed is madness. It is time to cut out what we do not need so we can live more simply and happily. Good food, comfortable clothes, serviceable housing, and true culture - those are the things that matter. The only way this can happen is by ordinary people - us - boycotting the huge multinational corporations that are destroying our Earth, and creating a new Age - an Age of Healing in place of the current Age of Plunder.

Self-sufficiency does not mean ’going back’ to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living; for food that is fresh and organically grown and good; for the good life in pleasant surroundings; for the health of body and peace of mind that come with hard, varied work in the open air; and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully."

~ John Seymour

Answer 1

I think it is a wonderful quote and one many should consider living by, beginning with myself. I just wouldn't know where to begin. A little guidance would help.

Answer 2

"Plunder?" Plunder only takes in part of the equation why we should become more self-sufficient. For instance, what if all the farmers went on strike for a very long time? How would city people who have nowhere to put a garden survive? Or, through terrorism the major electric grids were blown to shreds along with all the gas and oil reserves? How many people would freeze or starve because they do not have a wood stove or a tree to chop down for that wood?

We have truly become dependent on the structure that makes up our society and have no clue how to survive should a catastrophe occur.

Don't blame big business for our problems. There has always been a merchant class. Due to luxuries that our society has desired, even insisted upon, we've just created a bigger and better merchant class than was wise.

Answer 3

I like it and I especially agree with the "green" message.

I think it is sad that as long as there are people in the world who still give alliegence to the "vast Thing created by the Merchants of Greed," true Christianity will always be thwarted.

As long as we are worshiping idols, we will never be able to know the truth.

Answer 4

It's a nice idea, but it's impractical to the extreme, at least in regards to boycotting the huge multinational corporations. I suspect Mr. Seymore has/had no idea just how far reaching companies like GE are. Seriously, if you aren't familiar with the huge number of brands and industries under the GE (and others) umbrella, take a look: it's rather frightening. Boycotting even one of them would be next to impossible; all of them IS impossible.

Answer 5

After growing up on a farm "hard, varied work in the open air" has very little appeal to me - I remember digging potatoes in the frozen air and that particularly interesting oder that comes from a cow manger after a year of use. If you wish to do it, feel free and enjoy.

I do find the overall sentiment good, but realistically unfeasible.

Answer 6

I believe its absolutely true and wise. Look at all the things "myself included" we put in our bodies. It can't be healthy. I hate that all of our food is so modified and its so hard to get away from. The only way is to move somewhere sucluded and raise and grow all your own food. That is the only way I believe that you can put "wholesome" food into your body, because as long as you shop in a grocery store your always going to get something that has "negative" aspects in it. Even if you eat organic it still has something modified in it contents. I don't believe those standards to be "lower" quite the contrary!

Answer 7

i like it, however, we are dependent on God. the Creator of all things. Remember in Genesis? he created the beautiful array of veggies and fruit for our system. we are ill because of preservatives and additives, pollution and sin. yes, God knew what he was doing. He knew that spinach was full of iron to keep up our strength. Bananas and Avacados and Potatoes for our Potassium building. they keep the heart healthy. the pressure of the blood down. all fruit and veggies and plants have the minerals, vitamins that we need. We have created merchants of greed. we still buy burger, take meds, consume sugar. for pete's sake. (St. Peter that is..)

John Seymour went way back to the scriptures of God.
i drink my vitamins and minerals as well as eat them
http://www.vemmabuilder.com/363082105

Answer 8

It seems like more of the same godless, anti establishment , activist nonsense that comes out of liberal think tanks. And 'feel goodism' which is not realistic though it does call for revolution which MIGHT be realistic.

The point of Christians like me is this: It will be run by evil men who gain control whether there is revolution or not. The Earth will always sour until Jesus comes back.

You don't have to agree with that, but it's what I think.

Answer 9

Right on, I'm with you, where do I sign, do you have any idea how much mankind spends on looking good. Mankind is operating on the wrong compass. We should be looking at way for long-term occupancy on earth.

Answer 10

Nice, but a bit utopian and unreaslistic. This is what that group they call the "liberal escapists" are after when they move to remote parts of Vermont and make their own cheese.

(Ps - not knocking them, but someone has to pay the bills.)