In modern society, we often take certain beliefs for granted: to find meaning in life, you need a job; a college education is essential for success; and owning personal property is the key to happiness. However, these concepts are not human truths but rather cultural constructs.
Before the Neolithic Revolution, around 12,000 years ago, which initiated the agricultural revolution, all humans lived as hunter-gatherers. Their lifestyle involved actively seeking food daily, promoting physical fitness, and fostering strong communal bonds. They would live in small communities where there was no notion of private property, or of someone specializing in a job. Instead a sense of community where everybody is contributing for a common goal.
The autonomy valued by hunter-gatherer societies is so deeply ingrained that individuals avoid telling others what to do, even refraining from offering unsolicited advice to preserve each other's freedom. Each person, including children, has the liberty to make their own choices as long as they don't infringe on the freedoms of others or violate social taboos.
Over the past 12,000 years, humanity has made remarkable technological advancements, supporting billions of people worldwide. Yet, it seems we have lost something fundamental along the way, resulting in increased divisiveness among us. Perhaps it's time to revisit the values that once united us as humans.
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