Human Planet - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davidmash · #1 05-07-2011, 01:47 AM

Has anybody seen the series? I watched two the other night. I grew up reading National Geographic so I know there are numerous different cultures but watching the series is still fascinating. They showed a group of Nigerian (I think) women who were taking some camels to trade for food. No men on the journey as women were considered to be the best navigators. They were going through part of the Sahara. No map. The leader had been doing this since she was a child (and she was teaching her10 yr old to take her place). She used the stars and counted the dunes to get to a well for water. It was marked by a single tree that supposedly you could be with in 100yd and not see it.

There was another tribe of people who lived in a rain forest. The built a tree house about 100 feet in the air. No modern tool or material. he floor was tree bark rolls, Sago palm leaves for the roof. The built the ladders to get up too the building platform. Quite large (looked like 800-1000 sq feet. These guys climbed with no shoes no ropes.. nothing. The photographers were using climbing gear and the natives were laughing.

Most of the people they have showed live I guess what we would consider a hard life but they seem content. I found my self thinking that they have a good life and in a way I am a bit jealous. They live off the land. They have close nit families. Everyone helps everyone. I found my self wishing I did not know the life I have. Working, having to worry about bills ... watching TV, posting here.... all the trappings of modern life. Perhaps the grass is always greener but I think there is a definite appeal to a simpler life.

iwrock · #2 05-07-2011, 03:55 AM

What network does this air on?

kerry · #3 05-07-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

I think there is a definite appeal to a simpler life.

I'd say, from an evolutionary point of view, that's what we were designed to do. We lived that way as a species for tens of thousands of years so I suspect we would all be happier living that way, especially if we grew up in it.

#4 05-07-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I'd say, from an evolutionary point of view, that's what we were designed to do. We lived that way as a species for tens of thousands of years so I suspect we would all be happier living that way, especially if we grew up in it.

I suspect you are correct. However, this planet won't support 7 billion people living that type of lifestyle so we are stuck in a technological environment.

davidmash · #5 05-07-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

What network does this air on?

Discovery Channel. It's narrated by Mike Rowe al la Deadliest Catch/Dirty Jobs.

I think one of the things that amazed me the most is the fact that the various peoples accomplish things with the tools that nature provides them and their mind. If I build something in will involve several trips to Home Depot and various power tools. The tree house folks built that home 100 feet in the air with tools they made them selves. I think I may have seen a machete or two but that was it. They built the ladders out of wood they chopped down with a home made stone ax and bound it with twine thy wove. The floor was made of roles of bark they stripped off the tree them selves. There were no structural engineers to look over the building plans and I suspect it will last longer and be safer than anything we could build. They only felled the trees they needed to and they were used for building supplies. One hundred fey in the air and not a safety harness for any one. Toddlers walking about without a care.

The Sahara ladies were able to navigate a vast distance ( I think 100 miles but not sure) with sand dunes and stars as their guide. They found a water well marked by a single shrub that you cannot see from a distance due to all the dunes.

There is a Mosque in Ghana that is one of the oldest in the region (700 years old) built of mud. Every year they put a coat of new mud on it to protect it from the elements though out the year. They have one guy who is in charge of making the mud. Not just dirt and water ( I think he put grain in it). Then the whole town comes out and muds the thing in one day.

While we are living off the planet, they are living with the planet. I envy them.

pj67coll · #6 05-07-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

While we are living off the planet, they are living with the planet. I envy them.

I grew up reading National Geographic too. And these programs are interesting all right but envy them, no not me. They're happy all right, till they're dead at 30 of rickets or something.

- Peter.

Fulcrum525 · #7 05-07-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

Has anybody seen the series? I watched two the other night. I grew up reading National Geographic so I know there are numerous different cultures but watching the series is still fascinating. They showed a group of Nigerian (I think) women who were taking some camels to trade for food. No men on the journey as women were considered to be the best navigators.

Tell that to this lady

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KjR2InujY0

davidmash · #8 05-07-2011, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

I grew up reading National Geographic too. And these programs are interesting all right but envy them, no not me. They're happy all right, till they're dead at 30 of rickets or something.

- Peter.

Is it better to have lived a life till 80 or 90 trying to squeak by worrying about mortgages, school payments, orthodontics, weddings, bills, work, retirement .... or to live with the earth, family. Yes they have worries just as everyone else but their worries seem much less worrisome in some manner. A family builds a tree house and the neighbors come and help. I cannot remember the last time a neighbor helped with anything. I would have offered had I ever seen someone doing something. Most just hire it out.

Given our diet I would not be so certain that we are healthier than they are. Not many over weight people living off the land.

davidmash · #9 05-07-2011, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Tell that to this lady

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KjR2InujY0

I heard about that one. Sad. One more thing the 'natives' don't need to worry about.... Lawyers.

#10 05-07-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

I grew up reading National Geographic too. And these programs are interesting all right but envy them, no not me. They're happy all right, till they're dead at 30 of rickets or something.

- Peter.

Given a choice between living to 30 or 90, I'll take 30.

davidmash · #11 05-07-2011, 03:25 PM

I'd like to shoot for 50 or so but I get your point and agree.

#12 05-07-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

I'd like to shoot for 50 or so but I get your point and agree.

Amazingly, I made it past 50. Hopefully I will still be useful when/if I make it to 60. If I make it to 70 (unlikely), I will be able to buy a season pass at my favorite ski area for $79.