Growing up in a relatively remote community, I’ve been able to observe ways of living that don’t conform to the blueprint set out by modern society. The things that we are told are important such as technology, material wealth and fitting in to social expectations aren’t necessarily what will bring us true fulfillment in our lives. Our society is dependent on digital connections and consumer culture, and we are expected to live life at a fast pace, to achieve and produce more, and to measure our happiness based on standards that are set by others. Choosing to step away from the modern noise can be seen as a radical act, and there are countercultures that do so in different ways.
Transcendentalism was a 19th century movement of writers and philosophers centred in America. They rejected the conventions of the 18th century and promoted the emergence of a new national culture based on a belief in the unity of creation, importance of insight, and goodness in humanity. They were leaders in experimental schemes of living, women’s suffrage, better conditions for workers, free religion, educational innovation, temperance, modifications of dress and diet, and humanitarian causes. Transcendentalists valued solitude and believed that every person should experience isolation in order to think freely from the influence of others.
Intentional communities are groups of people who band together to live based on their shared values. They are usually focused on resource sharing, sustainability, equality and building strong community bonds. Creating their own community allows them to live outside of the infrastructure of our modern society, and create systems that support their collective goals. Some are based on environmentalist and off-grid practices. Others are religious organisations, including pagan and neo-pagan communities, monastic communities are similar.
Primitive survivalists are people who hone wilderness living skills in order to retreat entirely from society.
Digital Nomads are people who travel whilst working remotely. Generally they are people who work in programming, design or digital content whose jobs allow them to work over the internet. They are then free to travel extensively and for long periods of time. Often they live in vehicles, or stay in places where the cost of living is low in comparison to their earnings. Digital nomads see themselves as rejecting modern conventions of living by way of their freedom. Their lifestyle often necessitates other differences, such as not owning a lot of possessions, and not being tied down by family commitments.
Sources:
Transcendentalism 2024. Britannica Academic. Retrieved 15 October 2024, from https://academic.eb.com/levels/collegiate/article/Transcendentalism/73185