Why do I write about this? Because their experience reflects a broader issue: the way governments and modern societies treat people who choose to live differently. All over the world there are indigenous tribes and isolated communities that have been “discovered” by tourists, explorers, scientists or even random adventurers. Once these groups are identified, governments often intervene, stating that they need to introduce modernization, enforce regulations, or teach these people a “better” way of life. This paternalistic approach strips individuals and communities of their autonomy and ignores their unique cultures, traditions and choices.
In my opinion, if we want to live in a world where human rights truly prevail, then people should be allowed to live as they choose, whether or not we agree with their way of life. As long as they do not harm others, their decisions should be respected. I have seen reality shows and documentaries from countries like the United States, Canada and others, where indigenous tribes and remote communities are filmed without consent and their lives are laid bare for public consumption. These invasions of privacy are not only disrespectful; They are exploiters. Forcing these communities into the global spotlight, altering their way of life, or making them adapt to systems they never asked for is a serious violation of their freedom.
Some families and individuals deliberately reject the conventional symbols of modern society. They don't want to pay electric bills, take out car or home loans, or be in debt to government systems. They do not want to live a life of perpetual debt or adhere to social expectations such as attending formal schools or having stable jobs. Instead, they prioritize simplicity, self-sufficiency, and connection to nature. Not everyone wants to use cell phones or drink contaminated tap water; Some people crave fresh water, prefer to grow their own food and live sustainably. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Forcing them to adapt to a system – a system often rife with corruption, inequality and coercion – is deeply unfair.
The government's insistence on controlling every aspect of people's lives, from healthcare to education to housing, is an alarming overreach. Modern society has turned many into lifelong debtors, chained to a cycle of consumption and payment until their last days. This is not the life everyone wants and it shouldn't be that way. For some, the greatest joy lies in living in nature, using traditional medicine, and relying on the resources that the Earth provides freely. These choices reflect the diversity of human thought and experience and deserve protection.
There are several reasons why this drive to homogenize lifestyles is harmful:
1. Erosion of cultural diversity: Forcing communities to abandon their traditional ways of life leads to the loss of unique cultures, languages and knowledge systems. These are irreplaceable treasures that enrich humanity as a whole.
2. Violation of Autonomy: Every individual and community has the right to make decisions about how to live. Interfering with this autonomy undermines the fundamental principle of freedom.
3. Environmental wisdom: Many of these communities have a deep understanding of sustainable living and environmental management. Modernization often replaces these practices with environmentally destructive habits.
4. Psychological damage: Forcing people to adapt to a foreign system can cause deep emotional and psychological distress. Imagine having your home destroyed, your traditions mocked, and your way of life dismissed as “primitive.”
5. Economic exploitation: Often the goal of such interventions is to integrate these communities into the global economy, not for their benefit, but to create new consumers and taxpayers.
Instead of sweeping away people's choices and implementing a one-size-fits-all system, governments should recognize and celebrate diversity. There should be laws that protect communities that choose to live outside modern systems, ensuring that they can exist without interference. Respecting their choices is not just a matter of ethics: it is a recognition of their humanity.
Not everyone wants to participate in what can be seen as modern slavery: working endlessly to pay off debts, abiding by rigid social structures, and ceding control of their lives to corrupt systems. Some just want to live. And that is completely okay and normal. We need to advocate for a world where living freely is not a privilege granted by governments but a basic and inviolable right.
Photo by Félix-Antoine Coutu
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