It has been said that when a topic presents itself repeatedly, one should take a look into the matter. Dropping out of the rat race is the subject that has been cropping up lately. While the idea sounds workable in theory, there are areas which the promoters of this lifestyle fail to address. One such promoter, a chap called Freeman, has two excellent examples of dropping out; the first is his own story and the second the story of an unnamed businessman.
Freeman's story is one of an individual who never joined the work force. He attended college but the hows and whys of that are unclear. He tells of setting out (sometime in the 1980s probably) in his van with juggling sticks, a spotted dog and no plans other than to experience creation. His was an adventure of good times with good people. Five years ago, one of those good people gave him the money to buy some television air time. He has been on the air (radio or television) ever since. He says that he has no job other than his service to the cause, so to speak.
Freeman's related story of the businessman was one of a chap who was once a loyal and dedicated company sort. One day the businessman saw a light and quit his job. The businessman now has an organic garden and peace of mind.
So . . . how does Freeman keep himself fed, and who pays for the water to keep the businessman's tomato plants thriving?
The big blind spot in the drop-out success stories is the fact that money or its equivalent can not be done away with. Freeman says he got in a van and followed the wind, being fed and sheltered along the way by good people. Well now, those good people had to have food and shelter to share - which means the offer was made by ones with a job or money. (Freeman gives no indication that he stayed on skid rows with bums.) Did the good people put gas in Freeman's van? Feed his dog? Let him shower and do a load of laundry, maybe make a few phone calls (no money, no phone, right?). Who paid for his vehicle's registration, inspection and insurance? Freeman says he still doesn't have a job. But he has roommates. How is that possible? Are they or someone else paying his share or is it paid by website sales of his DVDs ? How did Freeman pass the Paypal account application process?
Similar question pop up with the businessman's story. A garden requires property. Who's paying the property taxes? Who's paying for water, plant food, the gardening tools and equipment? Presumably the businessman himself using the money he previously earned. Otherwise he would be homeless without a garden to call his own.
The flaw in the dropping out fantasy is this: Few can do it because there are bills to pay and the only acceptable payment method is earned, inherited, borrowed, gifted, or stolen money-credit. Freeman survives on the generosity of others; the businessman presumably on his savings. Dropping out of the system has worked for both of them because they maintain access to funds. I'd venture to guess that neither one had children to provide for, school authorities to answer to, or family health problems requiring ongoing treatment. Had they dropped out with any of those circumstances and no income, their butts would be circulating through the social services system - which is where most drop outs find themselves.
I'm not picking on Freeman, he just happened to provide good examples for this discussion. I enjoy his high weirdness research and his hippie outlook. Also, if I'm not mistaken, in one of his earlier videos Freeman mentioned that his free-traveling lifestyle was accommodated by folks with income and was not available for everyone.
Freeman's story is one of an individual who never joined the work force. He attended college but the hows and whys of that are unclear. He tells of setting out (sometime in the 1980s probably) in his van with juggling sticks, a spotted dog and no plans other than to experience creation. His was an adventure of good times with good people. Five years ago, one of those good people gave him the money to buy some television air time. He has been on the air (radio or television) ever since. He says that he has no job other than his service to the cause, so to speak.
Freeman's related story of the businessman was one of a chap who was once a loyal and dedicated company sort. One day the businessman saw a light and quit his job. The businessman now has an organic garden and peace of mind.
So . . . how does Freeman keep himself fed, and who pays for the water to keep the businessman's tomato plants thriving?
The big blind spot in the drop-out success stories is the fact that money or its equivalent can not be done away with. Freeman says he got in a van and followed the wind, being fed and sheltered along the way by good people. Well now, those good people had to have food and shelter to share - which means the offer was made by ones with a job or money. (Freeman gives no indication that he stayed on skid rows with bums.) Did the good people put gas in Freeman's van? Feed his dog? Let him shower and do a load of laundry, maybe make a few phone calls (no money, no phone, right?). Who paid for his vehicle's registration, inspection and insurance? Freeman says he still doesn't have a job. But he has roommates. How is that possible? Are they or someone else paying his share or is it paid by website sales of his DVDs ? How did Freeman pass the Paypal account application process?
Similar question pop up with the businessman's story. A garden requires property. Who's paying the property taxes? Who's paying for water, plant food, the gardening tools and equipment? Presumably the businessman himself using the money he previously earned. Otherwise he would be homeless without a garden to call his own.
The flaw in the dropping out fantasy is this: Few can do it because there are bills to pay and the only acceptable payment method is earned, inherited, borrowed, gifted, or stolen money-credit. Freeman survives on the generosity of others; the businessman presumably on his savings. Dropping out of the system has worked for both of them because they maintain access to funds. I'd venture to guess that neither one had children to provide for, school authorities to answer to, or family health problems requiring ongoing treatment. Had they dropped out with any of those circumstances and no income, their butts would be circulating through the social services system - which is where most drop outs find themselves.
I'm not picking on Freeman, he just happened to provide good examples for this discussion. I enjoy his high weirdness research and his hippie outlook. Also, if I'm not mistaken, in one of his earlier videos Freeman mentioned that his free-traveling lifestyle was accommodated by folks with income and was not available for everyone.
