14 Questions
What is the main difference between the economic approach of hunter-gatherer societies and modern industrial societies?
Hunter-gatherers have few needs easily met, while modern societies continually seek more abundance.
According to Marshall Sahlins, what is the key to achieving affluence?
Having a satisfied state of mind.
What is the main environmental consequence of the modern industrial world's consumption habits?
Unsustainable growth and environmental costs.
What is the significance of the San people's craft culture?
It is a way to express love, friendship, and other social bonds.
What is the author's suggestion for achieving sustainability?
Persuading ourselves to want less stuff.
What is the main driver of the modern industrial world's consumption habits?
The pursuit of aspiration-fuelled consumption.
What is the significance of the 'zen road to affluence'?
It is a state of mind characterized by satisfaction.
What is the main difference between the San people's crafts and modern industrial production?
The San people's crafts are made for personal use, while modern industrial production is for mass consumption.
Which materials have been traditionally used by San artists to create jewellery?
Seeds and intricately carved tambotie wood
What new medium have San artists adapted to create a stunning new tradition?
Woollen hats
What is required for San crafts to generate real value and recognize producers' skills?
A sustainable infrastructure to enable market access
What is a significant challenge San artisans face in selling their crafts?
Limited market access due to living in remote areas
How are San crafts typically sold?
Through tourist ventures and charitable organizations
Why do San artisans tend to be paid little for their work?
Tourist ventures and charitable organizations do not generate commensurate returns
Study Notes
Hunter-Gatherer Economy vs. Modern Industrial World
- Hunter-gatherer societies, like the San, have a form of "primitive affluence" where they are content with few needs easily met, leading to a state of mind defined as affluence.
- In contrast, the modern industrial world has an aspiration-fuelled consumption and production loop, making it difficult to be satisfied with enough.
The "Zen Road to Affluence"
- Marshall Sahlins argues that hunters and gatherers have mastered the "zen road to affluence" by having few needs easily met, leading to satisfaction.
- This concept redefines affluence as a state of mind rather than a material condition.
Environmental Costs and Sustainability
- The modern industrial world's consumption and production loop has obvious environmental costs.
- Many environmental economists argue that we have or will soon reach the limits of growth.
San Craft Culture
- The San people still make crafts for personal expression, gifts, and income generation.
- San artistic tradition is not confined to particular mediums and adapts to new materials and mediums.
- San artisans are imaginative in adapting traditional styles to new mediums, such as using fencing wire, tin cans, and plastic bags to create crafts.
Challenges in Craft Sales
- Crafts can generate cash for impoverished households, but a sustainable infrastructure is needed to access markets.
- Current craft sales are often made through tourist ventures or charitable organisations, which do not generate returns commensurate with the artisans' skill and artistry.
- As a result, San artisans are often underpaid for their labour-intensive and highly-skilled work.
Compare and contrast the economic approaches of hunter-gatherer societies with modern economies, exploring the concept of 'primitive affluence' and the work of Marshall Sahlins.
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