We all dream of living in a tight knit community, a tribe or band, where we share everything and are “all in it together.” I call it the “socialist instinct.” But that is not our reality. The harnessing of power outside of manpower has allowed us to drive away famine and disease. But it came at a price. In order to have the surplus that allows us the time for science and technology we have had to create a complex society that feels at least a little bit alien to all of us.

Unfortunately I can’t see how we can go back to the small nurturing tribe and keep all of the benefits of our complex society. The struggle between the new socialists and the realists will go on. If you have a solution let me know.Photo credit: Simon in the Superstition Mountains, AZ

Idea Credit: Jonah Goldberg