The Modern Primitive

How can the Primitive survive in modern society? Should she go live on a remote Scottish island away from it all, or should she integrate into the poisonous technological world?

Personally I believe that the only way we can bring down a system is from within, because we need to know the enemy, we need to know their techno ways, the rules and regulations, the power system and the State - knowledge is power; and armed with knowledge we can use our cunning to at least jam the works.

So the conscientious Primitive has to make that terrible sacrifice of going against their own instincts of living a simple, non-technological life in harmony with nature and her fellows, to remain in modern society and suffer it so she can merge and mingle and nibble away at the regime from within; like a persistent rat living under the floorboards gnawing at your woodwork and sneaking about when you aren't there to see it. The way of the successful anarcho-primitive is a chameleon merging into modern society in order to work on its collapse without its knowledge - so we're like the fleas sucking the blood of a huge beast until it dies of anaemia.

We have to do this to play our small part in bringing down the system; be your target the Gov, EU, UN, World Bank, or specific multinational organisations or corporations. I take heart in my frustrations by remembering the solitary woodpecker that featured on TV news, which successfully managed to stop a NASA Space Shuttle launch all by its little self. The woodpecker decided the insulating tiles on the nose cone were a good place to have a good long peck and in full view of the cameras it worked away like it would do on any tree until the tiles were so destroyed the launch had to be cancelled and the Shuttle removed for repairs. That woodpecker teaches us a Great lesson - that it's not always necessary to make grand gestures, or to take huge actions, or to make a big noise, etc - often all that's needed is that persistent, strategic, annoying pecking or nibbling by just one person; and that action alone can do FAR more damage and have FAR more impact and implications than many huge protests or drastic actions.

Take heart also from the so-called Electric Ants found in a few parts of the warmer world that are attracted to the electromagnetism emitted by electrical cables. These tiny creatures band together and wreak total havoc every year with electrical systems found outdoors, such as those controlling traffic lights and telecoms. These insects show us that working together even in tiny ways we can make huge impacts (out of sight and out of mind) by performing seemingly small actions in strategic places when we operate as a focused group.

So as covert Primitivists in the modern world we need to remember that woodpecker, and the actions of mice and rats and termites and other similar creatures, and how these small things live with us and can impact massively on our systems, movements, communications, and lives.

As modern Primitivists we need to be thinking very whole-istically about the full wide picture, and about how we can cleverly and covertly impact upon THEIR world to help the system crumble and fall in on itself - it's not so hard actually, because people are so very blinded and foggy these days that they notice so little of what's going on in real life - that means they don't notice other people who they deem to be of no value to them; this can be used GREATLY to the advantage of the Primitivist - for example - EVERY corporation employs cleaners, unskilled labour, and tradespeople, so if you can get one of these jobs and play the role quietly you can get amazing access to areas, people, and information that are totally out of bounds to others; so imagine what you could do with that power! Another way to slip 'under the radar' is to play the role of Dirt; such as a homeless person on the streets as you'll be totally ignored and can covertly watch targets, scope areas, and get up to sneaky deeds in the night without suspicion. Dirt is trash in the mind of those in modern society who choose to ignore it at all costs and try not even to look at, so it's a great role for many covert duties. Finally there's the role of Posh; you can either play fake Posh or genuine Posh, but the key is manner and appearance to blend in and be one of their own. It's amazing how accepted you are to these people when dressed in 'high class' clothes (rather than clown gear or scruffs), but you need to be quiet to infiltrate them, to observe, and to wait for the chances to make your moves undetected in the most appropriate ways. The role of secretary is a good one, as these people metaphorically hold their bosses balls in their hands each day and have the power to crush them at will if they choose to. Being fake Posh allows you to mingle at corporate events and even to get close to politicians in relaxed circumstances - the possibilities for covert action as a result are very high. Of course the best kind of Posh is when someone with genuine status turns Primitive and decides to support the cause, or if you manage to land yourself a plum role high up the hierarchy, or in service of one of the mega-corps, EU, UN, etc - THEN you have the opportunity to allow access for your fellows and to do Great things to advance the cause.

Finally... the main thing we need to guard against is not falling into the techno trap, because they're able to monitor and trace virtually EVERY digital action that we make, so therefore be extremely careful about how you communicate (there are safe ways). It is possible to integrate into the poisonous modern world and to maintain your sanity, integrity, and pursuit of Primitivism to a moderate degree, and also to take nature breaks for holidays to stop your head exploding and to recharge your energy - it's a huge benefit if you and your group can work with a supporter who's prepared to be your 'Digital Link' (DL) - this way you and your group can live the proper way using cash to buy what you need without resorting to owning bank accounts or plastic cards, because all such dealings come thru your DL who has bank accounts and plastic they can use on your behalf in exchange for cash. Your DL can also access the Internet for you, gather news, and update websites, and basically keep all your trails clean so you have no digital footprints in modern society. Though there is some risk to the DL they should be clever enough to keep their own trail clean and not to create any links with members of their group. The DL is your tool, but shouldn't be the group Leader (if you have one) - any Leader should be the person least likely to attract suspicion, i.e. an elderly retired person, any female, or a Posh. With the advent of VeriSign payments via thumbprint (or via chip implant) likely to be introduced before 2010 the need for a group DL may become essential for those Primitivists living in modern society. Otherwise have no group at all but instigate a covert network that never meets as a whole and in which no member knows more than two other members (like a WW2 Nazi resistance network) - I'll write about that process later.

With our increasing modern reliance upon digital technology the system gets weaker and weaker, and increasingly easier to take down. With even just a few of us scattered around the UK we can impact the Gov, infrastructure, commerce, and communications with massive implications as long as we keep up that nibbling and pecking both covertly and right in their faces without them noticing... power to the people... destroy technology... return to nature.

(Endnote: I must add that the absolute aim of anarcho-primitivism in modern society - or maybe it should be re-labelled neoprimitivism - is the destruction of society's dependence on technology and the State's control of citizens via technology, plus State, media, and commercial propaganda that fuels Greed and our dependence upon technology away from what's actually important in life, i.e. our relationships, family, community, children, nature, etc. The neoprimitive is NOT aiming to destroy society in the sense of harming PEOPLE, nature, or animals in any way, and that HAS to be properly understood by all. Terrorists who target people and small businesses that ordinary citizens depend on for their family livelihood are NOT anarchists. The true anarchist PROTECTS and DEFENDS the Rights of citizens against the State and against the totalitarian regime that operates to repress them from pursuing a decent wholesome lifestyle. The neoprimitive targets technology itself, the State and its controlling mechanisms, corporate entities, infrastructure, communications networks, the media, and anything relevant to the cause, such as structures of control, domination, and exploitation with the goal of assisting the emergence of an archetypal, social, autonomous, cooperative community - to do so is ANARCHY. We do NOT EVER target individual people, nor the individual small independent businesses of ordinary citizens - to do so is TERRORISM and is utterly anathema to the Primitive who is a DEFENDER of LIFE and the ENEMY of technology, oppression, Greed, the trappings of modern society, and the systems and mechanisms that enslave the populous under State control thus steering them away from the genuine values of Humanity.)

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