part 1---First Things First: Beginnings in History to 500 B.C.E.

As I sit here getting ready to write something worthwhile about the reading thus far in Strayer's , Ways of The World, I' m reminded how similar we all are as a species, despite our differences in language, customs and geographical location. I suppose psychologists will tell us that there are some basic needs that all humans aspire to, like security, shelter, freedom from hunger and fear, that kind of a thing.

Strayer points out that Paleolithic societies were characterized by small, egalitarian groups of people consisting of 20-30 people. This allowed for more efficient decision making with regard to food gathering and mobility. These nomadic groups could easily move from one area to another to adjust to climate and availability of food.

In the first chapter he succeeds already in getting me to look at history from a different angle. For example, the term

" hunter-gatherer " is more accurately coined, " gatherer-hunter". This makes total sense considering paleolithic man's diet was mainly 70% nuts, seeds, veges and fruit and only about 30% meat. The second interesting and enlightening item is that "nomads"  were

" the original affluent society ". Strayer points out that some scholars are now holding this point of view. Simple needs were met with lots of leisure time. Paleolithic man consumed approximately 2300 calories per day. This is not a starvation diet. Although Italians and French might say that's just the appetizer total.

It's funny how as young children and again in old age that we

are/become "low maintainence". What do I mean by this? Children are happiest with a little food in their belly, and want a sunny day to run and play with friends. As an "old" person, folks are happy with a little food in their belly, and, when surrounded by their family and /or friends. Attaining  power, wealth, societal status and possessions are less meaningful.

It's that in-between stage that we.. ..accumulate-stuff, aspire-to.. and work towards.... some goal that our culture and tradition has programmed us follow. I know it sounds like the age-old  clash of "modernity and tradition", and I guess it's up to each of us to figure out a balance that reflects our deepest needs while taking the time to

"smell the roses "