Nietzche and Jung were required reading in our highschool Ethics & Philosophy class. So I can relate to your thoughts, so honestly and directly expressed.
I was never an isolationist, so "running away" was never an option for me and my wife. We feel a connection to our families even if they don't completely share our worldview. They'll come around eventually, heh, it's a process and it has already started.
Community is of a huge importance to us, so we're looking to settle in a small village, regrow the communal bonds that were somewhat broken in the last few decades and create whole new level of interactions. We're also firm believers in the family as a support system. As permaculture teaches us - the more functioning connections, the better.
That said, I also feel at times overwhelmed by the consumerism and the "demands" of society. It's almost impossible to keep your sanity in the current "culture" if you know there's another way.
But I use that as a stimulus. I try to influence more and more people. Little things first, like eat less junk, bigger steps like container gardening, taking kids in the nature more, sourcing from farmers' markets, etc. And I see positive changes happening all the time, so that's optimistic.
I think for us it's important to stay close to a place where our actions will serve as an example and inspiration for many others. Our presence in the local community will influence a good number of people, we hope. Just writing blogposts is nearly not enough, people need a "live" example.
Not sure if the whole issue can be painted black&white, as is the case with the emperor's new clothes. It's more like we're explaining other folks the emperor's clothes are not the only pretty garments out there and they're not quite practical as well. Sure, they're comfortable, but they bring little joy outside of owning them.
So in a way I see ourselves as a "step 1" and your lifestyle as "step 2" in the right direction. We each have our part to play!
This post was really just a journal entry for me. I'm not as much of an isolationist as this may sound. But I do have my bouts. I think, in certain contexts, it can be black and white. I do believe in human communities, and the absolute need for them. But I have a problem with national identity, and state tribalism. We are creatures fit to live in bands of no more than 200 people. When we have institutions controlling millions or billions, disaster happens. That’s when we have massive homogenous cultures, that out of necessity, are dictated and controlled by the large entities that benefit form the predictability.
I have to admit though, I’ve become very cynical over the years. I started off very optimistic, I wanted to build intentional communities, I tried to connect, teach, and reach out to my local community as much as possible. But I was burned or disappointed time and time again. My location makes it really difficult. I’m technically right in town, but it’s a large undeveloped plot on the edge of the city. It’s a poor manufacturing town, and outside of the town are Monsanto farms for miles. It’s a bleak, backwards culture here. So at some point I had to let my hope for deep intentional community, in my immediate area, go. I joined a permaculture meetup that is great, but we’re all spread out, so the distance makes it less of a real community for now.
I admire all those who make it their work to educate and expand people’s minds, but I find myself too intense for most people’s tastes. I guess I’m a bit like Sepp Holzer or Fukoaka, in the sense that maybe one day after my methods have proven themselves, interest will peak and I’ll begin to teach. But right now I’m a mad man in the woods 😁