The Laughing Wolf: What Is Civilization To You?

November 06, 2004

What Is Civilization To You?

This is actually a much longer post, but for today I wanted to consider what is one of the most defining things for a civilization to you. For myself, there are many factors but right up at the top of the list is bathing and sewage. Maybe it is because I have spent a lot of time camping and such, but these are major things for me.

I like the idea of being able to relieve myself in a clean, warm, and safe environment. Even better, I like knowing that the facilities are the tip of the iceberg if you will. There is no sewage in the street, I don’t have to worry about my clothes, and disease is under control. Even better, I don’t have to use a prescribed number of rocks or a bunch of leaves to clean up afterwards. The former is rough, on several levels and the latter can lead to interesting times if the wrong leaves are grabbed. Nope, it did not happen to me but did to someone I knew.

Even more, I love being able to have the resources to get clean. It is a mark of how good things are that one has bathing. It is water and energy intensive, and it means that you have both in abundance. It is a relative measure of the safety available that one can take the time to be without weapons and relax.

Using bathing as a criteria, there are three great civilizations through history: the Greeks, the Romans, and the Japanese. They were quite wealthy and could afford the diversion of labor, water, and energy to develop bathing as a grand art. Indeed, bathing was a social occasion as well, and the great public baths of each were a social center. That too is a mark of a true civilization in my book, for reasons I may have to go into one day.

So, what are the things that make a civilization for you?

Posted by wolf1 at November 6, 2004 01:04 PM | TrackBack

Comments

LW, this is an interesting take on what defines civilization! I like it. Usually people define civilization in austere ways, such as the creation of monumental buildings, social hierarchies, etc. I like your definition of civilization as a kind of indulgence and abundance. Perhaps it includes not just personal indulgence, such as the example you give of bathing, but social indulgence as well, such as social justice and equality? Social justice and equality can be seen as a kind of indulgence that one can create when there is enough abundance and shelter from the raw forces of nature. Another kind of indulgence is the creation of art and music. Its interesting; indulgence can be seen as a kind of hedonism

Posted by: Brad Neuberg at November 6, 2004 09:35 PM

Hmm, good question. I think the one that comes to mind today is being able to vote... and not being afraid.

Posted by: Boudicca at November 7, 2004 04:52 AM

I spent 8 weeks camping out on the beach at Padre once in August. And six weeks living in a tent on the beach in southern Mexico, some years before. I think I can sum up my answer to that question with three things:

1) Hot and cold running water

2) Hot PIZZA!!!

3) NO SAND!!! Absolutely NO SAND. ;]

You may think I'm being sarcastic. Sleep on a beach in a tent for 8 weeks cooking over an open fire somtime before you make that assumption. ;]

Posted by: Ironbear at November 7, 2004 10:34 AM

To me the defining characteristic of civilization revolves around power. Who has it, and how is it shared. Tribal hunter gatherers were lead by strongmen, whoever was strongest lead and controlled by force, aggression and fear. Resources were share and share alike, but only after the leader had taken his cut first. Note the similarity with “modern” communism; it’s really just a revision of a very primitive societal form. Democracy on the other hand is not about sharing resources, it’s about sharing power, even with those who are weaker than you. It’s probably one of the most progressive concepts that mankind has ever come up with, and it’s how I define civilization.
jlb

Posted by: jlb at November 7, 2004 05:54 PM

Civilization: you can find it where morality is more appreciated than wealth.

Posted by: Joel Català at November 8, 2004 02:49 PM

I've long maintained that society and civilization is no physical thing, but is instead trust.

Posted by: Phelps at November 10, 2004 07:49 PM

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