It’s only natural to be curious about the olden days, when folks still kept their guns in the cupboard, and wildlife was abundant in the forest you’re doing amazing quote. But for many people, folk culture can create pressures and expectations that are too much to bear. Where does one draw the line between respect for tradition and a genuine need for survival?
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Different people will have different reactions to being exposed to folk culture — some may embrace it wholly while others resent every minute of it. The best approach is always to take things as they come and let your instincts guide you on how you want your life (and death) to unfold.
1. The Whole Day
If you’re lucky enough to have some special time of the year where folks really step back in time, you can use that occasion as a point of reference. Maybe you work at an office where — for one day only — everyone wears long skirts and white gloves, or gets up at midnight for a “Sabbath” like nothing ever happened before.
You can also encourage your children to take a lesson from the past. If they love Harry Potter, why not reinforce the wish fulfillment with a visit to the local museum? You could even cook your own roast mutton and make raspberry-lemonade ice cream.
A true modernist would never want to live in a different time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t introduce your kids to the idea of cultural change. You can let them know that things used to be very different — and that they were often good things, like the fact that everyone had to be more self-sufficient one hundred years ago.
2. Public Opinion
Most folk culture revolves around specific visions of what’s ideal — the life of a pioneer settler, for example, or a feudal lord.
But a lot of people don’t fit into these categories anymore. If you’re lucky enough to be married, for instance, you may have to listen to the old-fashioned debate about the right way to have a baby.
There are still plenty of folk customs that don’t make much sense in contemporary society — like having babies in the bathtub or giving birth on horseback. Speaking of which…
3. Ceremonial Rites
As a modern person, it can be hard to understand why folks still go through all that bother of making Halloween costumes, lighting bonfires and carving pumpkins. Some people will even insist on decorating their houses with hay and other fake vegetation.
Folks will argue that these things are just part of their culture — but they should be careful. It’s easy to slip into believing that the past was better, when everyone took a greater interest in the well-being of their community.
Of course, you never want to undermine someone else’s sense of identity. But it’s important to ask yourself if your customs actually serve a purpose or if you simply look back on them with nostalgia.
4. Public Opinions for animals
Even if your family doesn’t believe in eating animal flesh, you’ll still soon discover that there are sometimes special occasions where folks really like to celebrate meat.
Half of your family members want to eat their food raw. The other half is convinced that steaming it is far superior, but they still refuse to use a microwave.
If you’re a modern person with a conscience, you may eventually have to speak up and remind everyone that there are plenty of resources available here and now (like fresh fruits and vegetables) that aren’t any more difficult to prepare.
As hard as it is to crack down on tradition, the trick is just to suggest the alternatives — and hope that everyone will eventually find some way of reconciling their differences.
5. Your Personal Life
If you want to live your life without any modern conveniences, then there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, it becomes a lot easier — and cheaper — to power your own home when you don’t need electricity or running water.
However, if you choose to turn away from modern civilization, then there’s a good chance that folks will start treating you differently. You may be invited to fewer parties or have trouble finding a date. In the future, your children will have problems making friends at school as well.
In extreme cases, it’s possible that the authorities will see fit to intervene on your behalf — particularly if they can’t understand why someone would renounce modern comforts like clothing and shelter.
6. Religions
If you’re Catholic, then you may be tempted to try and reconnect with your religious roots. At first, this might involve attending mass or becoming a member of the local church.
But if you’re a modern person who is skeptical about organized religion, then you should probably keep your distance from the Church as well. There are few places where folk culture has found more fertile ground than within established religions — but being a good Catholic can occasionally feel a lot like being trapped in an old-fashioned time warp.
If you want to leave behind the rigid rules and outdated dogmas of all the religions that once ruled this land, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t embrace modernity yourself.
