I was wondering what Mr. Quinn thought of the Kibbutz system in Israel. These are, essentially, the modern form of tribal life operating continuously for about the last 100 years under rather harsh conditions with remarkable success. They operate pretty much the way Mr. Quinn suggests they ought to in each of his books. Would Mr. Quinn please comment on these modern day Israeli tribes?

I’m afraid I can’t agree that the kibbutzim represent “the modern form of tribal life.” They’re communes, belonging to the same tradition as the Amish or the Shakers (who would certainly disavow any similarity to aboriginal tribes). For an example of “the modern form of tribal life,” I’d direct you to the circus (though not, of course, ones like Barnum & Bailey, which have become simply big businesses). You’ll see these distinctions examined in detail in my forthcoming Beyond Civilization: Humanity’s Next Great Adventure.

DATE:
UPDATE: 26 Dec 1998
ID: 376