The Social Tithe

Abstract

Twentieth-century man has made a world of technological advances and complex social organizations. We rarely think about these structures, though, except to note how they seem to have made us increasingly aloof from Nature. However, the reality is that we are not independent. “We” (as individuals) have enjoyed the use of technology to reduce our vulnerability to many of Nature’s hazards. For instance, few of us would go hungry if an early frost wiped out our tomato patch. We would simply pay the grocer for food grown elsewhere, where Nature had been more cooperative. Nearly everyone in society, though, depends on food grown elsewhere. This makes us still dependent on Nature, but our dependence is on Nature’s providing sufficient harvests for everyone. Sufficient here means the overall food supply’s being large enough to meet worldwide demand. If Nature adversely affects food production in one region, the people who live there have to turn elsewhere for their supply. They then need money to buy food and more time to wait for its distribution. It is an insurance step to keep adequate supplies close to home.