Yes…in fact rarely to pop conceptions of Pirates, Gypsies, Native Americans, or name-your-tribal-culture, match the reality. In the case of Pirates, their decision making systems birthed the first written (if not recorded..see the Iroquois Wampum Belts) democratic documents, from the established tradition of writing and signing a document called the “Ship’s Articles”. Read “Honor Among Thieves” by J. Rogozinski for more info, or google “pirate democracy”. So those posters of Jack Sparrow summon up an entirely mythical tradition of pirating.

As far as “remnants of the past” and not the present, Rom culture still plows along where it can, though they’ve made some concessions to 20th/21st century notions of schooling for their children, but they continue with an intact culture. So I don’t see their traditions as dead ones, though this does happen all too often with most tribal cultures.

Countless times I’ve seen the same pirate/gypsy/ninja/rebellious drifter motif glorified, a fantastic sign pointing to longing, but to actually understand and find an ambrosial fresh free way of life, wouldn’t you say that’s an immensely difficult task?

What we romanticize tends to tell a lot about us, truly, and also demonstrates where we stop: with the romanticization. For that reason, I advise the use of Theater Games! Step across the line, play games, “pretend”, and see if you’ve found some new ways to live that satisfy more, and that feed the living world. Difficult? Only as difficult as finding someone to play with. Which yes, can challenge us to the very marrow, or come easily as finding a new friend.

Or perhaps an effortless one, to say, I live free, I forsake the leash, I create my own rules — let authority figures sneer and condemn, even if I spend my entire life alone I do as I love, and the cost is worth it.

You see, I feel we became humans together, with other humans, and I consider exploring our humanness a group activity. We also need our hermits, our lone wanderers of the wastes, but they need a home to come to…a home full of life, and laughter. Full of us. So I don’t encourage a “well I’ll just live alone then” type of perspective, but a “whatever it takes to bring us together again, the sundered and isolated ones”, ya know?

a place where pain is currency, places excluding the latitudes of emotion, and also a realization that although unsatisified an individuals yearnings can fruit.

This just sounds beautiful.

Or perhaps an effortless one, to say, I live free, I forsake the leash, I create my own rules — let authority figures sneer and condemn, even if I spend my entire life alone I do as I love, and the cost is worth it.

I guess it all goes back to the trauma, the difficulty lies in finding a place for healing, a place apart from the overwhelming cultures and the shackles that engulf so many in the paralyzation of despair thus resulting in a search for a place where “it’s all good” or a place where pain is currency, places excluding the latitudes of emotion, and also a realization that although unsatisified an individuals yearnings can fruit. & that’s why I think healers are so important, that we as imperfect social beings have a need for healers and artistans to be common and prolific.

We need healers to lend their hands to those drowning… those who hold back their songs and tears, because with the expression of those, they become healers too, they grow and flower and in doing so form their own links in the garland of health and beauty.

I have much respect for these writings and doings exploring the intricacies of an alternative (for now) brewing culture. To show it’s possible, it’s been done before and it can be done again, freedom is more than a dream — to interact with, explore, and breathe life into that dream, that itself is a powerful elixir.

I tip my hat to you, sir, a gesture of thanks for the inspiration I have found in your impressive displays of ripened knowledge, captivating wisdom, and flowing eloquence.