Modern society does indeed suck. It can hardly be called “society” when we stay in our big boxes, addicted to screens showing us what is happening 3000 miles away, yet we don’t even know the names of most of our neighbors.

Bro I can't even take this society seriously. The people in charge have no idea what they're doing (or do they?). Nothing makes sense, heck even the prices don't make sense, everything is backwards, logic and common sense seems to be nonexistent and evil seems to be the new 'Good'. This planet is annoying, its crazy when you can't even take life itself seriously because life seems to be more like a joke for the average human everyday.

As odd of a thing to do these days as it is, I've found that I quite like sitting out on the front porch, enjoying a pipe, and just watching the view of the neighborhood which I have from that vantage point.

Very important--'what do we do with the time we save?' Intellectual, religious, and philosophical pursuits come to mind, but playing games, be those computer games or tabletop games, especially with family, is certainly something that adds to life. I heard a wise man once say that we must be well rounded--we're all listening to this presentation on a computer or "screen". The thoughtful person might ask, where do we draw the line? Surely we don't have to live in the stone age to have a full appreciation for life. Temperance and mindfulness of what we're doing is the key takeaway. What are we doing with the time saved? If we're spending it all mindlessly scrolling thru yt videos then we have a problem. But how about a mindful approach to technology? What about considering what we're going to do, for how long, and for what end, before we engage? I think a mindful approach is far superior to the 'reject technology'.

Very interesting. My grandfather and nanna were born in 1901 & 1912. They had a farm in Brookton Western Australia. They were the second wave of farmers/pioneers to the area (wheat & sheep). My nanna shared mixed memories of running the farm. She was required to get up and feed the workers 3 times a day, do housework, look after 3 small children and some ‘low level’ animals. She loved the beauty of the landscape but loathed cooking elaborate meals etc. My nanna was a complete ‘jet’ at getting anything done and despised sluggish people. The silent generation saw such hardship and change. They were not romantic about life and looked to the simple pleasures. I’m grateful to have learned from them - both in life’s lessons and faith orientation. My nanna died at 100 (2012). She thought the world had “lost its marbles” and people were lost. 🌎

The Amish know what they're doing

I rarely find anyone ,anywhere, in these days, of whom I respect and more thoroughly agree with. You sir are a gentleman and a scholar. God bless you. So rare to find a kindred citizen close to my age. I hope we can meet some day and commiserate.

Our modern day life is a blessing and a curse, but mostly a curse.

In school, I took advanced courses in history and German (my native language). When we engaged the romantic period, I could really get their sentiments. I only understood it later, but that must have already been the time when I understood that modern life sucks. But being here, being gifted _this_ life, how do I live it well, how do I live a life worth living? Greetings from Germany!

Another figure who you may be interested in reading is William Cobbett. He was an English agriculturist with a passion for the rural way of life, and a dislike of industrialisation. He also spent time in America. His book ‘Cottage Economy’ is a great book where he outlines how a household should be properly run.

Thank you, Dr. Harrelson. 👏 To say that Modern Life Sucks is an understatement! The fact that you're making this video during a power-outage speaks volumes. The unplugged life on the land is a great anecdote for the virtual 'reality ' to which we now subscribe. Peace of mind (from the Prince of Peace) is priceless, and the best things in life are free (indeed). Simplicity is key to a virtuous and fulfilling life, walking humbly with God.

Just the title alone made me happy lol. This will be good.

Thank you sir. That captures our silly society in a nutshell. Hope your power came back (or not).

Never being financially “well off” I learned the importance of being self reliant. Have a vegetable garden, learn to hunt and fish. Learn to fix things around the property. Just as important, but quality products that will last for life. The cost will initially be higher but you won’t be replacing them every 3-5 years. A good set of cast iron, kitchen knives, work boots, or clothing will be lower cost in the long run. Stop throwing money to countries using slave labor to make trash (I’m not going to get into the fact people hate on Southerners because of slavery 160 years ago but have no problem buying products from countries that still use slavery and concentration camps).

Today we are left with mere remnants of a past life. Just like our faux front porches, we live a faux lifestyle. We dress up to play a part with store bought clothing to portray our store bought lifestyle with mere trinkets to reflect or remind us of a better more honest time when sincerity and genuineness were the true substance of life!

I may have been born in the 1980’s but surely do not agree with where our world is heading. I wish we could go back to the simpler times before the Industrial Revolution live like simple folk did, take care of our own on our own land and support the community as one family. We need a change

The world had its hooks in me once but I am finding my way back now

I've been working in a factory my whole life, and my dad spent his life working in a factory, and so did his dad. It's all iv ever known. Yet, I still can't imagine doing anything different. Fortunately, my household is getting by with only my income. It's hard, but we are making it work. The problem is, to afford it, I need to live in a very rough neighborhood in Canton, Ohio. (The highest murder rate in the state of Ohio and 11th in the country) my wife and I dream of getting out of the city, but we just can't comprehend it as a possibility. We had to choose between my wife staying home to raise our son and living hear and risk the crime and bad influence on him, or send him to daycare so he can work and eventually, maybe we could move. I'm not saying that so that people can feel bad for me. I'm saying that as an example to prove your point to be correct. Modern life does suck and I pray that maybe someday, my wife and I can raise my son in a safe place with surrounded my moral people. But until that time, we are using that time to teach him to garden and be as self-sufficient as we can in our situation so that God willing, he can break the cycle.

I enjoyed this conversation for a second time whilst sitting on my front porch after Sunday dinner, smoking some Jamestown with my churchwarden. It makes me thankful for a simple country life. Much food for thought until supper time. :)

Absolute truth. I feel like I have less time because "modern technology" seems to cause more problems than good. I need to get back to reading books.

I have a deep love for the old ways and the fugitive poets. Please keep making these videos. They are outstanding.

Mr. Harrelson: I can't find the words to describe my enjoyment for these videos you make. I don't have a relative that can talk to me about the topics you cover, so I find delight in stopping my day and listening to you for a while. Keep up the good work and I pray that God and our Lady guide your life and family. See you on the next video.

Looking forward to more picking and agrarian talk. Currently listening to WB's Nathan Coulter.

Nice video Mr. Harrelson!

Dear sir, thanks for the reading suggestion. Perhaps you could also review Josef Pieper's Leisure, the Basis of Culture? I'm sure you will like it. Greetings from the Netherlands

16:16 my favorite part of the video!

Life sucks when you let it! I walk the line between old and new all the time. I don’t think I want to be consumed by either though. Do love old books w/ a passion. My 2 cents lol

What screws with me is that participation in the economy/society perpetuates all the insanity- especially when it comes to retirement funds, index funds, pensions, 401Ks, IRAs, etc. All of these are heavily invested in multinational corporations, China, banks, big tech, pharmaceutical companies, and war contractors. Not only is the daily operating procedure of these industries predatory and speculative but when they become so egregiously malfeasant and overleveraged to the point of collapse they are rewarded with bailouts because the "little guy" would lose his nest egg if they failed- and the "big guys" would lose their power. Therefore, many people behave responsibly and perfectly "nice" in their immediate surroundings while simultaneously profiting from this globalized system of corruption, because they've compartmentalized away the reality of how their sausage gets made. Then they act confused as to why someone like me doesn't just "get with the program." Also factor in the citizen's obligation to obey and pay taxes to a crooked government and it seems the only way to not contribute to all the insanity is to live in a cabin in the woods and try to be completely self reliant. I'm no anti-capitalist, I just think there is a right way and a wrong way to conduct business.

Your videos are often a anecdote to my pessimism and I cannot express in words how grateful I and probably all your audience are in you disseminating this much needed knowledge.

Get back to the farm, get back to the land. Get back to the community. We can recreate great American culture once we get past the horizontal hostility. Through a parallel economy we can out compete and big industry.

Thanks for sharing, Dr. H! I quite agree with your poignant observation about modern life and will happily continue to listen. 🤝

I love Wendell Berry's poetry.

I do hope your channel continues to grow! This is great content and found myself wanting more of this. Keep up the great work.

Wonderful perspective. Thank you for this. As always looking forward to your next talk. On either channel.

Could you start putting the book titles and authors in the video description? Please?!

The Church and Farming by Fr Denis Fahey is a great read. Mentions the Pope Pius XII (I believe) encyclical on the importance of getting back to farms in Italy after WWII.

One of the greatest tragedies of modern society is that most will never know the satisfaction of a smoke after a good meal.

Excellent very true 👏hope your power is back have a blessed Sunday God Bless thanks 🙏

Sir,excellent !!!

Dr. Harrelson, in an age of short form video I find myself struggling to pay attention to long form. I found myself thinking to myself get to the point already. This mentality spills over into everything we do in modern society. I appreciate the pacing of this video and the content. Well done, and thank you. Keep up the good work!

I appreciate your content, Dr. Harrelson. I followed your links, and I purchased both recommended books. Fellow convert to the one true and apostolic Church, new pipe-smoker, newly relocated to Mississippi.

Love ya man!!!!

Our age is increasingly nihilistic, the more our society refuses to embrace God and Tradition the worse it will get. Kids today have no direction, and being in my late 20s I didn’t either until I embraced Catholic Christianity. Thankfully there are a number of smart people who are starting to wake up.

Nice. 👍. Well said.

Great video. I’m teaching 6th grade world history next year, any tips, recommendations, etc for someone new to teaching history?

This video spoke to my soul. I’ve Been thinking and feeling this way sinse I was 18 years old in 2012. Now as a 31 year old it has become a living nightmare of sorts. My wife and I are very traditional, she stays at home and raises the boys and I go to work and try to make enough to pay the bills in this inflated economy. A single family income as a blue collar worker with the desire to be home at a decent hour just to be a “normal” or “traditional” dad is near impossible. I find myself wondering how it’s all going to work out. Of course the easy answer is “just have your wife go get a job and send your kids to day care 40 hours a week”…. And then “go get the better paying job working in that factory on third shift”…. Yes modern life does suck. It’s not being poor that I mind… I’m ok with that… it’s that the system is so rigged against the traditional home and family values that gets me. I feel like I’m constantly walking against a strong current, constantly trying to just get back to what should be “normal”…

Dear Dr Harrelson, PLEASE do not leave the door open on the fire in your woodburner. Modern wood stoves heat most efficiently with the door closed, once you adjust the vents and drafts after your fire is burning properly. Door open, you run the risk of (1) carbon monoxide build-up, and (2) the occasional piece of wood that "pops" and throws dangerous sparks out onto you, your children, pets, floor, or your rugs. 3) you burn wood faster than necessary for efficient heating. This from an old codger who has had several wood stoves for many years in many houses. All the best & keep up the good work.

The international jew by Henry Ford

Ig-nor-ance, that's why.....

love this topic! Keep it coming!

New follower. Dig the content! Technology has made our lives better in some ways and probably much worse in others. There are no solutions, only trade offs. The difference between today and centuries ago is that the powers that be today have the capability to make your life absolutely miserable if you don’t dance the tune they want you to. Dictators of the old could only dream of such power. What’s the moral of the story? We need strong and capable leaders, not elitists thumping their noses at us. 😮😅🙏🏼

Dr. Harrelson, I could not agree more with your thoughts on this topic. I have grown tired of modern society, especially engaging with all those running on the perpetual cycle of convenience provided in exchange for a paycheck. I am a truck driver by trade, and I constantly deal with people in a hurry. It is why I chose to reject modern convenience and live "off grid". As you well know, this has become quite a fad in recent years, resulting in one of the biggest back to the land movements of the modern day. Unlike most though, I have no solar panels or generators, I am working towards living as simply as my great grandparents did. I get much more value out of doing a chore like hand splitting a winter's supply of firewood instead of working to make money to pay for heat. The simplicity has resulted in greater peace and happiness. My phone and the radio in the car are the only connections to the modern world of technology, and if it wasn't for my job, I might dispose of the phone and car also. Keep the good videos coming, we enjoy them

Really enjoying your new channel, thank you so much for adding to your video library for our benefit.

Thanks for this! I discovered distributivism when I discovered the American Solidarity Party in 2019. Alan, are you familiar with the ASP? If so, can you speak to how this party's economics platform aligns with and differs from Southern Agrarian thought?

I really appreciate and enjoy your content.

Splendid video!

Doc, am i wrong for wanting to run off into the forest and live like a hermit? Im so angry all the time and my tolerance for people is waning year after year. I just want to hide amongst the trees. Should i go to a shrink or go through with our plans?

*Capitalism* working as _intended_ 💀☠💀

people can not hold a conversation. they dont have the mental power, concentration, or patience to do so, when i grew up old people sat on the porches or yards in the evenings talking telling stories, as a little one, I would sit by their side and listen to their stories about days gone by , be it great depression, ww2 or the great tornado and the aftermath. people may hold on to those terms dinner time,suppertime, but they dont know what it means. my friend in nebraska is talking to me on the phone and the siren goes off there and she says thats the time people stop work and go home for supper or dinner(i forgot which),theyl have alot of people twork on ranches and farms. I ask her then why dont you have a big meal waiting for your man at noon(so it can sustain him) it doesnt register. People yearn for something but they dont know what it means. they get mad at me when I mention things that he said. the city life is where the intelligent people live, the ones that count.

Fay (as in hay or pay)

Where are you from with that accent?

👍🏻👍🏻❤️

Arguably, one of the biggest curse of modern society is the internet. If only we could pull the plug, a degree of sanity may be restored.

Life in 1,000,000 BC. Life Sucks Life in 33 AD. Life Sucks Life in 1945 AD. LIfe Sucks Life in 2024 AD. Life Sucks Life in 2029 AD. Life Sucks Life in 3411 AD. Life Sucks

The problem I have with living off the Grid and all Agricultural societies is that it means more for women to do less responsibility on men. While the man is sitting in front of the fire place, the little lady would be cooking, baking bread, washing and cleaning. Also Off the Grid can be more expensive. E.g say I bake, a ready made cake would have been cheaper down at the Big Box Chain Supermarket vs baking a cake. I really therefore bake from scratch for my own personal hobby. Also as a shortcut I know how to use a cake mix add other things and make it seem deliciously homemade ----that method with cake mix is way cheaper than making a cake from scratch.