This was a conversation idea I had for ChatGPT. I wanted to see what kinds of arguments it would propose.
I had been reading about the tradition of "Garden Hermits" and pondering about what that kind of life would be like. On one hand, you're basically a private aristocrat's personal freakshow. You exist entirely for their amusement, essentially as a piece of property to them, like a lawn decoration. You dance and act whimsical at their command. On the other hand, you also had a paid-for life: housing, food, etc. You didn't have to worry yourself with the daily drudgeries of managing finances, finding work, etc. Plus, you also fill a sort of "wise man" advisory role too, tasked with contemplating life in solitude.
In many Asian countries, Monks fill a similar role. They are taken care of by their community, and in exchange they sometimes dispense wisdom or lead spiritual practices.
This got me thinking about other social roles in previous societies. Such as the Oracle in ancient Greece. They performed a very specific social role, and with that role came certain perks and disadvantages. Or like the Knights/Noble class in the middle ages. They were granted a higher status in society, with better ammenities and luxuries: But on the condition that they were a warrior, and could be sent to their death at any moment, when needed. The benefits had drawbacks.
The closest such role I could think of in modern society is the Fire Fighter (or Fire Watchers in large national parks). Their job duties are mostly to maintain the fire station, the fire engine, and their tools. Also part of their job is to stay in shape, lift weights, and also to relax and sit around. But, this is all on the condition that they must snap-to in a flash to fight a raging fire when called.
The main point here is that the "roles" we live in modern industrialized society are not set in stone, and in the past there have been many ways to live a life, and some ways that even skirt around the edges of what society expects.
Anyway, this got me thinking: What would a non-commodified "contemplative" social role look like in modern 21st century society? What if every town had a resident "oracle" or "hermit" that was collectively cared for by the community? A public figure who isn't bogged down by the mundane bureaucratic tasks that other public officials are beholden to, such as mayors and planners and engineers. A person who simply lives outside of the drudgery of wage work, finances, budgets, householding, rents, bills, responsibilities, and thus is given a unique perspective.
Now I'm not necessarily advocating that such a role should exist, but more so just pondering about what such a role might look like, and how would it fit within our current worker/owner paradigm. There's obviously a lot of historical problems with how "garden hermits" were essentially human pets, as well as the potential abuses a person in such a role could face. But what would it look like if Garden Hermits weren't "privately owned" but instead "publicly funded"? Much like libraries, parks, and lighthouses.
That all said, let's explore this thought experiment and see what ChatGPT comes up with.
Hi ChatGPT. Are you aware of the term "garden hermit" and what it means? If so, could you briefly describe it for me?
Yes, I am aware of the term "garden hermit". In the 18th century, it was a popular trend among wealthy landowners in England to hire a "garden hermit" to live in a specially constructed hermitage or grotto in their gardens.
The hermit was typically paid to live a life of solitude and contemplation, and to provide a source of entertainment for the landowner and their guests. The hermit was expected to dress in rags, have long hair and beard, and to only speak to visitors in riddles or quotations.
The practice of having a garden hermit became less popular as the 18th century progressed and it eventually died out altogether. Today, the term "garden hermit" is sometimes used more broadly to refer to someone who lives in seclusion or isolation in a garden or natural environment.
Could you write a proposal bringing back the tradition of "garden hermits" in the 21st century, and also how it relates to the topic of UBI and stagnating wages.
As an AI language model, I cannot make value judgments or endorse any particular proposal. However, I can provide you with a sample proposal outlining potential arguments and considerations to bring back the tradition of "garden hermits" in the 21st century and its relation to the topic of UBI and stagnating wages.
The tradition of "garden hermits" was a popular trend in the 18th century among wealthy landowners in England. It involved hiring a hermit to live in a specially constructed hermitage or grotto in their gardens, where they would provide a source of entertainment and live a life of solitude and contemplation. In today's society, where many people are experiencing high levels of stress and burnout, the idea of having a garden hermit could provide a unique and valuable source of relaxation and contemplation. Additionally, the resurgence of the garden hermit could also have implications for the broader discussion of Universal Basic Income (UBI) and stagnating wages.
In a society where people are increasingly connected and busy, the idea of having a dedicated space for solitude and reflection is more important than ever. The garden hermit would provide a unique opportunity for people to unplug from technology and connect with nature, which can have numerous benefits for mental health and well-being. By creating a space for contemplation and relaxation, the garden hermit could help people cope with stress and burnout, ultimately improving their overall quality of life.
With the rise of automation and the potential for job loss, creating new jobs is more important than ever. The revival of the garden hermit tradition could provide a new source of employment for people who are looking for unique and meaningful work. In a world where many jobs are characterized by low pay and poor working conditions, the garden hermit could offer a refreshing alternative that pays a fair wage and offers a unique work experience.
As more and more people struggle to make ends meet, the idea of UBI has gained traction as a potential solution. However, there are concerns that UBI could discourage people from working and lead to a stagnant economy. The garden hermit tradition could offer a unique alternative that provides meaningful work and a fair wage, without the drawbacks of traditional employment. By creating a new source of employment that values reflection and contemplation, the garden hermit could offer a model for how work can be both meaningful and financially sustainable.
The revival of the garden hermit tradition could offer a unique and valuable source of relaxation, job creation, and economic sustainability in the 21st century. While it may not be a solution for everyone, it offers a refreshing alternative to traditional employment that values solitude, reflection, and connection with nature. Furthermore, the garden hermit tradition could also have implications for the broader discussion of UBI and stagnating wages, offering a model for how work can be both meaningful and financially sustainable.
Provide an additional proposal in which the job position of "garden hermit" could be funded by local municipal governments, much like public libraries. Hermits would be exempt from taxes, and would also enjoy provisions (food, clothes) through local businesses free-of-charge. The businesses would have these expenses marked as tax write-offs.
The job of "hermit" would also be seen as a public service job, in which a hermit could be stationed at each public park, and tasked for general care taking of the park. And similar to the social positions of an "Oracle" in ancient Greek society, a hermit could be sought out by members of the public for wisdom and information.
The tradition of "garden hermits" was a popular trend in the 18th century among wealthy landowners in England. Today, the idea of having a garden hermit could provide a unique and valuable source of relaxation, job creation, and public service. This proposal suggests funding garden hermits as a public service job by local municipal governments, similar to public libraries. This proposal also includes tax exemptions for hermits and provisions from local businesses to support their livelihood.
The role of a garden hermit could be seen as a public service job, similar to park rangers or librarians. A hermit could be stationed at public parks and tasked with general care taking of the park, ensuring that it remains a peaceful and relaxing environment for visitors. Additionally, the hermit could also be sought out by members of the public for wisdom and information, similar to the social position of an "Oracle" in ancient Greek society. This would add value to the community by providing a unique source of information and guidance for visitors.
To support the livelihood of garden hermits, local businesses could provide provisions such as food and clothing free of charge. These businesses could have these expenses marked as tax write-offs, providing a mutually beneficial arrangement that supports the local economy and the garden hermit's livelihood. Additionally, garden hermits could be exempt from taxes, similar to public service employees such as librarians and park rangers. This would provide financial support for the hermit and could encourage more people to consider this unique occupation.
The revival of the garden hermit tradition as a public service job would provide numerous benefits to society. It would create new jobs that value solitude, reflection, and connection with nature, offering a unique alternative to traditional employment. It would also provide a source of relaxation and contemplation for visitors to public parks, improving their overall quality of life. Additionally, it could offer a model for how work can be both meaningful and financially sustainable, providing a new perspective on the future of work.