[jerf]

True, but only on a limited basis. It's not scalable, and in keeping with the GP's point, it's important not to draw too grandiose a claim out of this. It doesn't take too many people trying to do this before it would stop working and become much less like "scavanging off an affluent society" and much more "nature, red in tooth and claw". To those who are willing to do this, god-speed, but you haven't found a universally better lifestyle that all should look at in awe and agree that it's a trenchant criticism of the unnecessary nature of the rat race of society or something; you've just found a niche that works for you, but you're still consuming the output of the "rat race" and you really shouldn't forget it.