Of course it's possible to survive without it all :) But you're talking about necessity versus choice.

The original posts asked if civilisation was worth the complexity that goes with it.
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But - with respect - the most likely reason that it was 'the best week ever' was because deep down you knew you could go back to the other life once you were through with the experience.

Your/our...

Surely the complexity has always been there. It's just awareness and understanding of it that has changed, resulting in being able to use it in different - and far more useful - ways?