They could certainly imagine investing: they have been invaded by cattle people over the last half century and they see husbandry all around. And they certainly could have afforded to keep their animals. But they just didn’t (seem to) have it in them to “delay gratification”. I think that our ability to invest and save resources must be new and different in our evolution.
Food for her and to support a ritual gathering of folks for support. There is no medical care out in the bush, but if there were people would certainly chip in to help pay for it.
Is your point that they couldn’t imagine investing for the future, or that they had so little slack that they couldn’t afford to?
They could certainly imagine investing: they have been invaded by cattle people over the last half century and they see husbandry all around. And they certainly could have afforded to keep their animals. But they just didn’t (seem to) have it in them to “delay gratification”. I think that our ability to invest and save resources must be new and different in our evolution.
My impression is that hunter-gatherers have a huge amount of social pressure towards short-term sharing.
You mentioned “Aunt Nettie getting sick” as a reason to slaughter cattle. Was it food for her? Expensive medical care or rituals? Something else?
Food for her and to support a ritual gathering of folks for support. There is no medical care out in the bush, but if there were people would certainly chip in to help pay for it.
HCH