ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Features → Culture → Bizarre Stories

The man who gave up money and lives in a cave in Utah

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
April 17, 2014 - Updated on April 28, 2023
in Bizarre Stories, Features, People
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

A while ago, we were telling you about the Iranian man who lives alone in the desert and hasn’t washed in 60 years; today’s story is similar, but very different. New footage has revealed insight into the life of Daniel Suelo – the man who has chosen to live without money for the past 12 years in a cave in Utah.

His story was pretty well known and inspiring for many Americans, but he went off the radar in the recent years, and nobody really knew what was going on with him. Mark Sundeen, author and friend of Daniel, has written a biography about his lifestyle after following him closely for several years, but even he admits losing contact with Daniel in the past years.

The man who quit money from Sacred Resonance on Vimeo.

Suelo is now 51, and he gave up using money in 2000, leaving his last $30 in a phone booth, and walking into the desert to start a new life in Moab, Utah. However, for a man who lives outside the monetary system, Suelo is pretty connected – he has a blog where he constantly writes; recently, he left the desert to visit his parents and celebrate his father’s 86th birthday. It’s pretty interesting to read.

RelatedPosts

Could climate change actually wipe out humanity? Researchers say we need to study this ASAP
How bacteria control their size and remain uniform
Vaping might be a gateway to smoking tobacco for teenagers
Classrooms become battlefield for climate talks

‘I don’t use or accept money or conscious barter – don’t take food stamps or other government dole. My philosophy is to use only what is freely given or discarded and what is already present and already running (whether or not I existed). Our whole society is designed so that you have to have money,’ Suelo added. ‘You have to be a part of the capitalist system. It’s illegal to live outside of it.’

In the past years, he has set up a rather cozy home in a cave, 200 feet across and 50 feet tall, on the edge of a cliff in the Arches National Park, Utah. He carved a bed out of rock, foraged for food, drank from springs and bathed in a creek. He often eats cactus or wildflower seeds, and wants to keep his ecological footprint as small as possible. Any hiker is welcome to share his home, the books that he reads, and whatever food he eats.

So what do you think about this? He is clearly an educated man with clearly defined beliefs – and dedicated to them. Is this a laudable example, or is it yet another crazy man living in the wild? I think there’s a lot to learn from his story – more than from the Iranian man. He seems happy – and maybe that’s the most important thing. As always, I’m looking forward to hearing your opinions.

 

Share15TweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Invertebrates

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

byMihai Andrei
2 days ago
History

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

byMihai Andrei
2 days ago
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons
Bizarre Stories

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

byMihai Andrei
2 days ago
News

The Strongest Solar Storm Ever Was 500 Times More Powerful Than Anything We’ve Seen in Modern Times. It Left Its Mark in a 14,000-Year-Old Tree

byTibi Puiu
2 days ago

Recent news

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

May 16, 2025

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

May 16, 2025
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

May 16, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.