“While his vocation doesn’t directly challenge established power, his redirection of his life energy helps establish a kind of field or template for others to do the same. His example encourages other kinds of non-participation. When any of us meet someone who rejects dominant norms and values, we feel a little less crazy for doing the same. Any act of rebellion or non-participation, even on a very small scale, is therefore a political act. Building boats by hand is a political act.”

Charles Eisenstein

http://www.filmsforaction.org/articles/the-cynic-and-the-boatbuilder/