You deserve a break today! So sit back and relax for about a half hour to watch a little video treat I have for you. If you don't have that kind of time just now, I know that later there is about a half hour of bad sitcom or even worse election coverage that you'll be able to live without. The title sounds kind of gloomy, I know, but it has a happy ending.
This is what I am talking about when I mention peak oil. In the end, where it talks about working toward the future (albeit with a higher level of manual labor), that is what Joe and I are working on now. I'll find a similarly watchable video on Permaculture soon so that you all can get a deeper understanding of that concept as well.
4 comments:
You posted this at exactly the right time! I was preparing for my environmental soc class and decided to show it on the spur of the moment. It was perfect! Just what we'd been talking about the past two weeks. Thanks so much!!
Afterward, the class had a rather good discussion. I brought up that some have argued that the "self sufficiency" movement is perhaps isolating us even more from members of our community. What say you to this?
I think self sufficiency could promote isolation, and many use it that way. However, where we have come to as a family, is that the only true sufficiency involves close relationships with people you live near (community!) So, although in years past we have avoided contact with the people in our immediate area, we are making strides with interaction with our community.
It could also be argued that electronic "social networking" can isolate us because, although we are indeed having interaction with others, very little of that interaction is real, meaningful, or constructive of true community.
Several students made similar comments re: the isolating effects of electronic social networking. I have to agree, also. I think some might see those individuals who have completely shut themselves off from society (if that is really truly possible), who have locked the hatch, and are threatening to shoot anyone who dares step on their property as evidence of self sufficiency creating isolationism. I agree with you, that true sustainability can only come through community.
Barb, I might just take you up on that offer to come talk with the class. We'll be discussing sustainability toward the end of the semester, perhaps then? We'll talk. Thanks for the offer!
Dear god, woman! That was hardly a happy ending!!! I am very depressed. Sigh....You should offer courses in self-sufficiency - internships even for room and board on your family farm - you get free labor, we get to survive! Now there's a happy ending I could live with!
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