(no subject)
For the last week and a half, I've been doing a Winter sessions course at uni called Global Crisis: Transfer to a Sustainable Society.
For some time now I've begun to believe that simplier and more energy efficient living is the way to go. We have looked into Earthships, which are a house made of earth and recycled materials, such as tyres and aluminium cans. We've also looked at getting away from this hole of a city, this rat race, this world economic crisis. Doing this course has solidified certain beliefs regarding this that I have gained through research and discussion.
As a world, the life we live is not sustainable. No way, no how. Look at it from any possible direction - if we continue to grow in the way that we are, there will be no world left to inhabit in a startlingly short period of time. Now, personally, I don't believe that anything you or I say or do can stop that. The crash is inevitable. However, I for one do not want to be around when it happens. In addition, I would rather not contribute to it at all, or at least as little as possible.
What am I talking about?
What if there was a group of people - of like-mind, attitude, beliefs, values - that formed a community. What if this community grew its own fruits and vegetables, produced its own animal products - dairy, eggs, wool, manure - built its own houses, gathered its own energy from the sun, air and water. There would be no need to pay for rent, electricity, gas, water, most foods and simple household products. To get the money required to purchase those things we could not produce, you would need to work no more than 2 days a week. We would support each other, work together, play together. We would breathe good air and eat good food. Depression, anxiety, stress, and all the physical ailments that come from our current lifestyle would be all but eliminated.
To me, this paints the picture of a Utopian society. To others, who crave their video games and designer clothes and painted nails and fancy houses, this is hell. Which are you? If the option was there, would you jump at the chance to live this life? Or would you rather work 5 days a week, or more, breathe fumes and eat pesticides, pay for the things that should come given, water, shelter, food, and ignore the fact that you are destroying the earth?
There will be no bludging and avoidance, there will be no dramas that we cannot solve simply, there will be no laziness, there will be no waste of time or resources. It will be a life filled with work, but one where work and leisure are the same. It will be hard, no doubt, but rewarding.
Will you come live in my self-sustainable community?
For some time now I've begun to believe that simplier and more energy efficient living is the way to go. We have looked into Earthships, which are a house made of earth and recycled materials, such as tyres and aluminium cans. We've also looked at getting away from this hole of a city, this rat race, this world economic crisis. Doing this course has solidified certain beliefs regarding this that I have gained through research and discussion.
As a world, the life we live is not sustainable. No way, no how. Look at it from any possible direction - if we continue to grow in the way that we are, there will be no world left to inhabit in a startlingly short period of time. Now, personally, I don't believe that anything you or I say or do can stop that. The crash is inevitable. However, I for one do not want to be around when it happens. In addition, I would rather not contribute to it at all, or at least as little as possible.
What am I talking about?
What if there was a group of people - of like-mind, attitude, beliefs, values - that formed a community. What if this community grew its own fruits and vegetables, produced its own animal products - dairy, eggs, wool, manure - built its own houses, gathered its own energy from the sun, air and water. There would be no need to pay for rent, electricity, gas, water, most foods and simple household products. To get the money required to purchase those things we could not produce, you would need to work no more than 2 days a week. We would support each other, work together, play together. We would breathe good air and eat good food. Depression, anxiety, stress, and all the physical ailments that come from our current lifestyle would be all but eliminated.
To me, this paints the picture of a Utopian society. To others, who crave their video games and designer clothes and painted nails and fancy houses, this is hell. Which are you? If the option was there, would you jump at the chance to live this life? Or would you rather work 5 days a week, or more, breathe fumes and eat pesticides, pay for the things that should come given, water, shelter, food, and ignore the fact that you are destroying the earth?
There will be no bludging and avoidance, there will be no dramas that we cannot solve simply, there will be no laziness, there will be no waste of time or resources. It will be a life filled with work, but one where work and leisure are the same. It will be hard, no doubt, but rewarding.
Will you come live in my self-sustainable community?