Stepping Into the Unknown
It's Saturday, the morning after my friends Sara and Amelia arrived. They are great folks and fun to have around. Last night Amelia performed with her burlesque troop "Diamond Daggers" at Club Fab here in Guerneville. I went home before they performed because I was in a bad space which I won't go into now. I mention this though because I realize I'm a very different person than I was 10, 5, even one year ago. I'm sure this is stating the obvious, but at 34, it's hard to be around 20 something baby dykes looking for a shag. I'm just not feeling it .
This morning, Sara and Amelia and I had a great conversation about the idea of "collectivism" and creating a system where we can be more sustainable both financially and socially. It was a interesting discussion which I want to explore in the coming months. My previous post may have sounded bitter, but that wasn't the intention. I really was trying to illustrate how the idea of working for bosses/people (though may work for some) does not work for me. I'm also in a place where in my activism I want to explore sustainable systems for communities, environmental, economic and social. I'm really obsessed with Self Sufficiency at the moment (that is not at the expense of others or the environment).
I think a lot about Ghandi and how he lead India to Independence from the great British Empire. His mantra of Self Sufficiency is what brought his country independence, and although that nation has strayed from Ghandi's original ideals somewhat, his legacy was a powerful seed of something possible. I really want to document these models in the coming months that exist around the world. From Buddist Monestaries to European Squats, I know people are living in models that offer an alternative to this individualistic drain that is consumerism. Suffice it to say, I don't think collectivism as many of us know it is the answer. And probably many of these collectives that I wish to document will have serious flaws. Sara and Amelia, quite rightly pointed out that these models easily fall apart when some have more assets than others, or some do more work than others, or there is a lack of affinity. But I feel in my heart there is a way to live off the grid, create new societys, be autonomous, and still make a contribution to positive change, with a solid intention of creating a better quality of life for every living thing. More importantly, I believe it is possible to set up models for that system to become Viral (like the mass actions of the Global Justice movement), that is, live an off the grid lifestyle and show others how to do it (or at least function as a model). I know there are people out there in past and present history who have done this. Yesterday I signed off my percentage to the "collective venture" of Sparks which was essentially, dare I say, a great learning experience in the collective process. My biggest lessons learned from that venture were to:
1. Always know the people well before entering into a collective situation AND work with them in a lower financial risk collective before diving in deep together. Get all financial agreements on paper in case there is disagreement and do your homework on understanding the legalities of what you are entering into.
2. Make sure all people in the collective bring in equal assets, or buy out those who have initially brought in more so that everyone is on equal grounds.
3. Make an equal commitment to the venture in terms of time and energy. If that is not possible, then create a structure of understanding and an exit strategy.
4. Have a solid, agreed upon exit strategy for all involved in the collective so that no one feels trapped or loaded with too much responsiblity, and if they want to get out, they can, without the entire collective falling apart.
I know there is a group in the East Bay who is setting up a free school taught by radicals and progressives alike to teach children about how to create a better society. I know there are activists setting up Biodiesel gas stations, converting Diesel Engines to run on Vegetable Oil. I know it is possible to run your entire house from the Sun, and compost your toilet waste. I know you can have a full permaculture garden that can sustain a family of four on less than an acre year round. The greatest obstacles to these things are often time, lack of land ownership and money. But I am posing the question, is it still possible? Is there a way to set up a functioning off the grid inentional community for people who aren't rich or on trust funds that can help sustain its members in the process?
If anyone has other ideas or comments on these ideas, I'd love to hear them. If you don't want to join blogspot, just email me and I'd be happy to post them. I'd love to get the juices flowing with you all.
The next time I'll write I will probably be in Newcastle, UK. I'll be staying with my pal Helen, doing some surfing along the English coast and doing a screening of some RNC related stuff/Whispered Media shorts at a cool cinema collective called the side cinema.
Check them out at
www.sidecinema.com (or .org?)
That's all for now.
-s
This morning, Sara and Amelia and I had a great conversation about the idea of "collectivism" and creating a system where we can be more sustainable both financially and socially. It was a interesting discussion which I want to explore in the coming months. My previous post may have sounded bitter, but that wasn't the intention. I really was trying to illustrate how the idea of working for bosses/people (though may work for some) does not work for me. I'm also in a place where in my activism I want to explore sustainable systems for communities, environmental, economic and social. I'm really obsessed with Self Sufficiency at the moment (that is not at the expense of others or the environment).
I think a lot about Ghandi and how he lead India to Independence from the great British Empire. His mantra of Self Sufficiency is what brought his country independence, and although that nation has strayed from Ghandi's original ideals somewhat, his legacy was a powerful seed of something possible. I really want to document these models in the coming months that exist around the world. From Buddist Monestaries to European Squats, I know people are living in models that offer an alternative to this individualistic drain that is consumerism. Suffice it to say, I don't think collectivism as many of us know it is the answer. And probably many of these collectives that I wish to document will have serious flaws. Sara and Amelia, quite rightly pointed out that these models easily fall apart when some have more assets than others, or some do more work than others, or there is a lack of affinity. But I feel in my heart there is a way to live off the grid, create new societys, be autonomous, and still make a contribution to positive change, with a solid intention of creating a better quality of life for every living thing. More importantly, I believe it is possible to set up models for that system to become Viral (like the mass actions of the Global Justice movement), that is, live an off the grid lifestyle and show others how to do it (or at least function as a model). I know there are people out there in past and present history who have done this. Yesterday I signed off my percentage to the "collective venture" of Sparks which was essentially, dare I say, a great learning experience in the collective process. My biggest lessons learned from that venture were to:
1. Always know the people well before entering into a collective situation AND work with them in a lower financial risk collective before diving in deep together. Get all financial agreements on paper in case there is disagreement and do your homework on understanding the legalities of what you are entering into.
2. Make sure all people in the collective bring in equal assets, or buy out those who have initially brought in more so that everyone is on equal grounds.
3. Make an equal commitment to the venture in terms of time and energy. If that is not possible, then create a structure of understanding and an exit strategy.
4. Have a solid, agreed upon exit strategy for all involved in the collective so that no one feels trapped or loaded with too much responsiblity, and if they want to get out, they can, without the entire collective falling apart.
I know there is a group in the East Bay who is setting up a free school taught by radicals and progressives alike to teach children about how to create a better society. I know there are activists setting up Biodiesel gas stations, converting Diesel Engines to run on Vegetable Oil. I know it is possible to run your entire house from the Sun, and compost your toilet waste. I know you can have a full permaculture garden that can sustain a family of four on less than an acre year round. The greatest obstacles to these things are often time, lack of land ownership and money. But I am posing the question, is it still possible? Is there a way to set up a functioning off the grid inentional community for people who aren't rich or on trust funds that can help sustain its members in the process?
If anyone has other ideas or comments on these ideas, I'd love to hear them. If you don't want to join blogspot, just email me and I'd be happy to post them. I'd love to get the juices flowing with you all.
The next time I'll write I will probably be in Newcastle, UK. I'll be staying with my pal Helen, doing some surfing along the English coast and doing a screening of some RNC related stuff/Whispered Media shorts at a cool cinema collective called the side cinema.
Check them out at
www.sidecinema.com (or .org?)
That's all for now.
-s
posted by Mr. Sophie at 11:03 AM
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