Lifeboat Communities
How do we go from talking about lifeboat communities to actually creating them? Well, let's keep talking until we have a definite solutions!
Check out the archdruid's blog: Lifeboat communities
Washington County Peak Oil
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August 8th, 2007
More edges
Lifeboat communities, for whatever reason, have never really stuck with me. Maybe because a boat is in itself, quarantined, separate, and distinct. And doing that for "life" is really an unappetizing thought for me.
I prefer to think of community in a more permaculture-esqe way. Toby Hemenway's book has been very valuable for me and I've referred to it often. He suggests in our gardens that we create edges, rather than smooth, straight lines. He notes that "Edges are where things happen." And also "Edges are not a static place, they are the result of relationships between two or more dynamic pieces of the living landscapes."
And for me, the last part of his quote is very insightful in this lifeboat discussion. To continue to separate ourselves from the landscape with a lifeboat community (however metaphorical), is not helpful for me. Instead, my approach is to become more integrated into the "dynamic pieces of the living" community. Groups can be considered dynamic pieces of the whole community, just like this notion in permaculture suggests of the landscape.
One might take the concepts of zones in permaculture to think about how to do that in a methodical way. I have not done this, but it might be a useful and interesting exercise in determining which groups to connect with and at what level/frequency/depth. I'm really looking forward to reading Holmgren's latest on Permaculture to learn more and continue thinking on this topic.
August 8th, 2007
Lifeboat communities
I agree that the metaphor of the 'lifeboat' isn't exactly inviting, but when floating in a sea of petroleum-dependency, it would be nice to have a place where life wasn't dependent on unsustainable resources or slave labor.
I like the quote about the edges. I believe boundaries are important- but only to the point of personal responsibilities and respect for other's. I don't believe in 'quarantines'. Also, a lifeboat community doesn't have to have geographical boundaries- although that would naturally be limited by sustainable transportation constraints.
I read a little bit of Toby's website, about how he did some time with self-sufficiency in Southern Oregon, only to move back into the heart of Portland. My sense was that he felt isolated philosophically and politically from his red-neck (my description) neighbors. Boy, I can relate to that, living in the Helvetia area...
My criticsm of Toby is as follows: (This is without reading a whole lot of his work...so please correct me if I'm off base)
a. He underappreciates the possibility of a serious economic catastrophy relating to Peak Oil. History has given us too many lessons of what the consequences are when empires collapse. What would be the prudent thing to do? In my opinion, expect the best - but prepare for the worst. It may not happen in my lifetime, but I would like to pass the skills down to the kids.
b. In terms of his permaculture ideas, I didn't see anything in the table of contents on how he would maintain a balanced and healthy diet for his family. I recommend this book: 'One Circle' from Bountiful Gardens http://www.bountifulgardens.org/prodinfo.asp?number=BEA%2D0370.
c. How is he going to heat his older house in SE Portland when we get that week-long of only 10 degrees in January?
August 8th, 2007
Good discussion
Thanks for the link. I checked it out and Toby's book is among those they sell, so I'm wondering if we aren't splitting hairs here and the two approaches (lifeboats and my edges post/approach circa permaculture philosophy) are "cousins," if you will.
My inability to embrace the lifeboat frame doesn't mean that it should dissuade anyone from becoming familiar with the concept or building to that end. Just as lack of affinity for permaculture philosophy and actions won't dissuade me from pursuing them. I think there are many approaches that will be successful and no one right way. In fact, I think the more examples and the more network we get established under whatever banner, the better off the everyone will be.
A few links for specific action items to prepare for peak oil, related to social networks and personal readiness, that might be useful for discussion and thought:
http://groovygreen.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=347&Ite...
http://groovygreen.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=349&Ite...