World Domination Gardening 3-DVD set - Kickstarter

I like the title. It grabs the attention, and sounds like someone hawking a wrestling style extravaganza. Then it hits you with gardening. Which makes you pause and say huh?
This is the kind of title that catches my attention most often and draws me in for a second look.

I am in an awkward space. I made a statement about 3000 kickstarter supporters. I was certain that we would quickly hit 3000 and the future would be clear. But we are at 817. So ... oh ... this is awkward. I was so sure that out of 15,500 people on this list, surely 3000 would put in a buck and ... Okay, here are my exact words: "if we get 3000 supporters total (there are 399 supporters at this moment - and we have 11 days to go) we will make the video free to the world."

So, it looks like we won't hit 3000. So, to see this, then you gotta shell out one dollar.

At the same time, I was hoping that we could make this and it would be a gateway video to permaculture - maybe it will be a key piece at changing the world. And we could still hit 3000, but 2183 people need to shell out one dollar.

I made a statement about 3000, if I gave it away and we didn't hit 3000, then .... well, I just cannot do that. Now my innards are kinda twisted. I need to change the world and I need to honor what I said. So after stewing on this for days I need to be clear: if we don't hit 3000 supporters, this will be limited to just the supporters. It will never be free.

We have 52 hours left! If you haven't put anything in, please throw in a dollar!



http://kck.st/1jtmswG

Ok Paul, signed up for the kickstarter, now I'm three for three...
Got a question for you, do you know if Geoff will send out an email for the next online pdc when sign-ups begin? I know march 29th is the date,
Been looking for the page I need to go to so I can get in on the fun right away.

Eva Taylor wrote:
Got a question for you, do you know if Geoff will send out an email for the next online pdc when sign-ups begin? I know march 29th is the date,
Been looking for the page I need to go to so I can get in on the fun right away.

Start a thread in the "permaculture design" forum asking about getting set up with Geoff's PDC. Then send me an email with a link to that thread. I will then ask Geoff to reply to it.

Ok, done!

Thanks Paul!

Paul, please consider that some of the plans you've laid out are liable to run into what I refer to as "Kickstarter fatigue". It's not like the products lack quality, but with so many things that folks may want to support there comes times when they'll feel they have to say "I'm gonna sit this one out."

I love to support the FTCLDF, independent media sources, some of your stuff, Geoff's stuff, some of Jack Spirko's stuff, and various other subscriptions, charities, and one-time opportunities - all of which add up. I think it was 12 Kickstarters per year that was mentioned as a goal in a recent podcast. No matter what they are, I would probably choose two of those to participate in. If you did just two in a year, I would probably participate in two. It might be just me, but I think that there is not a simple multiplier at work here.

I hope you take this in the positive nature with which I offer these thoughts.

Mike, I hear what you're saying about supporting fatigue, but could you consider a $1 or $5 option? The DVD project is funded, and anything that comes in is key to support all of the work being done at Wheaton Laboratories, but my impression is that the focus today is on getting 3000 people to chip in just a little bit, for the mini-documentary.

Nobody should feel obligated to tithe 10% of their income (or any %) towards Paul, or permaculture, or saving the world in general. Everybody should do what they can do.

However! If many of us take the time (when you're talking just $1, I figure the barrier is time rather than money) to click over and support the hugelkultur video, then we've done a lot to move things forward.

I am also worried about kickstarter fatigue.

And the current plan is to try and do four per year.

At the same time .... I cannot begin to think of how to convey this .... it just sounds stupid .... I am now wired in a seriously fucked up way. I have an extremely rare opportunity to not just change the world, but CHANGE THE WORLD! Me. Pollution, war, starvation, cancer .... I see the path and everyday is thinking about how to optimize my forward velocity. I am freakishly obsessed.

More money means more velocity.

Four kickstarters will bring in more than three.

At the same time, I like the idea that I start a kickstarter, send stuff out on the daily-ish email and everything is auto-pilot from there. From the beginning on this one I felt like things were not going forward as much as before. So what should I do differently? Lots of experimenting and ... now these are lessons for the future.

I am getting better at this (although each kickstarter has brought in less - so maybe I am wrong about that).

Bart is with me on this. Bart is going to put in the freaky long hours and hard work to help make all this happen. He is wired in a very similar fashion.

And I think there are hundreds of people that are willing to put $100 in every three months. And, in the past I would give them $100 worth of product. In the future, I hope to give them $140 worth of product.

Julia - yes, I'm already in for $1. And you're right about time, throwing in a buck was much easier because I've already got a KS account and my computer remembers all the info (so it only involved about four clicks). I try to minimize my screen time and it makes me very ADD when I'm on.

Paul - four per year seems quite reasonable, and if you could commit to that then one idea would be to offer the $100 sponsor level to those willing to pay $365/yr up front. That sort of early bird "bargain" is attractive to me at least.

Hi Guys, Fist time commenting so be gentle...

Paul, It may be worth sending out an email asking people to become "monthly subscribers" this would include a 12 month pledge of say $30 a month. I know that's a fair amount for some people but to those of use who give regularly to causes its something I'd be quite comfortable doing.

By this point I think that people, myself included, trust your judgement and the fact that if we are "nice" to you, you'll be "nice" to us. This being said maybe send out one email and ask 15 people to become subscribers. Don't use kickstarter but a different platform. I wish I could offer you one but all the ones I know are for non profits. Although that might work.

I'll tell you what if you create the option for me to give monthly I will. So that's a guaranteed $360 to pay some guy to figure it out.
Sincerely,

Lowly peon in the ranks of paul's deviant army.

Welcome to permies Drew!

Drew Littlejohns wrote:
I'll tell you what if you create the option for me to give monthly I will. So that's a guaranteed $360 to pay some guy to figure it out.

I was going to wait till after the kickstarter to bring this up but...
... have you considered "gold memberships" to the forum? I mean a simple thing some forums do is ask a small donation/membership fee to enable users to have avatars. A higher level of support gets you a gold star - or maybe in this case a gold apple.

This could really help with cash flow.

Cj Verde wrote:

Drew Littlejohns wrote:
I'll tell you what if you create the option for me to give monthly I will. So that's a guaranteed $360 to pay some guy to figure it out.

I was going to wait till after the kickstarter to bring this up but...
... have you considered "gold memberships" to the forum? I mean a simple thing some forums do is ask a small donation/membership fee to enable users to have avatars. A higher level of support gets you a gold star - or maybe in this case a gold apple.

This could really help with cash flow.

Wow, Ok CJ. Thanks for the Love Miles!

Paul, you now have $720 of capital (assuming CJ is in). Would you like for me to help you figure out a way to implement this strategy. I'm a professional non-profit guy so I'm sure that I could write it out and your staff could follow the directions. It would probably save you a few hours, time I'm more than willing to spend.
-Lowly Peon

I think this is probably a software issue so Paul and/or the people at java ranch probably can cover it! I'm assuming...

Drew,

You might want to take this up in this thread: https://permies.com/t/32640/tnk/Money-raising-schemes

I think you might be describing "patreon" in that thread.

Cj Verde wrote:I think this is probably a software issue so Paul and/or the people at java ranch probably can cover it! I'm assuming...

Awesome. I'm new here and don't really know all of the resources everyone has.
-Lowly Peon

Hi Paul:

Thank you for your amazing courage and honestly in stating your quandary about the kickstarter. Your integrity compelled me to throw some money at the project. You know, we're all out here making it up as we go along. We're trying out stuff and trying to get good things happening. It's exhilarating and scary and awesome and fun. All any of us can do is just stay courageous and keep on working it, even if it feels a little weird sometimes. I commend you for all that you do!! BTW- The podcasts with Geoff are some of the best stuff I've heard about permaculture and our community thus far. Keep 'em coming!!

Cheers and Big Hugs,
Elizabeth in Seattle

Paul,

How this works out is how it will work out. You keep pushing the envelope and people will either show up or they won't, but you have a clear message that speaks the nascent thoughts that many folks have for this idea. You have revitalized this fat, old jarhead's dreams and hopes for his land and his progeny. I am excited about what you speak to, the voices you gather and point out ways of doing that I hear and am including in the planning that I have let lay for too long. I have put my money where my mouth is and I have picked up the products from the first two Kickstarters and am supporting this one as well. I look forward to see what your fertile mind and the folks at the Lab will bring out next.

I know you are driven and need the funny colored paper to make what is driving you become real. It will come, but keep pushing, because it will come.

I went to mini-maker's fair today at FVCC here in Kalispell and was pretty inspired by the folks who are looking at different ways of getting free. I also got a chance to talk to Kelly Ware and see her presentation on permaculture. More fuel for the Rocket Mass Heater that I am becoming, all because I heard you through the Survival Summit. I'm pretty sure you have a good idea that you are impacting lots of folks all over the place, but you have gotten me to look and think. I am as far from being a hippie as an old HillBillie (my preferred spelling) can get, but sustainability and living clean are important to me and those around me.
Thanks for this place, thanks for the message and keep them coming.

Semper Fi

Growing lemons outdoors in MT? Holy crap, I have to see this! I've already contributed the $150 I can...pile in the donations, people!

Hmmm, i read that if you kick in 150 bucks you get all 3 dvd series, and a bunch of cool extra's, count me in !!! also im a bit confused i swear i saw a reward involve getting some special permie forum member title but now i cant find it, can anyone refresh my memory as to wat that was?


P.S. Paul please keep up the good work, im looking forward to checking out your dvd's !

We hit$50,000! Who hoo

Btw, I would be interested in a gold membership too

Andrew Pochylski wrote:Hmmm, i read that if you kick in 150 bucks you get all 3 dvd series, and a bunch of cool extra's, count me in !!! also im a bit confused i swear i saw a reward involve getting some special permie forum member title but now i cant find it, can anyone refresh my memory as to wat that was?

P.S. Paul please keep up the good work, im looking forward to checking out your dvd's !

Hi Andrew, do you mean access to the "secret inner circle" forum at permies.com? That's included with any Kickstarter pledge of $5 or more as part of the THANKS package.

I hereby officially release you from your obligation to restrict access to the hugel mini-doc to only KS donors (by the power vested in me by my $1 contribution.) In fact, I BESEECH you to let the 'world' have it.

Why would anyone want it limited? I think your clever strategizing (which is usually brilliant, but nobody always bats 100), tripped you up this time. You could be grateful for your mind-boggling success with this KS. And be humble (or fake it) and ask what WE would like you to do regarding the mini snafu.

Doesn't our possible survival depend on EVERYONE knowing about permaculture? And let's face it, only you and Bart, et al, can make hugelkultur technique, variations and benefits crystal clear, in under 10 mins, for everyone:) I have kids, so the future means something to me.... maybe others, also? Actually, seems like a no-brainer to me.... just requires a little faith in ... us. You have our 'forgiveness', along with the rest of our adulation. (It's not such a big sin, anyway, ....but maybe a ... big... something else? :)

Hey Paul,

I had to kick start it too Like some of the other posts it really is your integrity and unquestionable passion for changing the planet that pushed me over the line.

we just need another 100 peeps per hr to get it free to the world! Fingers crossed that the attention it has got is enough to get it over the line.

Cheers,

Elliot

come to montana and drive two excavators

I said that if we raised $50,000 then i would repeat the workshop in Missoula and it would be free to the kickstarter supporters. WE are now at $54,861 (yes, a LOT has been coming in super fast in the last 24 hours). The important thing is that my excavator is MUCH BIGGER than the one used at the sandy eggo workshop! 12 tons baby! Plus, we are going to also have a 30 ton excavator that we will rent for the workshop. BEEFY!

And we have a new stretch goal even though there is just 21 hours left. But with so much money coming in right now, it could totally happen!

If we hit $60,000, we will create a 15 foot tall berm to reduce the wind, complete with trails so we can harvest from it. Plus we will create the foundation for growing a lemon tree outside in Montana. And the footage from both of these will be in the video.

And we've seen a big spike in the number of supporters. 1,111. Several mailing lists and web sites have been putting the shout out. If we get to 3000, we will put the hugelkultur micro documentary out for free to the world.

Here is a two minute video that includes footage of my excavator in action!



And here is the kickstarter:


http://kck.st/1jtmswG



Note that we can only have 20 students here - so when the kickstarter is over, we will contact all the supporters to see who all wants to come. If it is more than 20 then the biggest supporters will get the invite. This will be on March 21, 22 and 23.

Hello Paul,

I finally decided to get in on this KS at the last minute... let me explain, I did support you in the other 2.... but ... (I don't want to sound too critical, I know how thin skinned you can be )... I'm very much into RMH, we've been doing workshops about them here for a few years in Quebec, where they're very useful Our Rocket is our only heat source aside from the sun... but... I was disappointed by the RMH videos. So far I've not been able to finish listening to them because the noisy background strains my hearing and listening enjoyment. So, I was a bit worried about this new set of videos although I'm VERY interested by the subject!

To soften my criticism, let me praise you on the permaculture playing cards, they are wonderful, lovely, magnificent! Even if Geoff Lawton and others are somewhat reticent about putting something forward as an ace instead of an 8, or a jack instead of a king, to me that is quite insignificant. The product is good quality, lots of info and well worth it... I'll be giving some away during the classes we're planning next summer, I'm sure they'll be fighting over them!

Thanks for everything,

LN

#1164

nancy sutton wrote:I hereby officially release you from your obligation to restrict access to the hugel mini-doc to only KS donors (by the power vested in me by my $1 contribution.) In fact, I BESEECH you to let the 'world' have it.

I've been thinking about this post and find I agree. I mean, if the goal is World Domination - doesn't the guy in charge get to change his mind? Admittedly, I really like a person that sticks to their guns when they say something, but this is about World Domination! This is your place and you decide, but I don't think that many of the minions and co-conspirators gathered here will mind an awful lot if this one doesn't make the magic 3,000 and you release it in the future anyway. I won't for sure and certain.

I am in for supporting this.
Many thanks to Paul and team for the work they are putting in to make all this happen.

Keep spreading the word.

J

I'm pulling for 60, we really want to see the citrus technique.
Don't worry about the 3000, release...don't release it's your show.

Wiley Swift wrote:I'm pulling for 60, we really want to see the citrus technique.
Don't worry about the 3000, release...don't release it's your show.

I'm right there with ya. I procrastinated until it hit 57K, although I knew I had to get the DVDs anyway.

I think a reasonable compromise would be to release the hugelkultur mini-documentary after some time has passed--a year?

Just make it fabulous and compelling and it will be bootlegged, right?

Perhaps the supporters could get a chance to release it in a future Kickstarter. . .

Topped 60K!

WOOOHOOOOOOO


15' Berm with trails !!!


Really excited and I can't wait to see all this extra footage. Can't wait to get the rest of the PODS and other goodies!!!



Paul - I am not a PDC teacher but is it okay for me to show the videos in my home to friends or family?

60 WooHoo! Still got time on the clock, dig deep folks lets hit 70!

I had supported the kickstarter at a low level (in order to help get to 3,000 contributors. But the stretch goal of the 15' tall berms spurred me to now up my contribution to get the videos.

(Just some insight into one contributors thought process to add $55)

The new imge

Can't wait to watch all the videos and listen to all the podcasts.

How soon will PODS be available for download after KS closes? Same question for RMH streaming videos?

I think we will be able to do the podcasts in a few days.

Technically, I have to say that the streaming will be available on or before June 30. But it is possible that it will be as early as mid may.

I guess I may well be making myself stinky here.....And I AM writing from a medium contributor to 2 of your kickstarters both donations signed up for in the middle of the campaigns...
When I first discovered permies.com I was pretty much oblivious to permaculture, and this site has made me fall in love with it......
...I think I made some errors in my understanding permaculture along the way....And now I'm feeling disillusioned......
I was thinking this was something anyone could do with their land, a good heart and a shovel, spade etc etc......... I thought it could make us self sufficient with plenty to spare to share.....
However, it seems like there is still a need the way to "get ahead" - even with permaculture ...
seems like the land and us is not enough...
.To do it at the "gold standard", we need to have enough money to rent / buy the biggest earthmover available, and use the people we're training to get the money to do it.....kindda like a pyramid scheme.......
Within a year, well over $100,00 has been raised....You get people to come and work for free.....Yep...And I'd be there in a moment if mt circumstances allowed...... But Hoot! There goes my "Cum-By-Yah" around the campfire....
I see the need to profit from your followers.....And also to keep getting the word out.....
Just not sure what the "word" is anymore....
If you share with everyone it will enlarge your "base".....If you cut them off if they don't pay, you'll diminish some of your potential base, but end up with a loyal following .....
...