the solutions are embarrassingly simple

Marco Banks wrote:You can work your whole life to advance a cause, only to see some other goofus run to the front of the parade, slightly re-package your idea, and make a zillion dollars off of it.  

I am totally cool with people doing that.  

(note, I am not totally cool with people copying my stuff and saying they created it - I am totally cool with people re-packaging stuff)

How do you get your video to go viral?

I think this thread isn't even about getting my video to go viral.  It's about getting these ideas to go viral.   And the ingredient that is missing is the 5000 people reading this thread carrying each idea to 1000 more people (each).  And that might be through the re-packaging you mention.  

Devin Lavign wrote: If your tired of fighting though, there is no shame in down grading your activity.

This is not the point of this thread.   The point of this thread is that I am concerned that the people reading this thread are not carrying the message far enough.  Because I have been something of an "enabler" about that.

Devin Lavign wrote:Paul like it or not you actually are a celebrity compared to most of us normal folks. You have permaculture star power.

On reddit, I have been specifically discouraged from mentioning my own stuff.  

So, how often is my stuff mentioned?  Almost never.

When the rules said it was okay, I would post my stuff there nearly every day.   But now the rules insist that it has to be somebody else that posts.  

So, Devin ....  reddit much?  Apparently, you can say more than I can on reddit.  

---

It seems like your message, as it relates to this thread, is that people might as well not say stuff about permaculture because their voice won't carry as far as mine.   Which is exactly the point of this whole thread.   And why I am ceasing my efforts on a lot of fronts.  

If you, Devin, and all the people reading this, don't mention this stuff, it won't get mentioned.

There are millions of sites on the internet that I have never been to.   And there are millions of parts of the big social media that I am unaware of - that would be relevant to permaculture.  I will never be there.   And if the people reading this ONLY read and lurk, then the messages that make a difference won't make a difference.  

Roberto pokachinni wrote: It sort of takes lightning striking to get famous.

The point of this thread is that we don't need fame.  We don't need a lightning strike.   What we need is 5000 people to spend ten minutes a day carrying these ideas forward.  

Tyler Ludens wrote:What if Paul made a list of all the things ...

Better yet, what if Tyler made a list ....

Karen Donnachaidh wrote:Marco Banks wrote: "I think a popular movie (a romantic comedy starting Sandra Bullock and some hunky guy opposite her) would go a whole lot farther than another preachy docu-advocacy film)."

So, Sandra Bullock would play Jocelyn. Who would play Paul?

Peewee Herman.

Steve Taylor wrote:
Part of me thinks that hand written letters could catch the attention of an important person who filters their social exposure do to fame.  

Please write those letters!

Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:

paul wheaton wrote: ... So I wish to make it clear:  don't direct suggestions to me.  Direct the suggestion to yourself.  Create a thread at permies and see if you can make things actually happen.   Without me.

Paul, of course we can make things happen without you. The local permaculture community garden here is started up by people who did not know anything about you or the Permies-forum (until I joined and told them).
Only I hope you will stay with us

I am not planning on dying or anything.  I am trying to make it clear that when people make suggestions ("you should contact oprah!"), I wish to deflect nearly all suggestions ("I'm not going to contact oprah - so I guess it is up to you!").  

Pascal Paoli wrote:I agree with all people that recommend some time offline.

And all of those people appear to not understand what this thread is about:  talk to the world about all of these things rather than waiting for me to do it.

If you want to pitch a new movie to di caprio

The point of this thread is that I have no idea how to contact any famous people and I'm not going to do it.   If di caprio is going to be contacted, it will not be me.   Over the years people have told me that I should contact dozens and dozens of famous people.   I tried a few and failed universally.  

And this thread is not about connecting famous people to ME, it is about connecting famous people to ideas/bricks.  

If you want to grow further you can do that.

Or you can do that.  

In fact, you NEED to do that.  Whatever your suggestion is, you MUST be the change you wish to see.

In order to reach more people, new people – other people, we have to figure out a new approach on spreading the word.  

I would like to suggest that you start a thread in the tinkering forum to talk about this.   And then create new threads using the keywords you think are appropriate.  then rally the permies folks to make links and stuff to build SEO.

Ban Dinh wrote:Paul,
Please do not throw in the figurative towel.

I am not throwing in the towel.  

I am taking a rather bizarre and awkward stance that I am going to do much less in the world of spreading the word - because I am going to depend on YOU to spread the word.  

In the past I did a lot of work in spreading the word - and I think this led to a lot of people NOT spreading the word, which is not what I was trying to do.

I'm spamming Pinterest with stuff from permies.  Pinterest is the only social media thingy I use regularly.

Here's my Pinterest, which is mostly for crafts, but I have a gardening board which I just moved to the top of my page:  https://www.pinterest.com/hl0833/

I also save permies stuff to my Eating board.  

Robert Sniadach wrote:

Humans are ALWAYS trying to A) Seek pleasure; B) Avoid pain; C) Do A & B while exerting the LEAST amount of energy as possible.

Maybe not all humans, but there are certainly many that I have encountered that this is true of. Some just downright lazy. (That was being nice.)

I used to own a gym. There were many clients there whose goals were to lose weight and get in shape. There were, of course, more stories of failure to meet those goals than success stories. Lots of excuses. "It's too hard." "I don't have time to exercise." Some seemed to think just joining a gym would make them succeed in reaching their goals - without even showing up to workout. I even had an infrequent exerciser lift their shirt, point to their flabby stomach and ask me, "What are you going to do about this?" I can't do much about it when you're rarely here. And, how easy for you to drop your problem on someone else. Make it anybody's responsibility but your own.There were many times I would hear about all the junk food they were basically living on. Buying most (or all) of their meals from restaurants. Fixing desserts with loads of butter and sugar. Asking me why they were unable to lose weight.

Sometimes, there were clients whose motivation to finally take care of themselves came in the form of a doctor's diagnosis of disease or pain caused by excess weight. There were, of course, others that could not do what was necessary to help themselves, even after being told that it could save their lives. Think they're going to change their ways for the good of the world? Me neither.

The solutions were simple. Eat healthier, move more. “Can't do that. That's too hard.”

This percentage of the population is not going to help you with your plans for World Domination. Grow my own food? Buying at the grocery store is easier. Eating out is easier still. Hang my laundry on a clothes line? Who are you kidding? I don't have time for that. Carbon footprint? Not sure. What the hell is a rocket heater?!

On the other hand, there were successful people at the gym. Stories of weight loss, diseases under control or reversed, diminished pain, more energy… People who were focused and determined to fix the problem. A smaller percentage of the overall clientele, mind you, but a tough lot.

The doers, fixers, willing participants. These are the minds we need to infect. The others may come around when the SHTF and they're depending on someone to show them what to do.

I've been noticing the tv commercials (PSAs) lately from the  AdCouncil. According to the site their mission is:

                                                                                  OUR MISSION
                     Identify a select number of significant public issues and stimulate action on those issues through communications programs that make a measurable difference in our society.

People may not be interested enough (at first) in videos or podcasts. A commercial could infect a brain as the person sits, mindlessly munching macaroons, and they wouldn't even know it. Then, when the information is needed... Didn't I see something about that on tv? Permies, was it? Keeping the content simple, basic, fun and upbeat. Not dire straits or too preaching. A cute actor (shirtless?) loading a solar dehydrator, picking veggies from his buried wood beds, him hanging out the laundry all muscular and suntanned. What was I saying? Oh. The goal being to get them to your website to explore more.

It would be smack if we had a tv show like the Victory Garden, Growing A Greener World, Garden Smart or P.Allen Smith’s Garden to Table. Then, those of us who don't have a strong enough internet connection to watch videos could watch Wheaton Labs weekly. And, the guys up at the Lab are much cuter than Joe Lamp’l anyway.

I found Permies through an article in Mother Earth News. How many years ago? I'd have to look. Still have the copy. (Nice picture of you,Paul.😉) My brain’s been infected ever since. Now, I'm just a minion with an opinion so take it for what it's worth and for Gaia’s sake DON'T GIVE UP.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” - Aristotle

(Edit: for clean up and to say "awesome Tyler".)
(Edit #2: It wasn't Mother Earth News, it was The New Pioneer (Apr. 2013). I found it. Article called "Primer For Permies".)

paul wheaton wrote:
Better yet, what if Tyler made a list ....

Not sure I can make a list of things that Paul wants done with permaculture, as I'm not a mind-reader.  I have my own ongoing list of stuff I want done with permaculture.

Tyler Ludens wrote:I'm spamming Pinterest with stuff from permies.  Pinterest is the only social media thingy I use regularly.

Here's my Pinterest, which is mostly for crafts, but I have a gardening board which I just moved to the top of my page:  https://www.pinterest.com/hl0833/

I also save permies stuff to my Eating board.  

Total traffic to permies from pinterest in the last 30 days:  7828 people!  Way to go tyler!

Tyler Ludens wrote:

paul wheaton wrote:
Better yet, what if Tyler made a list ....

Not sure I can make a list of things that Paul wants done with permaculture, as I'm not a mind-reader.  I have my own ongoing list of stuff I want done with permaculture.

It makes perfect sense that you make a list of the things that you think are cool.  Do THAT!  

Here's a thread to discuss this show people seem to want to create:  https://permies.com/t/61052/Put-Show#519791

OK, I finally understand the message now. Thing is, we're already busy putting the word out. We've put all savings we had, any income we have now, all our time and energy in it. Because indeed the solutions are simple, but it's also a long road and it takes quite some effort, but yes, it has to be done, and it has to be done by us too.

Do we receive lots of encouragement? No, barely any.
Do the people we know appreciate what we do? No, apart from some, most of them could not care less.
Do we continue anyway? You bet we do!

I have always described our project as being on the front of a big wave coming. I can feel it swell, but we're not there yet.

Where we are now is at the stage where most information is widely available. We're not at the stage yet that the majority of people feel a need for that information.

In my opinion what matters most at this stage is not spreading the word, but actively showing examples that work. Not online in videos, they are already available, but in and around our own houses and workplaces and then proudly showing them off to everyone around us. I think that's the main thing missing now.

Rene Nijstad wrote:
In my opinion what matters most at this stage is not spreading the word, but actively showing examples that work.

Can we do both at the same time?  I think we can, and that both are important.  I still need "the word" because I'm a slow learner.  Even though I've read (most of ) The Big Black Book, the concepts are still sinking in slowly, often from other sources such as videos.  I find seeing examples and ideas from others encouraging because then I know I'm not alone.  I'm not in a good position to show the ideas in concrete form to others because I don't have a lot of real-life friends and live in the country where most of my efforts are not visible to passers-by.  I wish I were that outgoing person who could put up a big sign "Permaculture Demonstration Site" and give tours, but I think trying to do that might kill me from stress.  But others might be able to do it at their sites.

Tyler Ludens wrote:

Rene Nijstad wrote:
In my opinion what matters most at this stage is not spreading the word, but actively showing examples that work.

Can we do both at the same time?  I think we can, and that both are important.  

Absolutely. As well as that everyone is different, we can be active promoting and learning all in our own way.

Tyler Ludens wrote:

paul wheaton wrote:
Better yet, what if Tyler made a list ....

Not sure I can make a list of things that Paul wants done with permaculture, as I'm not a mind-reader.  I have my own ongoing list of stuff I want done with permaculture.

Are you going to tell us about your list?
You show yours and I show mine.

Seriously: We should make a "list-thread".

Henry

Henry Bjorklid wrote:

Tyler Ludens wrote:

paul wheaton wrote:
Better yet, what if Tyler made a list ....

...  I have my own ongoing list of stuff I want done with permaculture.

Are you going to tell us about your list?
You show yours and I show mine.

Seriously: We should make a "list-thread".

Henry

Good idea Henry (and Tyler)! Where can I find the 'list thread'?

Paul,

Keep it up, I feel you've reached more than you realize, in a way more measurable than web traffic and DVD sales. I know you've made a monumental impact in my life, in turn I've carried that message with me to share with family and friends. The work you are doing, and the work of your colleagues, can change the world, unfortunately many aren't ready for this message, many haven't yet unplugged from their consumerist programming. Keep doing what your best at, let the measure of your success be your progress, and not Ellen's approval, take pride in your accomplishments.

My "list" is my projects:  https://permies.com/t/52613/Ludi-Projects

What if Paul made a list of all the things he wants to accomplish with permaculture (maybe there is already such a list?) and instead of expecting Paul to do it all, we did some (or all) of those things?  Is there a list somewhere?  I want to see if there is something on there that I can do.

Paul is clearly frustrated enough by doing too much that his only response to Tyler was this

Better yet, what if Tyler made a list ....

hmmm.  I say we should look to the title of the thread:  the solutions are simple.  And analyse the situation in light of that.

What I see here' is Tyler trying to be helpful.  This seems to me to be a very intelligent way to approach a situation where Tyler, who has limited time but sees Paul who is struggling to get too much done, asks Paul to provide a small amount of guidance as to how best to utilize her own valuable time in order to best help Paul.  

It is sort of like the permacultural concept of observing the landscape ahead of building the pond... oh, over here if I move this small amount of material, I can get the greatest catchment of water for the least amount of work.

Sure, it's going to be a bit of work to come up with a list of desired goals that need achieving and delegate authority, but... that's actually what real leadership entails.  I'm not trying to point that out to be mean, or disrespectful, but to try to find a baseline of understanding about what needs to be done, besides promote, promote, promote.  I think Tyler had a very valid and compassionate question that deserved a better response.  

Paul, you may have started a thread with a percieved goal, but it was not so readily apparent at first that you are only set on getting help with promotion, and not simply burning out.  I'm not  a cheerleader, or a PR rep, and to be quite frank, I'm not going to do it, especially not the way, you, Paul, might expect me to, because I'm not you and I don't have that type of energy to do the thing that you can't do either.  That said, I think that if you gave a bit of thought and time to answering Tyler's question in light of what I wrote above about the pond, I think that you might be able to create a much greater catchment of viewers, and thus gain the larger audience/devotees to the cause.

When there is a discussion in a popular place on the internet, and people talk about how to improve the world, the conversation could go something like:


E:  how can i do good things for the environment?

F:  buy LED lightbulbs

G:  unless you live in a cold climate, and then incandescent will save more energy in the winter, because they give off a very efficient form of heat.

H:  heat stuff is 10 times bigger than light bulb stuff



Posters G and H somehow got wind of all the things we are talking about and shared it.   Since the discussion I saw had no G and H, it seems that this information has not gotten far.  So, my concern is that rather than inspiring people to repackage these bits and bobs and re-share, people are consuming information and getting on with their day.

The solutions are simple.  The knowledge is almost obvious.  It just isn't finding it's way to the masses.  When I mention this in the past people respond with a list of dozens of ideas of things I could do to get the message out there.  And I think THAT is the problem.  I need to say that we need the list of dozens of ideas of things that can be done to get the message out there, AND **I** will not do it.  

Quit it. I mean really...this being angry thing seems contagious.  You have a successful site, known world wide as a leader in this field.
A friend and I have been talking of Permaculture our whole adult lives (over 30 years now). Of course we didn't have a name for it we just spent a lot of time finding ways to do things that were not using power, gardening without poisons, raising healthy kids, heating homes, cooking. LOL We made A LOT of wine.  We spent a huge amount of time talking with friends on the issues to no avail.
I laughed when I found permies and sent her to it as well. We have been for the most part reading and chuckling along.  We have been so happy that there was a movement towards something we felt was so important in our lives.
We have directed friends here and I see them around from time to time.
I told my husband "They are in Missoula! I could get involved!.  But life with a business, grandkids.....takes over my free time. Not to mention we live off grid, with a rocket stove and a wood cook stove. I have a worm bed, goats, chickens. And since I live as simple a life as possible....I have no free time to come to the zoo to see ya'.  I now own a small business in Garrison.  I want to incorporate the permies movement into the store.  I talk to customers about it all the time and have been pleasantly surprised when some have heard of rocket stove and such things.  Fun!
I understand burnout and frustration. But this would not be as large a movement as it is without you.  
The time is now for this thing Permaculture. The bees are dying, the food and water is poisoned.  People are starting to listen!
Recharge take a vacation!

My impression is that the knowledge is reaching the masses, but the masses are not ready yet to use it. The masses like to learn about it, discuss it, but they rarely take any action. We need more individuals who take action and lead by example. To create a new norm.

Paul you have done a great job and yes it's up to a few to carry the torch .

People in this modern world are in for instant gratification and they are lazy.

That is what they were taught or rather not taught .
If a thing don't have the (al gore) effect no one substantial is going to be on the band wagon because it don't bring in the MONEY or FAME .
As long as there is a Walmart down the street they have no use for any of this and it will stay that way to the majority
I know you want to save the world ,you have saved a lot of us.
But saving the world won't happen until they feel the need to be saved.
It's totally not your fault,you have done your part 100+ times your part,and we thank you for that .  
 

The truth of the matter is it takes a lot of time and energy to live the Permaculture way. When people say I am going to change to LED light bulbs.  They are saying this is something I can do to help the environment that I have time for.  I have always said we need to go back to simpler times, grow our own food etc. But this is a difficult concept for most people who work a 40 hour week, commuting both ways, only having a short time in the evenings to get those things done.  When we were working in town we got home around 3 in the afternoon.  We raced around getting all of our "chores" done so we could sit down and rest a few minutes before going to bed.  We did it because we love this way of life. However it is much easier now that we don't punch a clock.  So I tell the people who are still punching a clock to pick 1 thing (not light bulbs) be it a worm compost, garden....whatever just pick one and do it well.  Often they find they enjoy it and sometimes pick another "chore".
Most are serving the almighty dollar, until it is cheaper to do things the Permaculture way they will be slow to come around.  IMO

Tina Lee wrote:The truth of the matter is it takes a lot of time and energy to live the Permaculture way. When people say I am going to change to LED light bulbs.  They are saying this is something I can do to help the environment that I have time for.  

This is the point of this whole article.  

Somebody says



how do i make the world a better place?



The response is nearly universal:



buy LED lights



And the thing that is missing is that you see this conversation and you add



Incandescent is better in a cold climate.  And running a rocket mass heater is far better than any lightbulb choice.



That comment takes about 45 seconds to write.  



45 seconds




I recently witnessed lots of discussion where I showed up extremely late and nobody presented the third piece.   The point of this thread is that I am concerned that I created this problem.  People see the discussion and they wait until I show up to say the third line.  But this discussion probably happens a hundred times a day every day.  

If the people reading this can say the third line once a week, eventually the message gets through.   And maybe hollywood types will eventually carry the message.  

Maybe once a day, everybody reading this can spend 45 seconds expanding horizons:  Hugelkultur, sepp holzer, poo-less-ness, diatomaceous earth,  CCD solutions, cast iron, dandelions, ruth stout, mullein, greening deserts, fukuoka, natural swimming pools, willie smits, palm oil, the man who planted trees, stinging nettles, paddock shift systems, berms, ben law, grey water, polyculture, jean pain, mason bees, wildcrafting ....

When people are looking for guidance, give them guidance that makes a real difference.


45 seconds per day!


Or, if you have a lot more gumption than 45 seconds per day and are thinking of going to standing rock ....   Rather than spending six 12-hours days going to standing rock, protesting and coming back, spend that time commenting on all-the-things on the internet to give people REAL solutions rather than the misdirection that comes from the light bulbs crap.

Mr. Paul,

Please do not get frustrated, consider this like a snowball rolling downhill – starts slowly gathering more and more mass and momentum as it makes it's way downhill. I too suffer major frustration trying to show others the benefit of the permaculture lifestyle. As long as I can reach at least some individuals and pique their interest enough to ask questions and experiment on their own, I consider this a win. Even though there may be 20 other individuals who think that I am totally insane and either bat-shit crazy or just extremely lazy, I have to remember that at least I have reached someone. If those individuals touch just a few more… you see where I am going! I cannot begin to tell you how much conversations others have at my expense, which slowly filters back to me when some of these people cannot take their curiosity anymore and confront me about my strange yard and behavior. When I walk them through my “jungle yard” wild and crazy, yet loaded with living creatures everywhere, and edible food  randomly scattered about with no rhyme nor reason, you can see the puzzlement bursting from their very bodies. This is when I slam them with my own “mad scientist logic” and hope and pray some of it will filter in. Hopefully, as we set more examples in the face of the mainstream “normality”, we will continue to win more and more converts. You sir, have enriched me more than I can ever say – I strive to try and be just a tenth of what you have been able to accomplish. Do not underestimate the amount of good you have done. I consider you one of the greats in the permaculture movement. I will never be able to thank everyone enough for this very important contribution to humanity, but rest assured Paul Wheaton, good deeds NEVER go unrewarded.


Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.    ~ Cree Indian Proverb

Tina Lee wrote:The truth of the matter is it takes a lot of time and energy to live the Permaculture way.

I'm not convinced of that at all.  In my life it is not "the truth."  I personally find living a more permaculture life far easier than living a mainstream life.  I think it would be impossibly difficult for me to try to live a mainstream life.  Permaculture is helping me live the life I am able to live and prefer.  I have plenty of time.  I don't have much energy so I can't say it takes a lot of energy to live a more permacultural way.  If it did, I wouldn't be able to do it.  I don't work especially hard and I don't work for money much at all anymore.  https://permies.com/t/54918/Working-money-expensive    

paul wheaton wrote:
Maybe once a day, everybody reading this can spend 45 seconds expanding horizons:  Hugelkultur, sepp holzer, poo-less-ness, diatomaceous earth,  CCD solutions, cast iron, dandelions, ruth stout, mullein, greening deserts, fukuoka, natural swimming pools, willie smits, palm oil, the man who planted trees, stinging nettles, paddock shift systems, berms, ben law, grey water, polyculture, jean pain, mason bees, wildcrafting ....

Excellent List!  

I would add robotic vehicles. They are far more efficient than human driven ones, and if you can call a car when you need one, why bother to own? This solves housing problems as well.

That's a good list Paul and people who are interested in this sort of life, helping to fix the environment will find this site...easily.
I agree that is like a snowball and it is picking up speed.  
I also agree with Tyler. This life does not take that much effort now.  
However people who are already overwhelmed with life as they know it, will not be thrilled with the idea of change.  
But look how many people actually went to Standing Rock!  Look how the movement has grown!
I say again I understand the frustration. I used to go thru it everyday. I bought an electric car to commute to a job that I now find I don't need.
But it sure felt like I needed it back then and I do miss the cash.
Not all can communicate as well as a lot of the people on this site. I am one of those.
I will continue to do what I can from here and send people to this site.

We need someone like Paul who can get out there, speak and be understood.

Just a thought may not help at all. But where are these blogs you speak of where they speak only of changing light bulbs?
I don't have a lot of time and I am on limited internet (Hughesnet) but maybe some of us could go and comment there.

Honestly, the 45 seconds a day comment actually makes me feel better. I work nights and seldom see people outside of a small circle but I still think I manage more time than this in spreading permie ideas.

Discussions of cooking easily feed into mentions of cast iron, grass feed animal products, the undeniable better taste of organic, growing our own foods, the plight of pollinators, dangers of cides, futility of cides, the list goes on. Not everything fits into any one conversation, but they do fit into a surprising number of casual conversations. Particularly when you are able to present it as a positive option that you prefer, rather than a 'not negative' option that doesn't require arguing.

Actually, here's an example that is happening right now. Around here, decorating random trees on the side of the road for Xmas is a popular tradition. Imagine how much plastic trash that is generating. I tied several organic apples and oranges up with twine and have had them waiting in a basket. My nieces are home for winter holidays and are starting to get cabin fever. I just sent them to take the neighborhood boys to decorate a tree for the local wildlife. The whole group gets to take part in the tradition without damaging the environment.

Tina Lee wrote:That's a good list Paul and people who are interested in this sort of life, helping to fix the environment will find this site...easily.

It has been twelve years.  And when people talk about how to make the world a better place, their focus is still on lightbulbs - in a way that is actually worse.

The bricks are not mine.  The bricks are everybody's and nobody's.  Take a brick and write an article for huffpo or some other huge site.   Take a brick and make a youtube video.    The point is not to send people to me - but to convey the better information set to the masses.

Do not wait for people to find me or this site.  Do not wait for me to connect the masses to the bricks.   It is now up to YOU!   If YOU don't infect brains with your bricks, then the problems will get worse.   YOU have the ability to heal the world.  Don't tell the folks here - these folks already know.   Reach the folks all over the internet that are still stuck on light bulbs.

I'm very evangelical about clothing.

If agriculture is the biggest source of pollution in the world, and approximately half of that is dedicated to textiles (depends on how you crunch the numbers, so I'm taking an average), I think clothing is a place we can make a huge difference.  When we add non-agricultural textiles (like synthetics) into the mix, it makes clothing even more important.  

Paul's right, the solutions are simple.  What's more they save you money.  These solutions are twice blessed.

Here's some of my list:

buy less

buy better quality so it lasts longer

take care of your clothes

learn to repair your clothes, sew a button, darn a sock.  One repair can add years of life to a sweater/shirt/jeans.

Avoid the electric dryer.  You are just paying money for the privilege of spending more money.  All that lint you clean out of the vent each time?  That is your clothing disintegrating!

Where wool and linen - these are the two lowest impact fibres available.  They are also the longest lasting.

avoid industrial cotton as this is the highest polutent other than the synthetics and psudo-synthetics like bamboo and soy 'silk'.

support organic cotton

discover your local fibreshed/fibershed

learn to make one item of clothing, even if it's a scarf, from at least the yarn stage.  Making it from raw fibre or grow your own linnen, this is better.  discover just how much effort and resorses go into cloth making.