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Summary
part 2 of a 2 part podcast
Continuing the discussion about challenges of building communities.
The subject of government interference arises. Julia has issues with trying to form a community, as the local government is paranoid about cults.
Paul feels there are people whose lives are empty and if they came to boot camp they might re-invent themselves. Some people have indeed done this, but there must be more. He also believes some people have arrived at boot camp as a refuge form the nastiness in the world. People who bring nastiness to boot camp get sent down the road. Kay feels that one good thing about Paul's place is that it feels safe.
Judgment is discussed. People tend to say "don't judge me" or "don't be judgmental" but you have to have judgment in order to run a community, because the community has standards and those have to be maintained. It comes back to obey-or-else again. Paul refuses to compromise on his standards and as a result people call him an asshole.
Kay brings up the point that when people start at boot camp there's a rule which resists changing things based on what a newcomer suggests or says. Paul says this started when Des was high commander; he told people "please go with the flow for the first two weeks". This prevents people arriving and immediately claiming that everything is being done wrong and demanding that it be changed. Willow feeders are a great example of something people think is wrong. There are now 6 guidelines for new boots.
Ash starts a new point. A thing in the to-dos in Thorns are nobility filters. Ash is interested to know what filters might be useful. Paul says that you don't find out who is truly noble until the shit hits the fan, at which point 5% step up. Paul wants a system to work with the top 60% of people and get them to be more delightful more of the time. Often self-selection is the best filter: make it easier to get out than to get in.
Paul has an idea for if the boot camp gets full: There could be base-camp boots and lab boots; new boots would join base-camp, and lab would take in boots from base-camp rather than directly.
Paul raises the point that in the words of Ernie Wisner: "The captain dines alone". Paul would love to join in at every meal but it doesn't work; having the ultimate boss at the table restricts people. He does join in on taco tuesday however.
Relevant Threads
permaculture thorns, A Book About Trying to Build Permaculture Community - draft eBook
community design philosophies for imperfect humans - permaculture thorns
Intentional community forum
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This podcast was made possible thanks to:
Dr. Hugh Gill Kultur
Kyle Aster
Sasquatch
Bill Crim
G Cooper
Mehron Kugler
Bill Erickson
Julia Winter, world's slowest mosaic artist
Sean Benedict
Rita Bliden
Brent Lawson
Song Zheng
Dana Martin
David Lucey
Janelle
thomas adams
Clay McGowan
Shay Riggs
Dr. Jackie
Keith Kuhnsman
Cindi Duehmig
Banter Couch
Eric Tolbert
Paul Tipper
Paul F
Gerald Bernard
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