paul needs to change

There is nothing more rewarding than finding your passion and being able to live it. When one finds their passion and lives it, they are happy, fulfilled, contented, have purpose, know what they are to do on this earth. The problem with most of us cannot find our passion, or if we do, we resist acting on it.

It would appear that you have found your passion and are living it. Without you, there would not be any videos, pod cast, articles, forum, etc. You are the one sitting at the computer, hour after hour (with your heated keyboard) making things happen. You, with all your faults, are doing something. I, for one, appreciate what you have done, what you doing and what you are going to do. HOWEVER,

With that said, it may be your purpose to inspire people with the same passion to help promote permaculture. Other people with the same passion may be better than you in certain areas- videos, podcasting, articles, etc. The question is are they willing help and can you turn loose of your - baby.

If they will not, or, you cannot let go, then keep doing exactly what you are doing and how you doing it, because what you are doing is truly an inspiration for many of us. Thank you!

Don't change a thing, Paul. One of the things I love about your work, your articles, your podcasts, and your videos, is your authenticity. You have some rough edges, but they're far out-weighed by your charm. When i listen to you speak, it's like talking with a friend.

You're an inspiration. Keep it up!

I found this site a year or so ago and joined shortly after. This is my first post,because I never had anything to say that is worth typing. ( I'm a stare at the keyboard 2 finger typer) I have learned more in the last year that is really worth knowing than I have in the previouse 55 years. I quit the family farm in the 80s because that way of doing things just ain't right. (conventional farming) Organic was more my style, but all the information I could find didn't solve my main concern; how to produce GOOD food without outside imputs, and most imortanty, to do no harm to the planet. I had figured out some of it myself by observing nature, but the quantity and QUALITY of information your site is amazing. It has changed my life.

So, you keep doing what your doing the way you see fit. You, and all the folks who contribute on this site are changing the world for the better, and that is what counts. Are your critics doing that???

thanks for what you do. Keep on going however you see fit. We love it!!

I certainly don't have a problem with language on the podcasts. The only problem i have is i ran out of the videos to watch and want more. Trust me i have made my own videos and know what a pain it is, but I just want more cobby rocket massy permaculture vids. I will beg if I have to.

Keep up the good work and don't change a thing, even if pigs are chewing on your feet.

Coralee Palmer wrote:

It would appear that you have found your passion and are living it. Without you, there would not be any videos, pod cast, articles, forum, etc. You are the one sitting at the computer, hour after hour (with your heated keyboard) making things happen. You, with all your faults, are doing something. I, for one, appreciate what you have done, what you doing and what you are going to do. HOWEVER,

With that said, it may be your purpose to inspire people with the same passion to help promote permaculture. Other people with the same passion may be better than you in certain areas- videos, podcasting, articles, etc. The question is are they willing help and can you turn loose of your - baby.

I agree. However, "Be yourself is all that you can do."

If this is your style then it is your style and other people supposedly more skilled in certain areas can make better videos and I encourage them to do so.

I'm no expert in anything computer related and have nothing to complain about your technical skills, heck, I wouldn't even know how to record a video let alone post it on Youtube.

To me it really doesn't matter what the quality of the picture is, as long as it's good enough for me to find out what you're talking about. And it certainly has been!

I couldn't care less what you look or sound like, I'm just here after the information. And what I need, you give plenty

Change or don't change, I don't care. Just keep posting the videos. Thank you so very much for all your hard work!!!

Life is constant change, if your not changing, your not living, personally I dont love the profanity, but if it helps you communicate then more power to you because I love the information you are pouring on the table and just want more more more, communication is a difficult thing for everyone and you are doing a great job, never had a problem understanding you, and the illustrations in your articles really clear things up for me, especially the one of the monk. Keep up the good work, we love you just the way you are!!!

What is all that non sense? if someone doesn't like the way you do things, why would they bother checking your WORK?
I have learned much on here for quite a while now, you inspired me and I have built my straw bale house and Permie farm since last May
cause of all the info I have found here...like a lot of people that fallow your postings. I learned about Rocket Mass stove here and was able to find
the building information cause of you...
I live on the principle that if someone doesn't like my work or info they should go and do there own, and if they still bitch on it they have
the right to go mono Fornicate in Hades.
When someone offers information freely and make the effort to make this place a better world, NO ONE should be aloud to bitch about it without making it themself.

Madouest

Accepting feedback is one of the 12 principles of permaculture, and it is important, I think everything here is great the way it is here and use this as a primary resource, but you can not ignore feedback, you don't have to use it, but you have to take it for what it is and try to improve with it

Who doesn't have room to improve? Listen to the specific criticism and make changes if you think they have a good point. Otherwise, don't. C

Paul. Don't change. Be yourself. If somebody doesn't like the way you do things they can choose to not pay attention. Is that really that hard? I've done it and it suits me just fine. I see your emails come in... give a glance, consider them, enjoy that someone is spending their energy toward similar goals that I have... then move on. Perfect. Thank you for being you.

Cheers,
Craig

Wow. This turned into a flavor of awesome I didn't expect.

I thought there would be a list of

don't change
don't change
don't change
don't change
don't change
don't change

and I could point out to those that ask for change: should I consider the request on one person to change, or the request of 40 people to stay the same?

What i received here was far richer. Far better. I now feel very confident that each time somebody says "you have to change" I can send them a link to this thread.

Some people have this idea that the podcast will reach more ears if there is less profanity. I invite those people to make such a podcast and get it to those ears. I want my hugelkultur article (which has no profanity) to reach a wide audience. The podcast has a different mission. I have my own strategies getting permaculture into more brains. And my own way of how I live my life.

If the podcasts had any requirement about quality, I would stop making them.

I am not an uber authority on permaculture. I am just one person who knows a fair bit and also has some philosophies about on-line communities. And my position on permaculture is different from most of the experts. Rather than try to change who i am, I think the mission should be to find a different permie that conveys "the right message" and put a recording device in front of them.

So much of my message deviates FAR from the norm. That means that people will be shocked or uncomfortable, and .... resistant. If I caved in to others easily, I doubt I would have stuck it out with permaculture.

From the ancient philosopher popeye: I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam.

This just popped into my head: you can attract more bees with honey; but aren't there more flies than bees? And if you use just honey, aren't you limiting your demographic?

YOU'RE PERFECT! I EVEN LIKE YOUR LOW QUALITY VIDEO!! NOT ALL OF US CAN WATCH HIGH QUALITY VIDEOS << I CANT. YOUR VIDEOS BOOT RIGHT UP AND DONT TAKE ALOT OF "SPACE". SO DONT BOTHER WITH GETTING NEW STUFF EVEN IF YOU CAN GET IT FOR FREE. IN ORDER TO REACH A WIDE AUDIENCE ITS ALSO IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE YOU THAT IS SAYING "FUCK" OR BEING WELL.. JUST LIKE YOU ARE. THERE ARE OTHER VIDEOS OUT THERE ABOUT PERMACULTURE THAT DON'T HAVE CURSING, PROFANITY, AND SOME ARE EVEN RELIGIOUS.
YOU BE YOU, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT ME HERE.
PIE

My take of the f-word, etc:

I'm not into demanding people change their personal lives, such as manner of speech. But like everyone I do sometimes offer up things to consider, if they wish to, so here goes.... (Note: no obligation to read further...)

Perhaps 95% of the people I communicate with in my life don't want to hear me say or write the f-word. If I do, reactions range from minor annoyance to extreme disgust, and results range from very little to complete and permanent disassociation with me. So, it can be a major "door-closer". Meanwhile, nobody objects if I don't say the f-word (and some others) at all.

So, this forms one of my reasons for trying to curb and eliminate the f-word (and some others) from my thought and speech. A highly practical one. It isn't my only reason, but I won't go into the others here. I think the more unreasonable people should cut us foul-mouthed, clod-kicking farmers some slack, but since many won't and the f-word, etc is traditionally unacceptable language in many circles (if nothing else), the logical, practical, effective thing for me to do is clean up my word choices.

"And how's that effort going?," you ask.

Well, I haven't totally succeeded and sometimes far from it. I fault myself. Bad drivers and politicians are among the triggers of my profanities. (Alas, I have not yet reached a buddha- like composure.) But at least I'm usually alone, so I'm not offending and alienating people.

I think we should look at things objectively and not necessarily do what others want. I would rather die, out of principle, than do many things life. But changing my speech happens to be something I want to do anyway. The reactions of others is just another incentive.

In your case, Paul, I'd ask myself whether I want to widen my audience or if am content with the crowd I reach (and to hell with those who won't tolerate the way I talk). And one choice you can make is to eliminate the f-word from public stuff (online posts, videos, lectures, etc), yet use it around home, etc. But you should do what you think is wise, not what others say.

In any case, keep the comedy, because this is much-needed.

Thank you for all the work you do. Change only if you want to change!

I wear overalls because I really like them. Apparently it makes nitwits uncomfortable to see somebody wear overalls. So apparently, my overalls have superpowers: it keeps the nitwits away.

When living my life to full enjoyment, I have great humor needs. And part of that is that certain words make me giggle. And a big part of the giggle comes from nitwits flinching at words. Life is so delicious.

My articles are aimed at a broad audience - no profanity.

My podcasts are for those people that are "my peeps" and I wish to keep the nitwits away.

PS Aside from practicalities, there can also be a conversation on what it actually means (or doesn't mean) to use the word "fuck". Probably a multitude of things, due to context, etc. Probably it would be a long discussion, but potentially interesting, though I don't know if I have time to get involved.

Paul you have been an amazing blessing to me, please don't change

paul wheaton wrote:I wear overalls because I really like them.

overalls rock! i am a country boy that works as a programmer during the day and I am required to dress up for work, but if I could get away with overalls I would.

i have a dream, to be able to one day walk away from corporate programming and wear overalls

i have been following your podcasts/videos for some time now, and even though we have never met, i hear the voice of a friend - sounds weird and sort of crazy, but it is your style and approach that makes what you say all the more interesting. i like the brutally honest, down to earth way you promote your ideas.

paul wheaton wrote:I wear overalls because I really like them. Apparently it makes nitwits uncomfortable to see somebody wear overalls. So apparently, my overalls have superpowers: it keeps the nitwits away. When living my life to full enjoyment, I have great humor needs. And part of that is that certain words make me giggle. And a big part of the giggle comes from nitwits flinching at words. Life is so delicious. My articles are aimed at a broad audience - no profanity. My podcasts are for those people that are "my peeps" and I wish to keep the nitwits away.

I'm glad you analyze it and make your own choices.

Religious references really rile some folks, while I enjoy some of them and use them occasionally. Maybe, saints use them sometimes, too. According to John Prine, they might even use their own name:

"While out sailing on the ocean, while out sailing on the sea
I bumped into the saviour, he said, "Pardon me"
I said, "Jesus, you look tired"
He said, "Jesus! So do you.
Won't you sit down son, because we get some fat to chew."

I appreciate the wonderful addition to my "wealth" of info. when finding this forum...Do not become homoginized..The cream is on top !! GrannieD

I would remind those who urge you to "XXX", "YYY" or "ZZZ" that one completed project is worth more than a million "It would be better if..."s

Just sayin'.

Definitely stay yourself and don't try to please everybody - there is even value in constructive conflict!

My last experience with becoming a public entitlement:
I work in a pretty typical corporate office/factory. A few years ago I came across a great deal to buy some chocolates for free (exploiting a good coupon deal) - and I bought mounds of chocolates for the office (100 pounds or so!). So I put out chocolates and the response timeline went something like:
month 1: Yay - chocolates - we LOVE chocolates!
month 2: Can you get a different kind of chocolates, I'm tired of this kind
month 3: Why can't you put out something healthy instead of chocolates!
month 4: Hey, where are MY chocolates??

It doesn't take long for a person's mindset to slip into total entitlement - don't blame them, just group around those who won't blame you for free chocolates!

Oh, and I don't mind the Podcasts listed as "explicit" -- I usually only draw the line at 'unsubstantiated vulgarity' and I've never heard that from you

Eric Thompson wrote:Definitely stay yourself and don't try to please everybody - there is even value in constructive conflict!

My last experience with becoming a public entitlement:
I work in a pretty typical corporate office/factory. A few years ago I came across a great deal to buy some chocolates for free (exploiting a good coupon deal) - and I bought mounds of chocolates for the office (100 pounds or so!). So I put out chocolates and the response timeline went something like:
month 1: Yay - chocolates - we LOVE chocolates!
month 2: Can you get a different kind of chocolates, I'm tired of this kind
month 3: Why can't you put out something healthy instead of chocolates!
month 4: Hey, where are MY chocolates??

That's going in a podcast!

So, I've been a wallflower on this site for some time. Quietly soaking up podcasts and occasionally poking around the forum. (This is extremely unusual for me because in real life I never shut up.) But Paul's email about whether he should change his format / message spurred me into action.

I'm not exactly sure how I stumbled upon the term permaculture, but I did about 6 months ago. My order of operations when researching a new topic is Google, YouTube, public library, and Apple Podcasts. (GYPAP because I like acronyms too.) And this podcast is one of the first I saw at the Apple store. So I download one.

I knew absolutely nothing about gardening except it looked like a lot of work. Oh, not true the man inside the podcast says. I can be lazy? And just harvest? And this german mulching-log-thing is good for the environment? Less watering and fertilizing, he says. And I can bring back the bees and butterflies? And I can impact my corner of the world because permaculture works in surburbia too?

Paul -- I applaud you for being unabashedly yourself. You are passionate and driven. And, as far as I can tell, your message is right on target.

A.J.

Paul I love all of your podcasts/videos. It is because of you that I got into permaculture, keep up the amazing work!

Paul,

This topic seems to be coming up more and more in your podcasts of late, so I gather it's really starting to bother you.

There is another forum I frequent that has the manta 'FYYFF', or "Fuck You, You Fucking Fuck". They like it so much, they had a run of hats made


I recommend this as an excellent way to live your life, and reassure yourself in times of trouble.

"Hey Wheaton, stop eating pie during podcasts"
"FYYFF!"

"Hey Paul, you have no credibility as a permaculturalist because of that one time when you were talking about species of mushrooms indigenous to the shores of Lake Wantablowjob, and you said..."
"FYYFF!"

"Hey Paul, I was kinda hoping t..."
"FYY.... awww, shit - sorry Grandma, this wasn't the call I was expecting"

Of course profanity isn't for everyone, so perhaps go with an old Internet standard for dealing with such situations

The next few podcasts will have even more wrestling with this stuff. They were all recorded over a week ago.

I think there was process to all this. And now I feel good about wrapping this up. I think this thread is an excellent long term solution.

One happy PIE supporter from Sweden here!

Love your work and admire your passion.

Johan

Here's an oldie but a goodie from Mr. Rogers:

Because it 's you I like
Its not the way you do your hair
'Cause it you I like
The way you are right now
Not your toys
They're just beside you.

It's a good song to sing when people are getting on you about how you should be.

Pretty arrogant in my book for anyone to tell anyone else how they should be and what they should do.
(Except that I believe whole heartedly the double negative of that: no one should tell anyone else how to live their life.)

Today I received the following comment:

I have been following you lately, and try to do sustainable farming here, in Virginia. I am a lover of the English language, also, and have been an amateur poet for years. May I respectfully ask you to forego the F word in your communications? You are skilled in speaking, and I know that you can do it, easily...

Here is my response:

It is true that I can.

Some paintings use red. Some use blue. Some use yellow or black. Some are portraits. Some are landscapes. Some are happy and some are dark.



Some are nudes.

Some are bizarre.

Some are a bit too much for people and some seem oddly empty.

This is my art. It isn't great art. But I have fun doing it. Some people like my art more than others. And some like certain pieces more than others.

Tell you what: you pay me $500,000 and i promise to eliminate the word "fuck" from everything I publish for the next year.

The attached picture is from George Takei's FaceBook page.

From a fan. I'm still laughing.

it's OK to be Takei.

that guy is a gosh darned riot.