So, Integration is one of the
principles of permaculture, and I like how the skills in permaculture design can applied so wonderfully to so many things. Integration in basic terms means the combining of two or more things.
Some things when combined will probably offend some people, especially when we view everything through a pragmatic lens. The reason why someone might get offended from something is because they were taught that things have one specific purpose, or are considered sacred or some other tradition.
Take for example, the
sari is a dress typically worn by Indian women on special occasions or worn daily by the eldest and most respected women in the family. The dress is made out of one intact long piece of cloth- unaltered, not cutting or sewing. The dress is adaptable for many different temperatures, weather conditions, and occasions simply by folding the cloth in different ways. The way it is folded can affect how air and heat flows, making it easier to stay comfortable in changing weather. The cloth that saris are made of can also be used as a
filter to prevent cholera. Since it is one piece of cloth, it is easier produce, and quite frankly, probably easier to take care of. Understanding the advantages of wearing a sari, I think I would like to wear one myself- integrate a sari into my lifestyle. Of course, the conflict/offense occurs when society looks at a guy wearing a sari. They would think it weird because that is the way they were raised. Do I have to a female to wear a sari? Do I have to be an Indian elderly woman to wear a sari everyday? Can I just be pragmatic and utilitarian?
Another example, is found in the conversation on permies about finding
3D printers scary. It is scary only because of what has been taught to us. Or
transhumanism which seeks to integrate people with technology. Or like in the American culture inside the
Leviathan Trilogy that was neither Clanker or Darwinist but a combination of the two. Why not integrate technology, people, and biology together? We are at risk of destroying the world by separating ourselves from Nature, and our species is at risk of dying by separating ourselves from the artificial intelligence systems we create. The best solution I can think of is integrating with both Nature and AI's. I sure would not mind have extra processing power, faster memory recall, photographic memory, or enhanced physical capabilities. I can understand the problem that everything has risks, but that is just the thing.
Everything comes with a risk. We have to face probabilities everyday.
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