Recently Paul started a topic entitled talking To Crazy . I replied in my usual light hearted way that it reminded me of Donald Trump. Paul rightly chided me and removed the post stating that it was a political comment and belonged in the Cider Press . This got me to thinking .
I have come to the conclusion that all Permaculture is political . As Peirre Rahbi (
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Rabhi ) put it "every garden is an act of revolt ." Marx wrote that workers should control the means of production I would go further and say that everyone should have at least some control over their nutrition . That means growing things for ourselves .
There are those who say our current technological/industrial system have created marvels like the one I am using to type this missive but at what cost both personal and to the planet we all inhabit ? Has it brought health ? Happiness ? Contentment?
We as a people are enslaved by debt, interest* and inflation ( with a side order of oppression , propaganda and ignorance ) How can we fight and defie these dragons !
Firstly - start gardening even if its only your window ledge or balcony , keep bees on your roof , share some land on a short term basis with others in your community . Every green plant is a sign it is a political statement .
Secondly reduce your debt do what ever you can to be debt free but remember what Terry Pratchet said about the wealthy -"One of the reasons the rich are rich is that they spend less money . Take boots for example , A really good set of boot cost $50 but an affordable pair cost $10 but only lasted a year . So the good boots that lasted ten years ended up being cheaper than the cheap boots over the same time period . ( paraphrased from his book Men at Arms)
Thirdly If you live somewhere and are allowed to vote then use it join a party initiate change locally and nationally . Writing a few letters costs little or emails remind your elected representatives who voted for them not who tries to bribe them .
Fourthly Support local initiatives -transition towns, local money, Agenda 21, you can make a difference lots is happening out there .I am sure you can all come up with other ideas .
Is something happening already ? I would say a resounding yes .
Firstly there is more extremism all over the world , the elite are running scared and want to promote scapegoats to hide the fact the the global economic
ponzi scheme is coming apart .
Secondly candidates are coming forward who are not the usual suspect and are starting to gain huge support eg Corbyn , Saunders the nightly protests in Paris Change is in the air
Thirdly populations are starting to stagnate in western Europe. Young folks are no having children because they are worried about the future . Without immigration for example the UK , France and German populations would be falling ( see Bob Dylan -Masters of War ) Japan is facing major issues due to depopulation. Teenage pregnancy figures have been decreasing since the 1960s year on year .
Those looking for more proof of how unstable things are will have noticed the contradiction between my first and third sign, Interesting times ahead .
What will happen ? I don't know but change is coming lets be part of it ..
David
* the more I learn about economics the more I think like those of the Muslim faith are correct that charging interest is usury should be illegal .
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