Paul Wheaton is a powerful advocate of permaculture. He was dubbed the "Duke of Permaculture" by Geoff Lawton and Sepp Holzer, and the "Bad Boy of Permaculture" by Occupy Monsanto. Paul is the owner of permies.com, coderanch.com, richsoil.com, and Wheaton Labs. He has produced over 600 podcasts, 200 youtube videos, and a dozen feature-length films. He has presented at over 100 events around the US and has written dozens of articles and 2 books on topics ranging from luxuriant environmentalism to homesteading skills. The events he hosts at his property, Wheaton Labs, have resulted in the development of rocket stove and rocket mass heater technology, massive earthworks featuring extensive hugelkultur, solar food dehydrators, lots and lots of round wood timber frame structures like a truly passive earth-bermed solargreenhouse and a mega-cheap and luxurious home design called the Wofati, as well as many, many other permaculture innovations.
Just off the top of my head... feel free to edit for factual errors. All opinions are mine own and I stand by them.
Paul Wheaton: Permaculture icon and iconoclastic permaculturist. Know in some circles as "The Bad Boy of Permaculture" and in inner circles as "The Duke". Not your average practitioner, but self-described tyrant of two disparate online communities and one real-world farm. His moderating rule of "Be Nice" is enforced with a potent mixture of open discussion and enlightened self-interest. Certified master gardener, permaculture design guru, farmer, community leader and repository of esoteric (sometimes controversial) knowledge and well researched opinions... All while rockin' a spiffy pair of overalls. His blunt style is not for the faint of heart; Prepare to have your mind blown open.
I'm unprepared to write a full bio... So how about a snippet that can be incorporated into a full bio?
Some of the best qualities of a dictator Paul Wheaton is a well known, self-admitted, overall wearing dictator. His controversial style has become more pervasive than you would think. For instance, there was this guy named Steve who proved that this leadership style is successful. You have a developer, designer and a dictator. The developer develops architecture. The designer designs for carbon based life forms. The dictator determines resolutions to any conflict between mindsets and dictates overall, wearing overalls, the path forward.
One of the best qualities in a dictators toolshed is vision. Without vision, projects easily get off track. Dictators gain vision from experience, gaining deeper knowledge through observation & interaction. Visionaries are best known for finding new paths resulting in harmonious integration.
Dictators that assume their role by force, instead of proven leadership, inevitably create catastrophes. Thus avoiding and recovering from catastrophes is perhaps the best quality overall.
Everything written here is awesome - some more awesomer than others. I only am commenting on this subject so that it may be of some help, strictly information, and help these gifted writer's that have pretty much slammed it. I want any unexpected rewards for this small effort, to go into the "support Pauls World domination" funds, in continuing to help to roll things along.
I want to tell you of my experience, in some area's, because I've literally been biting my tongue on allot and this is an instance where I feel like my comments will be helpful, not detracting from your goals.
Paul, the first time I saw your site, I was searching for informative links 1.) for an educated link of information and video's to be able to share in spreading the wave of common sense that is "coming back in style" 2.) for supporting links to more quality information, and much more... because I'm a busy person, fighting many battles on my own front, and absolutely will not promote anyone, that I cannot vouch for with excruciating research present to back up my decision to support them.
I am a hard sell, as you may have gathered already, and I was literally taken in for three days straight in reading and video's. That is a difficult task. so much so, that it is a first.
I will tell you of what I couldn't tear myself away from. and I believe that will help in some way. I found the site with a return on a google search, and I first saw a plain forum, not created to sell you something, but one that was down to the core helpful with no bs surprises. In the manner Paul, that you were presented, I felt immediately that you would be a good neighbor and someone that knew the importance of the information shared, more so than any money that could be made. With each video I watched, the more mesmerized I became at the information you were trying so hard to make available. I wasn't punished the first time, in signing up for what you had to offer from the very beginning till now, and counting. I made a good call. You are walking the walk and living the life you are so desperately trying to help change the world with. I've yet to be disappointed by you or anyone associated with you, and believe me when I tell you, I look hard.
Enough of that, besides your sense of humor, honesty, and devil may care unstaged photo's, that save a thousand words, I am left with advising you to do whatever feels right to you in being true to yourself, you haven't gone wrong yet. (and quite frankly I am quite interested in watching your inevitable success as it unfolds.)
Contact me if interested in the process of rehoming my entire flock of "Smart Chickens".
Bill Puckett wrote:Randy, I think of Paul as a designer. TL will tell.
Double berm in front of BC sounds good.
I don't disagree. In fact I think of him as both a designer and a developer. By mastering both, he's in a great position to lead / direct.
I've listened to about 2/3rds of the podcasts however I have no practical experience... hopefully my post wasn't offensive. It was simply my attempt at Paul-styled humor.
BC = base camp, the mfg home the insurance company bought for the previous owner who let a single pipe bust.
TL = the land, the main attraction right down the road.
Paul has a mind beyond my comprehension. He can be frightfully scary one instant and incredibly insightful the next. He's not to be fucked with, though he may not know it fully.
The environment is responsible for my participation!
No holds barred. And no bars holed. Except this tiny ad: