[permaculture] Democratic solutions to Permacultures conflicts?

KNat knat at sprintmail.com
Thu Aug 2 13:39:44 EDT 2007


kevin s wrote:
> it appears that Permaculturalists, at least those on this listserve, 
> have consistently  low expectations on the behavior of their 
> colleagues
>
> for myself, i am not so cynical, or lacking in trust of my fellow 
> travellers good intentions that i am going to withdraw from efforts 
> to be part of building the kind of horizontal, community based and 
> controlled organizations that i believe are as essential to our 
> success and survival as any other designs we are undertaking
Perhaps a different view. Using more facets and less sides.
Stating a concern one can see from their vantage point strengthens the 
ability of the group, to all see the same decision and its implications, 
to decide together. A concern of "negative" implication is not saying 
don't continue. It is merely saying "I see a potentially contrary 
reaction in this plan."
The trust in the group, is to be brave enough to be the only one who 
sees it and speak your truth without fear of personal isolation.

In Formal Consensus, decisions are broken down and one does not go into 
solutions before one understands the question so you don't need to take 
time debating solutions that may not fit anyway.
In proactive consensus groups, a concern that would cause an idea to 
stop needs to be accompanied by a suggested adjustment of the action to 
better address the situation including that negative.
I have not experienced low expectations here.

Peace,
Kathyann



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