Homestead mailing list

[bob ford <bobford79 AT yahoo.com>]

This is one of the better commentaries you have written about "community" 
James.  And, it applies to more than just homesteading.

  But, in homesteading communities, you point out a particluar limiting 
factor for people like me.  I've lways thought I would need to be almost 
isolated and do my own thing; "OR'; would need to 'pay' for the priveledge of 
doing the best I can  (less than them, likely) in someone else's homestead or 
homestead community.

I have always been very independent and self-sufficient in the ordinary 
sense.  I learned the rules of commerce young, played them well and always 
stayed a bit ahead of the game.  'not a great winner, but always a decent 
player.  From everything I read on this list;  as a fellow subsistence 
homesteader , I would not be as useful as a day laborer or even a work 
animal.  On my own, with "some" hired help, at least , maybe, I could figure 
out things on a very slow learning curve, before being run off in 
exasperation (maybe not before starving first, though, that's why fishing and 
already fertile soil is so important)

Hell, I don't even know how to make beads or sandals or any of the other 
hippie crap that some find useful in 'community'.  I don't feel sorry for 
myself.  Society hasn't broken down yet, and I'm still plugging along, trying 
to ascertain the proper direction (in more ways than one).  

I still think , for someone like me, that leasing fertile land from an 
already industrious farmer, is not such a bad idea.  I could do the best I 
could on my own- build, grow, fish, and hunt what I could-  and then purchase 
what I can't do on my own from the lessor's over-production or from someone 
else in the community.

  Buying , rather than leasing, land is till an option; but I think finding  
what I want or need might be easier if I were willing to lease.  I already 
own land, now.  It does me very little good.  

I know you think my idea is not so good.  But, you are right that the 
weaknessnes that someone ,like me, would bring to a 'sunsteanence' type 
community would outwiegh any strengths.  

In very worst case scenario, I could always go to 'home'.  I am welcome 
there; but if that is where I wanted to live, I would be there now.  'still 
looking at options .............bobford


---------------------------------------------------------------------



> From: Clansgian AT wmconnect.com <Clansgian AT wmconnect.com>

> 
> Here in the midst of economic hard times with prospects of much more, two  
> groups of individuals I know are coming to grips with the
> concept of 'community'.   But, sure enough, most if not all the people who 
> want to conjoin pledge to  bring to the community such vital skills as 
> making bead jewelry, helping set up  web pages, being a life coach, etc. 
> all the duff and fluff that constitutes  our present society.
> 
> They think, as they have for their entire modern lives, that there are 
> people  out there willing to keep them fed, warm, and supplied with
> clothing in  exchange for doing some cutesy but otherwise useless
> activities.
> 
> The lesson I've learned from observing the plans and
> attempts at community  over many years is that people think joining a 
> community will make up for their  weaknesses and deficits.  The opposite is 
> true, it will all such to light and  test them sorely.
> 
> There is an inefficiency in anything that goes beyond strict direct use.  
> For  a commuity to work, the total sum production of its individuals must 
> exceed  the requiraed total needs of the whole.
> 
> Though it seems a bit of a koan, the only communities that
> ever actually  succeed are those that are made up of more or less
> "isolated" individuals.
> 
> 
> James
> _______________________________________________