permaculture

[John Schinnerer <eco_living@yahoo.com>]

Aloha,

I think it is important to look at the big fat implicit cultural biases
in these questions and both work with them and transcend them...give
them what they want and yet *not* what they want...

My pointed questions below are rhetorical to the extent that I know the
status quo rebuttals to them.  I offer some alternative activities...
 
> Among those, NHK, Japan's public television network is planning a TV
> special on "Sustainable Communities" and looking for following 
> information.  
 
> 1) Who are the world's leading experts in the field (on sustainable
> communities)?

What makes an 'expert'?  For whom, when?  Why only talk to them?  

How about talking to lots of actual everyday people working
towards/living in 'sustainable communities', in many different
countries?

> Are there any credible research institutes or center
> worldwide?

What does 'credible' mean?  For whom, when?  Why an 'institute' or
'center'?  Does living it qualify as 'research'?  

How about asking lots of different people in lots of different
communities who've been doing it for decades (and for only months, as
well) what they've studied, learned, discovered?
 
> 2) What communities or areas in what countries provide the best
> examples for the sustainable communities?

What is 'best'?  For whom, when?  What is 'sustainability'? 

The more diverse (in all ways) examples offered, the better.

> 3) Are there any big conferences, workshops or events planned related
> to "sustainability" during this summer anywhere in the world?

Why 'big'?  Why conferences, workshops, events; why not living
examples?

How about visiting and participating in small, locally appropriate (and
locally sustainable! ;-), locally motivated, designed, implemented
stuff?  Including everyday life, decision making, group process, etc...
 


=====
John Schinnerer, MA
--------------------
- Eco-Living -
Cultural & Ecological Designing
Food - Shelter - Community
john@eco-living.net
http://eco-living.net

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