permaculture

[permage <Permage@ziplip.com>]

The discussion on ownership issues (information, seeds et al) has been an 
interesting one with plenty of substance. I must confess that when the Thilo 
discussion thread first got underway, I thought the whole thing was a setup. 
A carefully crafted ‘dispute’ by likeminded individuals to highlight issues 
raised earlier by Mollison-permaculture-copywrite threads and 
Flick-indigenous knowledge distribution threads. I kept waiting for the final 
"gotcha ya’all" post. I was wrong. It was apparently quite genuine. I offer 
my apologies guys.

The discussion on information ownership/distribution are critical to the 
development and ‘maturing’ of these neo-paganist cyber-communities. (yeah I 
know, junk jargon, but it does roll of the tongue quite nicely)  How to use 
this internet medium to share much-needed information and at the same time, 
protect and recognise the valuable input of individuals, including their 
right to earn a living from that work? The discussion should also recognise 
the importance of this information source to those who may not have the means 
or resources to ‘pay’ for knowledge. Such as those engaged in projects in 
developing countries etc.

I am glad to see that the discussion has developed  beyond personalities 
clashing. There has been very little 'flaming'. That in itself says a lot for 
the ‘maturity’ of this email list. These are important issues that may not 
have clear solutions. They need to be explored. 

This also touches on the Plant Database development which spawned a separate 
email list. Lots of people wanted the information resource. But not too many 
wanted to do the work of creating it.  Open source/copyleft concepts are 
valuable but sometimes seem to be vague on more pragmatic isssues like how 
one receives just compensation for work invested in development work. (beyond 
the ‘feelgood’ fuzzies of dong something for the common good.)

A number of writers such as Toby and Graham have crafted excellent replies on 
this topic. In part, the discussion seems to rest on the development of an 
ethical framework for ‘life’ within our cyber-community. (Interesting that 
Mollison  included ethical guidelines as part of ‘Permaculture’) The 
fundamental issue of how to maintain the integrity of ethics in the company 
of others who may not respect or refuse to recognise those ethical boundaries?

To touch on analogy from the earlier discussion on indigenous knowledge, to 
desert aboriginals, knowledge of the location of scarce water sources were 
critical to their survival. Sharing of this knowledge was done with those who 
understood that these were survival resources that had to be sparingly used 
and protected for the common good of all. This ethical integrity fell apart 
when the information was shared with (some) white settlers who then abused 
the water source by using it to water cattle and horses. The water  source 
was dug out, fouled and a scare resource destroyed for short term gain. A 
survival resource lost to people who depended upon it.

Globalisation/corporatisation would see all resources locked up and 
controlled on a strictly user-pay principle. Ethics replaced by artificially 
inflated dollar values with emphasis on ‘interest’ on borrowed funds creating 
permanent dependencies. Anarchists (creative edge of chaos?) would perhaps 
see the dissolution of all such ‘ownership’. Many years ago Tofler (Alvin) 
wrote of the social emergence of ‘prosumers’ (cf. Consumers/producers) who 
would creatively ‘homestead’ idealogical landscapes utilizing emerging 
technology.  

Somewhere amongst all of this is the mythical (?) ‘common man’ who is simply 
trying to get by, raise a family, and preserve his environment as best he/she 
can. How do we all work together to give everyone who desires it, the 
tools/resources to achieve sustainable freedom and independance? Difficult 
questions.......

This probably doesn’t add much to the discussion. More so intended as an 
expression of appreciation for the fine discussion thus far. It has been most 
interesting and thought-provoking. Thanks.