permaculture

[steve read <permaculturefr@free.fr>]

Often wondered where this "fair shares" ethic got into PmC , I 
understand that its a funky soundbyte but for me philosophically and 
practically its very different to the original "3rd"ethic as put forward 
by Mollison in the designers manual , where also he expounds the "Life 
ethic" of which we hear perhaps too little when PmC ethics are discussed .

The same thing can I feel be said of the famous zone system where I 
often here about zone 00 and zone 6 and 7 , the things talked about for 
zone 00 seeming not only out of place in an approach created for 
efficient physical placement of elements in a design but also that they 
are more effectively discussed through the ethic of People care , me 
being people too . 6 and 7 just sound like a load of old guilding the 
lily nonsense to me .

earthcare --- work with nature not against, be part of nature and not 
seperated from it in my mind --- enabling the ability to select the 
appropriate techniques and strategies adapted to the Place , not pushing 
or forcing a pre-conceived favourite design model to make the Place fit it .

Peoplecare --- work with human nature and culture not against --- 
enabling the use of the  attractive force , guiding in an awakened way , 
not pushing or forcing the people to fit a pre-conceived personal mental 
model . Loving them , loving myself .

Limit population --- showing our understanding of population doubling 
times and ecological carrying capacities , and also our PmC willingness 
to examine and discuss sensitive issues
Limit consumption --- of those things destructive to planetary and 
personal health , simply good sense and if coupled to discussions around 
abundance and appropriate consumption a very positive message is imo put 
foward .
Give away surplus --- frankly I'm not in PmC to create "just enough" so 
that it has to be "shared out fairly" , I try to guide the design of 
systems that will produce "too much" an excess to be given away in the 
same way as an apple tree "gives away" those kilos of apples each year . 
Yes in the short term distribute these surpluses in a fair way until we 
all have surpluses , but I'm not in this for the short term . Give away 
surplus for me being the main ethic with a sub-clause 're-distribute in 
an awakened manner' .

Life ethic --- that all forms of life have the right to exist and their 
place in the Whole , often with a place and rôles not understood by us .

I imagine thats all old hat for most people on this list but I felt like 
writing it up anyway . Also to make the point that over these years of 
designing and teaching I've come to appreciate to what point PmC comes 
across as a secular Way for many people which has helped me understand 
the often strong reactions that people can have during courses and when 
being guided to unfold their own designs .

Ciao

Steve Read
www.permaculturefrance.org