permaculture

[Kathyann <knat@sprintmail.com>]

 On 8/11/2010 9:33 AM, Cory Brennan wrote:
> The thing that Nicholas and others are missing the boat on completely is that 
> permaculture, as a design science, TRANSFORMS SYSTEMS.  Which means that if 
> permaculture were truly applied to the US military, it would transform it 
> into something completely different. It would no longer exist as it exists 
> right now.
I don't think they are missing that, but addressing a concern that 
"permaculture methods" forced as a formula (which is traditionally how 
our military has structured their actions) can have an unfortunate 
effect of inoculating the populous against the ideas behind the methods. 
There is much experience in the invasion by religious missionaries into 
cultures to draw that concern. I, too, think we need to give credit to 
the recipients to discern and acknowledge the next view will be a 
combination of what is offered, what is given, what is utilized, and 
what is self-generated.
In this forum, we think of design including the knowledge of the people 
who live with an area as permaculture. Design from afar, imposed on an 
area, no matter how benevolent the overlord, is unduly influenced by 
antibody reaction. So a "method" introduction with techniques rather 
than design empowerment seems not only limited but prone to 
misunderstanding.
Goals of reestablishment are at odds. Within a culture still without 
peak oil lifeview is not the same as postpeak US. The US has depleted 
our supplies and if their citizenry rebuild in our likeness they will, 
in a few short years, be settled to consume rather than export their 
supply and we will not have had time to retool without oil.
I think it is a fine ideal that we structure our help in rebuilding to 
be a model of globally appropriate scale (if we ourselves are similarly 
required to that model.) Yet, the question remains, can one who has come 
into an area to force a change, ever actually make the change or is the 
system too caught up in fighting the invasion to heal with the invader 
still present. Permaculture does give rise to an interesting thought of 
forced symbiosis. Hard to picture the US military being aware enough for 
accepting the compromises necessary. But it would be interesting. Tree 
grafters have ideas? (scuse me if I don't call on the gene-splicers 
right now.)

Kathyann