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  • From: Kathyann <knat@sprintmail.com>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] on an ethics of Mr Pittman (and the US military)
  • Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:12:35 -0400

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




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