permaculture

[Toby Hemenway <toby@patternliteracy.com>]

On Oct 24, 2010, at 6:30 PM, Killian O'Brien wrote:

> That there are going to be very large disruptions is, to me, no longer in 
> doubt.

Total agreement there, Killian. I'm lightening up, staying mobile, trying to 
get ready.

>  Thus, the correct tack is away from the power structures for their ability 
> to create change in chaotic times will be virtually nil. 

Maybe I misunderstand what you mean by power structures. Large gov't, 
corporations, Wall Street, etc? Yes, they are approaching uselessness and 
will do damage as they fall, so get away from them. But more traditional ways 
of decision-making, having credentials, local experts, small gov't by 
councils, and the like? I think these things will be relied upon more than 
ever. When times are uncertain, people first move toward what they know best 
(hence the flight to gold even though no one really has a use for it). I 
don't think that it was a coincidence that the new tools like consensus, open 
space, world cafe, etc, got developed during the relative calm and prosperity 
of the 80s and 90s. But I think it's anyone's guess whether they will work in 
enough varied conditions for people to be willing to rely on them in times of 
chaos.

> 
> But, there should be people working in those arenas now just in case. 

We need a very broad toolbox. We're in agreement there. I don't think we 
disagree over much, just maybe on how to express it. But I look forward to 
anything more you write, as it's very thought provoking.

Toby
http://patternliteracy.com