I don't think all these things are absolutely wrong, although perhaps in degree.
I'm 100% with you about eliminating plastic. It physically pains me in the chest to see plastic mulch used!
Invasives are. I would not suggest to propogate them, but we should be open to using them once they've become established. They can be an incredible resource. The local "anti-invasive" charity used to hold work parties where they'd go pull up Scotch Broom… and deliver it to my goat feeders! Yay! Meanwhile, the broom grows right back. It is firmly established.
(BTW: I know how to get rid of Scotch Broom! It's a pioneer species, and like all pioneers, it wants full sun and disturbed soil. Want to get rid of it? QUIT CLEARING LAND! Let the fields and roadways revert to a natural succession! Within a decade, the broom will have been succeeded out!)
The other arguments seem to be matters of degree. Sure, anything to excess is bound to have unintended consequences. But Permaculture is based on patterns, and the problem is people tend to follow specific examples, rather than pick something with the same pattern that fits your situation.
The fact that people use examples, rather than patterns, is not a problem with Permaculture; it's a problem with its practitioners.
The big problem is the insane dominant culture, in which we all swim, are captive, enmeshed, indoctrinated, inculcated. It tends to pull us back in the instant we confront or try to move away from it. The M.I.I.P.C.C. (military-industrial-intelligence-pharma-corporate-complex) uses 90% of the energy, fuel, metals, minerals, water, soil....and creates most of the pollution and environmental damage.
But (BY DESIGN) when we do, we're steered into individual lifestyle-ism virtue signalling. A little Permaculture garden here or food forest there does not threaten the dominant paradigm.
So what needs to go along with Permaculture, is revolutionary resistance to this dominant insanity, fierce support of activists on the barricades, especially local organisers and any remnant indigenous cultures who know how to live sustainably.
If we are soooo awesomely lucky to get a future, it will be very local, very low tech, very light ecological footprint. Head in that direction and defend your beloved!
"If people are still alive in 50 years, they will look back at this time, and wonder, what the fuck was wrong with us, that we didn't fight back as the biosphere was going down. Love is a verb. Defend your beloved!" Lierre Keith
Lots of good points. Especially kudos on calling out the plastics. I’m so OVER plastic seed trays and any other plastic used in gardening, especially single use. I like things that break down.
I will say though I do think it’s both - as far as setting example versus top-down activism. I think grassroots, small scale is valuable alongside top down activism.
Majority of the changes are occurring from people individually and collectively attempting to play the role of a creator. The chart is easy to read. L shaped chart. Left side reads ‘find out’. Bottom reads ‘playing around’. Both measured and marked equally based on amount of effort applied. Play around, find out. Very historic, as we all see this chart.
I must admit I clicked on your SS expecting to defend permaculture, but you’re right
Quite a compliment, thank you!
You hit the nail on the head with this post, and not just once but five times.
Thank you, Lynn!
Thanks for this thoughtful analysis. I can’t disagree. It will be good food for thought for me.
🙏🙏🙏
I don't think all these things are absolutely wrong, although perhaps in degree.
I'm 100% with you about eliminating plastic. It physically pains me in the chest to see plastic mulch used!
Invasives are. I would not suggest to propogate them, but we should be open to using them once they've become established. They can be an incredible resource. The local "anti-invasive" charity used to hold work parties where they'd go pull up Scotch Broom… and deliver it to my goat feeders! Yay! Meanwhile, the broom grows right back. It is firmly established.
(BTW: I know how to get rid of Scotch Broom! It's a pioneer species, and like all pioneers, it wants full sun and disturbed soil. Want to get rid of it? QUIT CLEARING LAND! Let the fields and roadways revert to a natural succession! Within a decade, the broom will have been succeeded out!)
The other arguments seem to be matters of degree. Sure, anything to excess is bound to have unintended consequences. But Permaculture is based on patterns, and the problem is people tend to follow specific examples, rather than pick something with the same pattern that fits your situation.
The fact that people use examples, rather than patterns, is not a problem with Permaculture; it's a problem with its practitioners.
The big problem is the insane dominant culture, in which we all swim, are captive, enmeshed, indoctrinated, inculcated. It tends to pull us back in the instant we confront or try to move away from it. The M.I.I.P.C.C. (military-industrial-intelligence-pharma-corporate-complex) uses 90% of the energy, fuel, metals, minerals, water, soil....and creates most of the pollution and environmental damage.
But (BY DESIGN) when we do, we're steered into individual lifestyle-ism virtue signalling. A little Permaculture garden here or food forest there does not threaten the dominant paradigm.
So what needs to go along with Permaculture, is revolutionary resistance to this dominant insanity, fierce support of activists on the barricades, especially local organisers and any remnant indigenous cultures who know how to live sustainably.
If we are soooo awesomely lucky to get a future, it will be very local, very low tech, very light ecological footprint. Head in that direction and defend your beloved!
"If people are still alive in 50 years, they will look back at this time, and wonder, what the fuck was wrong with us, that we didn't fight back as the biosphere was going down. Love is a verb. Defend your beloved!" Lierre Keith
Lots of good points. Especially kudos on calling out the plastics. I’m so OVER plastic seed trays and any other plastic used in gardening, especially single use. I like things that break down.
I will say though I do think it’s both - as far as setting example versus top-down activism. I think grassroots, small scale is valuable alongside top down activism.
An idea for how to organize at bioregional level https://climatewaterproject.substack.com/p/how-to-activate-your-local-community
And also how to grow the permaculture movement faster, also from my newsletter https://climatewaterproject.substack.com/p/a-permaculture-framework-to-create
Majority of the changes are occurring from people individually and collectively attempting to play the role of a creator. The chart is easy to read. L shaped chart. Left side reads ‘find out’. Bottom reads ‘playing around’. Both measured and marked equally based on amount of effort applied. Play around, find out. Very historic, as we all see this chart.
https://open.substack.com/pub/misrule/p/permaculture-is-misunderstood?r=1lz2r1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I dont' plant it but Japanese knotweed could be mega harvested for reserveretrol
I’m supportive of the idea of using invasive species for something after they have been removed, but only if the goal is their eradication.