Radical Noesis - Thinking outside the box

It is very discouraging. The people I encounter and seek out, meaning a variety of people and not just one stratum, simply don't want to engage. I note two prevailing attitudes: 1.) We have enough now, let the next generation solve the problem, 2.) It is not as bad as they say it is. Yup, it's that bad. Personal meaning for many remains tied to consumption, possession and purchase of material goods and services. What they have defines who they are.

I was in shock at the article I read today in Reader's Digest. It was claiming that the environment is improving!!!

As for talking to people about the oil issue, I, too, am frustrated. I get the "yeah, I know" kind of response, but no one seems to be interested in changing their way of life. People are too content with the social attitudes toward progress and success. Stepping back would be reaching into the more 'primitive' ways of life. Even the Native peoples I have encountered have assimilated into this capitalistic culture. They leave the ideas of old up to their elders.

I am very interested in what you would have to share about permaculture. I wish I could grow my own food, but practice as it is, renders our homes too close to one another to even consider a small vegetable garden, unless we turn the five by five foot area called the backyard into one. Here where I live, there is not even room for a community garden (or the likelihood that the neighbors would even participate).

The strange part is part of the environment is improving, depending on what you measure. If you measure raw # of acres of forest and the white tail deer population and use this as your measure then the environment is improving. I've come to the conclusion that only quantity is the only condition that is closely watched and quality doesn't really count for much. Along these lines I would highly recommend checking out the book "Against the Grain" with the tagline of how agriculture hijacked civilization.

In regards to permaculture you can do container gardening or even indoor gardening if you can structure things well. If you would like to take some classes on Permculture I would recommend checking out http://portlandpermaculture.com/. They offer some great courses which I found quite helpful.

Who wrote the book just in case I cannot find it by title?

Never mind, I just reserved it at the library.
Thanks

Well I better return the copy I have checked out ;-)