A Meaningful Life

1 | Andrew

April 11th, 2008 at 10:45 am

As someone with a 1-1.5hr commute each day, this thought has occurred to me on occasion. I think the entire world would conserve a tremendous amount of energy if societies were organised more in anarchic, relatively self-sufficient groups. Living near the food you eat, a good mixture of young and old, and the various micro-industries required to sustain them. The benefits to individual human experience alone would be enormous, but if you consider the energy savings of such a scheme it starts to really seem worthwhile.

I wonder if it’s even possible to do something like that. We’re entering an era of omniscient communication, and I wonder if that will simply further distract us from our immediate neighbours. On the other hand, one must recognise that we are globally heading toward quite a major resources crisis. With mass starvation, we’ll see a massive transference of power to those who have the direct means of producing food. Could that drive people out of the cities? Will we see currently residential landscapes reclaimed for agricultural use?

Sorry, I’ve veered way off topic with this comment. Just thinking out loud.

2 | Marc

April 11th, 2008 at 10:55 pm

i agree, going back toward smaller cities to reduce inefficient infrastructure and create community is something i beleive in. simply growing some of our vege’s is a step we have taken. Mostly herbs, lettuce and tomatoes. The trucking, packing, retail infrstructure it saves by reducing that ‘pull’ consumers cause when they buy from retail supermarkets is slowed a little. If everyone did it it would make a big difference. Plus its fun, the kids love stealing the strawberries.

i’ve just started reading another jarod diamond book and it feels like we will cut down our last tree one day soon, just like the easter islanders did. they new about limited resources but realised too late, feels the same. knowledge isnt making the difference, action is.

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