Episode 68: Durable Communities

[KMO]

Episode 68: Durable Communities (http://www.podomatic.com/link/139786d138a98aed958cc6f519066a3d)

http://c-realmpodcast.podomatic.com/2007-12-12T17_42_32-08_00.jpg
(http://www.podomatic.com/link/139786d138a98aed958cc6f519066a3d)

In this 68th episode of the C-Realm Podcast, we continue the conversation with Lorenzo of the Psychedelic Salon about the opportunities for community-building and a rapid change in human consciousness that arise in moments of crisis, then KMO talks with Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy about the advantages of establishing more resilient and self-sufficient local economies.

http://pics.livejournal.com/kmo/pic/0002typf (http://astore.amazon.com/crealm)

[fortytwo]

Very good episode. Kept me on the edge of my seat. I especially liked the way McKibbin could illustrate the concentrated energy potential of oil, and how it simply cannot be replaced easily by some other alternative. Reduction is paramount to this transition.

Also, we are worse off for consumption. I'm "forced" to drive an hour through traffic to sit in my desk at my horrible job, though I could do it just as easily from home. We have the luxury of driving 40 miles to tinker away on a PC, because it is our paradigm, it is unthinkable that I should work from home. Even funnier (and forgive this tangent), we have a "shuttle bus" at work that drives roughly 1.2 miles in a circle in order to take employees from the parking lot to the front door, so that they don't have to walk down a nature trail (nature! trail) that runs roughly 300 yards. I'd say about 95% of the employees wait for and ride this bus, a far longer ordeal than the walk. Adding irony, the "nature trail" is actually one of those "fitness" trails from the 80's all of the signs decrepit with neglect, chin-up bars, and platforms strung along the way, grown over with vines.

[KMO]

Even funnier (and forgive this tangent), we have a "shuttle bus" at work...

That's no tangent at all. Thank you for taking the time to tell me about it. Here your co-workers have this one opportunity to do something other than sit physically inert, which is what they do all day, sit inert behind the wheel of their car, looking at the big screen that is their front windshield or sit inert staring at the smaller screen of the work terminal. They have the opportunity to actually engage their bodies in a non-strenuous way and enjoy a brief passage through an environment of fractal foliage that is friendly to the eye and to the mind, and they choose instead to sit inert for a bit longer, perhaps keeping their busy worker bee brains engaged with some bit of business on their cell phone or Blackberry.

The transition to a post-petroleum environment will be much harder for these folks than for those who are practiced in engaging their bodies and disengaging the busy bee worker mind.

[fortytwo]

I was thinking of filming the nonsense, but then I thought - Ah ha! - Google Maps!

The red path is the bus route, about 1.2 miles, the blue path is the trail, exactly 600 yards. However, in the second picture, you can see that the "as the crow flies" path from the two closest parking spots is exactly 100 yards. But that would mean getting your shoes dirty! (You will also notice that people are parking in the grass to save themselves the trouble.)

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/7246/jobwalkbusqw9.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9532/jobwalk2nn7.jpg

Oh - and it's FLORIDA! Sunny, perfect weather year round.

[Ostritt]

Good effort fortytwo! I was quite captivated for a while there, also a bit depressed at the image of all those people taking a bus instead of enjoying nature. I think McKenna once mentioned how culture and society have drifted so far away from nature that people are actually frightened of it (tantamount to being frightened of themselves imo). I always lived really close to a forest growing up in Germany and love nothing more than wondering under the trees so it saddens me to think that some people are afraid of that connection. As long as you keep walking the nature trail I'm sure eventually others will see the wisdom and follow you - be the change you want to see :D

[Clarence Maloy]

Aloha KMO,
This snippet of your talk with Lorenzo was the most positive half hour I have heard in a long time. Our culture and impending change can get a bit overwhelming at times.
I have a job that requires great energy consumption.
It weighs on me. On good days I can rationalize my use of resources with the creation of art. Art may be a way to uplift others and show them the beauty that is intrinsic in everything around us. On other days I make chatchkes for tourists, at great expense to future generations.
Everyways, this was a great episode. I love the made it and lost it and don't miss it perspective that both you and Lorenzo have. Its good to remind us that we don't really want to be the fat cat.

Keep it up.

[Greenking]

Little late but, In regards to KMO & Lorenzo’s convo, Similar to podcast 10. “Coming Changes”
Completely agree with you guys I just wanted to add my 2cents for what it’s forth to everyone.

I just want to express how important it is to be self-reliant. I have a difficult time stomaching our entire situation, with these endless issues surrounding the world. Our cities are not headed in a positive direction. We can all agree. Whether it’s the amount traffic, air quality, food quality & quantity (eventually), the amount of times my car gets broken into, or the materialistic crazies all-over the place. The high populated areas are in for some NOT so fun times... THAT’S A FACT.

I think saving money to buy land out of high populated areas would be an excellent idea! & stocking up on food, that’s just a good idea in general. Permaculture in my opinion would be the best thing I can do for myself & my future family so I don't have to depend on our crooked government. It stresses me out just thinking about it.
Also surround yourself with loved ones! Bring everyone together if you can. Take initiative & create your own reality.
Do what your parents didn't do.

We have a strong chance to get what it is we want now, if we focus & act.

I guess mainly what I want to point out is make an instinctive change.

Spread Peace:D