Act: Inspiration

“Reinventing Collapse” by Dmitry Orlov (book review)

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Well, first of all, it’s funny. Really. I don’t mean it’s filled with jokes, but Dmitry Orlov has a very humorous and biting style. This humorous approach serves two important purposes: 1) It makes the book enjoyable to read. 2) It helps the reader develop a certain healthy detachment from the subject matter.

In defense of the family farm

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I have in mind… the one example known to me of an American community of small family farmers who have not only survived but thrived during some very difficult years: I mean the Amish. I do not recommend, of course, that all farmers should become Amish, nor do I want to suggest that the Amish are perfect people or that their way of life is perfect. What I want to recommend are some Amish principles

Finding Main Street good in the Wall Street crash

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Going forward into the peak oil decline years, strong local economies are all that stand between us and collapse… When people shift their money from trans-continental banks to local banks and credit unions, their money goes to work in their own neighborhood and strengthens the real, local economy where they live and work.

How to create change In your community: finding or forming a local group

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When we live locally and strengthen our communities, we become stronger and better able to adapt to changes in the economy, climate, and energy availability. But we discuss much about how to go about this. So… how do you create change in your community? And how do you form a group of people who can tackle these community needs?

Musings: soil, dress rehearsal, French interview, panic, FAQs

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Reading has taught me a lot. Gardening has taught me as much or more. Often, these lessons tend to be ones that sound trite when put in words: Stay humble; Don’t demand too much too fast; Notice the interconnections; Go slow, but always pay attention and be prepared for rapid-onset opportunities and problems. (Excerpts)