After recently moving to San Francisco, I've finally found a room to call my own, and it comes with this amazing view. I love to sit on my bed and take in the strong sunlight that comes through my bay window.I'm amazed at the position I've come into here. It feels so surreal. I am completely in love with Permaculture, which I try to explain as a sustainable method of agriculture that mimics natural systems. This does not do it justice. It takes every possible implication and consequence of a design into consideration in a holistic sense, all the while working with what's available and reasonable. My teachers never fail to amaze me, so thoughtful and sensitive. Plus, there are plenty of urban farms and other projects for me to get my hands dirty in the city whenever I want. These projects work with common themes: teaching people self-reliance and connecting them with the land. These themes cultivate a sense of resilience in the community and shift the perspective of those involved to one that is more accountable and resourceful.
After spending so much time studying social movements around the world and in different subjects, I've found that the ones with the most success share similar traits. They arise out of necessity, take an approach that accounts for whole systems, are open to change, and bring people together. I see Permaculture as something that will last, not merely because it is "sustainable," but because it is accessible. We currently need an alternative to industrial monocrop food systems that is not only available to all income levels, but healthy as well. Permaculture designs for whole systems, not just planning for water or ease of harvesting, but for everything involved. By thinking in these terms, it is naturally inclined to work with change. It faces each problem as a solution in itself, and creates a sense of solidarity with people in the surrounding communities. Permaculture fits the framework for a successful and lasting movement. It only has to follow its trend for growth that has developed since it was founded in the 70s.
There's a feeling I get when I know I've encountered something special and worthwhile. I'm overwhelmed by it everyday in this city (especially when I juxtapose my current state with my previous job, see "Internment"). In short, California is awesome and so am I.
Millions of people
Who know how to love
Please clap your gilded hands
And laugh out loud."
Saw Wei
That sounds good Alex. I like your succulent, and your view.
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ReplyDeleteHere's the thing about California. People go there and meet a lot of other smart people who all have the right ideas. They thrive on their commonalities and share knowledge. Then they build a community of like-minded "progressives" who stay in California because what they are "selling" is easily marketed and accepted by other like-minded people around them. This creates a brain drain in other area where concepts like permaculture (or even just not digging a well to water your lawn when there is a drought - plan ahead and plant drought-resistant ground covers) are not as easily understood or accepted as readily.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm getting at is, how will these ideas ever take hold in the places where they are most needed if you stay in San Francisco, Alex?
Don't stay gone too long! We need you here!
Hey darlin'! love the view, and the blog. Just linked you to mine! miss ya! looks like your fitting right in to the SF lifestyle.
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