A bit of a departure from our usual fare, here's something for the survivalist in all of us and especially for those folks lucky enough to have some land, preferably in a rural area. -- Ed. Most of us have a proverbial "plan-B," or at least a rough idea of how we would protect ourselves and our families in the event of an emergency. As turmoil increases around the world, … [Read more...]
Climate, food, and art
There's less than 36 hours until Transition Voice editor Lindsay Curren's Kickstarter project — 31 Days of Urban Agriculture — ends. In Kickstarter's all-or-nothing crowd funding model, that means if Lindsay makes her goal, her project is funded. And if she doesn't, she loses all the pledges (and no backers are charged for their pledges, either). At almsot 60% funded, we … [Read more...]
Dignity in dabbling
We offer the following quote from inspired science fiction writer Robert Heinlein for all you DIY generalists out there. A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, … [Read more...]
Our daily conveniences are somebody else’s suffering
I grope my way up the stairs in near-complete darkness, unaccustomed to the uneven concrete floors and unexpected corners of the building I first entered only a few hours earlier, following a seven-hour bus ride from Jaipur, India. My only guide through the dark, labyrinthine hallways is the flowing, spotlessly white robe of the young Jain nun walking ahead of me. Finally … [Read more...]
Radical homemakers
Confucius said that the health of a nation could be determined by the integrity of its homes. If we apply that standard, we’re in trouble. Culturally, most Americans don’t even have homes anymore. They have houses, not homes. Homes are something that are made, not bought. And, homes, thus, require homemakers. That’s right, plural: homemakers. I'm not talking about just … [Read more...]