Permaculture's greatest challenge?

[Theron]

Hello everyone,

I'm working on a project to identify the greatest challenges to the progression of the permaculture movement. My question comes from the desire to see the movement excelerate by identifying our possible road blocks and developing solutions for them.

I'm attempting to get as much feedback on this as possible so don't hold back. The results from this thread may go in an article or may end up being the catalyst for the formation of an organization meant to meet the needs we identify.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Theron

[purplepear]

I think part of the reason may be that many people want to do studies into why and not enough are out building models to show how. There has been plenty of discussion in the past and you may wish to do a search

[pebble]

Hi Theron, welcome to the forum :-) Perhaps you could tell us what part of the world you are in, and what the project is you are working on? I'm also curious what your involvement with permaculture is. I think you will get different replies if you introduce yourself and your work a bit more.

[kimbo.parker]

The science itself is kosher - an earth science rich in theory and application.
The concept of systems design modelled on natural systems as a way of saving the planet is also kosher.

Thinking, that any affluent western culture is going to be able to surmount its Greedist Paradigm with Permaculture is 'cross eyed badger spit'.

Permacultue works with struggling demographics in third world situations....it translates to immediate improvements in wealth, comfort and power.

Permaculture objectives; which are fundamentally rooted in turning the destruction of environmental systems around,,,,,completely fail as attractive options to the herd.

Permaculture means less to them because it does, really and actually mean less comfort in consumption.

Permaculture has its die hards (salute, taste the ground, spit, ruined!).....people who took it all very seriously and became transitioned, progressing to the level of net producer organisms.

Those folk are so rare that they just don't represent 'the look of Permaculture'.

The problem with gutting Permaculture and dumbing the whole thing down to some gardening bullshit, that the herd can grasp, it that the entire 'brand' has become worthless crap!

Pulp; some stupid new marketing edge for the nursery industry - the ' look ' of green.

Permaculture is like Girlfriend Magazine, Famous, Vogue, New Idea, Womans Weekly, FHM, and anything media that feeds the Greedist Paradigm.

Permaculture has been irretrievably compromised!

Kill it.
and dance afterwards.

old, redundant, a perversion - god dam heartbreaking!

the good news:" The Culture "..... provides models that have a resilience against corruption by humans.

move on ,,,,quickly, don't look back.

k

ps i / we have a certified permaculture designer as a captive hostage. We punish that bastard for the current state of what he told us was going to save the planet.
when we encounter a post like the one that fed this - we take that captive arse-hole, and we torture him.
we think there should be more of 'holding designers accountable'.

if you want to re-jig permaculture amid the hi-jack,,,,i suggest a hand picked team of radical bad bastards charged with seeking out and punishing permaculture deserters.....i volunteer.
k

[eco4560]

Get yourself a copy of Permaculture Pioneers. There's a very similar discussion in the book.

[Theron]

Ah yes, introductions... Sorry 'bout that.
As purplepear pointed out (and I agree) there are a wealth of people doing studies and not a enough building models. I've been spending too much of my time building models and this is my first go at building a study... so my forum etiquette is a little off the mark.

Please check out my profile on the WPN.

Regarding why I ask this question and what kind of responses I'm looking for... I'm considering starting a steering committee to develop a new cooperative organization that can identify, target and remove barriers to the progression of permaculture. Well, that is were I started anyway... based on the feedback I've gotten from other forums, I'm thinking that such an organization may not necessarily be the most effective means of accomplishing those ends. Thus my research continues until I can identify what the best approach is for meeting the challenges of permaculture progression.

Hope this clarifies my intentions a bit...
Theron

[Theron]

Thanks eco4560... I'm traveling at the moment but I'll try to pick up a copy as soon as I settle in at my next destination.

[kimbo.parker]

On The Death of Permaculture Education

November 27th, 2011 | Author: vladislav
The current permaculture educational model, rooted in traditional western model of information-feeding, was simply never designed to meet the challenge of correcting false information present between most people’s ears. That model is dead as a vehicle towards widespread dissemination of nature-inspired design. We must accept that death and allow the remains to compost into healthy soil for new models to emerge. May this article respectfully provoke dialogue and action, expediting the composting process and clearing the way for the birth of new models.

http://www.vladislavdavidzon.com/201...ure-education/

[purplepear]

I believe there is some truth to the notion that being talked at for two weeks can miss the mark in changing people effectively. The group dynamic of a PDC can have great effect in motivating people towards change but to be given the confidence to "do it" is a key factor. Practical "hands-on" learning is important to show people that not only is it worthwhile but doable. Can we do this in two weeks? I think it is done here at Purple Pear but mostly people get the opportunity to see first hand the system working as they eat the food produced and become a part of the life on the farm. They are exposed to not only food production but social and economic aspects of permaculture. I think the apprentership/intern gives people a chance to develop skills in situations where the participant does not have a mentor or access to land for ongoing study.

Local permaculture groups are important in providing some of the mentoring necessary and we need experienced Permaculturists to remain engaged in these groups well past the usefulness to themselves of membership.

[kimbo.parker]

http://enkidu.anarchyplanet.org/cert...ure-education/

.....Mollison refused to certify individual teachers, claiming that the two-week Design Course needed to include all the material in the Pc Designer’s Manual.....

else the thing would turn into some gardening bullshit.

i was there when we let the organic gardeners in,,,,i said it was a mistake.
Bill said it was a mistake, crusty, gnarly systems designer....

but PAWA (perma assoc west aust.) had to be popular.....PAWA aint too popular in 2012 i can tell ya....all but dead it is.

we need a name for the ones who seriously do 'old permaculture' - i find that 'wankers' does not quite bestow the level of reverence i believe is appropriate.