Grahame - I just scrolled up a bit (had only read your initial post in this thread before now). I note such statements as: "Then I started to realise that I am only dabbling in this - because my mind set isn't one that says I am in danger if I don't do a better job. Just like the way society is treating the environmental problems we are faced with. That is to say, until it directly threatens our way of life in tangible ways we are not likely to take it seriously, or at least not as seriously as we need too."

Exactly! This is why I share a mix of good and bad news - because we don't truly embrace the solution if we still cannot grasp the urgency of the problems. Permaculturists in general have spent the last thirty years thinking of this as an 'alternative lifestyle', not recognising their responsibility to impress upon EVERYONE that there is no alternative. If we don't get permaculture thinking into mainstream society, and quick, then there's really little point anyone being a permaculturist. As you've noted, to supply much of your own needs from your own land is a mammoth task that required much good design, determination, patient observance, and time. If you were surrounded in people all trying to do the same, all with a sense of urgency, then cooperation would blossom and you'd find you're not swimming against the current any more.

The good news is people are starting to wake up.

Your comments alone could easily be reworked into a good introspective, pondering post about your thoughts on the need to take this more seriously. I hope you'll take these comments and work it into a post for the main blog. It's all good stuff to inspire people.