Tuesday, July 1, 2014

People: Ariel Blackbird

Ariel runs a radio program focused on sustainability, right livelihood, and the emerging cooperative culture:
http://buildersofthedawn.org.  We had a super conversation about building/developing communities, housing, travel, etc.

In our conversation, Ariel framed the question of how to develop positive, generous communities in what I thought was a brilliant way, "How do we make things [resources] abundant and provide the feeling of abundance? "

I think it's a great way of looking at things.  Particularly around the feeling of abundance, as sometimes when resource are abundant, people still don't feel like they are and still try to hoard/defend and close themselves off from others.  It was a thought-provoking discussion and make me think about how I want to help the communities I am in.

The discussion on travel was helpful since I have a mixed opinion on travel.  I often feel it can be very un-environmental and escapist.  However, as we were talking I was reminded how travel also is helpful to let you understand more than the perspective of the people in your immediate circle - so it can be a helpful reality check (in contrast to escapism) if it allows this.

2 comments :

  1. Peter, I am so enjoying these pictures and tales from your travels! I have the same conflict about travel so I love that you mention that, there was an added element too when we were living in south east asia - wanting to help the developing countries nearby we would go on volunteering trips to cambodia and feeling very unsure about the overall impact.

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    1. Hi Emma, thanks so much! I completely agree with you on the dilemma around volunteer trips. I feel volunteer trips and assignments might be the best type of travel - but it is so hard to assess the impact. I think it's interesting to look at who benefits more as well (the traveler/volunteer or the recipients of whatever the work is for). Even if it is the traveler, if it helps educate and motivate the traveler/volunteer to help out longer-term then I think it's a good thing. I used to feel it had to be measured on the trip or assignment alone and believe I ruled out some positive opportunities to learn.

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