Home » Posts tagged 'human permaculture'
Tag Archives: human permaculture
Human Permaculture Part 3: Practical Communication Techniques
HUMAN PERMACULTURE PART 3: PRACTICAL COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
In part one (1) of this article I explored the possible efficacy of visualising our communication with each other as a invisible flow, less predictable than other energy flows in a Sector Analysis but still able to be mapped as part of a design; while in part two (2) I looked at what catching and storing such energy flows might look like. This third part is turning inwards from the pattern of the wider concept of communication flows, to the details of how we can use permaculture to help our own personal communication be more effective.
Changing the way we think to encourage Earth Care and People Care
Following on from the idea that communication can be seen as an ‘invisible structure’, we can also see that within us we have our own invisible structures, made up of the languages which we use to think. We can use permaculture to examine these structures and possibly change them to help us communicate more holistically and honestly with ourselves, hopefully allowing for easier communication with everyone else.
One of the first changes which could be beneficial is that of changing how we speak about the natural world. A number of writers, scientists and philosophers – such as Alan Watts (3), James Lovelock (4) and David Abram (5) to name but a few – have pointed out the power of phonetic language to create abstractions within the mental realm. This means that it is very easy to imagine that we are separate from nature, and thus to allow the exploitation or destruction of our world. This abstraction is probably done more or less unconsciously, if the language one grows up with enables abstract thought in this way.
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
Human Permaculture: Some Ideas On How To ‘Seed’ Information For Fertile Results
Human Permaculture: Some Ideas On How To ‘Seed’ Information For Fertile Results
SEEDS AND STORIES
In my previous article, ‘Human Permaculture: Looking at Migration as Flow to Solve Problems’ (1), I explored how we can apply permaculture water-designs to help people who are ‘flowing’ from one place along particular pathways to reach the destinations suitable for them in a way which can benefit those arriving and those already there. Applying such principles will need a concerted effort of communication among all those affected by human flow. This article also looks at other ways of applying permaculture-inspired ideas with people and technology.
If we can analogise the way in which people travel around as similar to water flowing, it is also possible to look at the way we use language and information as the ‘seeds’ which that water can nourish; or destroy. In our increasingly electronically-collected global information system, information can be used to help create huge blooms of beneficial change. Yet it is also important to consider where we plant such seeds, or whether or not we encourage certain types of language or technology, in order to best encourage growth which is mutually beneficial.
Seedbombs for travellers
The idea of using information as a way to help those traveling into Europe was suggested as a response to my previous ‘Human Permaculture’ article by Andrej Vesmir (2). As explored in that article, there are a small number of ‘crisis points’ in Europe where the number of people arriving into the place exceeds the amount of resources or infrastructure necessary to support such numbers. However, if networks of communication could be set up which provide up-to-date information about points of arrival, such ‘crises’ can be avoided as people will choose to travel to somewhere where their needs will be supported.
…click on the above link to read the rest of the article…
