Reading Response 4-Biomimicry for social change

After Jesse brought up this idea of mimicking nature for social change it has stuck with me. Reading Biomimcry I am frustrated at times, inspired by the creative innovation it describes, but worried about the intentions of such innovation. Are these innovations necessary technology? Often they are not. How long will we have the materials to create such technologies? (What is the fate of the science lab?) I find myself scowling quite often, intrigued by the ideas, but unsure about my ethical response to them. Despite all of these frustrations, I am seeking inspiration, a model from nature for the process of social change. For these ‘sustainable’ technologies are not necessitating change, but rather allowing stagnation.

Here’s my idea: Us permaculturalists (and other ecosystem-lovers), sometimes considered ‘hippies,’ are weeds. To many we look like weeds, we obstruct like weeds, we break through concrete like weeds. By weeds I of course mean that we are the pioneers, but I think we must await our history book moment before gaining that title. Finding this land (and society) in disarray, disturbed, unhealthy, out of balance, we are attempting to prepare it for future generations; to rehabilitate it. Like dandelions, we’re reaching deeply into the earth, far out into the community, to bring up helpful nutrients and minerals, to educate and inspire. Just as we reach out to our gardens and pull from them our own nutrition. As we prepare the grounds for social change, we are creating a healthy layer of humus, slowly, but surely, life is accumulating here. Like a network of mycelia we must be concerned with staying connected in a number of ways. Eventually we will have worked the earth enough that it will begin to flourish with life, slowly accumulating diversity, sustenance, and balanced peace.

On this scarred piece of ground that we’re fiercely popping our heads out of and spreading root systems in, is a system that is not working. Our capitalist, consuming society must be ended, it is that simple, that is why we’re here, to shade out that perfectly trimmed sod, which rips nutrients from the ground, consumes and consumes. Perhaps once we’re mowed down we resemble ‘sustainability.’ This plan to sustain the way things are as of now isn’t admitting to the fact that our economic system does not benefit humans and surely not the earth, hence my frustrations with biomimics. To mimic nature, let’s look to the process of healing disturbed land and apply it to healing our species. At some point the ground will be healthy enough to sustain life, our duty will be filled, and we will be shaded out by the overarching belief that nature is a wise system and that we must fulfill our position in this system, not take advantage of it. So as we make room for the seeds dropped by birds and brought in from wildlife, we must strengthen our network, balance the system, and seek new forms of information and companions. Most importantly we must find patience, for all is an ongoing process of change; like nature we must remain resilient, and be prepared to firmly root ourselves lest we be pulled up.

Permaculture Lens

Once we have the permaculture lens we start to see the world in a different light.  Manicured lawns reveal an exercise in futility and a major waste of resources such as water, gas, oil, human attention and their energy.  These patches of time wasters only represent a self indulgent pride filled endeavor with little green strands of grass to show for it all.  "Food Not Lawns" is the battle cry and we now find ourselves in the midst of a seed revolution!  Before starting this journey on the permaculture train I did not know about Mansanto and their monopolization of the world's seed supply.  They make genetically modified seeds that they promote as having better yields, reportedly will solve the world's famine problems, and even be a positive growth models for small farmers.  However Independent studies already show crop failures. http://www.i-sis.org.uk/IBTCF.php 

We need a seed revolution!  

They are attempting to monopolized the world's seed supply but the bees who pollinate the plants don't know the difference so when small farmers end up with their strand, agents come with guns a blazin' and destroy the small farms or they extort and intimidate the farmers into submission.  That's not much of a positive growth model for small farmers!  

Now Monsanto is even having laws enacted to prosecute those who save their own seeds, working with the FDA to make seeds a health hazard!

http://www.ethicalinvesting.com/monsanto/news/10040.htm

http://www.fda.gov/oc/speeches/2004/asta0629.html

Farmers in India are committing suicide by the thousands because of this Mansanto garbage.  Because of the seed patents, Monsanto is able to sell Bt-cotton seed 1000 times higher than normal prices.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1082559/The-GM-genocide-Thousands-Indian-farmers-committing-suicide-using-genetically-modified-crops.html.

Never before have I understood the meaning of revolution more clearly.  

We also need a water revolution!  Water issues had entered my consciousness from living in the desert and seeing the absolute waste of water on frickin' golf course in places like Phoenix.  The one place on the planet that should not be allowed to have the most golf courses in the world is Phoenix, AZ, but that's the reality.  I felt paralyzed by my awareness of water waste and not knowing what to do about it other than taking shorter showers.  

Now I know a community of people, like Becky and Jenny, who go to the Rebuilding Center on Mississippi and build a water catchment system for their gardens.  That inspires me.    

Even though I had heard about soil depletion, I had no idea how to build soil back up.  Now I'm sheet mulching and cultivating my own soil in my front yard.  The more the issues facing our time are revealed to me, the more I realize how much more I need to learn.  The more questions raised, the more answers sought.  Sounds pretty straight forward, but without honoring the process and reflecting on the progress made from where I started, this daunting task ahead could get to be a bit depressing.  By taking a moment to reflect on lessons learned and mistakes made.  The more strength I gain to learn more and strive toward fearlessness in the face of making more mistakes.  Maybe our world is in the process of learning from our mistakes.  Let's hope and grow together.

Biomimicry and "necessary products and services"

As I’ve been reading the book Cradle to Cradle I’ve been both simultaneously inspired and frustrated. I’ve been inspired by many of the ideas put forth in the book, but frustrated by how little action I see in making these ideas a reality. Obviously there are tons of great ideas out there and I don’t expect everyone to follow the ideas outlined in one book. However, my frustration surfaces because the degradation of our natural world is not one person’s idea, but is instead, at this point, a pretty well known phenomenon. Thus, while I don’t expect to see every idea in this book acted upon, I do want to see the underlying inspiration for these ideas (finding ways of doing things that enhance the vitality natural systems) gain greater acceptance. While I believe in permaculture as a way to restore natural systems and simultaneously produce food, I believe there are many other things that permaculture isn’t capable of providing for us. For example, living in the Northwest and fiddling with our permaculture gardens round the year, it can be expected that we will get cold and wet from time to time (or nearly all the time). As such, it’s nice to have a well-made raincoat to keep me dry. I suppose there are some oils that I could extract from plants that could serve this function, but I think it’s also reasonable to assume that there are ways of making things that will not destroy the earth. Currently however, my options are limited. While the outdoor gear company’s raincoat does a great job of keeping me dry, it simultaneously pollutes and destroys our environment. My other option, the oils extracted from plants and animals is (I’m sure) totally time consuming and beyond my understanding. Thus, in a more sustainable future it makes sense that we will retain some degree of specialization. And that’s where biomimicry comes in. How cool would it be if you could trade some food from your permaculture garden for a compostable raincoat that repels water not with chemicals, but instead with the power of design? As I was thinking about how the “lotus effect” is currently being utilized I began thinking how great it would be for raincoats. However, raincoats are just one example of what I’m going to call “necessary products.” There are many other “necessary products” as well as “necessary services” that aren’t essential to our lives, but they certainly make things easier and more enjoyable. However, because of the destructive way we produce things in this country and around the world, we are often made to feel guilty for wanting these products and services. Instead of imagining a future without these products and services, we should instead imagine a future in which we can have these things (I’m not talking about extravagances such as margarita machines, but useful products) while simultaneously encouraging natural systems. I believe biomimicry is a fantastic way to achieve this goal and I’m excited to see what development come from this field as we move forward.

Matthew's Post #3

In my first two blogs (which should now be uploaded to the site) I tried to focus on the idea that humans don’t have to be destructive, but instead can be productive. Obviously this is going to require a giant paradigm shift, but it’s possible. In fact, the more we believe and begin acting as if this is true, the more likely it is to happen. Just to be clear, I’m not talking about limiting our destruction. As McDonough and Braungart (2002) suggest, “the key is not to make human industries and systems smaller, as efficiency advocates propound, but to design them to get bigger and better in a way that replenishes, restores, and nourishes the rest of the world” (p. 78). So, what I’m talking about is encouraging humans to be good as opposed to less bad. Permaculture is one way to be good; it allows for us to design systems that restore and replenish. So, by practicing permaculture we can begin shifting our mindset towards creating systems of abundance for all life. However, I’m curious to what degree our involvement in other systems is perpetuating human destructiveness.

For example, I have considered myself a liberal for many years, but is being a liberal and voting democrat really doing anything good? Isn’t the liberal agenda, by regulating and allowing government control, merely reducing how destructive humans are? Does voting along liberal lines really incentivize doing good? Obviously there are some good things that come with a liberal viewpoint. For example, I completely agree with the liberal social agenda and its focus on individual freedom. In the long run though, does this priority outdo the continuation of destructive systems? Is it time for a new party, one focused on incentivizing the human potential for good? What about our food systems? Obviously environmentalists like to promote organic food, I certainly try and eat entirely organic. However, if this organic food is still raised in a monoculture and trucked in from California and Mexico, are we really supporting good or are we just being less bad? What about going to work? If we’re not working towards creating nourishing and replenishing systems is it worth going to work? Where do we draw the line? How can we help support one another in not just being less bad, but being more good? Permaculture is one idea, but it’s not the only idea. How can we support other systems of abundance so that we can begin mimicking ecological complexity with many overlapping systems of abundance? I don’t have the answers, just the questions. My hope is that together we can start generating soutions.

Matthew's Post #2 (Again, Finally!)

In my previous response paper I focused on the idea that it’s important to have
hope. As a basis for this idea I cited the fact that the biomass of all the ants in the world
is much greater than that of humans. Thus, I argued that maybe we shouldn’t concern
ourselves so much with unchecked population growth, but instead with the actions of a
given population. Today I believe this idea more than ever (and now I know why). I’m
currently sitting at the Urban Ecology and Conservation Symposium having just
experienced an amazingly inspirational lecture from my mycological hero Paul Stamets.
For those of you unfamiliar with Paul Stamets, he is the author of the book Mycelium
Running, which is an incredible introduction to the wonders of fungi. For the remainder
of this response (blog) I’d like to share some of the ideas Stamets discussed.
First things first, what on earth do ants have to do with mushrooms? Well, there
are four species on Earth that cultivate fungi. Ants and humans comprise two of the
four species (termites and bark beetles are the other two). So, even though the
combined biomass of ants on Earth is rather ridiculous, they remain an integral part of
our ecosystems precisely because of their intimate connection with fungi. What I (re)-
learned today is that the population of humans can potentially become as ecologically
productive and beneficial as ants if we begin to cultivate fungi in ways that we now
know are possible.

First, a little background about fungi. Fungi have been known to act as a
mothering influence in ecosystems by transferring nutrients from trees in favorable
conditions to trees in less favorable conditions. The idea here is that the fungi will
benefit from an optimally functioning ecosystem as they will have more food. Although
this sounds a bit far out, like maybe the fungi have intelligence, that’s because they do.
Stamets first cited a study in which slime molds were able to learn the quickest way
through a maze. He then mentioned who a similar slime mold was able to redesign the
Tokyo subway system by finding the quickest routes between stations. The way these
slime molds do this is what’s really amazing. The slime molds spread out in a
branching pattern as they search for food. The fungi then sends out nuclei through all
the branches that then respond to the terminal conditions. If there’s food then they’ll
stay, but if not, they will find alternative destinations. Ultimately, through communication
between these different branches, the fungi will reshape itself so that is efficient as
possible.

So, that’s definitely cool, but what does that have to do with humans not messing up
the world? Well, as we realize how amazing fungi really are, we’re now starting to use
fungi in new and incredible ways. For example, we’re starting to use oyster mushrooms
as a method for breaking down hydrocarbons in contaminated sites. Not only do these
mushrooms break down the toxic material, but after they’re finished they die back
and provide food for insects. These insects then provide food for birds who further
complement the process by dispersing seeds. Thus, fungi not only break down toxic
material, but they also recreate ecosystems.

Another way we’re starting to use fungi is by inoculating burlap sacks of wood-
chips with oyster mushrooms and then placing them in runoff swales. The result of this
process is a dramatic reduction of fecal-coliform. Turkey tail mushrooms are also able
to neutralize mercury while other types of fungi are known to live on radioactive waste.
Long story short, if humans begin working with fungi to manage the world around us, we
will be much more successful in surviving over the long haul.

Matthew's First Post (Finally!!)

I was excited to learn that we would all have an opportunity to read different
books in order to bring our diverse perspectives and inspirations back to the class for
general discussion. Not only will this provide a rich fusion of ideas, but it will also mean
that I can finally read Cradle to Cradle by William Mcdonough and Michael Braungart.
This book has been on my shelf for at least the past three years, but has unfortunately
been passed over time and time again. However, this is all history now as I’ ve begun
reading it for this class. Although I’ m not very far along, this book has offered some
wonderful topics for consideration. For example, at the end of chapter one, the authors
suggest that, “ all the ants on the planet taken together have a biomass greater than that of
humans. Ants have been incredibly industrious for millions of years. Yet their
productiveness nourishes plants, animals, and soil” (Mcdonough & Braungart, 2002,
p.16). This simple statement is profoundly meaningful to me because I can get
discouraged sometimes when I think about my own insignificance compared to the
exponentially expanding population of human beings on Earth. When population is the
main culprit for all of our problems it leads one to a sense of hopelessness. However,
when population is viewed as a potential positive it completely changes everything.

I’ m currently taking Educational Organization and Administration as my other
class right now and during our first meeting we watched a youtube video about how
rapidly our (human created) world is changing. For example, it showed the unbelievable
amount of children currently being born in India and China. It’ s hard to express how this
video affected me, but the numbers and the visual representations of these numbers were
truly staggering. As such, it left me feeling kind of helpless. It was like someone came
out and said everything I’ m doing right now doesn’ t make one bit of difference because
I’ m swimming upstream against a torrent that will continually knock me back. However,
if this rushing of waters doesn’ t necessarily spell doom, then everything I’ m doing and
we’ re doing together makes a whole lot more sense.

In the book the authors also ask the readers to think about designing a system
that will recreate all of the deleterious effects of our current industrial model. When you
think about it like this (which I certainly have) it makes absolutely no sense. However,
my previous thinking has led me to believe that a superior system would involve less
people. I think that’ s a complete misnomer and an unproductive desire that leads me to
unhealthy fascination with apocalyptic literature. Instead, when we think about designing
a superior system for the future we necessarily need to include all of Earth’ s current
and potential inhabitants. They’ re here, so it’ s best that we all work together towards a
brighter tomorrow. It’ s hard to say in what direction this book is ultimately going to lead
me, but I feel confident that I’ m going to learn some helpful and inspiring lessons. If ants
can be so productive, why can’ t humans?

Farmin' in the Backyard

Here's a video of Julie's backyard farm.  She has goats folks!  

That's right!  Horizontal eyed, chew on anything, two toe, cloven hoofed goats!   And chickens!!  And the cutest angora furred bunny in the world!  IT'S SO FLUFFY!

Those chickens have a job, so do those lovely goats as does the FLUFFY BUNNY!  Julie spins her own wool from that angora bunny fur.  Perhaps some of you remember when she shared her hand spinning wheel with us last term.  It's called a drop spindle!

All of this in her very own backyard.  It's like a dream come true for all of us permaculturephiles!  So I say, "I've been to the mountain top!"  It's in Julie's backyard!

Our permaculture principle #2 is Catch and Store Energy: Make hay while the sun shines.  Well I was inspired by how Julie is catching and storing energy.  She's making lifestyle choices that enrich her life and will provide energy for her to catch and store.  The goats will offer milk, chickens will lay eggs (when this cold weather lets up) and that FLUFFY BUNNY

will give us infinite cuteness to warm our hearts and its fur to warm our ears, heads and toes.  Oh yeah, here's the new album cover for our new Bluegrass band

Yep, that's Baby and Sweetheart posing for our album cover. Really, they just want to chew on my camera.  Look at those eyes!

David Holmgren writes, "In a time of rapid change and short-term thinking we need to rebuild the aspect of our culture that emphasises (he's from Australia; that's how they spell down there; I wonder if zoo is soo?) caring for the future, as well as deciding what is worth investing in for the benefit of our grandchildren and descendants."  

These types of choices: raising goats, sheet mulching, biking, composting, and gardening all give us hope and ground us in a more intentional way of life that does not feed into the NOW culture.  When we decide to invest in activities that will positively affect the lives of future generations, we add value to the world, to our lives and to lives around us.  The principle of catch and store energy allows us to envision a future that will benefit from the work we do today.  Julie's farm allows us to envision a future full of backyard farms!
Possible band names?
Nibblin' Goats
Strummin' N Milkin'
Cloven Pickin'