Deindustrialized Society

[helwen]

Excellent Article by John Michael Greer:
http://www.oilcrisis.com/whatToDo/DeindustrialAge.htm

Readers may or may not believe all that he's writing about here; your choice, of course!

Regardless of what one believes will happen to technology and society in the coming decades, I find the concept of a community that can live more lightly on the land a strongly appealing one, and one to which I definitely aspire.

I'm working on collecting all sorts of knowledge - herbs for cooking, dyeing, medical and hygiene use, woods crafting skills (firestarting, etc.), soapmaking and making its component materials, alternative power and building techniques, and more.

I'll be learning more about the area I live in -- climate, soil types, geology, weather patterns, etc. this year.

And of course improving my skills in weaving and gardening, and doing more hiking and biking! I'm even going to try to practice archery more than previously. And recent activities are starting to inspire me to get back to painting and other arts.

Of course, I don't expect I'll become a master of much of the information I gather, but I've always thought it would be nice to have resources that my friends could look over as well, should they be inspired to try something new :)

Gotta go to work!

Comments

[etainmbw.livejournal.com]

All worthwhile fields of study. I am trying to learn some of many of the same fields. Where I run into snags is finding the opportunity and tools with which to practice what I am learning... If I can't work with 'hands on'... I find that the knowledge doesn't stay with me nearly as well...

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Any tools in specific that you're having trouble getting?

[etainmbw.livejournal.com]

I don't have many of the larger gardening tools such as a rototiller since I've just got a small plot of land to work with. And not much experience with large scale growing of food (and preserving of same).

I haven't managed to get my hands on a pressure canner and assorted supplies. No real need as yet as I don't grow enough to have any left over to can.

I would like to try my hand at soapmaking. My brother put together a small box for me to use as a mold (if I can find it). Not sure what other tools I need before I begin.

[etainmbw.livejournal.com]

Oh and I'd like to learn how to weave but so far the only loom I have is an inkle loom. When I have more space or after we move (take your pick), I think I'd like to look into putting together a warp weighted loom. It seems like it would get the job done without costing near as much or needing as much space for set-up.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

I don't have a rototiller either. And even with the house, no place to store one. We'll just have to manage by hand. The first year is the hardest, because of breaking new ground. Once the ground has softened up again, even breaking and turned a few square feet per day is a good thing. It won't look like much, but after a week it adds up. You don't want to overdo, especially if you're not used to digging. It's hard work!

One of my books talks about how to sharpen tools to make them cut through the weeds and soil more easily -- yes, the spade and hoe both need sharpening. I didn't know that until I bought the book Gardening in Hard Times (I posted on it some weeks ago).

I have to learn about canning also. I have a little book on it downstairs on the bathroom shelves; I'll try to pull it out to have a look, later.

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Yes, I believe those aren't too hard to learn to use. I think fitzw's done a bit of weaving on that type of loom...