Glad to hear things are going well for you guys :) It’s good to hear you are getting closer to your community. I think any chance of reaching or influencing people has to come from you all actively trying to integrate and participate with people, winning “hearts and minds” as it were. Both in terms of convincing others, and leading by example showing another way. Otherwise, people are just going to think of you guys as different, or maybe not even know about you!
The hope would be that as modernity and global capitalism degrades, there is a feedback loop of others who feel similarly and are tired of the old way or realize it can’t continue, and need another model of what to follow. In that situation, you’d be in a much better position if you’re already friends with half the valley and maybe even been gifting plants around the place or giving advice to lay the groundwork, vs hoping they’ll come to you.
The whole endeavor is not entirely without risks, though, as I'll explain in an upcoming Update. We have to be really fucking careful what we say, since our ideas & worldview are so radically different from what's considered "the norm" around here. People get offended very, very easily, even when you only do something as inconspicuous as pointing out the virtues of organic vs chemical cultivation - people often take that to mean "look how much better we are," no matter how careful one formulates it. They have to reconcile with the fact that everything they've been doing their entire "careers" was wrong (from an ecological perspective), and that's a pretty hard pill to swallow.
I am a bit more optimistic now that we've got the ball rolling, though. As they say in Germany, "constant drips wear down the rock."
A warm and uplifting post compared to your usual! I also sometimes get the feeling of being in a village when more people are here and everyone is busy with various tasks, contributing and helping. Other than the practicalities, it really is more fun. Occassionally someone calls for help and even if i am tired then, i find a boost of energy and purpose. Deep inside we all want to serve and be part of something bigger (nature, community, etc).
I get your point about social battery too. I have always thought myself as an introvert and happy to be by myself, but my entire life before this has been in urban places where often I wish there were less people. Now that I am here, I am more happy to see people.
My orang asli (indigenous person) friend who lives with many families around him always asks if I am bored here. I think reading and writing are other ways to socialize, kinda like listening or speaking to someone, but people that don't do it much (or kids) have a much stronger need to do it with real people.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Thomas! Always appreciate your input.
I think that even many of those who consider themselves introverts actually would love to socialize more - it's just that modern society has become such a toxic mimic of traditional community (and people so obsessed with the wrong things) that more and more people become "introverts" as a response. Perhaps they can't identify with anyone in their immediate environment, or are afraid to get hurt, disappointed or looked down upon, or don't want to play "keeping up with the Joneses," or are simply tired of the constant focus on money, status, superficiality, external appearance, "fashion," etc.
I firmly believe that *everyone* can enjoy being part of a community, but since the dominant culture is sooo different from the reality we evolved to encounter ("natural" human communities like the various Orang Asli, for instance), there are more and more people these days who actually prefer (relative) solitude over pretending to be "normal" just to fit in.
I also completely agree that reading and writing can be surrogates for social activity, albeit very abstract ones. This can be a huge benefit, but it also conveys some obvious downsides, depending on many different factors. If I'd never read any books and got all my knowledge of the world from conversations with the people around me, my horizon would be pretty limited, I reckon. I wouldn't know half the things about the way the Universe (and its many fractal reflections) works. But that's a double-edged sword as well, as more knowledge does tend to alienate one from one's peers.
And then there's the whole library sections worth of excellent, gripping, exciting fiction novels. Great entertainment, but ultimately an escape from reality, and thus a bit dangerous. The more time one spends in imaginary worlds, the harder it becomes to find joy and fulfillment in the real world.
But, ultimately, if the real world is unappealing, it would be much better to try to change it than to withdraw from it. But therefore you'd first need community!
As always, it seems like there are no easy answers...
Those projects are non-essential, and I suspect we simply won't have the time to do such things. Even now we're pretty much full-time employed with gardening, socializing/community-building and reading/writing.
At the same time, the costs of various construction materials are starting to go up considerably, and those particular projects would have been compromises involving both natural and artificial materials. Building those two things entirely from natural materials would mean that they'd hold only a few years (thanks to the tropical climate), and that simply wouldn't be worth the effort.
Also, we'd need at least two more people to build them, otherwise it would simply take up too much of our time.
Reading this update really warms my heart as I especially enjoyed zooming in on all the photos! Neeti and I honestly cannot wait to come visit you and Karn on the land. Still working out the exact date but if schedule permits, we're hoping May might be possible. And I guess we're probably your textbook examples of disillusioned city people! Trying to unlearn old patterns, remember what's real, and lean into something more.... honest and natural. Every time I read about what you're up to, it gives me much hope - at least much less alone in wanting a different kind of life. We're really looking forward to seeing it all up close.
Thanks a lot! Yes, it has been a really exciting past few months, and since we moved here we have never been this socially active - we even started using the calendar app on our phone for the first time!
We're both looking forward to your visit - another great opportunity to socialize with like-minded folks and further expand our circle! Let's just hope the weather won't be too bad - maybe bring some rubber boots just in case ;)
Yeah, I do understand the bit about disillusioned city people all too well... In large part because that used to be me not so long ago. Hopeless, listless, frustrated, and longing for (as you put it) something more honest and natural.
It takes a massive leap of faith to go down this road, but there's a high chance that it'll be worth it! (Definitely can't be worse than the status quo.)
We humans evolved to live a very different lifestyle in a very different environment, and, after some initial acclimatization, you'd be surprised how much potential, strength & resilience lies dormant even in us city people! Deep down that's what we all long for, what we all need to be happy & healthy.
I do agricultural work in rural africa mainly trying to promote organic farming methods. If you have any advice on ways to get the message across on organic vs chemical methods id love to hear it!
Glad to hear things are going well for you guys :) It’s good to hear you are getting closer to your community. I think any chance of reaching or influencing people has to come from you all actively trying to integrate and participate with people, winning “hearts and minds” as it were. Both in terms of convincing others, and leading by example showing another way. Otherwise, people are just going to think of you guys as different, or maybe not even know about you!
The hope would be that as modernity and global capitalism degrades, there is a feedback loop of others who feel similarly and are tired of the old way or realize it can’t continue, and need another model of what to follow. In that situation, you’d be in a much better position if you’re already friends with half the valley and maybe even been gifting plants around the place or giving advice to lay the groundwork, vs hoping they’ll come to you.
That's the plan - let's pray that it works!
The whole endeavor is not entirely without risks, though, as I'll explain in an upcoming Update. We have to be really fucking careful what we say, since our ideas & worldview are so radically different from what's considered "the norm" around here. People get offended very, very easily, even when you only do something as inconspicuous as pointing out the virtues of organic vs chemical cultivation - people often take that to mean "look how much better we are," no matter how careful one formulates it. They have to reconcile with the fact that everything they've been doing their entire "careers" was wrong (from an ecological perspective), and that's a pretty hard pill to swallow.
I am a bit more optimistic now that we've got the ball rolling, though. As they say in Germany, "constant drips wear down the rock."
A warm and uplifting post compared to your usual! I also sometimes get the feeling of being in a village when more people are here and everyone is busy with various tasks, contributing and helping. Other than the practicalities, it really is more fun. Occassionally someone calls for help and even if i am tired then, i find a boost of energy and purpose. Deep inside we all want to serve and be part of something bigger (nature, community, etc).
I get your point about social battery too. I have always thought myself as an introvert and happy to be by myself, but my entire life before this has been in urban places where often I wish there were less people. Now that I am here, I am more happy to see people.
My orang asli (indigenous person) friend who lives with many families around him always asks if I am bored here. I think reading and writing are other ways to socialize, kinda like listening or speaking to someone, but people that don't do it much (or kids) have a much stronger need to do it with real people.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Thomas! Always appreciate your input.
I think that even many of those who consider themselves introverts actually would love to socialize more - it's just that modern society has become such a toxic mimic of traditional community (and people so obsessed with the wrong things) that more and more people become "introverts" as a response. Perhaps they can't identify with anyone in their immediate environment, or are afraid to get hurt, disappointed or looked down upon, or don't want to play "keeping up with the Joneses," or are simply tired of the constant focus on money, status, superficiality, external appearance, "fashion," etc.
I firmly believe that *everyone* can enjoy being part of a community, but since the dominant culture is sooo different from the reality we evolved to encounter ("natural" human communities like the various Orang Asli, for instance), there are more and more people these days who actually prefer (relative) solitude over pretending to be "normal" just to fit in.
I also completely agree that reading and writing can be surrogates for social activity, albeit very abstract ones. This can be a huge benefit, but it also conveys some obvious downsides, depending on many different factors. If I'd never read any books and got all my knowledge of the world from conversations with the people around me, my horizon would be pretty limited, I reckon. I wouldn't know half the things about the way the Universe (and its many fractal reflections) works. But that's a double-edged sword as well, as more knowledge does tend to alienate one from one's peers.
And then there's the whole library sections worth of excellent, gripping, exciting fiction novels. Great entertainment, but ultimately an escape from reality, and thus a bit dangerous. The more time one spends in imaginary worlds, the harder it becomes to find joy and fulfillment in the real world.
But, ultimately, if the real world is unappealing, it would be much better to try to change it than to withdraw from it. But therefore you'd first need community!
As always, it seems like there are no easy answers...
"Somehow I thought we’d still have a bit more time, but now I’m certain we don’t."
What do you anticipate playing out in the near future, that will prevent you from constructing the floating pavilion or birdwatching tower?
Those projects are non-essential, and I suspect we simply won't have the time to do such things. Even now we're pretty much full-time employed with gardening, socializing/community-building and reading/writing.
At the same time, the costs of various construction materials are starting to go up considerably, and those particular projects would have been compromises involving both natural and artificial materials. Building those two things entirely from natural materials would mean that they'd hold only a few years (thanks to the tropical climate), and that simply wouldn't be worth the effort.
Also, we'd need at least two more people to build them, otherwise it would simply take up too much of our time.
Reading this update really warms my heart as I especially enjoyed zooming in on all the photos! Neeti and I honestly cannot wait to come visit you and Karn on the land. Still working out the exact date but if schedule permits, we're hoping May might be possible. And I guess we're probably your textbook examples of disillusioned city people! Trying to unlearn old patterns, remember what's real, and lean into something more.... honest and natural. Every time I read about what you're up to, it gives me much hope - at least much less alone in wanting a different kind of life. We're really looking forward to seeing it all up close.
Thanks a lot! Yes, it has been a really exciting past few months, and since we moved here we have never been this socially active - we even started using the calendar app on our phone for the first time!
We're both looking forward to your visit - another great opportunity to socialize with like-minded folks and further expand our circle! Let's just hope the weather won't be too bad - maybe bring some rubber boots just in case ;)
Yeah, I do understand the bit about disillusioned city people all too well... In large part because that used to be me not so long ago. Hopeless, listless, frustrated, and longing for (as you put it) something more honest and natural.
It takes a massive leap of faith to go down this road, but there's a high chance that it'll be worth it! (Definitely can't be worse than the status quo.)
We humans evolved to live a very different lifestyle in a very different environment, and, after some initial acclimatization, you'd be surprised how much potential, strength & resilience lies dormant even in us city people! Deep down that's what we all long for, what we all need to be happy & healthy.
I do agricultural work in rural africa mainly trying to promote organic farming methods. If you have any advice on ways to get the message across on organic vs chemical methods id love to hear it!