Not Buying Anything

Think Little

2012-03-09T00:03:00.004-08:00

Writer/farmer Wendell Berry is a sensible dude that is doing things right. It makes me wonder why we don't have people like him running our governments. Perhaps it is because they are too busy getting things done.

Berry writes about things that may be considered 'quaint' in today's fast-paced, slick modern age that offers all things shiny and new.

"According to him, the good life includes sustainable agriculture, appropriate technologies, healthy rural communities, connection to place, the pleasures of good food, husbandry, good work, local economics, the miracle of life, fidelity, frugality, reverence, and the interconnectedness of life." - Wikipedia

I like Berry because he gives hope to individuals and small groups in society that are making changes, and progress. He recognizes the value, the power, and the potential in the people. He knows how to think little.

"While the government is 'studying' and funding and organizing its Big Thought, nothing is being done. But the citizen who is willing to Think Little, and, accepting the discipline of that, to go ahead on his own, is already solving the problem.

A man who is trying to live as a neighbor to his neighbors will have a lively and practical understanding of the work of peace and brotherhood, and let there be no mistake about it - he is doing that work...

A man who is willing to undertake the discipline and the difficulty of mending his own ways is worth more to the conservation movement than a hundred who are insisting merely that the government and the industries mend their ways."

- Wendell Berry, The Art of The Commonplace

Individuals and groups committed to making progress, that are starting by thinking little, then working their way up, are changing the world. Never doubt that this is the case.

Your efforts and changes, regardless of how little, matter.

YOU have the power to make the world a better place.

Deviate From The Norm Today

2012-03-08T01:28:00.000-08:00

Important life lesson from Mr. Zappa

The world needs anti-authoritarians and misfits, malcontents and dreamers. It needs courageous individuals willing to throw their bodies into a pit of fire, and dare to do things differently than those around them. People that can resist the persuasive forces of "the majority" and do what is right, rather than what is popular.

The world needs brave individuals to break out of current ways of thinking, question authority, and challenge unjust laws and practices. Many are heeding the call.

There are a growing number of rebels and free thinkers out there conducting exciting and fruitful experiments in alternate forms of low-impact, high-quality living. Some of them read this blog. They are breaking free of their cultural programming and living simple, more sustainable lifestyles, contrary to the hubris and greed around them.

Many NBA readers, and others, refrain from the damaging ways that society considers 'normal'. They are deviating from the norm, and thank goodness for that. In doing so, they are creating healthier norms, fueling progress, and realizing a better world.

As Bruce Cockburn said, "The trouble with normal is it only gets worse." I am sure Frank Zappa would have agreed.

So what are you waiting for? Deviate from the norm today. Don't do what is expected. Be bold, be yourself. Make progress possible. It's fun.

$ave Up To 50% On Groceries

2012-03-07T00:02:00.003-08:00

Beware the center aisles of the grocery store

I may not be buying much, but a person has to eat and there is no way around that. Since I am not tucked away on a little farm achieving food self-sufficiency, that means going to a grocery store, an increasingly painful process.

Shopping for food is getting more expensive all the time. I am not happy about setting new records at the till, despite shouting "BINGO" each time I do. To try to prevent this from occurring too often, I have a few strategies for controlling the food budget.

Price Per 100 Grams

One of my favourite strategies is to use price per unit of measurement in order to make direct comparisons. In Canada our produce is still priced per pound - despite adopting the metric system in the 1970's - but most other items show prices per 100 grams.

Showing the price per unit of measurement allows comparison across different package sizes for the best deal. In my store, the price/100g is shown on the shelf along with the total package price. By looking at the standard price, I have often found that larger sizes are not necessarily the best deal. Sometimes smaller packages cost less per 100g. And don't get sucked in by bulk.

Bulk Not Always Best

I used to think that the bulk section always provided the best deals. I was wrong. Armed with my price/100g, I can compare the price of bulk items to packaged ones on the shelf. Sometimes bulk items cost less, but sometimes they are much more expensive.

This can make a huge difference when it comes to expensive foods such as walnuts or almonds. Prices change frequently, so I take the time to check bulk prices versus packaged prices every time. The savings can amount to several dollars per kilo (2.2 lbs).

30% to 50% OFF

By far the most fun are the heavily discounted grocery items - anywhere from 30% to 50% off. The produce section of our store usually has a shelf of these half priced items. Often there is absolutely nothing wrong with the food, and a lot of it just has minor blemishes, or has been sitting for a while.

I have purchased giant bags of half price mushrooms, then processed them at home to make soup and pasta sauce which I freeze in jars. I love half price bananas. Ripe bananas can be peeled, put into baggies, and frozen whole. Take one or two out at a time to add to an orange to make an icy, yummy smoothie. Or thaw a few and make a banana bread.

Other grocery items are also frequently discounted 50% for reasons that don't affect the food inside. Why pay full price for breakfast cereal when the discount bin has identical boxes with a little cut in the cardboard (not in the inner package) for half the cost?

Sales Specials - Pantry Packers

Another way to save on food is to take advantage of sales. Many stores have a 3 month rotation schedule on sales so if, for example, peanut butter is on sale, I will buy enough for 3 months. This can lead to a well-stocked pantry, which is a beautiful thing at any time, but is especially precious during an emergency.

Not Buying Any Crappy Food

Often the best way is to save 100% on items by just not buying them. There are many items in a grocery store that barely pass for real food and should be avoided altogether. Your body does not need cookies, or chips, or pop, or candy, or...

The oft-spoken advice to "stick to the outside of the store" gives us a clue as to what aisles we should be avoiding. By shopping the perimeter of the store you will find whole foods and skip all the packaged, overpriced items found in the center aisles. You'll save money, and eat healthier too!

Leave a comment and tell us your favourite strategies for saving money on groceries. Until we get our gardens and local food production going, we are going to need them.

Bon Appetit!

Opportunity Monday

2012-03-05T00:01:00.004-08:00

We are moving toward simplicity and harmony. During these difficult times, damaging practices are dying away; more sensible ways of living are being born.

Our current difficulties require us to do things differently. This is a time to for us to harness our intuition and creativity. It is an amazing opportunity to design new ways of living in harmony with nature's limits.

Increasingly, people are taking advantage of this opportunity.

One encouraging source of evidence for this trend is increased visits to this blog. Visitors exploring small footprint, more sustainable lifestyles have increased the number of visits to NBA over 600% in the last year.

Not only am I honored and humbled by this turn of events, but I am also heartened by it. Many people are recognizing the opportunity in these tough times, and are creating simplicity and harmony in their lives, and in the world.

Finally The Tables Are Starting To Turn

2012-03-04T12:33:00.001-08:00

What is happening on our little planet is unprecedented in human history. Hundreds of millions of people rising up to take back what is theirs, despite desperate measures taken to maintain the status quo.

It is our Global Spring, and we will clean out the greed, corruption, and other turds that have gathered in our societal septic tank.

Today Linda and I are singing hopeful protest songs in our living room, and sending them out to the world. Our favourite today? Revolution by Tracy Chapman. It is an outstandingly optimistic piece of protest and performance.

Revolution - Tracy Chapman

Don't you know
They're talkin' bout a revolution
It sounds like a whisper

Don't you know
They're talkin' about a revolution
It sounds like a whisper

While they're standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion

Poor people gonna rise up
And get their share
Poor people gonna rise up
And take what's theirs

Don't you know
You better run, run, run
Oh I said you better
Run, run, run

Finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin' bout a revolution

Sailing The Winds Of Change

2012-03-02T01:23:00.001-08:00

Pessimists curse the wind. Optimists adjust the sails.

The winds of change are blowing, and the clouds of denial are being swept away. We are realizing how the status quo is no longer a viable option for a new reality. Time for a new destination.

People are adjusting the sails and are altering course in their personal journey. They are responding to opportunities provided by the shifting winds, and are leading the way to a greener future through their actions. Collectively, they are making change happen.

Forward thinking communities are transitioning to a post-oil world in a movement started in 2007 by British teacher and permaculturist Rob Hopkins. Transition Towns promote sustainability at the local level — whether it's to do with food, transport, building materials or energy resources.

Canada's first such project started in 2009 in Peterborough, Ontario. There are 420 transitioning communities worldwide, including my home town, Sooke, BC. Part of the program here has been a massively successful new community garden that is one of four in town. I am looking forward to tending to my new plot in the spring.

Transition US has a vision "that every community in the United States will have engaged its collective creativity to unleash an extraordinary and historic transition to a future beyond fossil fuels; a future that is more vibrant, abundant and resilient; one that is ultimately preferable to the present".

Even the seemingly unstoppable juggernaut of big business is beginning to see what the future holds if we continue on our current path. No sustainable environment, no sustainable profits.

To show how far this line of sober thinking has gone, a major corporation took out a recent full-page add in the New York Times that read, “Don’t buy what you don’t need. Think twice before you buy anything.”

They must read this blog, like many others that are rolling up their sleeves, working hard, and mapping a new course.

Will the winds of change obliterate unsustainable production and consumption? Are we finally waking up to the impossibility of our 5-planet lifestyles, and our own deepening dissatisfaction with them? Can we adjust the sails in time to ride out the uncertain conditions that are sure to prevail?

According to the good things that I am seeing, including some very encouraging comments on this blog, we are beginning to turn this thing around. But there are no passengers on this sailboat. We are all crew, and it is time to get busy.

We can make sure we ALL arrive safely at our new destination.

Keeping It Light

2012-02-29T01:54:00.003-08:00

"No suffering befalls the man who calls nothing his own."
- Dhammapada

Not everyone aspires to be a wandering monk, claiming ownership to nothing but a piece of cloth to wrap one's self in, and a bowl for food. That would be considered extreme for the average participant in Western 'civilization' where we have become weighed down by our possessions.

Deep inside, however, we know the sages are on to something. We can relate to them because we harbour a yearning for a slower, simpler life, free from a growing mental and physical clutter.

Most people consider some of their best days to be when possessions were few, and responsibilities minimal. Think about it for your own life, or ask others when they felt the most free, the most alive.

Often people will answer that some of their happiest days were their student days. They remember wandering down the road to knowledge with nothing more than a suitcase and a sense of adventure. People recall macaroni and cheese, tiny dorm rooms, and limited budgets not as examples of extreme hardship, but as the joys of a simpler life.

Some of my best days on this earth have been while living out of a back pack. Wilderness trips of up to two weeks, supported by whatever I could carry on my back, taught me the joys of keeping it light. It was just me, my boots, my back pack, and the grizzly bears. It was liberating and exhilarating, and a wake up call to the lies of economic 'authorities' that promote purchasing our way to happiness and prosperity.

While laying in my sleeping bag on the ground under a dome of stars, I would ponder the Big Question. "If I have everything I need to sustain myself in my back pack, what is all that stuff back at home for? Why am I working so hard to acquire a bunch of things that I don't really want or need?"

This line of questioning eventually caused me to quit my job to experience the freedom of traveling lightly for an extended period of time. I bought a round the world ticket and lived out of a back pack for an entire, glorious year.

While traveling I joyfully washed my six item wardrobe in a sink or bucket, and hung it to dry. I walked everywhere, shunning buses, taxis, and trains unless traveling long distances. I carried a small bundle of art supplies, and even a tiny library that shrunk or grew according to book swaps with other travelers. I had lots of time to use both.

Living with things pared down to the essentials appealed to me, and I have not looked back since. Today my possessions are sparse, and I am constantly acting to streamline them more. I am not down to a piece of cloth and a bowl yet, but I have recovered from the damaging effects of conforming to the regular life script of work - spend - sleep - repeat.

We are repeatedly told that the stuff we own is important for the enjoyment of life, but in the majority of cases this is so wrong. Wandering monks, and even our own experience, teach us that there is no freedom in the accumulation of stuff. Real freedom comes when you get rid of stuff, and stop lusting for more.

The less extraneous stuff we have, the less suffering befalls us.

Keep it light. Be free. Enjoy your life.

Dangerous Clothes Monday

2012-02-27T00:03:00.001-08:00

Fashion can be harmful to more than your pocketbook

Keeping up with the latest fashion trends can be harmful to more than your pocketbook. Many common clothing choices can be potentially deadly.

Tight clothing such as collared shirts, and accessories such as belts, ties, stiletto heels, and 50 pound shoulder bags are all potential health hazards.

"Rarely do comfort and health get much more than a nod in the fashion picture. Yet the failure to consider them can impair performance, diminish alertness, foster irritability and even compromise health.

Headaches, varicose veins, corns and calluses, gastrointestinal distress, heat prostration and even vaginitis can result from attempts to 'dress properly' or follow fashion trends." - New York Times

Fashion is deadly, and best avoided. Have a great week.

Shabby Ideas and Shoddy Philosophies

2012-02-26T00:41:00.003-08:00

“If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies...” - Albert Einstein

People seldom notice old clothes if you are wearing a big smile, or coming up with revolutionary theories that change the way we think about the universe.

I have read that Albert Einstein had several sets of the same, simple suit of clothes hanging in his closet. That way, when he woke in the morning and went to his closet, he did not need to think about what to wear.

To simplify matters more, he never wore socks. Not sure about that wonderful and wild hair of his, but it looks like it did not see a brush often. He, like many people, had other things to think about.

There's a growing group of people that would agree with Albert, and would rather not think too much about what to wear. Some advocate cutting the work wardrobe down to 6 items (or less), at first for a month. The idea is to help people understand their shopping habits and clothes better, by cutting the cloth to a minimum. Here's the website.

The tiny wardrobe keeps down both costs, and maintenance. It focuses on buying high quality clothing, taking care of what you have, and making sure everything works with everything else to maximize versatility.

The payoffs are simplifying your life, reducing costs, and decluttering the closet. But wait! There are other benefits.

Many who have tried the Six Things Or Less Challenge report that they came to realize that they are not defined by fashion trends, and now look at their clothing in new, healthier, less wasteful ways. In the era of the 'walk-in closet' and 'shoe wall', this can only be a good thing.

Einstein had a healthy and refreshingly rebellious attitude toward his six items. When considering how he presented himself to visitors he said, "If they came to see me, here I am. If they came to see my clothes, they can go to the closet."

Edit: If the Six Items Or Less website is not working, read more about the challenge here.

I'd Rather Go Nude Than Have To Dress Fashionably

2012-02-24T01:20:00.002-08:00

Clothes are a great way to cover your
butt when you can't get naked

I don't understand the whole clothes shopping thing. I am not into it. As a matter of fact, I would rather go nude than have to keep up with the latest clothing trends.

Every household budget I have ever seen has had a generous allotment for monthly clothing purchases. At minimum, a traditional clothing budget is $1000+ per year minimum. I have never understood this.

Is this some sort of fashion industry clothing conspiracy? Or are people wearing their clothes out really fast?

Except for some things, most clothing is useable for years. Often a good piece of clothing improves as it's worn. Over time it becomes a comfortable friend, fitting your contours uniquely.

But the fashion industry, aided by cultural pressure, dictates that one maxes out the clothing budget every year to buy the latest and greatest designs. A whole new wardrobe, or additions to already overstuffed closets, every year. Year after year after year...

Why? Just so we can avoid potentially "embarrassing" social situations? To avoid a run in with the dreaded fashion police? "Stop in the name of this year's collection! What you are wearing is so last year." We must get stylin' or risk being banished.

But clothes are primarily used to cover the body when nudity is inappropriate, so last years outfit or ensemble will do just as well as this years, or next years.

Therefore, I have flipped the finger to fashion. In the process I have found that it is difficult to wear out clothes if you get good quality stuff to begin with. I have made my clothes last - a clothing budget has been unnecessary for several years.

I am putting the money saved toward better, less wasteful things that add something to my life beside the momentary thrill of buying new threads.

Full disclosure: My minimal, near-zero clothing budget has been partially made possible by very generous patrons of simple living. For example, this past December good friends sent me about 10 pairs of my favorite, durable, long-lasting socks, and some slippers. And I have a mom and mom-in-law that like to give practical gifts (translation: I have enough underwear to last a decade).

Secrets Of The Centenarians

2012-02-22T00:03:00.002-08:00

"Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."
- Samuel Ullman

My grandparents never lived to see a century, but they all lived well into their 90s. I might have the centenarian gene. Of course, I could have the cancer gene, too. Either way, living well is certain to help extend my adventure in good health.

Aging is not fully understood, and neither is living it seems. But living well does boil down to a few basic things that anyone can adopt. Like eating oatmeal every day, and taking naps.

The following people, among the longest-lived we know of, attributed their long lives to a few simple things.

Secrets of The Centenarians

Jeanne Calment, France, 122 years "World's Oldest Person to Have Lived" - Rode her bicycle until she was 100, drank red wine, ate chocolate.

Sarah Knauss, USA, 119 years - Lived a tranquil life with little stress.

Marie-Louise Meilleur, Canada, 117 years - Hard work.

Maria Capovilla, Ecuador, 116 years - Never drank hard liquor or smoked.

Christian Mortensen, 115 years, Denmark/USA - Positive attitude, refrained from alcohol, surrounded himself with friends.

Emiliano Mercado del Toro, 115 years, Puerto Rico - Maintained a sense of humour.

Walter Breuning, USA, 114 years - for the last 36 years of life he ate only 2 meals a day, worked till he was 99. From: Guinness Book Of World Records

Floating Tiny Home Monday

2012-02-20T00:03:00.001-08:00

A floating mini, mini mansion in a local marina, Photo: Stasi Manser

The small house is the residential equivalent of traveling with a single backpack rather than a tottering airport trolley full of gear. Both cut life to the basics, and because of that, liberate us from unnecessary clutter, mental and otherwise.

This is even more pronounced when your tiny home is on a boat. A small boat.

These homes on the water, photographed by a friend in a local marina, were built by true masters of mini. My hat is off to these innovative individuals that lead by example and show us that there is always more we can jettison as we sail simply through the sea of life.

No room for clutter aboard this floating home, Photo: Stasi Manser

"Most people would succeed in small things if they were not troubled with great ambitions. " - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Life Is Like A Cup Of Coffee

2012-02-18T22:44:00.000-08:00

What does your cup look like?

I read the following simple living parable on line, and enjoyed it enough to share. It is short and sweet, and contains a timeless message.

It might go good with a nice cup of coffee, tea, or chai. Or maybe just pour some refreshing water in an empty glass jar and enjoy that while you read.

Life Is Like A Cup Of Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned to complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Savor the coffee, not the cups! The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

- Author unknown

Reducing Consumption Reduces Harm

2012-02-17T00:03:00.000-08:00

It is a challenge to consume and not do harm

One reason I choose to live simply is so I can reduce the amount of harm I am doing. Like no trace camping, I want to leave as little damage behind me as I hike through the wonderful park of life.

Problem is, just hiking along is going to have some effect on other people and the environment regardless of how light one's backpack is. But that fact does not diminish my desire to minimize my impact as much as I can, and jettison some of the heavy stuff.

How am I contributing toward, or supporting, harmful practices? What I have learned is that the global economic machine makes it very, very difficult to avoid becoming just another cog that cranks out misery and mayhem.

Henry David Thoreau, in On The Duty of Civil Disobedience, said "Let your life be a counter-friction to stop the machine. What I have to do is to see, at any rate, that I do not lend myself to the wrong which I condemn."

A no-nonsense way for me to be a counter-friction to the clanking, wheezing gears and cogs of consumerism is to simply consume less.

Reducing consumption reduces harm.

Rich Is Relative

2012-02-15T01:25:00.000-08:00

Rich or Poor?

Deciding who is 'rich' is a highly relative undertaking, and one that many obsess about. Where you fall on the richness scale depends a lot on where you live. Calculating where I rank in income in North America, where I live, is enormously different than calculating where I fall globally. It is enough to give one a split personality.

On the North American Rich-O-Meter I am at the bottom, with 94% of people having incomes higher than my own. I am semi-retired, so my income is low, but even if I include total expenses for the year, I find that 78% of the population is still richer than I am.

I am at the bottom of the rich scale when compared to my neighbours. Some people might find this rather distressing, but I rather like it. Check out the North American Rich-O-Meter here.

If you checked your ranking, and didn't like what you saw, fear not. Another income meter may change that - the Global Rich List is certain to make you feel better. Or not. Either way, it is a pretty sobering comparison.

Using my modest annual family income, the same number that put me at the poverty level in North America, tells a very different story globally. The global rich-o-meter calculates that I am in the top 14% of global income earners, and among the richest people in the world. Calculating my position on the rich list using total annual spending puts me into the top 12% globally.

In comparison, to join the top 12% of earners in North America, I would need over 10 times the annual income. See the Global Rich List here.

So am I living in poverty, or am I rich? It is all relative, and when it comes down to it, it is my perception of my experience that determines how I feel about it. One's ranking on the rich scale has little to do with happiness, which depends on many things other than money.

Income, personal wealth, and material possessions mean very little when it comes right down to it. This lesson is taught to us over and over and over by very wealthy individuals that tragically struggle to find happiness, in spite of being able to afford virtually anything they want.

Happiness is what is truly important in the end, but there are obvious issues of inequality that threaten everyone's happiness if left unaddressed. We ignore them at our peril.

DID YOU KNOW..?

Three billion people live on less than $2 per day while 1.3 billion get by on less than $1 per day. Seventy percent of those living on less than $1 per day are women. - from Global Rich List

Occupy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T00:17:00.000-08:00

Money not required

You may think that there is an Occupy for everything that is outrageously unfair, unsustainable, and unjust. There is. Including Occupy Valentine's Day.

Thank goodness, because if there were ever an outdated, blatantly consumeristic cultural relic that deserves to be extinguished once and for all, Valentine's Day is it.

Don't get me wrong, I am totally into love. Totally. I am just not into commercial interests co-opting it, and bullying everyone into spending cash in a gift-buying frenzy to 'prove' their love one day a year.

The National Retail Federation did a survey to see to what degree Americans would be getting sucked in by all the (fake) love hype this year. "Love may not cost a thing", the survey starts out, "but consumers this year are set to spoil their friends, family and loved ones this Valentine’s Day in a very big way."

Well, at least they got the 'love doesn't cost a thing' bit right, but they are obviously hoping that consumers forget this basic fact of life.

The survey predicted that spending on Valentine's Day goodies would top $17.6 billion in today's guilt-reducing, economy-pumping, profit-generating spending spree. But wait. Let's show some commercial love for our non-human loved ones too.

"Valentine’s Day is a great day for pet owners to show their furry friends just how much they mean," the NRF's survey reminds us. But nothing will let your furry friend know you care more than consistently providing food, and a clean litter box or back yard.

Retailers want us to believe that buying something is the best way for people to "show their appreciation for each other". That is so tragically wrong.

The best way to show our appreciation is to be loving, kind, and patient. All the time. 365 days a year. You can't buy love. When we are loving, we freely receive the love we need.

I am Occupying Valentines Day. No flowers, chocolates, jewelry, or expensive night out. Our love is unconditional, and there is no need to buy anything.

Have a loving day, and year.

We love you.

Non-Valentine's Day Monday

2012-02-13T00:02:00.000-08:00

No, really, you shouldn't have - love will do...

"Valentine's Day is a sham created by card companies to reinforce and exploit gender stereotypes." - Liz Lemon

Density, Efficiency and Tiny Homes

2012-02-12T00:49:00.000-08:00

512 sq. ft. lofted cabin costs $10,000

I currently live quite comfortably in a 586 square foot condominium. Because of the multi-unit nature of the building and resulting density, land and energy is used efficiently.

The efficiency of density is what makes New Yorkers among the lowest-impact citizens of North America. With a burgeoning global population, density is the way to go.

Having given a nod to lower-impact, high density living arrangements, I must admit that I do dream of having a tiny home somewhere with space for a nice vegetable garden.

Tiny homes take fewer resources to build and maintain, and are more energy-efficient. Compared to conventional homes that can cost you a lifetime of working, a tiny home will only cost a few thousand dollars. In addition to these advantages, tiny homes can also be used to increase density/land-use efficiency.

Some tiny home designs are so compact that they don't need a separate lot - many are finding their way into the big backyards of regular-sized houses. This is a way to house people at low cost, while increasing density in older neighbourhoods.

Thoreau might think this too large for his needs

I recently discovered some new tiny homes, as shown in the photos. The company, in the USA, produces models starting at 12x30 (360 sq. ft.) for $7500.00. The size seems downright Lilliputian until you consider that Henry David Thoreau's cabin on Walden Pond was only 150 sq. ft., and he found that adequate for several years of beautiful, low-impact living.

The 16x32, 512 sq. ft. lofted cabin shown costs about $10,000, and is not finished inside. With a bit of sweat equity the tiny home owner could finish the inside, including extra insulation and energy-efficient systems, for a low-impact, low-cost dwelling.

And wouldn't a $7,000 - $10,000.00 small loan be nice to have, compared to a massive mortgage that takes 40 years to pay off?

Not So Convenient Coffee Maker Recall

2012-02-10T00:56:00.000-08:00

Convenience Kills: Common Sense, Quality, DIY...

For most consumers convenience is everything. If it is not convenient, it is so not happening, regardless of how good it may be. However, we are learning that convenience always comes at a price.

This is evident in the recent North American recall of over 1 million units of a popular brand of uber-convenient single-brew coffee makers. It appears that some users, and innocent bystanders including children, have been burned by a bad design and the desire for a quick, individual brew.

When I first saw the single-cup coffee makers in 2008, I thought they were a bad idea. The kitchen gadgets use pre-measured, prepackaged pods for each single cup of coffee that is manufactured.

It is these plastic pods that have been exploding, burning lurking coffee drinkers counting down the seconds, as well as bystanders.

Not convenient, but safe,
and makes tastier coffee

The small plastic pods, besides being dangerous, also show how convenience often ends in wasted resources. Each cup made produces more waste.

Up to 80% of the things we buy are considered disposable and quickly end up in landfills. We can't afford such excessive waste.

Neither is it affordable when buying coffee in single servings. If it is convenience that you want, you are going to have to pay more. The recalled coffee makers have an annual cost of $275.00 to $640.00 for two cups per day, depending on the kinds of single-serving coffee pods purchased.

For comparisons sake, the annual cost of using a French press - which is also fast, but makes much better coffee - would be about $100 to $200 for two cups per day, depending on the beans you are using. Unfortunately, financial considerations may be the least of the coffee conundrums.

All taste - no waste

Some caffeine-fueled consumers have received 2nd degree burns from their single-brew cartridge coffee makers. If you own one of the models in question, unplug it, and contact the manufacturer.

Better yet, never use it again. Get some beans and a coffee grinder, and brew a tasty batch in a French press or stove-top coffee perk. Taste with no waste, and much cheaper, too.

Convenience should be balanced with sustainability. What is convenient, is rarely what is best. While making decisions about what and how we consume, it is good to keep this in mind.

If we don't, we could get burned.

Workers Build Value, But Don't Benefit Proportionately

2012-02-08T00:06:00.000-08:00

We all help to build value - we should all benefit

The wealth of nations is built by the workforce, from the bottom up. Why is it then, that this very same workforce is being asked to swallow austerity, while those at the top continue raking in the wealth?

"From the end of World War II through the early 1970s... the rate of income growth for all levels was relatively well in sync. From 1945 to 1973, incomes rose 99 per cent for the bottom 99 per cent, but only 40 per cent for the top one per cent.

But from Reagan's election in 1980 through to 2007, the year before the Wall Street crash, the top one per cent gained 232 per cent, compared with just 20 per cent for the bottom 99 per cent."

- source

Almost 500 Canadian workers for Caterpillar Inc are about to experience what forced austerity feels like. First they were locked out, after rightfully refusing to take a 50% reduction in wages, and now Caterpillar has closed the shop and is leaving town with its bag of profits. It is leaving a dedicated workforce feeling demoralized.

Chances are workers abused by business practices all over the world are not thinking about climate change. Small footprint living will only be effective and sustainable if we enter into it willingly. Involuntary simplicity is a struggle, not a lifestyle choice.

We want to promote living with less for the benefits it provides personally, as well as environmentally and from a social justice point of view, not to improve the bottom line of the business community.

Tiny Home Monday

2012-02-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

280 sq.ft. tiny home on Bowen Island, BC, Canada

Tiny homes are making a comeback, and not only because of the Great Recession. Tiny homes provide a simple, energy efficient, sustainable dwelling at an affordable cost.

Tiny homes challenge our notions of need as well as the minimum-size bylaws of most neighbourhoods.

There are many creative ways to live a tiny home lifestyle. However, we will have to change bylaws and planning departments, as well as the 'bigger is better' mentality before tiny homes become a realistic alternative.

We need a housing industry that is based on respect for nature, and can provide sustainable, affordable, mini-homes for the masses.

How many people, if they were offered a mini home alternative, would choose it over a conventional home complete with large footprint and a massive mortgage? Would you?

See more creative tiny homes here.

Nature Does Not Hurry

2012-02-04T16:14:00.000-08:00

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” - Lao Tzu

My life speed limit is SLOW. Or somewhere between slow and stop. It has always been this way - I have tachophobia.

My fear of speed does not show up on amusement park rides, while sledding down snow-covered hills, or on jet planes. When it comes to life, though, I definitely become tachophobic.

I don't know about you, but the faster I try to live, the less effective I become. When I rush I end up either breaking something, or hurting myself. Or both.

Recently I drove through a red light. The guy behind me must have been in a rush as well because he went through the red right behind me. Argh - time to do some downshifting.

I drove to a park and went for a walk, feeling lucky that I wasn't in Emergency on a stretcher.

Proceed slowly

Why live in a world that is complicated, fast, and detrimental to personal and planetary health when a simple, naturally-paced, wholesome alternative is possible?

I don't think snails get tachophobic as they move along at their leisurely .05 kilometer per hour (.03 mph) top speed. And yet they still get to where they need to go.

Nature is slow and patient, and like snails, we are part of nature. We can live at a more relaxed and enjoyable speed (which, in my case, will also be safer).

What's the hurry? Try reducing your life speed limit for health and happiness.

Cultivating The Art Of Silliness

2012-02-03T00:02:00.001-08:00

Silly is the Anti-serious

The world could use a little more silliness. Not of the "weak in intellect" variety, but more along the lines of the original word. In Old High German where the word 'silly' began, 'sālig' meant 'happy'.

But the art of silliness is so much more than just happiness. Some put silly firmly between absurdity and giddiness, and well, that sounds like fun to me.

There is another difference between the two. Happy you can do alone. Silly is more of a shared experience. Silliness requires one or more co-participants to help create, and enjoy, the moment.

I had one such moment of pure silliness today in the check out line at the grocery store. Ahead of me was a serious-looking young mother. Sitting in her cart was a quiet boy of about 3 or 4.

Glancing at serious mom, I thought about all the serious seriousness in the world these days. Often it seems that it is lurking in every dark corner waiting to extinguish every glimmer of giggles with doom, gloom, hesitation and caution.

What we need is balance - all seriousness and no silliness makes Jack a dull boy.

Back in the grocery store and cashiers queue, all seriousness in me was about to be dispelled.

Soon me and the little dude had eye contact. We both recognized the latent silliness that resides in each of us. It looked like it was time to turn back the tide in the sea of stifling seriousness that has engulfed our modern times.

Each time the little guy lifted his shoe up he looked at me, and each time I got big eyes. When the shoe went down - I made little eyes. Up, big - down, little. We both smiled, then laughed, then giggled. No words were spoken, or were necessary.

He kept on doing it. So did I. All thoughts of the world's innumerable serious and scary problems were blown out of my mind like so many earnest cobwebs in a hurricane of happiness.

Soon the cashier was laughing along with us, and when I got to the till she said, "Sometimes you don't need words."

"No", I answered, "the art of silliness is universal."

There is a time for seriousness. Just remember to make time for silly too.

Hee, hee, hee.

A Greener Way To Go

2012-02-01T01:19:00.000-08:00

A traditional burial is expensive and resource-intensive - $10,000
A green burial is affordable and low-impact - $2,000
(click on image to enlarge)

There is living more gently on the earth, and then there is dieing more gently on the earth. Monday's post here, that included coffins made out of recycled cardboard, elicited the following question from forward thinking NBA reader, Jen:

"Will government regulations let you be buried in a cardboard box in the woods? I like this idea, but am just curious if it runs afoul of any laws? I hope not, I dislike modern cemetaries, they are such a waste of space and have chemically treated lawns, etc."

It turns out that lots of people are asking similar questions in their quest to reduce the cost and environmental burden of being buried. Enter the green burial.

Traditional Burials

I used to think that a traditional burial was a fairly benign process. I was wrong. Check out the following funeral figures for the impacts of annual traditional burials in North America:

• 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid, including formaldehyde
• 180,544,000 pounds of steel, in caskets
• 5,400,000 pounds of copper and bronze, in caskets
• 30 million board feet of hardwoods, including tropical woods, in caskets
• 3,272,000,000 pounds of reinforced concrete for vaults
• 28,000,000 pounds of steel in vaults, (compiled by Mary Woodsen)

So much for a traditional burial. Then I decided being cremated was the low-impact way to go, with my ashes being spread somewhere nice (legal on public lands without a permit). It turns out that cremation is very energy intensive, and it releases toxins into the atmosphere. Argh - it isn't just living that is hard.

Like Jen and a growing number of green-minded individuals, I want to reduce my funerary footprint. Not just the embalming and materials used for body preparation and burial, but also the fossil fuels and nasty chemicals used in cemetery lawn maintenance.

Green or Natural Burials

The good news is that natural burials are increasingly easier to organize, and more people are initiating them.

Governments, along with the funeral industry, are responding to the demand by formulating guidelines, and space for this new, old way of going greener.

Europeans have a head start on North Americans, with the demand for green burials and land conservation working together to save natural areas, and provide tranquil green resting grounds. The first such project was in Wales in 1991, and has since become popular enough to spawn 225 more across the UK.

But North American demand is on the rise, and so are the natural eco-options.

Traditional cemeteries are beginning to offer separate grounds for green burials. Unlike the adjoining regular areas, in the special sections there is no need for embalming, metal liners, caskets, or concrete vaults (that are only to ensure that the ground does not sink making it easier to cut and maintain the grass).

In the green burial section of a cemetery one can go back to the earth in nothing more than a biodegradable shroud. Maintenance is also less in these areas, cutting down further on the environmental impact.

Individuals that are interested in interring a loved one in a more natural setting can contact landowners to arrange for green burials on private property. Permits can be obtained to transport, and bury a loved one in a total DIY eco-funeral.

Or, like in Europe, land preserves set aside to protect natural beauty and provide a place for low-impact, affordable burials, are being set up in Canada and the US. I could only find information on two locations in my own country, and one is right in my area on the west coast (the other is in Ontario).

A low-impact green burial is a great way to make a high-impact statement on one's way out. Initiate a search for 'green' or 'natural' burials for more information in your area.

I, for one, would be like to be remembered as a person that "Lived gently, and died gently."

Reusing Resources Monday

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-08:00


The eco-baby in this green cradle could go through life using only furniture made from a free, green resource - cardboard

Living more gently on the earth does not need to be a drag. Learning to use our resources more efficiently provides an infinite number of creative and fun possibilities.

This furniture set was made
from used poster tubes, source

The things people have done with reused materials to make functional and funky items is a case in point.

Waste cardboard is an often-free resource that has been used for a wide variety of purposes, from baby furniture to green funerals, and all points in between.

Architect Frank Gehry designed 'green' furniture in the 60s
that was functional, beautiful, and compostable

I have left instructions for how I would like my affairs conducted after I die. I want all my cardboard furniture to be composted. Then I wish to be placed in a cardboard coffin, and buried at the base of a big tree in the wilderness... to be composted.

Recycled cardboard coffins - dust to dust, source

Putting Our Eco-Footprint On A Diet

2012-01-27T00:03:00.000-08:00

Unless we reduce consumption, we are going to need more planets

January is a time of new beginnings, and hope. It is when many people launch change in their lives, like going on a diet.

As North American's obesity rates have mushroomed, so has the per capita ecological footprint. At 10 acres per person, our demands on the bio-capacity of the Earth are 50% greater than the average European's. Right now is a good time to put this excessive footprint on a diet.

Most diets require that one eats less, and eats foods strategically in order to maximize nutrition. Similarly, the way to drop resource-use weight is to consume less, and more efficiently.

But what are the best ways to trim the consumption gut?

The Eco-footprint Diet

Don't drive when there is an alternative – use public transport, cycle or walk
Over a quarter of all car journeys made are less than a few kilometers. Walking, cycling or taking public transport helps reduce congestion and emissions. On average we can reduce our total ecological footprint by as much as 20% if we don't own a car. If you must drive, use a smaller vehicle with a smaller, more efficient engine.
Grow vegetables or buy locally grown organic, eat less meat, and reduce food waste
Our diet accounts for about 1/4 of a person's footprint. Growing a garden, and using food more efficiently, could reduce our footprint by 11%. Growing as much as we can of our fruit and vegetables reduces energy and waste in transport, refrigeration and packaging. Buying locally-grown, seasonal food reduces food kilometers and uses less packaging. Organic and other forms of low-input farming consume up to 40% less energy. The ecological footprint of vegetarians who eat a moderate amount of milk and eggs is about 40% lower than those who consume a low-meat diet.
Don't fly. Take the train when possible, vacation locally.
Aviation has the fastest growing carbon emissions of any industry sector. A single passenger’s share of a return flight from Toronto, Canada to London, England has nearly four times greater impact on the climate than the average person in India has in an entire year.
Instead of buying new things, make what you've got last, buy second-hand, or borrow
On average 10% of our footprint is made up of the consumables we buy. Our houses are often cluttered with items we only use or wear a few times. The average drill is used for just 15 minutes in its lifetime. Rather than buying something, consider whether you could borrow instead. Start a tool co-op and/or a free store with neighbours.
Make your home energy efficient and support green energy initiatives There are many measures you can take around the home. For example, turning appliances off instead of switching them to standby, improving your home's insulation, and adjusting your thermostat. A four degree adjustment could save the average home 5% of their total ecological footprint. Other footprint-reducing measures include using window coverings to keep heat in (or out), not heating or cooling rooms you are not using, and keeping doors shut to keep heat (or cool) where you want it. Contact your energy provider to see if they have green alternatives such as wind or solar power-generated electricity.
Reuse, Repurpose, Refuse, Recycle
We throw away over a ton of material every year. Much of it can be reused or repurposed in creative ways. Refuse overpackaged products when shopping. Donate unwanted items to charity shops. Use your local recycling collection.

A larger eco-footprint does not necessarily mean a better quality of life, just as weighing 400 pounds doesn't mean you are better off than you would be at 150 pounds. Like losing body weight, trimming the eco-footprint feels great.

Note: With determination one should be able to reduce their footprint by 50% or more, without a reduction in quality of life. All side-effects of the eco-diet are beneficial once past the initial withdrawal symptoms. After a while you will experience a general sense of well being, freedom, and balance.

Adapted from: source

Simplicity Is Freedom

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Live simply - get free

Living simply is liberating in so many ways. Stepping off the consumer treadmill lets us use our time and energy to build a world more to our liking. A world where we use less, and live more. Where time is more important than money.

Time is a limited commodity, and no amount of money will buy us more. We can choose to take more though, and simplicity is the means to get it.

My simple life gives me more time to live, to do what I want, to help others. It gives me freedom.

Simplicity can provide innumerable moments of liberation such as:

staying up till you feel like going to bed.
staying in bed till you feel like getting up.
ignoring fashion.
not having a mortgage, or any other debt.
having the time to spend with your friends and family.
being able to work enjoyable, meaningful jobs even if they pay less.
cutting your own hair.
realizing you have what you need.
fulfilling your own mandate, and honouring your priorities.
leisurely cooking whole food meals.
having few possessions.
living in a small space.
being in nature.
spending less than you make.
not feeling bound by conventional ways of thinking, and doing things.
feeling like you can change the world.

Live simply, be free, change the world.

Backyard Farming

2012-01-24T18:24:00.000-08:00

How much yard would you need if you wanted to live off the land and provide a family of four with food? With backyard gardens making a comeback, people are once again wondering about food self-sufficiency.

The image above lays things out in an interesting, and thought-provoking way that helps illustrate some of the demands we place on the productive capacity of the Earth as we eat our way through life.

If you click on the image you won't need a magnifying glass to read it. If you don't click on the image, then I should share with you that the authors estimated that a family of four could become food self-sufficient on about 2 acres of land, depending on things like soil fertility, and whether your diet is vegetarian or not.

Even if you can't become food self-sufficient yet, a backyard garden is always a good thing.

Money Isn't Everything Monday

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

And you can't eat the stuff...

Since the 1950s, more money has been spent on marketing and advertising than on public education. This is our 'real' education, and it is barely dented, if it is not outright supported, by 12 years of government mandated grade school.

It is turning out that everything we have been taught to pursue is wrong. The competition for the most prestigious jobs and highest pay, and the measurement of self-worth in material possessions has lead us to embrace hyper-consumption. It continues as the world around us falls apart.

We are still in the Great Recession which is changing everything. The middle class is shrinking at the same time as the rich get richer. Insane wealth at the top, and austerity for everyone else. The trickle down has stopped, and reversed.

We have to reverse our own course. We have been lead astray by trivial attractions and meaningless pursuits that only benefit the few, and at the expense of the environment.

Hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent by the corporate world to brainwash us into believing that everything is all right, that the dream is alive. That our pursuit of money and stuff is right. They lie.

We are onto their game now. We are learning that money isn't everything, and in that lies our freedom.

Global Per-Capita Ecological Footprint Facts

2012-01-22T00:47:00.000-08:00

Our fair share is 4.7 acres per person

I found the information for today's post on a website full of reasons why we should be adopting low consumption, sustainable lifestyles.

World Centric's mission is "to reduce economic injustice and environmental degradation through education, community networks, and sustainable enterprises".

The state of the world that the facts represent can be a bit of a bummer to consider. But it is the critical state of things that makes each of our individual efforts toward change so much more important and powerful.

There is hope in reducing our consumption and living more gently on the Earth. Such changes support human rights, environmental protection, and the shift to sustainable ways of living.

Global Eco-Footprint Facts

The planet's biological productive capacity (biocapacity) is approximately 1.9 hectares (4.7 acres) per person. Globally, we use up to 2.2 hectares per person. Thus, we are living beyond the planet's biocapacity to sustain us by 15%, a deficit of 0.3 hectares (1 acre) per person. This deficit is apparent, as natural ecosystems around us fail one by one - forest systems, oceans, fisheries, coral reefs, rivers, soil, water, global warming etc.

The planet's biocapacity is dependent on the global population and rate of consumption. High consumption depletes the planet's carrying capacity. Estimates indicate that, if global population trends continue, the ecological footprint available to each person would be reduced to 1.5 hectares per person, by 2050.

If consumption rates as high as the western countries are adopted by the majority of humanity, then we would need 4 to 5 more planets to sustain ourselves.

If everyone on the planet was to live like the average American, we would need 5 planets to sustain everyone. At a footprint of 10 hectares per person, our planet's biocapacity would only be able support about 1.2 billion people - far less than the 6 billion we have on Earth.

On the other end of the spectrum, if everyone lived like those residing in Bangladesh, where the average footprint is only 0.5 hectares, then the earth could support roughly 22 billion people.

For more information, and to see where your country ranks in Per Capita Eco-Footprint, see the World Centric website.

Money Myths vs Money Facts

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Money myths are our culture's most cherished, most damaging lies

Myth #1: Everyone can get mounds of money if they work hard enough.

Fact: Does anyone actually believe this any more? The global economic system is balanced in favour of a small minority, and always has been. This minority gets away with a lot of bullshit by making us think we can join them if we just stick to it and keep on working harder (insert sound of cracking whip here).

Myth #2: Money will make you happy.

Fact: Nothing of importance can be bought with money. It can't buy a problem-free life - it often creates more problems than it solves. Do we really think that the billions of people on our planet that don't have money aren't happy? Or 'can't' be happy until they are wealthy? Everything I have experienced while meeting people all over the world tells me this is not the case.

Myth #3: Rich people are greedy.

Fact: Not all rich people are greedy. I imagine, much like the rest of the population, most of them are quite nice. Misguided, off-course, hypnotized, chained to the perpetual wheel of want - maybe. But not greedy.

Myth #4: If some money is good, more is better.

Fact: Past an ideal, modest level of financial well-being, acquiring more money suffers from diminishing returns. Going from poverty to enough money to sustain your needs yields a huge payoff. Going from that to more than enough will yield less bang per dollar as you continue to spend.

In drug terms it is called tolerance, or reduced responsiveness. The richer one gets, the more one spends. Finally, like a seasoned addict, you need to blow more and more cash to get the same effect. Eventually you need to buy yachts and 30,000 square foot houses just to feel normal.

Myth #5: All you need is love.

Fact: Hold on, how did that get in there? This one is not a myth. This one is a fact.

It is true. All you need is love. It is free to feel, free to give, free to receive, free to enjoy. No money, no money myths needed.

Dental Care On A Budget

2012-01-18T00:59:00.000-08:00

One of my upper third molars has an old cap that fell off recently

In the 70's movie Marathon Man, Dustin Hoffman plays a character that is tortured by having his teeth drilled without the benefit of anesthetic. Although you might suspect it would, seeing the movie long ago did not give me a dental phobia. But it sure did make me squirm as it highlighted the importance of good dental hygiene, and skilled, non-sadistic dentists.

I thought of Hoffman's character again a few days ago when I pulled an old cap off an upper third molar while flossing. In my hand it looked big and ugly - 30 years of doing major chewing duty had taken its toll. I put it in a small container and brushed my teeth.

The newly exposed nub was sensitive, and even lightly brushing it caused an uncomfortable shock to run through my jaw and face. An evil captor with rudimentary dentistry skills would have loved to take advantage of it with a poky, sharp metal instrument.

I got the shivers, pushed all thoughts of dental-based torture out of my head, and considered how quickly I might be able to see my dentist. I looked forward to relief, but not to the potential large bill.

The problem with keeping teeth happy is the cost - it is not consistent with a low-budget lifestyle. But there are definitely things that you can do to lower the costs for you and your family.

NBA's Tips For Low-Budget Dental Care

The most important way to save money on dental care is to have excellent oral hygiene and general health. Make your dental plan caring for your teeth (brushing 1-3 times/day, floss once/day every day, don't forget to tend to your gums, brush after sweet foods, eat well, exercise, and get plenty of rest).
Find a dentist that is committed to keeping your teeth in your head as long as possible. Just because you 'could' have work done, does not mean you 'should' have it done. A good dentist will work with you to prioritize what must be done, and what would be nice to be done when the money is available. Functional fixes come before the purely cosmetic.
Start an account (or designate a jar) earmarked for your family's dental care. Try to build up enough to cover basic care (check up/cleaning 1-2 times per year), plus a bit more for unexpected care that may be required.
Most schools of dentistry offer discounted, or free services for the general public. They may also offer clinics at various locations run by volunteer dentists. If you have a school in your area, try giving them a call - they are often looking for people, including children.
Number 1 is worth repeating - brush, floss, and take care of yourself. Preventing problems is the most cost-effective way to go... and the least painful.

My dentist was able to get me in the next day. The thought of a $500 - $1000 dollar bill did not thrill me, but neither did being tortured by the tender, unprotected nub of a molar. I grabbed my old, battered cap, and hoped for the best.

I can now report that my dental story had a happy ending. My dentist, knowing me to be a practical, thrifty patient, told me that we could replace the cap, but that it would not be necessary at the moment. He grabbed whatever super glue is used that keeps major capped molars in place for decades at a time, and slapped my old cap back in place.

It only involved a few seconds of torture.

A modest sixty bucks later I walked out sporting a full set of happy choppers. I like my dentist, but I will continue to do whatever I can to stay away from his office for as long as possible. When I do need to go back, the whole affair will be made less unpleasant by the fact that I have budgeted for it.

One last tip - If you are ever held captive by a sadist armed with a crude set of tools, Dentistry 101 knowledge, and only a little bottle of clove oil for pain relief, remember that there is no right answer when he repeatedly asks, "Is it safe?".

Whoa - Stop! Monday

2012-01-16T00:02:00.000-08:00

Between 1/3 and 1/2 of Earth's surface has been transformed by humans

Problem:

Pave The Earth Syndrome

"Human alteration of Earth is substantial and growing. Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 30 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution; more atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by humanity than by all natural terrestrial sources combined; more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use by humanity; and about one-quarter of the bird species on Earth have been driven to extinction. By these and other standards, it is clear that we live on a human-dominated planet." - Source

Solution:

Replace our present competitive, centralized, materialistic, perpetual growth system with one that is:

cooperative
decentralized
community-based
sustainable, and
works with nature, rather than dominates it.

In order to achieve these goals, a small segment of the global population will will need to consume less. Other groups, in order to secure their basic needs, will need to consume more.

If each of us consumes more closely to what amounts to our "fair share", the world will be a more equitable place.

We can 'whoa - stop!', the human transformation of the Earth into a smoking, desolate, wasteland by the bulldozers of greed and ego.

I am standing in their way. Will you join me?

Existence Is Joyful

2012-01-14T15:34:00.000-08:00

"Look at the trees, look at the birds, look at the clouds, look at the stars... and if you have eyes you will be able to see that the whole of existence is joyful.

Everything is simply happy. Trees are happy for no reason; they are not going to become prime ministers or presidents and they are not going to become rich and they will never have any bank balance.

Look at the flowers - for no reason. It is simply unbelievable how happy flowers are."

- Osho

Is Squeaky Clean Too Clean?

2012-01-13T02:20:00.000-08:00

Queen Elizabeth I of England boasted that she bathed once a month, "whether I need it or not". It wasn't so long ago that the majority of us bathed about as much. That was before our modern cleanliness myth - "if clean is good, squeaky clean is better" - was developed to create the multi-billion dollar cleanliness industry.

If cleanliness was once next to godliness, it is now found between social phobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Katherine Ashenburg, author of "The Dirt on Clean: An Unsanitized History", thinks our hyper-hygiene has become "hedonistic, anxious and oversanitized", and I agree.

Of course, life expectancies rose sharply in the 1930's and 40's thanks in large part to the improvement of cleanliness, sanitation and hygiene, but we have since fallen overboard into the great Soapy Sea. There are a growing number of people that believe that this obsession with clean is actually making us sick.

Essentially, the philosophy of those advocating for a less clean world says that the more we try to protect ourselves from the environment, the weaker we become. They feel that our immune systems need to be challenged in order to develop and maintain function. Within limits then, being less clean could improve your health.

I used to shower every day, but it doesn't fit with my lifestyle now. These days I find I have better things to do with my time than attack my body daily with a range of smelly chemicals. Consider that people rarely used soap to wash their bodies until the late 19th century. Olive oil-based soaps that were gentle enough for skin were too expensive for the majority of people.

Smelling like chemicals is expensive to this day, and it is an expense I jettisoned from my budget a long time ago. I haven't used deodorant or anti-perspirant for years, and I do not miss these aluminium-laced concoctions designed to mask who you really are.

What's wrong with humans smelling like humans rather than soap, sandalwood, or Musk Deer scent? Within reason of course - I do not want to be as odoriferous as a medieval Christian desert hermit displaying his holiness by not washing. Reports are that these dedicated desert dwellers could set off one's 'Smell-o-meter' from a mile away.

Even Napoleon ("I'm coming home, don't shower") might have been taken aback at such a dedicated funk. However, depending on how your body works, warding off unpleasant odours does not require one to take on a cleanliness obsession like an acquaintance of mine that showers several times per day.

Also, frequent showers do not agree with my desire to conserve resources. Luffa-ing under a constant stream of steamy hot water takes a lot of energy, and this energy use has negative consequences on the environment. Plus, all the hot water and smelly products cost a lot of cash.

I want to save money and be clean enough that I am not detectable from a kilometer away. I find that after a few days it is time for a scrub down, but I see nothing wrong with being a 'free range human' and getting down and dirty every once in a while. If nothing else, it makes the occasional hot shower seem like a dreamy spa treatment rather than just another chore in a busy day.

My cleanliness product bag contains a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo. That's it, and I use them about once a week whether I need it or not. Once-a-month Elizabeth, former Queen of England, might wonder why I shower so frequently.

Where do you stand on the cleanliness - compulsion continuum?

The Weight Of Things

2012-01-11T00:14:00.000-08:00

As people accumulate wealth they tend to acquire more and more things. We have been conditioned to believe that this unprecedented accumulation is good for us, but it does not take long before we begin to feel weighed down by our things.

It takes a lot of space to store this avalanche of heaviness that flows into our lives. The stuff doesn't just take up space in the mind, it has to be physically stored somewhere. This probably has something to do with the average house size doubling since the 1950s.

Why would we need such large homes? To hold the mountains of things, of course. And once the basement, garage, garden shed, attic, and closets are stuffed full, we increasingly rent places to put the seemingly uncontrollable overflow.

The self-storage industry - which, not surprisingly, is mostly a North American phenomenon - blights almost 2.5 billion square feet of the planet with a lot of unloved, unneeded stuff. Providing this service brings the industry $20 billion in revenue per year.

I wonder if this huge amount of money, being spent to store stuff not important enough to be kept at home, could be better spent?

The Global Fund, which provides AIDS treatment to 2.5 million poor people worldwide, calculated in 2010 that it needed about $6.6 billion dollars per year for its programs. It only received $3.6 billion/year in funding due to the global economic downturn. The difference means people will die.

But we remain blissfully unaware of the harsh realities just outside our borders as we continue to collect more and more stuff in bigger and bigger houses and storage facilities.

How we live with all our extraneous stuff, and simultaneously fail to appreciate global realities and the finite nature of our planet's energy resources and raw materials, is not even the worst part. The most insidious thing about high consumption lifestyles is how they can smother us under the weight of things.

It may appear that everything is fine, but something has gone wrong. Consumers are suffocating, and the lack of oxygen is affecting our thinking. I can feel it myself, even though over the past decade I have downsized dramatically. Despite this, I still have things I don't really need.

This year I am getting out from under the rest of my accumulation, which by now is more of a mole hill than a mountain. But still, it is time to implement some rules for the new year.

Rules for my Anti-stuff Campaign:

Rule 1: If it hasn't been used in over a year, get rid of it.
Rule 2: If it is not adding to my life, get rid of it.
Rule 3: Implement Rules 1 and 2 ruthlessly, while throwing all emotional attachments to the wind.

Here is to a lighter, unfettered 2012 where there is space to breathe, time to think, and freedom to act.

Making Choices Monday

2012-01-09T00:02:00.000-08:00

We are free to make the right choice.

Opting Out Increasingly Difficult/Illegal

2012-01-08T02:09:00.000-08:00

Opt out now - while it's still legal!

During a time when the authorities say "go shopping", then praise you as 'patriotic' when you do, what happens if you don't comply? What happens if you wish to opt out of the whole materialistic rat race, and live a minimal, simple, self-reliant life?

Increasingly what happens are laws that prevent you from choosing that potentially desirable opt out route.

For example, there are many places with laws that prevent you from collecting rainwater. Or growing anything but useless energy-intensive, chemical-dependent grass within sight of your neighbours. Or laws that prevent you from sleeping in a car or RV on city streets, or from building a tiny house, or remaining off the grid.

Anti-opting out legislation is being passed by centralized governments at all levels in order to protect their turf and cement our dependence on a crumbling, complex system that they and their corporate friends profit from.

If we are 'allowed' to opt out of this system, and assert our independence through increased simplicity and self-reliance, we are less subject to their control. Worse for them, we cease to become their profit-providers.

That is why citizens growing gardens could become potential targets. A Geographical Information System has been used to put information on every garden in England in a data base. Rumours of a backyard garden tax are not limited to England - parts of the US are also looking at home gardens as being potential sources of much-needed revenue.

A side benefit for the government's corporate buddies is that the garden tax would also discourage people from eating non-corporate food.

Farmers have already been targeted, with devastating effects on both humans and biodiversity. In order to increase dependency and corporate profits, legislation has been passed to make seed saving, a tradition thousands of years old, illegal.

In India, simple farmers are forced into the complex world of patented, corporate seed stock, energy-intensive industrial agriculture, debt, bankruptcy, and eventual suicide.

Legislation and nuisance bylaws everywhere are being used to keep the 99% dependent on centralized governments and corporations that offer no solutions, only increased resistance to our choosing to opt out of their system.

There is some urgency in developing a sustainable system to replace the one that is currently designed to make the 1% wealth at the expense of the people and the environment.

Opt out now, while you still can. Choose to live simply and sustainably, and free. Choose to increase local resilience, grow your own food, and save your own seeds. Choose to be one of the architects of a new system, the people's system.

While it is still somewhat legal.

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

2012-01-06T00:02:00.000-08:00

50 Translations: "I'm scared."

Oh, the excuses I have heard. My teaching career started when 'the dog ate my homework' was still the most-used excuse going. By the time I retired from teaching dogs everywhere had been liberated from blame and slept comfortably. The most used excuse for late work had progressed to 'my printer/computer/disk ate my homework'.

By now I am sure the grade school excuse has progressed again and is something like 'I dropped my FlashStick in the toilet/sink/puddle'. It is not just the informal research gleaned as a teacher of young children, but my observations of people in general that made me aware that one thing humans do really, really well is make excuses.

There are all kinds of excuses being used to justify why 20% of the planet's inhabitants pig out on 80% of its resources. My favorite is "we work hard - we deserve it". If that were true, African grandmothers raising their AIDS-orphaned grand kids would be among the highest paid people in the world.

I heard nothing but excuses during, and since, the climate change talks in Durban, South Africa. Embarrassingly, my own country was among the most vocal examples of using excuses to avoid and delay urgently needed changes.

It does not matter if it is uncompleted grade six homework, or inaction on global inequality, making excuses only makes things worse. This is a lesson we should have solidly in place by the time we are about 10 years old. No one feels good inside when they resort to excuses - it only increases and extends the pain.

The pain suffered by humanity and the environment has gone on long enough. It's 2012 - NO MORE EXCUSES. It is time to shine the antiseptic spotlights of honesty, integrity, and responsibility upon our problems, both personal and global. Only this will treat the infection of denial.

When our denial ends, and we face our problems head on, we take action. When we finally do, it feels good, and we wonder why we hesitated with our excuses in the first place.

Toward Right Livelihood

2012-01-04T01:13:00.000-08:00

Hours before my 96 year old grandfather passed away years ago, he addressed me as I stood at his bedside. His voice was fading, but he gripped my hands strongly as he looked into my eyes.

The dad of my dad knew he had only a few precious moments left, and the usual joking twinkle was gone from his eyes. He looked at me and said, "Do something with your life to make the world a better place." I didn't know it at the time, but he was talking about right livelihood.

The concept of right livelihood is usually associated with Buddhism. Basically it means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that it should be gained through moral and peaceful means.

Examples of 'wrong' livelihood are highlighted to help guide those on the path. Accordingly, work one would want to avoid would be:

manufacturing or dealing in weapons
dealing in living beings - the slave trade and prostitution are more extreme examples, but this could include any exploitation of other living beings.
meat production - Buddhists are vegetarian
producing or dealing in drugs or poisons - or industrial pollutants

Also out are widely accepted business practices such as scheming, lying, exaggerating, persuading, hinting, belittling, and pursuing gain with gain.

The Right Livelihood Award was established in 1980 to honour and support people working toward making the world a better place, and has become known as the 'Alternative Nobel Prize'. David Suzuki, Canadian environmental activist, shared the award in 2009 for his many decades of selfless work.

The award is recognized as an important source of support for individuals and groups implementing social and environmental transformation.

The recipients of the 2011 awards highlight and celebrate the good work taking place globally:

Huang Ming (China)

“… for his outstanding success in the development and mass-deployment of cutting-edge technologies for harnessing solar energy, thereby showing how dynamic emerging economies can contribute to resolving the global crisis of anthropogenic climate change.“

Jacqueline Moudeina (Chad)

“… for her tireless efforts at great personal risk to win justice for the victims of the former dictatorship in Chad and to increase awareness and observance of human rights in Africa.”

GRAIN (International)

“… for their worldwide work to protect the livelihoods and rights of farming communities and to expose the massive purchases of farmland in developing countries by foreign financial interests.”

Ina May Gaskin (USA)

“… for her whole-life’s work teaching and advocating safe, woman-centred childbirth methods that best promote the physical and mental health of mother and child.“

My grandfather's words have resonated with me, and guided me, since the night he imparted them. They helped me decide that it is not true that any job is better than no job. What good is having a job if it contributes to the destruction of people or the planet?

I strive to do no harm while I earn my living and conduct my affairs - it has become my prime directive. I want to make the world a better place.

Cooperation Monday

2012-01-02T00:29:00.000-08:00

"Great discoveries and improvements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds." - Alexander Graham Bell

It is true that some aspects of the natural order are competitive in nature. Just as true is the fact that in many other important ways, life is supported by a foundation of cooperation.

Cooperation in nature is widespread. Social insects such as ants, bees, and termites are well known for working together toward the common goal of building and maintaining their communities. But many other creatures also practice cooperation, or altruism.

For example, vampire bats regularly regurgitate blood and donate it to other bats of their group who have failed to feed that night, ensuring they do not starve. In numerous bird species, a breeding pair receives help in raising its young from ‘helper’ birds, who protect the nest from predators and help to feed the fledglings.

On tropical coral reefs, various species of small fish act as ‘cleaners’ for large fish, removing parasites from their mouth and gills. Both partners benefit — the large fish get parasites removed, and the cleaners get fed. If the large fish is threatened by a predator while the cleaner is in its mouth, it will pause to let the cleaner escape before it flees from the threat.

Humans in their natural state, I believe, are also cooperative. Or at least would be (more often) if we were not trained to indulge our darker side - our selfish, competitive nature.

Competition keeps us divided, individual, and weak. The system likes this because it is more profitable for them. Competition is encouraged from an early age as we are trained to play the game to see who gets the best paying jobs, biggest houses, most exotic vacations, granite counter tops, stainless appliances, nicest car... the list never ends.

The 1% gets wealthy by getting us to compete with each other. It is better for business if we each want a car, rather than several families sharing one. Or if we each want a lawnmower, or BBQ, or car washer, or hand tools.

What if we refused to play the competition game? Has anyone even heard what the Jones' have been up to lately? I think after they went bankrupt they moved to a commune.

The reality is that our societies are already commune-like. In every day life sharing is the norm, but it isn't "profitable" in the strictly economic sense, so you won't hear too much about it in the business-owned media. In my own community, volunteering is a huge component in how things get done here.

If we stopped doing all the small cooperative acts that we do every day, everything would cease to function, and things would grind to a halt. It's not governments that guard us against chaos - it is our tendency toward cooperation that keeps things smoothly functioning.

Humans naturally will act cooperatively because they know that doing so increases well-being for everyone, and everything. What if we recognized this, and were raised to act cooperatively instead of competitively?

Imagine the amount of money and life energy that would be freed up if we abolished the endless materialistic competition that no one can win, and devoted ourselves instead to providing a decent standard of living for 100% of the human family (which is a totally achievable goal).

Imagine the state of the world if we acted with an ethos of cooperation with the environment, rather than one of competitive domination and conquest.

Today let's recognize the foundation of cooperation that all life is built upon, and work toward strengthening and expanding it as the main driving force in our communities.

No regurgitation of blood required.

What Will 2012 Bring?

2011-12-31T10:54:00.000-08:00

There is a lot I would like to see happen in 2012, but I will be happy with just another 365 wonderful days.

Hope that you get another 365, too.

OK, now bring on 2012 and let's see what happens. My bet is that together we are going to make the world a better place for everyone (the 100%).

NBA's Prediction For 2012: Opportunity For Change

2011-12-30T01:02:00.000-08:00

Will 2010 be a good year to grab bags of beans and rice and head for the hills?

You don't need to be a psychic-or conspiracy theorist-to see that the new year will be bringing continued upheaval. 2012 is sure to be a game-changer, Mayan prophesy or not.

What we will probably see is a continuation of events triggered by the failure of the capitalist Utopian dream starting in 2008.

What does that mean? Governments at all levels will be cutting services while charging more in taxes and fees. The average person will have less disposable income to... well, throw away.

For example, I just learned that the new year will see my province's health care premiums rise, in addition to increases in the carbon tax on gasoline, the cost of electricity, ferry charges, car insurance, and payroll deductions, if your job hasn't been cut yet.

In some US cash-strapped cities, public works departments are cutting off the lights at night, and although that may make star-gazing more enjoyable, decisions such as these are likely to have other unintended consequences. Some of them, like seeing the glory of the night sky, will be good. Others, not so much.

Things aren't going so well in the Eurozone, either. One of my favourite blogs is talking about the EU drastically changing its configuration in 2012 as banks, and the economies that depend on them, become increasingly wobbly.

Wobbly enough, actually, that forward thinking people are considering the possibility of bank runs (which would trigger bank holidays, rendering your money inaccessible), closed borders, and travel restrictions, while the EU and/or Eurozone collapse.

Did I mention that anti-depressant use is up 25% in the UK since the 2008 global economic meltdown began? The past three years have been a real bummer for millions, and financial uncertainty is believed to be the main cause of the increase in clinically sad people.

Regardless of what the new year brings, it will not be all sad - it never is. There will be many opportunities for change in 2012, and it will be up to us to decide how these changes will impact our lives.

If electricity is more expensive, for example, people will be motivated not to use it wastefully. As for the changes that are less attractive, we can be prepared before hand to help mitigate their impact.

We can be ready for whatever next year brings by doing a few things now. Many of the actions we can take are similar to basic emergency preparedness that we should maintain at all times anyway.

Here are a few that I am working on, and can recommend to you:

Simplify, simplify, simplify. The more simple your life, the more able you will be to absorb, and react to, the changes that are coming.
Have some cash at home (in a safe place, obviously) - enough to pay all your expenses for at least a month or two.
Keep a well-stocked pantry with enough food and water to keep you and your family healthy for up to a week, or more (a minimum of 72 hours).
Pay off debt. Getting rid of debt is like cutting a dragging anchor. We may need to be mobile and free.
Enjoy every day as if it were your last, for things are getting strange, and you never know what kind of outrageous shit tomorrow will bring.

In answer the question posed in the caption on the image at the top - Yes, 2012 is looking like a good year to grab bags of beans and rice, head for the hills, and start a new, simple life. But, the simple life is something that can be achieved wherever you are.

All of us at the NBA Blog wish you a simple, free, and happy 2012! May you have plenty of opportunities for positive, sustainable change in the new year.

Amazing Feats of Simplicity: Henry David Thoreau

2011-12-28T01:21:00.000-08:00

"A man is rich in proportion to the number of things
he can agree to let alone." - H.D. Thoreau, Image by M. Thompson

Tired of the destruction wreaked by high stress lifestyles centered on the acquisition of more and more stuff? Tired of working all the time to support a way of life that is increasingly dissatisfying?

Be inspired by this amazing feat of simplicity that took place 150 years ago in a tiny house in the woods of eastern USA - a house that was smaller than most people's garages today.

Increasingly, people are looking for more gentle ways of living as an alternative to unsustainable modes of production and consumption, and many of them turn to the writings of author, environmentalist, and social critic, Henry David Thoreau.

In 1845 Thoreau built his home and monument to simplicity next to Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts. He used found and recycled materials to keep costs down, and reduce his environmental impact.

To build a replica of his cost-cutting cabin today would only cost about $3000, if you could find a neighborhood willing to accept a home so... sensible. His 150 square foot house would have to be at least 10 times larger to meet the minimum size requirements of today's residential developments where size definitely matters.

Thoreau's 150 sq. ft. cabin was built by hand from found
and reclaimed materials

Thoreau's minimal approach did not end when his house was done. He stocked his home with the same eye to keeping his life as simple and carefree as possible, and only kept what added to his basic life, and no more.

Thoreau considered many wealthy people to be little more than the janitors of their possessions, for when did they actually have time to enjoy them? Henry David treasured relationships, nature, and freedom over possessions.

Because he kept his possessions to a minimum, and did without extras like coffee, tea, milk, and meat, Thoreau could choose to work less.

The ideal work schedule for a week on Walden Pond was one day of work, and six days of leisure. He wrote, “The order of things should be somewhat reversed – the seventh should be a man’s day of toil…and the other six his Sabbath…”. This radical plan would amount to six weeks of work per year, a schedule most people would find sufficiently relaxing.

Thoreau's amazing feats of simplicity model for us a way of living that minimizes environmental damage, and maximizes personal freedom, responsibility, and enjoyment.

“Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life," he warned, "are not only not indispensable but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.”

The spartan interior of Thoreau's cabin - all you need.

"Live simply. Be free." is the lesson Thoreau shares with us in his amazing feats of simplicity.

No Work Monday

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

"Be silly. Be honest. Be kind." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

All work and no play can be hazardous to your health. We do not want to be so worried about making a living, that we forget to live.

Therefore, we give ourselves time to play, to be silly, to let go. We laugh so hard that we are reborn and don't know where or when we are for a moment.

We dance, jump, sing, fly, shout with joy. We are alive now. Best to take advantage of that while we still can.

We don't want to wait for some arbitrary time when it will be alright to be ourselves and live again. A lot of steam can build up while we wait to retire, for example.

This is our safety valve because we know that having time to play is good medicine. Work has its place, and we bend to it with equal joy when needed. But no more than needed, for we are not machines.

We are working to live, not living to work. We are doing the happy dance, and hope you are, too.

Christmas Redux

2011-12-25T00:25:00.000-08:00

How many Christmas presents do you remember?

Welcome to my Christmas Redux. Join me as I ask the question, "How many Christmas presents do I remember?"

If you are like me, when you think about Christmas Past you remember piles of glittery, sparkly, enticing boxes set under the tree.

You may even remember learning about delaying gratification as you painfully waited days to wield an 'open sesame' spell over the presents before you. But do you remember the gifts inside?

"A box, a box!"

It makes me think of an old home video of a young boy vigorously unwrapping a large gift on Christmas morning. As soon as he had the wrapping paper off he started yelling with glee, "A box, a box!"

He was so excited about the box that his parents had to explain that the cardboard box wasn't really the gift, and that there was something else inside. Still, the box was more exciting.

When I think back I remember more boxes than their contents.

The majority of presents I have unveiled over the years have long since blended into a massive collage of things that have passed through my life since I was young.

No doubt there were gifts that I was pleased to have received, but these aren't even the things I remember in my Christmas Redux.

Here are some of the things I do remember:

the excitement of the season with all the lights brightening the cold, long nights
having more guests in our home than usual, like our loving grandparents
a sense of good will toward others that was all-pervasive
the smell of the tree, and candles, and feasts
eating Mandarin oranges... sometimes too many :)
smiling, happy people
the cold and snow outside, and the warmth, love, and security inside
getting along with my siblings for longer than usual
playing with empty boxes and big piles of wrapping paper
sensing that one year was coming to a close, and another just dawning
and finally, I remember the thought that was behind each and every gift I have had the pleasure of opening - the intentions were honourable and good, and I felt loved. Thank you.

I hope you are experiencing the love of the day. And the boxes. Enjoy the boxes.

Christmas morning Pro tip: Babies look cute in empty boxes, and cats look funny in them. Dogs... not so much. You can make a robot costume out of empty boxes. Or you can slide down a snowy hill in a box.

My Gift To The World: A Basic Living Income For All

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

This gift will add value, dignity, and respect to the world

It is the season of giving, and generosity rules the day. I feel good. So good that I have decided, in all my benevolence, to give all of humanity a basic living income. That is my gift to the world this year.

According to the Basic Income Earth Network, a basic income is one that is "unconditionally granted to all on an individual basis, without means test or work requirement."

The idea of a basic income is one that has been around for a while. For good reason - it is one of the most just and effective ways of battling poverty.

Providing a basic income to all is an effective way to restore balance to our present situation in which global income inequality continues to grow. The World Bank reports that almost half of the people in the world live on under 2 dollars a day and a fifth on less than a dollar a day. Such poverty has devastating consequences.

The average income of the richest 20 countries is thirty-seven times greater than the average in the poorest twenty - a gap that has doubled in the last forty years. Within the richest countries the gap between the richest and poorest is also growing, which is causing great discontent, as it should.

Inequality is a breeding ground for discontent, misery,
and potential violence

It is time to narrow the income gap, and help alleviate the suffering attached to systemic poverty, and the well-meaning but misguided charity efforts organized to deal with it. We need to begin to discuss wholesale changes to our system in order to increase fairness and justice.

Often, talk about guaranteed annual income - if it happens at all - is directed at national implementation. Indeed, in Canada it is being discussed as a way to address the fact that 10% of the population struggles below the low-income line.

Both a House of Commons committee on poverty and the Senate have released reports recommending exploring a basic income for certain groups such as the handicapped, or all low-income Canadians. I am heartened by the fact that this discussion is taking place in my homeland.

However, I would like to think big - bigger than the national level. We live in a globalized world, so let's take this thing global. I would like to see this basic benefit extended to all of humanity.

We could consider it each human's share of the bounty provided by the earth's resources, and our own technological advances. I will let the economists figure out exactly where the money will come from.

There is clearly enough cash in the world to make my gift a reality. All we need is the compassion and political will to implement what is perhaps the most just and effective way of eliminating poverty.

I am imagining a world where every human is provided, as a basic right, the means to provide themselves and their families with the necessities, without enduring harsh, judgmental systems designed to support bare survival rather than dignity and growth.

I am imagining a world where we all share in the bounty of the planet. A world where we take care of each other. A world where everyone has enough.

That is my gift to the human family for this year, and one which I will continue to work toward in the coming months.

Change?

2011-12-21T00:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Winter Solstice! I invite you, on this shortest day of the year, to grab your hot beverage of choice, relax, and take a look at this short 10 minute video about how small actions can inspire great changes.

Each of us holds enormous power to instigate change, and when we share that, it can create a better world for everyone.

Thankfully, no one will ever be able to privatize love, compassion, and kindness. These belong to the commons that we all participate in every day of our lives. They cost us nothing, and are given and received freely, just as the Earth gives freely in its celebration of life.

Celebrate the great and enduring cycles of nature, and the return of the sun and warmth. Practice giving with abandon - smile, embrace, share, cooperate.

That is what will change the world for the better - it is the only thing that ever has.

Peace On Earth Monday

2011-12-19T00:02:00.000-08:00

May we all enjoy peace and contentment in 2012

"Contentment is a state of grace, a state of peace and happiness, appreciation and enjoyment for what is, right now. Desires, in contrast, can never be satisfied. Once we get what we crave, we soon find it less satisfying than we expected, so we strive for something else. The only escape from this perpetual wheel of want is to discover the contentment and perfection we already have."
- Gillian Stokes

Warning: Shopping Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

2011-12-18T00:31:00.000-08:00

Santa: "This is NOT my idea of Christmas spirit".

Warning - shopping this time of year can be hazardous to your health. Every year holiday shoppers are injured, and are occasionally trampled and killed. Watch out for competitive shoppers armed with guns, knives, pepper spray, and body armor. It might be best to let them have that last fad toy of the year.

Or better yet - STAY HOME. Consumer Christmas is optional. If you can't afford it, or just are sickened by the whole mess, try a not buying anything Xmas. It is free, it is safe, it is sustainable.

Love, compassion, and caring cost nothing to give, and can be practiced year round.

My Indian Buy Nothing Xmas

2011-12-17T00:52:00.000-08:00

Xmas is different in India

Ten years ago I spent the holiday season in Gokarna, India, a small Hindu temple town on the Arabian Sea. It was the least consumer-oriented Christmas I have ever had in my western, Christian-based existence, and I liked it.

The entire season was a non-event, except for one Charlie Brown tree that a shopkeeper set up on a table in the street. Both the shopkeeper and the tree looked slightly green in the wilting heat and red dust.

Gokarna is in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, and it is hot year round. There are no conifers, only lofty palm and coconut trees. Minority Christians in India decorate mango or banana trees, but I did not see any so dressed in this pilgrimage town.

Something that reminded me of the brilliant lights this time of year back home were the small clay oil-burning lamps that many people use. After dark they are set out on steps, flat rooftops, and along the tops of walls, creating a low-tech, festive feeling year round.

Indians are festive people generally, living a life of constant and vigorous celebration. They were like Americans at Christmas, but all the time. Their kindness and generosity, their sense of brotherhood, and their good cheer was evident at all times during my multi-week stay in this amazing country.

We seem to save our best for Sundays, or this time of year, whereas the Indians I met were happy and enthusiastic for living cooperatively every day. Witnessing this completely different ancient culture with its simple ways was one of the best, most enduring gifts I have ever received.

My Christmas in Gokarna was unique in my life - it was stress-free. There was no tree to buy, no decorations to set up, no fighting for parking spaces, no shopping, no wrapping, no special meal, no waste, no accumulating debt. Just plain old enjoying the simplicity of the routines of the day among people that were joyful to be alive, regardless of their material conditions.

This year I am recreating my Indian buy nothing Xmas. With all the craziness going on in the world right now, who needs more stress? And with all the economic hardship, who needs to pile on more debt?

No longer do we need to harbour outdated feelings of obligation toward potentially damaging 'traditional' ways. The high-consumption, wasteful Xmas orgies of the past are unsustainable, and therefore open for modification or elimination.

How about a simple buy nothing celebration? A time for rejoicing in our relationships with each other, and for rejoicing in the ample abundance of our planet. A time for non-commercial down time to clear our heads and remember what is really important in life.

Make Peace - Be Content

2011-12-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

This is certainly a time of goodwill and sharing. Instead of running around in a manic state trying to buy loads of stuff no one needs, perhaps we should just stop.

Stop, and give ourselves the gift of enough down time to pause and consider what we are doing, and what our true priorities are.

When we are at peace with ourselves, we can be at peace with others, and with what we have.

Then we can all be content.

Waking Up To Nature

2011-12-14T00:03:00.000-08:00

Raven's Call

Experiencing the natural beauty that surrounds me is one reason I enjoy living a deliberately slow, less complicated lifestyle. I like to have time to notice, and appreciate, the efficiency and beauty of nature. The raven's call is a reminder to wake up to the natural splendor.

I live in a small coastal village of 10,000 transplants, misfits, malcontents, rebels, and revolutionaries. I fit right in. The thing that these self-reliant, hearty souls share is a love of the natural environment. A suit and tie is of little use out here, but if you have a good pair of rubber boots and a thick wool sweater, you are ready.

Out here, on the far western edge of the continent, you know the folly of feeling like an omnipotent, highly evolved organism separate from, or above, your surroundings. In comparison to the vastness of the stormy sea on one side, and the impenetrable, dark, mossy forest on the other, the affairs of humans are mere scurryings of ants.

Here, nature rules, and over the past few long nights it has been the ravens that have been orchestrating the elements from their lofty laboratories in the tree tops. In their black on black cloaks they are the early risers of the rain forest.

Each morning, just as a faint light washes over the sky, I have been woken by the ravens' guttural and commanding call. It carries through the fog, and echos among the cathedral pillars of trees. It celebrates the new day, and the power of nature.

When I lived in the city new days were started with the sounds of revving car engines, squealing tires, and tooting horns.

I much prefer waking to the still and quiet, broken only by the ravens' morning announcements. I enjoy laying in bed and listening to the rain forest rooster's admonishment to rise and acknowledge the magic and the beauty of nature on this very, very day.

No Sleepwalking Monday

2011-12-12T00:08:00.000-08:00

"It's 2011 - wake up!"

The 1% controls billions by denying them what they need.

The rest it controls by giving them everything they want... on credit.

Are developed countries waking from nightmares of excess to embrace simple, sustainable lifestyles?

As we gain an increased awareness of global power structures, and the apartheid they perpetuate, will we make the necessary sacrifices in order to improve equality?

Will the 20% that consume 80% of the planet's resources alter their behaviour in order to aid the 80% trying to get by on the 20% that is left?

We are waking up, and once we know, we can't un-know. I sincerely hope that we take this momentous opportunity to do the right thing.

Why I Am Having A Buy Nothing Xmas

2011-12-09T00:08:00.000-08:00

You don't have to BUY a gift to GIVE a gift

I don't participate in conventional Christmas any more, at least not when it comes to the shopping part of it. No, this year is another Buy Nothing Xmas for me, and because of that, I will be skipping all the hazards of the seasonal shopping frenzy.

As Linus, of Peanuts cartoon fame discovered, "Christmas is not only getting too commercial, it's getting too dangerous!" These days you never know when you might get pepper sprayed by a hyper-competitive super shopper lunging for an Xbox.

But personal safety is not the only reason I am opting out of the commercialized craziness.

Here are a few others:

80% of humanity lives on less than $10 dollars a day - participating in a high-consumption Christmas does them an injustice.
because I believe in counter-culture protest, peace activism, as well as human and ecological rights
it is one way for me to withdraw my support for a corporate-dominated world - corporations are not kings, and I am not a consumer serf
it is a way to re-assert my political power and take a meaningful action now
as a way of addressing poverty - traditional Christmas emphasizes caring for those less fortunate during the holiday season, but does little to implement systematic changes that would eliminate the need for charity
it brings attention to the national and global imbalance of power and wealth

Having a buy nothing Xmas is a way to take action in fighting an inequitable world beset by a number of serious problems. Many of these challenges were caused, or worsened by, conspicuous consumption.

So maybe as we close in on the holiday season we can engage our friends and family in discussions about free-market consumer capitalism, inequality, human rights, and justice, rather than what we are getting each other for Christmas.

Instead of rushing off to compete for parking spots and bargains - and risking a competitive shopping injury - let us brainstorm solutions for our broken planet.

Love and goodwill will reign when we leave the shopping behind.

Control Your Debt - Control Your Life

2011-12-07T00:32:00.000-08:00

Consumption has increased, but wages have been left behind

Simple living is a way of controling your desires so that you can regain control over your life. It is a way to escape the work/spend/work cycle, in order to live consciously and with purpose. It is a lifestyle choice few Americans have been choosing. That may change.

During the period from 1980 to 2008 we enjoyed the largest sustained period of economic growth since the last depression. Everyone felt the illusion of wealth, and it spurred an orgy of consumption such has never been seen before. This rampant consumerism has cost us dearly. We have paid by giving up control over our lives.

We gave up control because for most people the wealth was only an illusion. As it turns out, only the top income earners benefited from the economic upswing.

Income growth (or lack of it) from 1979 - 2007

Bottom income earners actually saw their incomes plummet during this period of supposed prosperity. Middle income earner gains stagnated, while the top 1% were laughing all the way to their safety deposit boxes. And that was during good economic times.

Since 2008, and the global breakdown of capitalism, things have gotten decidedly worse. Income inequality is reaching obscene levels in many countries around the world.

So how have so many people outfitted themselves with dream homes, new cars, wide screen home theaters and annual vacations? How is it that Black Friday 2011 set sales records?

How are people funding these excessive lifestyles? For many the answer is: debt. With prices rising, and incomes stagnating, debt has been the only way many people could continue to fund the high-consumption lifestyles that have come to be seen as "normal".

It has become so bad that people are borrowing money to pay debt. Yes, paying debt with debt. Any kid with a lemonade stand knows that this is not an effective way to run a business, or a household.

Consumer debt 1980 - 2007

Seven in ten people in Canada own houses, and four in ten have no savings. Many people are expecting, for the first time, to be in debt past age 65. About 70% have no pension. It is hard to see how this kind of bondage can end well.

We have been using debt to live beyond our means for decades, and in the process have lost control of our lives. Debt can be a ball and chain that is easy to put on, but extremely hard to remove.

However, one of the best things you can do is get rid of debt. It is one way the 1% tries to enslave us - by enticing us to borrow their money, to buy their stuff.

Eventually, they plan, we will be so in debt that we will be desperate enough to work for them in their crappy low-paying jobs. Jobs that don't allow us to pay off our debt, but do allow us to at least make the minimum payments. It is more difficult to live consciously and with purpose when you owe the big banks money.

Adopting a simple, low-consumption way of life is one way to bend the bars of the cage of consumerism, and slip away to freedom. It can help you get out of debt, and stay out of debt. The time has come for us to start living within our means, and at the same time, fight for a more equitable world.

Simple living can assist us by providing the drive to control our desires and our spending. It is the best way to retire debt, and regain control over your life.

Live simply - be free.

No Fences Monday

2011-12-05T00:27:00.000-08:00

There is nothing free about fences

I do not do well in captivity. I start to feel claustrophobic, pent in, restricted, suffocated, fettered. I can make it without a lot of money, and I prefer not to have lots of stuff, but there is no way I can live without the freedom of wide open spaces.

One of the most tragic things we have done to our beautiful planet is to create imaginary boundaries and lines that cut the beauty into artificial, little pieces. Even worse is when we solidify such arbitrary boundaries with fences and closed gates.

Fences and gates say "Mine" and "Keep Out". Boundaries divide people into "Us" and "Them". Borders fuel a dangerous mental illness that makes us feel like we are not all in this together.

I am usually a law abiding citizen, but I have little regard for fences and locked gates. In order to avoid trespassing charges, I tend to gravitate to public land such as parks and conservation areas.

An essential activity in my life has been visiting public spaces where I can walk for days if I want, and not see a single fence or gate. I love having room to roam in wide open spaces, and discovered long ago that it spawns an expansiveness in my thinking and experience.

Without greed-driven, territorial fences limiting me, I am free.

from When The Music's Over
by Jim Morrison

What have they done to the earth?
What have they done to our fair sister?
Ravaged and plundered and ripped her and bit her
Stuck her with knives in the side of the dawn
And tied her with fences and dragged her down.
We want the world and we want it now.

Canadian Government Lags Behind The Times In Durban

2011-12-04T01:36:00.000-08:00

What if we created a better world for nothing?

It is a bad time to be a Canadian concerned about climate change. In Durban, South Africa, our country has been accused of "bullying" other countries into joining the naysayers, and throwing a wrench into potential positive change for a better, cleaner world.

I apologize to all the activists that have been working hard on guidelines to replace the Kyoto Accord when it expires soon. My government does not represent me, or most clear-thinking Canadians that I know, when it comes to taking action on climate change.

Please ignore our petty, small-minded, anti-science, business as usual bureaucrats, and get on with creating a cleaner, better world without us.

We will get caught up after we vote these climate clowns out of office next election.

Less Is More

2011-12-03T01:53:00.000-08:00

More is less, Less is more

We need to initiate discussions on the ecological, economic and psychological repercussions that result from high-consumption lifestyles. Any solutions to current global problems must address how our large footprint living has created or acerbated many of these problems.

We are led to live large by the advertising industry and social pressure. We want everything. Then we want more of everything. This is not healthy, sustainable, or a good way to achieve lasting happiness.

Just because certain activities are socially acceptable doesn't mean they aren't damaging to yourself, others, and the planet. That is why we need to begin to talk about doing less, having less, and working less, in order to get more.

Often doing less is better for your health, and it is certainly better for the planet. You can save a great amount of money by doing less, and having less.

Exercising some restraint on your desires is also an excellent way to boost your emotional well-being. It feels great to have the self-control required to say NO to the incessant pressure to do more, buy more, have more, and work more.

What could you do less of?

Driving - driving is expensive and dirty, while riding a bike and walking are good for you
Eating - most people in developed countries eat more calories than they need
Shopping - cut out shopping as entertainment
Eating out - learn to cook favourite dishes, have friends over for potluck dinners
Traveling - traveling for fun is great, but is frequent travel really worth it?
Showering - fresh water is at a premium, and frequent showers are unnecessary
Laundry - it is not necessary to wash every piece of clothing after only one wearing
Drugs - even legal drugs like caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol are expensive
Fashion - if it weren't for fashion you would only have to shop for clothes every 5 - 10 years, except for socks and underwear, of course
Watching TV - ditch the cable and take a walk, or get back to your hobby
Processed foods - these fake-foods are nutrient deficient and expensive
Fast foods - healthy food is slow food - if it comes through your car window, it is not really food.
Going out - going out is synonymous with spending money - try staying home and relaxing instead

After cutting down and doing less you begin to realize that you do not miss the things you are doing less of. You may find that in the end you don't just do less of some things, but quit doing them all together.

Pretty soon you wonder why you ever had some of your more deleterious habits. Less becomes more. More money, more free time, more freedom, more good health, more good decisions for ecological integrity.

What are you doing less of these days?

Happy Holidays

2011-12-01T12:09:00.000-08:00

Honouring The Life Force

2011-11-30T00:31:00.000-08:00

OK everyone - hold still, and... say Ch'i!

Want someone to think you are unbalanced? Suggest that they don't kill the mosquito on their arm, or the fly on the wall. Or that they scoop a bug up on a piece of paper and set it free outside. They will look at you like you are a bug.

In spite of that, I must admit that there is a teeny, tiny fruit fly occupying my kitchen that is giving me trouble. At one time dealing with it would have been easy, but not any more.

For a long time my reaction to insect 'pests' was disturbingly automatic. It was the same reaction most people have - kill them. Then I began to question how I could snuff out what the Chinese call 'Chi', or the universal life force, out of a fellow creature doing me no harm.

I discovered not everyone was so careless and callous. Adherents of the Indian religion of Janism, for example, practice non-violence toward all living beings. They believe in the equality of all life, great or small. Devout Jains wear masks so they do not harm bugs by inhaling them, and sweep the ground in front of them so they do not step on anything. I was inspired by their gentleness.

I changed my approach to indoor fauna. If any insect is bothersome I take the time to transport it outside to continue its life unharmed. Instead of dispensing death I am proffering freedom, which is much more consistent with how I live my life.

But this year I am wondering about forcefully evicting insects from my warm home into the cold winter air.

Since the violent evictions of peaceful Occupy protesters across North America, I have been thinking again about the preciousness of life. How are my behaviours like those of the police?

Do I pepper spray innocent, peaceful people with caustic thoughts? Do my lifestyle choices support violence against other people? Against the environment? Against other living things, including insects? Are my insect evictions like police putting protesters out of their tents and into the cold, dark streets?

Now I am wondering if I can even evict my domestic wildlife during the cold months. Wouldn't doing so make me into a one person, black-clad, Insect Riot Squad, out to cleanse all undesirable life forms from within the confines of my own personal Liberty Square?

Military masterminds over history have tried to make killing easier by imagining the enemy as less than human, as mere insects. That wouldn't work with me - I do not want to end the life force of any living thing, human or otherwise. I have vowed to do the least amount of harm possible.

So now, no forced insect evictions till Spring, unless I am really creeped out, or there is some sort of health risk. I guess I should see what the lifespan of a fruit fly is.

No Doubts Monday

2011-11-28T00:02:00.000-08:00

I have no doubt that the seeds of hope being sown today will reap the changes contained within. The world we envision can be nurtured into something completely new. What we believe is what we will become - think good thoughts.

The scattering of seeds has begun in earnest. The people are sowing row upon row of love, cooperation, equality, fairness, sustainability, peace, justice, and freedom. This garden will thrive, and all will benefit from the ample harvest.

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Focus On The Present

2011-11-27T02:18:00.000-08:00

Zen says, "When eating a banana, just eat the banana."

We have to enjoy the now - there is nothing else. It is easy to get caught up in what might happen in the future. Or what you think will happen. Or what you want to happen. Or what should happen. Planning may be good, but whatever is happening, is happening right now. Don't miss it by spending time in the future, or in the past.

The best way I have found to be in the moment is by concentrating on my daily routine. It may not always be exciting, as Zen teaches, but focusing on our routines has a wonderful way of centering us in the present, where all the action takes place.

The repeated actions of routines are not things that get in the way of life - they are life, at the most basic and fundamental level. They are not to be avoided, dreaded, or delegated to others. These potentially 'boring' activities are our doorways to new knowledge and skills.

Whether I am making my bed, preparing delicious whole-food meals, emptying the sink, cleaning the toilet, baking bread, or brushing my teeth before bed, I am recognizing the opportunities for mindfulness practice and personal improvement.

As I go about daily tasks my goal is to not think about the past or the future, just what I am doing at the moment. When I achieve this focus, the hours slip by unnoticed as I willingly engage in life. Far from drudgery, the daily routine becomes a gentle and persistent teacher.

By willingly, and mindfully engaging in the minutia of life I am learning about living in the moment, and freeing my mind.

#OccupyXmas Starts Today

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Now that OWS camps are being dismantled around North America, people are asking what direction the movement might go next. Michael Moore has proposed a few ideas worth looking at here. Adbusters, the Canadian anti-consumerism magazine that launched the September 17th march on Wall Street, also has a proposal.

Adbusters is reaching out to anyone concerned about corporate greed, inequality, personal debt, and the environment, when they propose the following on their website:

"Occupy gave the world a new way of thinking about the fat cats and financial pirates on Wall Street. Now lets give them a new way of thinking about the holidays, about our own consumption habits.

Let's use today, the 20th annual Buy Nothing Day, to launch an all-out offensive to unseat the corporate kings on the holiday throne.

This year’s Black Friday will be the first campaign of the holiday season where we set the tone for a new type of holiday culminating with #OCCUPYXMAS. As the global protests of the 99% against corporate greed and casino capitalism continues, let's take the opportunity to hit the empire where it really hurts…the wallet.

On Nov 25/26th we escape the mayhem and unease of the biggest shopping day in North America and put the breaks on rabid consumerism for 24 hours. Flash mobs, consumer fasts, mall sit-ins, community events, credit card-ups, whirly-marts and jams, jams, jams!

We don’t camp on the sidewalk for a reduced price tag on a flat screen TV or psycho-killer video game. Instead, we occupy the very paradigm that is fueling our eco, social and political decline.

Buy Nothing Day is about fasting from hyper consumerism – taking a break from the cash register, and reflecting on how dependent we really are on conspicuous consumption."

What do you think? Are you game to not buy anything this holiday season in order to send a message to those who would enslave you with debt, siphon wealth to the top, and destroy the environment in the process?

Take this opportunity to use the time you would have spent making a list, driving, shopping, shopping, shopping, driving, wrapping, unwrapping, driving, and returning, to do more personal, soul-satisfying things.

Are you ready to take back the holidays and have a quieter, calmer, less expensive, more authentic Christmas? Occupy Xmas starts today.

Question Consumerism

2011-11-24T17:34:00.000-08:00

When the authorities say

I say

What Can I Do With Soft Tofu?

2011-11-23T00:09:00.000-08:00

Enchiladas can be filled with a shredded tofu mixture,
and served with Spanish rice and re-fried beans

When I began to cut meat out of my diet, tofu was one protein source that helped take its place. At first I only used firm or extra firm tofu - many recipes call for these, and they are more... meat-like. You can crumble, cube, and slice it. It can be boiled and fried. But what about soft tofu? What, I wondered, can I do with soft tofu?

Traditional tofu (non-GM) is soft, and for a while I was not sure exactly what to do with it. In recipes such as chili, or Dal, soft tofu breaks up into little micro-pieces, and has a mushy to non-existent mouth feel. But it was inexpensive and nutritious, so I kept on trying.

I tried putting soft tofu in smoothies, but that didn't really appeal to me. Then I stumbled across a method for transforming soft tofu into something completely different, when I froze a chunk (without water).

I didn't recognize it when I took it out and thawed it. The tofu was no longer a soft, smooth consistency. It was like a sponge with a more fibrous structure. I squeezed all the water out of the block of spongy tofu, then using my kitchen scissors, shredded it into a frying pan of hot oil.

With the addition of a few spices I had essentially made 'veggie ground round', a packaged soy product that simulates Mexican spiced ground beef. I like veggie ground round, but it is too expensive. Making it with soft tofu that has been frozen is much, much cheaper.

Freezing soft tofu transforms the soy into a chewier, more textured finished product. I like the mouth feel that it adds to the dishes it is added to. This form of tofu absorbs seasonings well due to its sponge-like properties.

Mexican Shredded Tofu

350 - 454 grams - Traditional tofu (soft)
2 tbsp - oil
1/2 - onion
dash - Bragg seasoning
1/4 - 1/2 tsp each - cumin, oregano, chili powder
dash - salt, pepper

Thaw a block of tofu that has been frozen. It can go in the microwave to speed the process. When thawed, squeeze the water out, like squeezing a sponge. Heat cast iron fry pan on medium, add oil. Brown diced onion in hot oil.

Add cumin, oregano, and chili powder and stir for a minute or two. Using kitchen scissors, cut the tofu into pan. Add Bragg seasoning, stir, lower heat. Simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve in burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and salads.

And for dessert, why not make chocolate pudding out of, yes, soft tofu. I usually think of tofu in savory dishes, not sweet ones, but this recipe makes a simple, fast, smooth, and yummy pudding. It is an excellent recipe to make if you have a block of soft tofu and are not sure what to do with it.

Soft Tofu Decadent Chocolate Pudding

Block - fresh soft tofu
1/4 cup - cocoa powder
1 tsp - vanilla
dash - salt
1/4 cup - sugar

Toss everything into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. You may have to mix first to break up the tofu, and/or add a bit of milk. When perfectly smooth put in fridge for 30 minutes. Makes about 4 servings.

Traditional (soft) tofu is economical and nutritious. Using it instead of meat has many benefits for the health of the planet, as well as your health.

No Exclusion Monday

2011-11-21T00:30:00.000-08:00

This Rebellion Is Inclusive

Defenders of the status-quo say that the Occupy Together Movement consists of a bunch of trust-funders, college students, ex-hippies, and anarchists. No doubt all these groups are represented, as they should be, but this thing is much greater than that.

This rebellion is the most inclusive the globe has ever seen, and many different groups are joining together to fight a common cause.

David DeGraw, author of The Economic Elite Vs. The People of the United States of America, wrote, “When you go to Liberty Park, into the heart of the occupation, you will see a very diverse group of people with opinions across the entire political spectrum. It’s the very essence of a ground-up, grassroots organization. The OWS Movement is a decentralized, non-violent rebellion against economic tyranny.”

Fighting that tyranny are students, anarchists, and trustfunders, as well as 84 year old grandmas, aging 60s activists with big grins on their faces, and people in wheelchairs (which police consider 'insurgents on mobile platforms', and therefore summarily teargas and subdue them before they can run over the riot squad's toes).

This movement is reaching out to everyone who has ever been oppressed, and that includes us all. Yes, even the 1%. It may be a cushy oppression for them, but being smothered by all that money is oppressive none the less.

This rebellion is proving to be a magnet for those fighting for liberation from social, environmental, and economic injustice, and that has some worried.

The members of the establishment are rightfully squirming in their noisy leather chairs. This movement may lose a few tent cities, but the ideas, the passion, and the commitment for the long haul are not going anywhere. The pressure will continue until this diverse group's legitimate concerns have been addressed.

The good news, hopefully, is that since this movement is ultimately inclusive, no one will be left out. Not the police that are continuing to brutalize the press and peaceful protesters, not the billions of the world's poor, and not our own 1%. Everybody hurts.

This is about reducing the pain for everyone. This is about no exclusion. This is about a bold new world for the 100%.

Everyone will benefit.

"Cause everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends.
Everybody hurts. Don't throw your hand. Oh, no. Don't throw your hand.
If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you are not alone."

- REM, Everybody Hurts

Take A Break - Celebrate Buy Nothing Day

2011-11-20T00:51:00.000-08:00

N. America - Nov. 25, International - Nov. 26

Spending money is pretty effortless. Many are finding that debt is easy to get into, but hard to get out of. In Canada a third of people over the age of 55 won't get out of debt until they are 71! Freedom 65 is the new Freedom 55.

If you don't want to be in a similar position, Buy Nothing Day is a great place to start taking control of your finances, and your life.

Buy Nothing Day is celebrated around the world. In North America the day to go cashless is November 25, and Internationally, November 26.

Started 20 years ago by Adbusters - Vancouver, BC's anti-consumer magazine and instigators of OWS - Buy Nothing Day is meant to provide a respite from the endless spending of money that dominates our lives. It is a pause, a time to stop and meditate on what all this spending of money is for. Is it really necessary? Is it making us happier, better people?

Not spending money is a challenge. When you step back from the microscopic focus on dollar signs you see how the majority of our interactions are ruled by money. It is so insidious that it is hard to avoid and still maintain a semblance of what would be considered a 'normal' life.

But when you step back from the focus on money you see a view of the world usually obscured by the black fumes of consumerism.

On November 25/26 spend a clear and glorious day of not buying anything. Do it alone, do it with friends. It is free, and quite liberating. Exercise control over your finances and your life.

It could be the start of your Freedom 40 dream.

Occupying My Living Room And Singing Protest Songs

2011-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Celebrating the 1909 publication of the first American
protest song book, a re-issue of "The Little Red Song Book."

Like many Occupy camps around the world, protesters in my area are in the process of being evicted. Although a few occupiers are holding their ground at Occupy Victoria, a court order to remove them is expected today.

It is uncertain what kind of restrictions will be placed on future free speech gatherings in Centennial Square. Hopefully they won't be as sanitized as the ones imposed on Liberty Square in New York - no backpacks, no tents, no sleeping bags, and no musical instruments.

No musical instruments? They might be able to take away our instruments, but they can't take away the music. I wonder if singing is allowed? Humming? Clapping?

To protest these draconian attacks on our humanity, I am Occupying my living room for the day and playing protest songs.

The playing of protest songs has a long history in the peoples' fight for freedom, democracy, and equality. Every generation has their own songs, but what they have in common is the use of music and poetry to confront injustice.

Here are a few of the tunes I am inspired to sing today, with a sample of the lyrics that makes them great protest poetry.

Uprising - Muse

"Another promise, another scene

Another packaged lie to keep us wrapped in greed."

Ohio - Crosby, Stills, Nash, Young

"Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,

We're finally on our own.

This summer I hear the drumming,

Four dead in Ohio."

The Times They Are A-Changing - Bob Dylan

"Come senators, congressmen

Please heed the call

Don't stand in the doorway

Don't block up the hall

For he that gets hurt

Will be he who has stalled

There's a battle outside

And it is ragin'

It'll soon shake your windows

And rattle your walls

For the times they are a-changin'."

The End of The World - REM

"It's the end of the world as we know it.

It's the end of the world as we know it.

It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine."

When The Music's Over - The Doors

"What have they done to the earth?

What have they done to our fair sister?

Ravaged and plundered and ripped her and bit her

Stuck her with knives in the side of the dawn and

tied her with fences and

dragged her down."

This Land Is Your Land - Woody Guthrie

"The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me

As I was walkin'  -  I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tress passin'
But on the other side.... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!

In the squares of the city-In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me."

Head Like A Hole - Nine Inch Nails

"Head like a hole.

Black as your soul.

I'd rather die than give you control.

Bow down before the one you serve.

You're going to get what you deserve."

Killing In The Name Of - Rage Against The Machine

"And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya, now you're under control

Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me to. (repeat)"

Signs - Five Man Electrical Band

"And the sign said,

"Anybody caught trespassin'

Will be shot on sight."

So I jumped on the fence and I yelled at the house,

"Hey! What gives you the right

To put up a fence to keep me out,

But to keep Mother Nature in?

If God was here, he'd tell you to your face,

'Man, you're some kind of sinner.'""

Scooter Boys - Indigo Girls

"Way down south where the Maya reign

Zapata reading poetry in his grave

They said, "We're stealing from the best to feed the poor".

Well, they need more..."

Imagine - John Lennon

"Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world"

Any list like this is incomplete as soon as it is started. What protest songs would you add?

This machine kills the desire to consume

"They can't take our songs." David Crosby

Adapting To Simplification

2011-11-16T01:08:00.000-08:00

A more sustainable, creative human is evolving

Whether motivated by economics, environmentalism, or a desire to evolve, many people are looking for new ways of doing things that are truly green, respect people, and support democratic values such as cooperation, fairness and equality. Many just want to take their lives back, and are willing to make sacrifices to free themselves.

For many, some form of downsizing or simplification will be the route that leads to the intended results. For others, the same will be how they cope with what amounts to a form of involuntary simplicity.

In both cases we must be patient with ourselves during this process, and recognize the stages of absorbing new behaviours and habits into our daily routines. It would be nice to make this as positive and stress-free as possible.

Adapting To Change

In adapting to change, there are many different levels of understanding. The levels of understanding can come at us all at once in an "Ah-ha!" moment (happened for me while traveling in India), but more commonly take place through several stages and over time (also true in my life).

First, we learn about an idea or way of doing something. In this stage we read, talk with others, and gather information. The internet, public library, community groups, and your own personal network are valuable inputs during this stage. For example, we learned about reusable cloth bags instead of plastic.

Next we have to live with the ideas for a while. After the initial exposure we need time to think, and let the new ideas mesh with what we already know. Our brains are working all the time on this absorption and integration of information. Even when you are daydreaming or sleeping, your brain is hard at work incorporating the new input.

"What will I line my garbage can with?" was a problem my brain worked on for a while after my grocery store quit offering plastic bags.

The next stage is the application of the new knowledge in our lives. A greater depth of understanding comes when you enact the ideas, even in small ways. Many people have learned valuable skills that transfer to other parts of their lives by switching from plastic shopping bags to cloth reusable ones. We are on the lookout for other areas of our lives where we can make similar kinds of changes.

At the application stage you become conscious of how the new ideas and information can be incorporated in your daily life. At this stage you may experience moments of clarity where everything seems to fit together. It feels right and good, and makes sense to you. In this case it fits with your desire for a cleaner environment with fewer plastic bag trees.

How this process unfolds will differ for everyone, but the important thing is to allow it to happen. It may take place over months, or years. Don't be impatient to learn everything at once. And don't be angry with yourself when you discover how much you didn't understand before, or for the feeling that you are not doing enough. Each little bit helps, and we must not get discouraged.

It is important to be gentle with yourself, and appreciate that you are evolving day by day while adapting to the conditions being faced in our post-capitalist decadent world. Issues such as overpopulation, over-consumption, environmental degradation, inequality, exploitation, and social justice can all be addressed through adapting to a more simple life.

Just remember to simplify at a pace that is comfortable for you. Lasting, positive change will result.

No Obedience Monday

2011-11-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Obedience is the tendency to follow orders given by a perceived authority figure, regardless of the quality of either of them. Deferring to authority figures can be dangerous as highlighted by several important (and disturbing) studies, as well as historical atrocities perpetrated by people 'following orders'.

Einstein felt that fate was punishing him for his contempt for authority by making him an authority figure himself. I am not very obedient by nature either, so it felt odd when I became a teacher. Vested with authority by the government and society, I entered the classroom.

As an 'agent of the state', though, I never expected obedience from my students. Cooperation, yes. Obedience, no. When they questioned my authority (perceived or otherwise), it usually resulted in all of us benefiting in unexpected ways.

Considering the dangers of misguided obedience we would be wise to remember Benjamin Franklin's words when he said, "It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority."

Update: Obedience reared its ugly head Tuesday morning in Liberty Square in New York City as hundreds of agents of the 1% dismantled the birthplace of the peoples' push for real democracy.

I was heartened to hear that protesters in the park Tuesday night were yelling, "Disobey your orders!" at the late-night raiders.

I wonder how many police or sanitation workers refused to work that night?

The General Assembly of around 1000 citizens in the park Tuesday night was reported to be the largest, and most joyous to date, although without sleeping bags, tents, kitchen, medical area, or the 5000 volume library. Marches are planned for Thursday to celebrate 2 months of mobilization.

Oniomania: When Shopping Becomes Unhealthy

2011-11-12T23:06:00.000-08:00

It is hard to change behaviour if it is not seen as a problem

Do you like shopping? Do you really like shopping, really need shopping? Are you suffering from Oniomania? Are we all, to a certain extent?

Definition

Oniomania (from Greek ὤνιος onios "for sale" and μανία mania "insanity") is the technical term for the compulsive desire to shop, more commonly referred to as compulsive shopping, shopping addiction, shopaholism, compulsive buying or CB. The condition has been recognized for over 100 years.

The Condition

Although not taken very seriously by an increasingly shopping-focused world, CB is a psychiatric disorder with serious repercussions for sufferers, and those around them.

Those diagnosed with this disorder - anywhere from 10-30% of Americans - represent the far end of the spectrum. But it would seem by the global popularity of shopping that we are all susceptible to this condition to some degree. Is this what evolution has brought us to - turning the process of acquisition into an obsessive mental illness? If so, what might trigger this response?

Causes of Oniomania

Could it be the multi-billion dollar marketing and advertising industries? As a small, but growing, group of humanity acquires more wealth they also increase overall consumption. It happened in North America over the past several decades of growing wealth, and it is happening now in places like Brazil, India, and China.

Trust in me...

Marketers salivate at the exploding growth, fertile ground for opportunities in encouraging compulsive purchasing. "Let us help you spend your money", they whisper, like Kaa the Python in The Jungle Book trying to hypnotise the Bandar-log. "Trust in me, trust in me, look into my eyes..."

The hypnosis techniques that the money charmers use are glossy catalogues, television shopping channels, cybershopping, and glittery malls that smell like new stuff. The snakes of commerce are good at creating 'needs', and convincing you to meet them by trading your money for their attractive, yet worthless products and services.

Experts believe that compulsive shoppers engage in their behaviour because of a need to feel special and combat loneliness. CS think that shopping will make things better, but it is an expensive therapy that is proven ineffective.

Compulsive shopping only feels good until the initial rush wears off. It may last until you reach the car and load it up with your recent amazing purchases. Or until you get home to your partner. Or until you realize you spent the rent money. Then the guilt kicks in, and the cycle repeats.

This is a global problem now as more and more people spend money acquiring stuff as they convert themselves from citizens to unhealthy consumers (just like we did in the 1950s).

In a world that worships at the altar of shopping, getting away from it can be a challenge for even the most committed anti-consumer. It is even more difficult for Oniomaniacs as they represent the elite athletes in the game of desire and consumption. We tend to honour them and their patriotism. What is the problem? Why change?

People chuckle at T-shirts that shamelessly announce, "Shopaholic", or, "When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping", but this is seriously harmful behaviour for many, and it is certainly bad for the planet.

Treatment

So how to become less shopping oriented, regardless of where we fall on the Oniomania spectrum? As with many mental illnesses, treatment is difficult, comparable to the intransigence of hoarding behaviour.

Doctors would most likely prescribe therapy and/or pharmaceutical concoctions, but the most effective method is having a strong personal desire to make positive changes for the yourself and the planet.

First is recognizing there is a problem - we have to link our desire to shop and consume with the ongoing destruction of the natural world, not to mention our own happiness. Then we need a plan to reduce desire, and consumption through self-control.

Try starting with 24 hours of not buying anything, then progress to a couple of days. Once you get better at it, you may find you can go a whole week of not buying anything. That might feel so good that eventually most days are shopping-free.

You are liberating yourself from that shopping monkey riding on your back, and realizing the benefits.

Benefits of Kicking The Shopping Habit

Spending less, saving more. Getting out of debt = freedom!
With a reduced budget and no debt, you will be able to work less if you choose.
You could get a lower paying job with NO responsibilities (as in American Beauty)
There will be fewer things to store and maintain in your house.
It feels good to live unencumbered by a constant desire for things.
You will have more money for the things you really need, like food and shelter.
By not shopping as much you are withholding your money from the 1%.
All the time you would have been shopping can be spent doing more productive things like, writing a book, volunteering at your local school, helping a neighbour, learning to play an instrument, hanging with your partner and/or kids...
With less stuff you could move to a smaller home.
Your new extra time could be used to start a blog - spread the word about the joys of kicking the shopping habit.

War: What Is It Good For?

2011-11-11T00:22:00.000-08:00

The corporate first wave assaults the beaches

The capitalist's 'War on Freedom' has been subjugating people for 500 years. Their weapons are convenience cluster bombs followed by chains of comfort. Their rewards are a docile, compliant workforce to be exploited for profit.

These seemed like improvements in the 1500s, and modernization was sure to have some rough patches. But soon the warmonger's sinister plan became evident.

Bombard the locals with convenience cluster bombs, stuff grenades, shiny things shrapnel, and shag carpet bombs, and this thing called 'money'.
After a continued assault even the most ardent free-range human will give in to the promise of more and willingly enter the work camps.
Develop and nurture the population's dependency on the complicated plan.
Remove the ability of the population to be more self-reliant and cooperative. For example: land enclosure, the destruction of social supports, and environmental degradation.
Make charging exorbitant amounts of interest acceptable.

Legitimizing interest built the atom bomb of capitalist control - DEBT. Jacob Fugger, in the 1500s, petitioned the pope to make charging interest OK. Before that it was considered usury, and was highly unethical, a sin and illegal.

Once the church denounced usury, Fugger used his fortune to make loans to the powerful of the day. The interest he charged allowed him to become one of the wealthiest, and most powerful people of all time. When kings and popes could not keep their loan commitments Fugger was able to wield his power through this unethical practice. Since the powerful could not settle the loans with cash, they paid by giving Fugger rights to their natural resources.

For example, points out Cynthia Crossen in The Rich and How They Got That Way (2000), by 1501 Fugger owned mines in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bohemia, and Spain through his financial revolution. The people of Hungary were starving, their country had a crushing debt, and foreign capitalists like Fugger were exploiting and draining their resources. The people fought back and mobs sacked and looted two of his company's plants.

The usurping of political power by bankers has continued to this day. What starts as a ground invasion by a corporate first wave storming the beaches, is followed by the scorched earth policies of the generals of banking. These generals are represented by the justifiably maligned International Monetary Fund.

American economist, Joseph Stiglitz was unflattering with his appraisal: “When the IMF arrives in a country, they are interested in only one thing. 'How do we make sure the banks and financial institutions are paid?...' It is the IMF that keeps the [financial] speculators in business. They’re not interested in development, or what helps a country to get out of poverty.”

Just ask the people of Greece how free they are feeling these days. There the debt bomb has spread its deadly effects, not only killing Prime Minister Papandreouas' term in office, but also damaging Greek sovereignty.

Now, like in so many other countries, the capitalist invaders walk in and start to dictate the conditions of surrender. It will be bad for the people of Greece (and Italy, and soon a country near you), but very good for the capitalist invading army.

War. What is it good for? Destroying peace and freedom.

And turning a profit for the few.

Is Hoarding Money A Debilitating Mental Illness?

2011-11-10T00:05:00.000-08:00

Past a certain, fairly modest amount, collecting more money serves no actual purpose. It will not increase your ability to survive, and may actually impede it. The super rich still get sick, and they still die. Just like the rest of us.

Then what is all the cash for? If it serves no purpose over a certain threshold due to diminishing returns, what is the drive that feeds this illness that is spreading like a cat hoarder's kittens?

2011 broke records, reports Forbes Magazine, for the number of billionaires. 1210 individuals were diagnosed this year with an extreme form of cash hoarding. Mental health experts should be looking into this before we are all affected by the fallout of this debilitating mental illness.

World's Biggest Hoarders of Cash

Carlos Slim Helu, Mexico
Bill Gates, USA
Warren Buffett, USA
Bernard Arnault, France
Larry Ellison, USA

Collectively these patients have hoarded 261 Billion dollars. That is enough cash to stuff the average bungalow to the ceilings with filthy lucre.

These individuals are often resistant to treatment, and should be closely monitored.

Simple Pleasures: Making Music

2011-11-09T00:08:00.000-08:00

This Machine Kills the Desire to Consume

I have always enjoyed music. Learning to play guitar was a goal of mine that I had set early in life. I was ten when I started lessons, and I was ten when I laid my instrument down. I quit after only learning a few chords.

Amazing how busy life gets after we turn about ten or eleven. The rush of life stifled my desire to be musical as I concentrated on goals society had set out for me. 1971 turned into 2000 amazingly fast. I had still not learned to play guitar.

I finally wised up to the whole work-life thing, and took a pause from all the busyness in 2001. All of a sudden I had a lot more time on my hands. Sweet, delicious, open-ended time. I felt guilty about not being busy after being on the treadmill for so long, but soon got used to my relaxed schedule.

Still, I vowed to use my time constructively to do the things I did not feel I had time for previously. Up near the top of the list - learn guitar, of course.

Even though I had a guitar in the house for a few years, I had still not picked it up. Me and it were similar ends of a magnet repelling each other. I always had something else to do. Then my radical lifestyle change gave my musical side the time it needed to grow.

What better way to fill the newly found hours than with harmonic vibrations of a beautiful instrument? I finally opened the case, and have not looked back since.

Very quickly the guitar which had previously taunted me became my friend. I enjoyed learning alone, and with Linda, about guitar and music. Also, I must give a nod to the Beatles, Neil Young, and a variety of other friends that also enjoy the simple pleasures of making music.

After immersing myself in creating music I can't conceive of how I existed before without it. Very few days have gone by in the last few years that I have not spent time making music. It has been slow going, and I have destroyed my fair share of great songs, but progress has been evident all along.

I have found an entire universe that I was unaware of before deciding to work less, and explore life more. Having more time was the key that opened the door for me, and I took advantage and stepped into musicality, a place I have always wanted to go.

Everyone has the ability to make, and enjoy music. It is a simple pleasure that I cherish, and one I would unreservedly recommend to anyone. Clap, sing, tap a toe, shout, rap, bang a drum, strum an instrument.

Resonate. Enjoy creating harmonious sounds. The world would be better off if we worked less, and made music together more.

God respects me when I work, but he loves me when I sing. - Rumi

Multitude Monday

2011-11-07T00:17:00.000-08:00

Multitude, by Maroe Susti

It is not a matter of pretending that we are powerful when we are not, but rather recognizing the power we really have; the power that created the contemporary world and can create another.

- Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri

Being a lover of books, when I read a headline about "the book of the Occupy Movement", I was immediately interested. The article was about Hardt and Negri’s book Empire (2001), and how many believe it predicted and helped shape the current wave of protests. Empire is largely what the protests are fighting against.

The only way for the rich and powerful to maintain their interests and guarantee the global order, according to these authors, is to establish Empire, or a broad global collaboration among the ruling powers.

Far from being peaceful, this collaboration is maintained through a state of violence that permeates everything, and opposes democracy. Perpetual fear is used as a tool of control.

Hardt and Negri do not give solutions to these problems. But they outline the methods that can be used to arrive at our own solutions, and they point out the most effective way to make change happen - through the power of the Multitude. This is described in the book by the same name, which is a follow up to Empire.

The Multitude consists of people showing a multiplicity of differences - different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, etc. Differences can be maintained while we concentrate on what we have in common.

We all share a desire for love, social justice, fairness, environmental integrity, freedom, and sustainable systems, among other things.

Today, for the first time in global history, the Multitude is able to form, and with it comes new possibilities for how we live and govern ourselves. Communication technology provides the means for enabling different peoples to come together in order to talk, explore, discover, and plan for the future.

We are the Multitude, the David that will be the end of the Goliath that is Empire. And we are exercising our power to create a better world.

We Are Reaching A Tipping Point

2011-11-06T16:53:00.000-08:00

Living simply helps push us back from the brink, Image: Guy Billout

While looking through my writing file today I came across an old draft, and was unsure of why I didn't post it when I wrote it. The ideas are as applicable today, if not more so.

November 20, 2009

You don't need to be a Hopi elder to see that there are seriously strange days ahead. Climate change, an aging population, peak oil, H1N1, water shortages, and continued use of violence and war as the way to solve problems are only some of the things slapping us in the face.

The continuing global economic meltdown is a beast all on its own. Everything seems to be racing toward a tipping point. Are you prepared? Do you feel confident moving forward?

Those with vested interests are trying to convince us that things are improving. Or that technology will come along that will enable us to deal with all our problems. Some deny that the problems even exist.

We have been lulled into near-comatose complacency over the past several decades, trusting that government and corporate interests were aligned with the people's.

Governments around the world are lavishing our cash upon the gatekeepers of a broken system. With record debt loads, the coming years will see government, corporate and personal cuts in spending. Expect higher taxes and fewer services.

We are rapidly tipping toward a day when we will all be required to fend for ourselves, whether due to an extended power outage, water shortages, or economic collapse. Daniel Pinchbeck writes that, "the support structures upon which we have relied are dangerously corrupt and no longer dependable."

One reason I am a proponent of voluntary simplicity is that it allows me to focus on living according to my values. By living more self-sufficiently, I am reducing my dependence on, and support of, a corrupted, unsustainable system.

Radical changes in the way we live and how things are structured are needed. It will be a positive change as we readopt some of the ways of the past, and formulate new ones.

It will be a saner, slower, more sustainable life, once we adjust. It will prevent humanity from hitting the tipping point.

Occupy My Mind Camp Releases Demands

2011-11-04T00:56:00.000-07:00

It can be done wherever you are, and no threats of eviction

A comrade asked some good questions regarding the various Occupy camps in cities around the world. (My own question is why don't we Occupy the Forest?) "How", my friend asked, "will the Occupy protesters know when it is time to go home? What are their demands, and how long will it take to implement them? When will they be done?"

Will the Multitude's War on Inequality be like the War on Terrorism, and take generations to 'win'? If so, the Occupy camps are going to need better accommodations.

Since the Occupation of My Mind, in solidarity with the broader movement, I have been working on a list of demands. My General Assemblies, which quickly achieved consensus on all points, have generated the following list:

To: The 1%

From: Occupy My Mind Camp

Subject: List of Demands

Replace corporations with cooperatives. Cooperatives are "a different way of doing business, one focused on human need not human greed, where the members (who own and govern the business) collectively enjoy the benefits instead of all profits going just to shareholders."
Tax those most able to pay. Consider it the cost of enjoying the advantages provided by the country that helped generate all that wealth. Not to mention the externalities, or negative effects, of generating all that wealth.
Put the health of people and the planet first. People and the planet before profits.
Start a War on War. Figures released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute last year showed that worldwide military expenditure in 2009 totaled an estimated $1.6 trillion. This was an increase of 5.9% in real terms compared to 2008 and an increase of 49% since 2000. That is OUR money, and I can think of better ways to spend it.
Adequately fund education for all. Education is the answer to many of the world's problems. $1.6 trillion diverted from the torture and kill budget line, and allocated to global education, would go a long way. Total global public education expenditure for 2004 was $1.97 trillion.
Allocate resource cards at birth to all humans. A resource card would track the consumption of each humans 'fair share' of the planet's bounty. Once you used your fair share, that would be it. This would ensure individuals use their allocation carefully, and sustainably. Very carefully.
End speculation on food commodities. In this casino, increased winnings mean more starving people. Goldman Sachs alone made $5 billion in profits on commodities speculation in 2009.

Alright 1%, there it is. This is only a beginning - the list is subject to additions as they come up in future general assemblies. Although I expect immediate action, I am occupying my camp for the long haul. Several decades more if I am lucky, but time is running out.

If we see real movement toward these goals immediately (people continue to die as we hesitate) the dedicated folks tenting in the various Occupy camps can go home feeling victorious before winter sets in.

Or we could all go and support Occupy Perth for a few months. Maybe not - they were evicted a few days ago.

The 1% may have all of the money, but I am freeing my mind from their consumer shackles. As I watch the evictions taking place in camps across the world, I am more dedicated than ever to continue The Occupation of My Mind.

"Find out for yourself what is truth, what is real. Discover that there are virtuous things and there are non-virtuous things. Once you have discovered for yourself give up the bad and embrace the good." - Buddha

Do It Yourself Laptop Stand

2011-11-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

DIY Laptop stand is simple, free, and effective

People love their laptops. The beginning of 2010 saw sales of laptop computers increase 43% over the previous year. That could be because laptops are minimal, portable tools. I like mine. But I discovered they are hot in more ways than one.

The demise of a laptop is often described using words like 'meltdown', 'toasted', and 'fried'. This sizzling language is accurate because it is usually a heat-related issue that ends up killing a laptop computer.

A laptop's compactness leaves little room for fans or air circulation, so they run hot. So hot that you could risk 'toasted skin syndrome' if you do extended laptopping on bare legs.

Since excessive heat could mean the end of a laptop, a stand of some sort that allows good air circulation could be a good investment. Minimizing heat build-up in your laptop could potentially double its life.

Tools and supplies for prototype

In the name of making my laptop last as long as possible, I began to investigate ways to keep it cool. The variety of manufactured stands has proliferated along with the increased demand for laptops.

A store bought stand will cost you from $50.00 to several hundred dollars, which may be worth it for the extra computer life they may bestow.

However, in keeping with Depression survivors' advice, I decided not to buy something I thought I could make myself, and started doing some research. I found several do it yourself projects on the net. Many were creative, functional, and attractive. All cost less than the pre-built variety.

But, I was looking for a solution that was completely free, completely easy, and built with resources and tools readily available.

My design uses a free material many people have in their homes - the ubiquitous cardboard toilet paper roll. No tools are required other than a pair of scissors, and no expertise is necessary other the ability to measure or estimate where you make the cuts.

New improved double-walled model

It is imperative to cut the roll into four equal sections, or the finished stand will not be stable. On the other hand, if you mess up, toss the cardboard into the recycling and start over.

It helps to set the laptop and stand on a rigid board of some sort to make it easier to move around. I use the backing from a block of watercolor paper, which is a rigid paper board a bit larger than my laptop. Everything is easily transportable once you get used to it.

My prototype used a single cardboard roll. I cut four equal pieces, and placed them on the board, under the laptop. The prototypes could not handle the weight, and they pancaked over the course of a few days.

Since then I have used two rolls and doubled up the pieces resulting in a more steady stand. The double walled version is more robust, and has proven itself over several weeks - no pancaking!


A laptop can generate as much heat as a 100W light bulb

I bought my laptop in 2005. It had a catastrophic meltdown last year. At that time I replaced the hard drive rather than buy new, and vowed to keep it, and my pocketbook cooler. Therefore, my minimalist DIY laptop stand.

The laptop stand is easy to make and use, is constructed with common materials and tools, and is 100% free. It effectively lifts a laptop up about 3 centimeters, and allows cooling air to circulate around it.

Heat is a computer killer. Extend the life of your laptop with a free DIY stand that you can build at your kitchen table.

No Taking From The Poor And Giving To The Rich Monday

2011-10-31T00:21:00.000-07:00

In the US, the Congressional Budget Office released a major report recently, showing that average household income for the top 1 percent of earners increased 275% from 1979 to 2007 while increasing just 18% for the bottom 20 percent of earners. - source

Massive income inequality has a corrosive effect. However, the methods used to build and maintain income inequality among a population are damaging to more than the social fabric of a nation.

The methods used by the top 1% exploit workers and the environment to the point of exhaustion. It is not sustainable.

It is even worse when the people we vote to represent us take the side of the exploiters, creating a near-impenetrable wall of power and influence. But it can not go on for ever.

Our economies, along with the exploitation by the top 1%, depend on infinite growth within a finite system. It has become obvious that the people and the environment, being finite and only able to take so much, have reached their functional limits.

The nefarious ways of the One Percent are doomed to failure, and will end eventually.

Fortunately, for the benefit of the planet and the majority of its inhabitants, it is looking like that will be sooner rather than later.

Today Is A Great Day

2011-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

7 seconds to success

When most people who have seen the movie Jerry Maguire think about memorable lines they probably think about "Show me the money!", or "You had me at hello." Not me.

The line I like the most and think about almost daily was spoken by a minor character, Dicky Fox. His delivery of the line is enthusiastic, positive, and, I might add, effective. It is a great way to program your brain to expect that today, and every day, will be great.

In a scene where Dicky is talking about what he attributes his success to, he tells us his secret:

"I LOVE getting up in the morning. I clap my hands and say, 'This is going to be a great day!'"

I have tried it... a lot, and it works. Not only that, but I think that the Dalai Lama would approve.

His take on success and waking up in the morning?

"Every day think as you wake up, 'Today I'm fortunate to have woken up, I am alive. I have a precious human life and I am not going to waste it.  I am going to use all my energies to develop myself to expand  my heart onto others.'

To achieve enlightenment for the benefits  of all beings,

I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, 
I am not going to get angry or think badly about others,
I am going to benefit others as much as I can.  "

- Dalai Lama

Attitude is everything, and thinking good thoughts works wonders. Have a great day, today, and every day.

Breaking Out Of The Cage Of Consumerism

2011-10-26T00:59:00.000-07:00

A life spent behind barcodes is no life at all

Global revolution has been fomenting for decades, but things have reached a boiling point recently. This is because we can finally see that governments and big business haven't got anything other than increasing their power and profit. We see that they are willing to sacrifice us, our freedoms, and the environment in their quest. We can see that we will have to save ourselves.

We may not have formal dictatorships in the West, although power does rest in the hands of a relatively small group of people. Often it is obtained by force or by inheritance. Globalism has spread this small group's greed around the world. Power and profits have never been better.

Regular folks have long felt impotent when up against such powerful forces, but no longer.

Enter Asmaa Mahfouz, a 26 year old Egyptian citizen. She is being praised for her part in the Egyptian revolution that ended Mubarek's decades long dictatorship. Before the revolution began to gain momentum, Mahfouz bravely recorded a video and posted it to the net. It was an invitation to the people, and a direct threat to one of the richest men in the world.

When I read the transcripts I was fascinated at how appropriate her plea was for any people experiencing oppression. She offered a solution to the suffering, and more importantly, she offered the hope that our participation would make a difference.

It doesn't matter if your oppression comes from a dictator, income inequality, a bank, or relentless, hollow, consumerism. We yearn to be free just the same. That is why Mahfouz recently made an appearance at the Occupy Together site in New York, and offered her support.

Oppression is oppression.

Quotes from Asmaa Mahfouz's video that helped topple the rich and powerful:

"We want our human rights and nothing else."

"This entire government is corrupt."

"Whoever says it is not worth it because there will be only a handful of people, I want to tell him you are the reason behind this. And you are like a traitor, just like the President or any security cop who beats us in the streets. Your presence with us will make a difference, a big difference."

"Talk to your neighbours, your colleagues, friends and family and tell them to come. Just go down anywhere and say it - that we are free human beings."

"Sitting at home and just following us on news or Facebook leads to our humiliation, my own humiliation."

"If you don't do anything, then you deserve all that's being done to you.

And you will be guilty, before your nation and your people. And you'll be responsible for what happens to us on the street while you sit at home."

"Make people aware. You know your own social circle, your building, your family, your friends... tell them to come with us."

"Talk to people and tell them, this is enough."

"Let us do something positive. It will make a difference, a big difference. Never say there's no hope."

"Hope disappears only when you say there's no hope. So long as you join us, there will be hope."

"Don't think you can be safe anymore. None of us are. Come down with us and demand your rights, my rights, your family's rights."

"Say 'No' to corruption!"

We can put a stop to the economic dictators, and discover a better life than the empty, destructive one offered by consumerism. We can quit supporting the very tyranny which oppresses us by refusing to be lured in by unnecessary stuff, and choosing to live a better life with less.

To me, that is what small footprint, sustainable living is all about. It is the vehicle for individual participation that will empower us all to build a better world for everyone.

No Stress Monday

2011-10-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

Simple Living could just as easily be called "Low Stress Living", or "Slow Living". This increasingly popular lifestyle has a focus on less work, fewer responsibilities, and reducing the financial burden of busyness.

After a while, the high-pressure, high-stress life fades away and you enter a STRESS FREE ZONE. Your shoulders drop, and you begin to live in the moment. You have more time for you, your family, and your community.

Not only that, but as you continue to live a less stressful life, the healthy habits you develop will lead to lowered reactivity toward stress, and a less-intense stress response.

No more crying over spilled milk! A less-intense stress response increases your sense of control, which further reduces stress levels.

There are many healthy habits we can adopt to reduce our stress levels, while increasing feelings of well-being and happiness.

Stress-Busting Strategies

If you find yourself getting upset practice letting it go. Make the decision not to get angry - sound anger management reduces stress.

Practice deep breathing. Breathe slowly for several breaths and feel your muscles relax.

If you feel overwhelmed by stress, try speaking more slowly than usual. By slowing down you will feel more in control, think more clearly, and react more reasonably to stressful situations.

Don't put things off. Procrastination is a huge stress inducer. Chose one simple thing you have been putting off and do it today. Enjoy the feeling you get when you cross it off your list.

Go for a walk outdoors, preferably in nature. Don't be deterred by the weather, just get out there and feel rejuvenated.

Drink enough water, eat enough calories, and get at least 8 hours of sleep. Hunger, dehydration, and drowsiness, before you are even aware of them, can cause feelings of anxiety and stress.

Maintain proper posture. Poor posture leads to muscle tension, pain, and increased stress.

Reward yourself at the end of the day. Take a relaxing bath, or set aside an hour with a good book. Put aside everything else and take the time to fully relax.

- adapted from: source.

NBA wishes you a slow, simple, and less stressful life. Do you have a stress-busting strategy that works for you? If so, please share in comments.

Occupy Your Mind

2011-10-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

Revolutions don't start in the streets. They start with a thought, and are spawned when ideas from the past run up against the ideals of the future. Since revolution begins with ourselves, we should be wary of blaming forces outside of ourselves.

We talk about corporate greed, but in failing to address our own, we don't see how we are contributing to, and supporting corporate greed. Rampant consumerism is destroying the environment while creating record corporate profits and bonuses.

The dismal record of many corporations is public knowledge, but how many people have voluntarily reduced or altered their consumption to keep their cash from these faceless, unethical entities?

We talk about corruption in politics, and how our so-called democracies have been high-jacked by the 1%. But how many of us get out and vote? In the last Canadian federal election a significant number of eligible voters didn't vote. "The 39%" could change a lot if they exercised the power of their vote.

The first revolution we must win is the one in the mind. Each of us must first decide to turn and relent, and withdraw our actions which support the systems that have pushed us to the brink of ecological collapse.

First we occupy our minds. Then we change the world.

Say Something Nice

2011-10-21T00:13:00.000-07:00

No doubt there are a lot of messed up things happening in the world today. However, we should never let that shadow the beauty and joy of simply being alive in this place, at this time, with this group of people.

Watch the video. Feel the joy. Then, think good thoughts, and say nice things.

Today say something nice - to yourself, and to someone else. Repeat.

Life is good. I love you.

Ethical Alternatives: Inflation Fighters

2011-10-19T19:59:00.000-07:00

Are your investments helping build a better world?

Prior to 2008, global financial events caused me to look closely at what was happening with my retirement savings. I did a complete investigation into what exactly was being done with my money. What I found out was troubling - damage was being done on my behalf so I could make money without doing any actual work or producing anything.

I learned that I had mutual funds invested in unsavory things like the Alberta Tar Sands. Further research unveiled weapons manufacturing, tobacco, and pharmaceutical companies (the same ones that are now targeting the under 5 crowd with their dodgy, profitable drugs). Most portfolios contain some or all of these unethical investments.

As a result of my inquiries, I liquidated everything. Since then I no longer watch the stock market in cycles of panic and elation, but rather, as a curiosity to see how the world I am extricating myself from is doing. But what about inflation?

We are told that unless we invest our money, it will slowly erode in purchasing power, and slip through our fingertips. Therefore, I have been brainstorming alternative strategies for overcoming inflation that are less harmful than traditional investments.

Ultimately, we need to work toward changing our monetary system and ending the manipulations by the financial industry and the governments that represent them. It is critical that we replace it with a system that benefits us all.

In the meantime, here are a few ideas that come to mind:

Green/ethical investing allows you to invest and make a positive difference at the same time. This form of investing has tripled (in the UK) in the last decade as people seek to reduce the damage done on their behalf. However, there are differing opinions of what, exactly, constitutes 'ethical', so results may vary. Note: This week is National Ethical Investment Week in the UK.
Deposit savings in a local credit union. Deposits are usually invested locally, so your investments are contributing toward improving conditions for you and your neighbours, not some CEO in a board room thousands of kilometers away. You still win even if you aren't making 10% annually.
Reduce your budget by the amount of inflation.
Grow a garden. Some of your best investments for the future may be things like seeds and gardening tools (and a good tent and camping gear).
Keep a stocked pantry including foods that continue to go up in price. Some that I keep on hand are : peanut butter, flour, rice, beans, powdered milk, nuts, and the like.
Cook your own food, bake your own bread.
Reduce your expectations.
Enjoy your money today without worrying what might happen in the future. For all we know, the entire financial system may collapse soon anyway.

No Peeing Standing Up Monday

2011-10-17T00:02:00.000-07:00

Should peeing standing up be banned?

One of my pet peeves is in the news - peeing standing up. A restaurant in Vancouver, BC has 'no peeing standing up' stickers in its unisex washroom, which seems sensible to me. But since a journalist blogged about it, it has caused quite a splash in the media.

Some are wondering if it is a feminist plot, or if the restaurant owners were being 'totalitarian'. It is neither. Even though the owner said it was a joke, it does make good sense, and the restaurant supply store that sells them, stocks them for a good reason.

Even if you have perfect aim (few do), peeing standing up is unhygienic. It creates a mess for subsequent users and cleaners due to the physics of flowing liquids - there is the inevitable and dreaded 'splash back'. The corrosive urine damages surrounding surfaces, and it smells bad.

I pee sitting down, voluntarily, because it is a small gesture that I can make to maintain cleanliness in the restrooms that I use. Sitting is respectful of others, and generally makes life easier. Plus, no arguments about the position of the toilet seat.

Banning peeing standing up, although portrayed as a joke in the recent media coverage, has nothing to do with feminists or totalitarianism. It is about behaving proactively, and conducting your business respectfully in order to reduce life's unpleasant complications.

It seems very simple, and hardly newsworthy. However, if I can influence just one man to sit down to pee, it will be worthwhile. It is a learned behaviour after all - in Togo, women stand up to pee, while men sit or squat.

Be good to each other out there, and have a great week. May your toilet seats be dry, and your cleaning tasks lightened.

Simple Pleasures: Generosity

2011-10-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Narayanan Krishnan: Companion To The Forgotten

"What is the ultimate purpose of life?" Narayanan Krishnan asks in the video above.

"Giving", he answers.

Generosity is a boon whether it is given, or received. If our problem is greed, then generosity is the solution.

"These are my friends", Mr. Krishnan says of the 400 homeless and hungry people he feeds and cares for. "I get energy from them."

Giving is the ultimate simple pleasure.

The Occupy Wave Engulfs The Globe

2011-10-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

The discontent is global

First they ignored it. Then they belittled it. Then they responded with violent force, totally underestimating the depth of the discontent, and the power of the movement. The rallying cry of the 1%, and the agents of the state that work for them, seems to be, "We're Exclusive, We're Elusive, We're Totally Abusive!"

Pepper sprayings, beatings, and mass arrests have occurred as the 1%, and their corrupted political puppets, try to stifle the voice of the people. And yet, the Occupations have only grown.

In a show of unfathomable ignorance, or something worse, Canada's Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, responded to the growing discontent by saying the protests were about "Wall Street, not Bay Street". Apparently, Jim is unaware of the global reach of Wall Street greed, or the plight of regular Canadians that have seen their quality of life degraded over the past 30 years.

Today we see how out of touch Canada's money guy was - the Occupy Movement has gone global. The thing that brings us together is our common oppression under corrupt governments, and an out of control economic system that can't help but destroy everything it touches.

The good news is that finally we have reached the breaking point - the masses have had enough. The environment has had enough. The global Occupy movement is empowering people to help make changes for a better, cleaner, more equitable world.

In order to make this happen we have to address the limitless greed of corporations, Wall Street, Bay Street, and the 1%. We also have to address our own greed, because our greed feeds the 1%. This is where simple living comes in.

Living more simply is a proven method for overcoming greed, especially our own. It helps us focus on our need. When we become less greedy, the effects ripple out in transformational waves of generosity.

The Occupy Movement: Making Peaceful Revolution Possible

2011-10-14T00:24:00.000-07:00

Last week an Occupy San Francisco encampment was shut down by police. Occupy Denver will be shut down tonight, and in New York it appears that Mayor Bloomberg, after saying protesters could stay as long as they wanted, wants the peaceful occupiers out. The excuse he is using is that the park needs to be "cleaned", but cleaned of what?

Corporations make their wishes known through 'lobbying'. Big Money sends out lobbyists with suitcases full of cash to shower on our politicians when votes go the right way. The lobbyists are welcomed by our 'leaders', who then go on to influence policy that affects the corporate world's greedy plans for market domination.

In stark contrast is when the people make their wishes known. Then it is called "protesting". Citizens become "protesters", or "hippies", or "anarchists". A group of such citizens are a "mob", and they are dangerous regardless of how peaceful they may appear. The police, agents of the state, move in.

"Bad protester - Go Home!"

Lobbyists are given a seat at the table, while citizens exercising their free speech rights are harassed, arrested, jailed, then told to go home and wait for the next election.

In a democracy we have a responsibility to be engaged in our political system at all times. When we see injustice it is our responsibility to speak out and demand change from the individuals we vote to represent us.

If we are not allowed to do this peacefully, then do we really live in a democracy any more?

Corporate media will tell you that the Occupy Movement does not have a coherent message. For those that are actually listening, and are not threatened by the truths within, the message can be heard loud and clear:

"Over the last 30 years, the 1% have created a global economic system - neoliberalism - that attacks our human rights and destroys our environment. Neoliberalism is worldwide - it is the reason you no longer have a job, it is the reason you cannot afford healthcare, education, food, your mortgage. Neoliberalism is your future stolen.

Neoliberalism is everywhere, gutting labor standards, living wages, social contracts, and environmental protections. It is "a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money." It is a system that ravages the global south and creates global financial crisis - crisis in Spain, in Greece, in the United States. It is a system built on greed and thrives on destablizing shocks. It allows the 1% to enrich themselves by impoverishing humanity.

This has to stop!
We must usher in an era of democratic and economic justice.
We must change, we must evolve.

On October 15th the world will rise up as one and say, "We have had enough! We are a new beginning, a global fight on on all fronts that will usher in an era of shared prosperity, respect, mutual aid, and dignity."

- From occupywallst.org

Let's make peaceful revolution possible. On October 15th let your elected officials know how you feel about the present state of the world. Do something to express your freedom of speech and celebrate our democratic rights.

write a letter
send an email
make up a sign with a catchy slogan, and picket City Hall, or a bank, or a country club.
vow to spend as little money as possible on corporate crap
support local small businesses in your community
Work hard, have fun, and change the world - it is your right, and your responsibility

Compassion Is Sustainable

2011-10-12T00:29:00.000-07:00

In today's world, practicing compassion is revolutionary

Compassion is considered in all the major religious traditions as among the greatest of virtues. It is one of the keys to lasting happiness. Any human endeavor that lacks compassion is doomed to fail - compassion is a necessity, not a luxury.

But what is compassion?

"Compassion is a virtue — one in which the emotional capacities of empathy and sympathy (for the suffering of others) are regarded as a part of love itself, and a cornerstone of greater social interconnection and humanism — foundational to the highest principles in philosophy, society, and personhood.

More vigorous than empathy, compassion commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism. In ethical terms, the various expressions down the ages of the so-called Golden Rule embody by implication the principle of compassion: Do to others what you would have them do to you." - source

Do we even know what virtues are these days? The mainstream is more about vices and vanities. This is one reason people are unsatisfied with our present economic system. It lacks compassion. A mechanical Tin Man, it is completely heartless. The Man is great at maximizing profit, but not so good on maximizing human potential.

This is why one of the rallying cries of the Occupy Movement is "People, Not Profits". It is a call for compassion, for a more humane, less harmful way of living. It is about putting a heart into the empty chest of the sad, hollow man that is our economic system. Each of us can help by practicing compassion in our own lives.

Caring for others, and the environment leads one to attempt to reduce the amount of harm that is being done on one's behalf. Living a low impact, more sustainable life ultimately comes down to compassion.

One way I can reduce the harm I am doing during my brief stay on this wonderful planet is to reduce my consumption. Through the act of not buying anything--or as little as possible, while still maintaining a satisfying life--I reduce my impact on other people, environmental systems, and all living things.

This unconventional way of life requires what at first feels like sacrifices, but they are made willingly in a spirit of reducing the suffering of all living beings. Soon they are not sacrifices at all, but love letters that you send out to the world with each sustainable decision you make.

Like the Dalai Lama said, "For the happiness of others, practice compassion. For your own happiness, practice compassion."

No Empire Monday

2011-10-10T00:39:00.000-07:00

"The decline of Empire has begun and the revolution against it is in progress." - from Empire, M. Hardt and A. Negri

In Trainspotting, the main character, Mark Renton, decides to go clean and quit heroin. He is successful in doing so, and tries to "choose life" like the regular people he sees around him. Why, I am not sure.

Eventually Renton gives up his addiction, and looks forward to a 'better' life of mindless consumer addiction while living a culturally approved script.

"I'm going to be just like you: the job, the family, the fucking big television, the washing machine, the car, the compact disc and electrical tin opener, good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, mortgage, starter home, leisurewear, luggage, three-piece suit, DIY, game shows, junk food, children, walks in the park, nine to five, good at golf, washing the car, choice of sweaters, family Christmas, indexed pension, tax exemption, clearing the gutters, getting by, looking ahead, to the day you die."

This is what he quit drugs for? This is what we have traded our freedom for? It is no wonder the masses are growing restless, and are beginning to challenge notions of Empire. The dream of democracy, and a better life has turned out to be a bit of a nightmare for millions of pacified workers.

People are working more and more for less and less, and are not happy about it. Negri and Hardt in their book Empire, have good news for these victims of contemporary global capitalism. They say that capitalism, "although seemingly impervious to anti-systemic challenge, is in fact vulnerable at all points to riot and rebellion."

Maybe the Mark Rentons of the world will find that consumer addiction and adhering to the regular life script can be as hazardous to your health as hard drugs. But rather than go back to heroin, perhaps they will join a protest somewhere, and hit back at the dead end choices we are offered by the men behind the curtains.

Perhaps they will say no to the addictions of capitalism and stuff, and gain their freedom through living simply. Perhaps rather than support it, they will help bring the Empire down.

The Empire is falling--they always do--and when it does, The People will resume control. Together we will create better, more sustainable and equitable ways of doing things.

Simple Pleasures: Friendship

2011-10-09T00:14:00.000-07:00

Everyone needs at least one good friend

Henry David Thoreau made a study of simple pleasures, and said, "Superfluous wealth can buy superfluities only. Money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul." The most important of these necessities is friendship.

Money can buy a lot of things, but it can not buy friends. The only way to have friends is to be a friend, and you don't need money for that. In addition to not needing money to enjoy the simple pleasures of friendship, nothing else in life will yield such enjoyable, enriching, goodness. Nothing.

Research has largely confirmed the hypothesis of diminishing returns to increased consumerism. Successive increments of consumption give decreasing amounts of satisfaction since people’s most pressing needs will be satisfied first and then as consumption rises further, successively less and less pressing needs will be met.

Before long, continued consumption feels hollow and meaningless. Not so with friendship. It does not matter how much time you spend with a good friend, the payoffs continue to multiply instead of fade. Increasing returns, rather than diminishing. You can not say that about many things in life.

Without the simple pleasures of friendship, our existence would be dull and lifeless. Friends supply a critical requirement of the soul, and are solid proof that the best things in life are free.

Thanks Mr. Jobs

2011-10-07T00:04:00.000-07:00


Steve Jobs was only 56 years old, but what a 56 years he had. He lived fully, and without regrets. Jobs packed a lot of creativity into his limited days, and changed our world while he did it.

I have been using Apple computers since the 1980's, and although critics say you can't be a minimalist or simple living person AND have a computer, these computers have made my life more simple.

Gone are my stacks of vinyl albums. My boom box was replaced with a first-generation iPod, which I still have and use. I haven't had what we used to call a 'stereo system' for years, and back in the day all those clunky components took up a lot of room.

My computers gave me access to information, making many of my books redundant. I sold them, then gave away my book shelves. The day timer notebook, that I never did like, was retired when the efficiency of computers took over. And for writing, there is nothing like a computer.

I currently work on a 5 year old iBook G4 laptop that just won't quit. It has allowed me to do things I could only dream of when I started university in 1984 with my first MacIntosh computer.

The communication and research possibilities of computer networks has unleashed a great sharing as we have never seen before. We are creating a global community for the first time, and that will serve us well moving forward. We will need to work together to achieve our goals.

So thanks, Steve Jobs. Your contributions have helped me achieve my goals of communicating with others, and sharing my thoughts and ideas. And yes, your stuff helped me simplify my life.

More importantly, it has helped me make more effective use of my limited time.