Posted by Dave on May 6, 2009
I remember a time when stuff used to be done with a creative combination of craft, human dexterity, ingenuity and the computing force of the human mind. When the final product rose triumphantly out of its raw materials the creator knew exactly what it contained and what it was capable of and how to keep it capable of that. Now it is only a matter of time before we look to John Connor to deliver us. I realize Connor isn’t a stereotypical redneck, but he’s a redneck stuck in a suburban rat body (play along, come on).
Seriously, am I the only one who remembers such UIL competitions as “Number Sense?” WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Dave on May 5, 2009
We suckle from breasts that insure our own demise. Bummer.
To continue my theme on blemishes within the American Dream that hinder sustainability I thought I would turn to a nurturing image in celebration of Mother’s Day. I know, so sentimental. Anyway, the problem here in the USA is not that our breasts are shriveled and dry (if only they were), rather the problem is that we suck at the wrong tits (if sustainability is what we seek. And it isn’t, but it should be.). WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Dave on May 4, 2009
When did it happen that most Citizens of the U.S. lost the ability to grow or find their own food without having a kazillion other people involved in a half-dozen different stages of bringing it to them? When did we lose the ability to get to work without highly trained specialists to insure we can get there? When did each of us get so highly important and specialized that no one could possibly replace us? How many times this week have you used the word niche in a conversation?
It’s getting worse isn’t it? I know, its probably my fault. My grandfather could palpate a cow, WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Dave on May 3, 2009
There is a critical flaw deeply embedded in the American Dream, as most Americans dream it. It has to do with how each of us are trained to see others. My parents made efforts to resist, and so gave me as much of an advantage as they could, but the influence is wide and strong. This flawed outlook is also in direct opposition to sustainability. It is the main problem with all of our good intentions and positive plans when it comes to sustainability.
That deadly flaw is a trained lack of contentment. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Dave on April 28, 2009
You’ve never really been outdoors until you’ve been blessed to hear the gentle and drunken midnight-laughter of a gaggle of rednecks in the woods.
Now I realize that if you have spent much time in the wilderness then you have probably stumbled upon the remains of a redneck circle and might have been disgusted at what you saw. Tell tale signs of a redneck circle may include such items (but not limited to) Pabst Blue Ribbon cans, spent shotgun shells, rifle casings, dried vomit and empty containers of assorted propellants. But let’s not leap to judgment here. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Dave on April 27, 2009
Now this is the stuff of my childhood dreams. When my imagination was still unbounded and unfettered by the burdens of reality and the skepticism of age I dreamed of molding and forming society like play-dough. The Venus Project, the brain child of Jacque Fresco, is doing just that. This is the luxury of genius at its best. Even at first glance I can recognize the science fiction novels I have read that have been influenced by this stuff.
But is all of this just modernist, Jean-Luc Picard type thinking that is already being supplanted by the post modern sense of relativist spirituality? WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Dave on April 26, 2009
Homes never smell like vinegar baths anymore. When I was a wee one there was an informal holiday around my house that I guess could have been remembered as “Canning 
Day.” Much of this holiday’s kitchen rituals remained a mystery to me, but the days leading up to the “great pot” were like Easter and a safari combined. It was my job to roam the hills or the draws harvesting anything from wild plums to mustang grapes. Then, through a vinegar haze, these wild gems somehow became jam.
These efforts at gathering in the wild crops from the creek and bramble are only one branch of the redneck supported agricultural tree (which has now become endangered). The second, and more important, is gleaning. Some today might call this stealing, but come on.
WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by Dave on April 22, 2009
Earth day is in the air and granolas are coming out from under their winter stupor here in Salt Lake. This is the day to celebrate temporary amnesia for so many earth activists, so grim so much of the time. But not today. At the University of Utah earth lovers, granolas and tree huggers of all stripes were gleefully frolicking around the Student Union Plaza. Even the local banter with deadbeat Republican politicians was upbeat and wistful. A white, paper mache unicorn was proudly wheeled out representing the clean coal package some are trying to ramrod through our nations capitol.
By far my favorite comrades in green at this year’s festival where the newly formed Salt Lake Urban Guerilla Gardeners (SLUGG). How can you complain with stickin’ it to the man with “seed bombs.” It’s better than sticking cut flowers in gun barrels (first you are planting stuff instead of killing it, and secondly you don’t have to look into a gun barrel). I can’t wait for my walk around the neighborhood tomorrow and my small contribution to bombing SLC with future flowers in bloom. Give ‘em herb, guerillas. Give em herb.
Posted by Dave on April 20, 2009
Well, here is a potential answer. A week ago I commented on the difficulty of morally responsible consumerism in regards to finished wood products. I found this great resource via “Materialicious” and had to pass it on. Woodbank gives you a place to buy and sell salvaged, reused and certified wood. It’s pretty cool and an ingenious method of helping consumers fight back against irresponsible and immoral timber harvest and production.
Posted by Dave on April 19, 2009
I know that the Mike Judge’s cartoon, “King of the Hill” is ridiculous in innumerable ways, but it is also extremely accurate in its portrayal of the culture in which I grew up. One element of this culture that I have come to recognize as quite remarkable and wonderful is the redneck rhythm.
Since roaming far and wide from my boisterous cousins back home I have spent much time in search of a healthy rhythm of life. You know, a regular and constant way of living that is sustainable at its core — both productive and inspiring while being restful and reflective at the same time. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »