David Holmgren, co-originator of Permaculture, discusses integrating rather than segregating, land sharing, housing alternatives, edges, value of the marginal, personal growth, financial stability, non-monetary exchanges, indigenous connections, power dynamics in intentional communities, wealth perspectives, energy descent, and positive/negative influences within systems.
Integrating natural soundscapes into audio recordings creates a richer listening experience embracing chaos and atmosphere.
Thriving in social and cultural edge zones challenges mainstream norms, advocating for diversity and alternative perspectives.
Reimagining land ownership through sharing land and non-monetary relationships fosters autonomy and control while moving away from financialization.
Deep dives
Embracing Natural Soundscapes
The podcast episode discusses the importance of integrating natural soundscapes into audio recordings rather than aiming for complete sterility. It challenges the obsession with eliminating background noise completely and advocates for embracing the chaos and atmosphere provided by the natural world. By incorporating sounds like buzzing flies, dueling roosters, and the environment's real noises, a richer and more integrated listening experience can be created, acknowledging our entanglement with the living world.
Living at the Edge
The episode explores the concept of living in edge zones, both socially and culturally, where significant change and action occur. It delves into the idea of being comfortable in these edge zones, thriving in skepticism, and questioning mainstream norms. The speaker reflects on their own experiences of growing up with a different mindset, challenging social conventions, and being branded as a dissident. The discussion highlights the complexity of navigating societal fringes and the importance of embracing diversity and alternative perspectives.
Rethinking Land Ownership and Security
The podcast episode delves into reimagining land ownership, security, and the exchange of labor without monetary transactions. It raises questions about the illusion of security tied to land ownership and challenges the notion that property equals stability. The conversation advocates for sharing land, promoting non-monetary relationships, and lowering expectations to foster autonomy and control. By fostering participatory exchange, the episode emphasizes the need to move away from the financialization of land and focus on fostering supportive relationships and shared responsibilities.
The Importance of Intergenerational Challenges and Learning from Crisis
The discussion delves into the idea that younger generations may face challenges as significant as or even greater than previous generations, suggesting that facing such challenges can lead to strengthening and renewal of capabilities. Examples like pioneers in regenerative agriculture who underwent personal, business, or environmental crises that prompted a significant re-evaluation of their paths are highlighted. The speaker reflects on his generation's perceived ease compared to the struggles of preceding and succeeding generations, acknowledging a growing intergenerational angst.
Building Autonomy, Community, and Valuable Skills for Resilience
Exploring the notion of wealth and success beyond material possessions, the conversation centers on the wealth derived from tangible aspects like stored firewood, communal participation, and social credit in communities. Emphasizing the significance of diverse skills appreciated in a non-institutionalized setting, the importance of mastering one skill alongside being adaptive across various domains is highlighted. The concept of play as a means of learning and navigating challenges, the essence of collaborative exchange, and the relevance of conflict resolution skills in fostering harmonious collective endeavors are also discussed.
David Holmgren is the co-originator of Permaculture, self-aware contrarian and contemplator of everything.
I’m lucky enough to be part of his extended household, so rather than shooting the breeze about the state of the world while sowing parsnips I figured I better bloody well get him on the podcast.
We dig into David’s own internal landscape as well as the contours of his life at Melliodora, and I was especially eager to quiz him about land sharing and housing alternatives; prime listening for those in the debt-avoidant club.
Listen out for our new Reskillience segment: Word Association – which sees me peppering David with all kinds of words and phrases to see what he’ll volley back. Such fun. And David said it’s unlike any interview he’s done before, which I’m taking as a good thing.
