Apoc-applications: Everybody Farm

When pondering the possible collapse of current global systems, a space is created to build a new society. This opportunity to evolve Rousseau’s Social Contract could incorporate our current understanding of science and technology, while using best practices of transparent lateral democracies, which recognize the importance of diverse perspectives and full participation. My dream is to create a society with an inclusive yet rigorous collective ethos that embodies constructive collaboration and equality.

It’s possible that the public and private institutions we’re so accustomed to will disappear in our lifetimes, leaving a power vacuum. If our current global economy fails basic services will be interrupted, leaving communities to rely on themselves. “Be prepared” is a great motto, and to prepare for possible environmental and economic failures, I’m crowd sourcing Rapture Skills from my network. I want to create a group of individuals (virtually for now, in person in the future) committed to increasing our resilience and prepping for possible shocks.

The goal to create a sustainable community is long-term and somewhat grandiose. However, there may come a time when living in village-like communities off the grid is the most feasible and desirable option. When that happens, Everybody Farm will be an ideal backup plan. A core tenet is that Everybody Farms, regardless of what other skills that group member contributes. Supplying all our services, food and energy needs is a task that demands full participation, and hopefully farming together will foster an even deeper sense of community and commitment.

So, what do you bring to our post-Apocalyptic table? Continue reading

Cooping, Apiary and Sociology

I attended my first apiary and cooping classes at the Biofuel Oasis in Berkeley to learn how to keep chickens and bees. Despite being only bee-curious and not bee-committed yet, it was fascinating to learn about the bizarre hierarchical structures of both species, and consider their similarities with human interactions.

Chickens are like a group of Queen Bee middle school girls (is this ironic?). If a chicken gets so much as a speck of blood on herself, there’s a decent chance the other hens will peck and cannibalize her to death. And watch out if you get sick! Sometimes a flock turns on one hen, and she has to be in solitary for life, because they will always attack her if given the chance. That’s a G-D pecking order for you! And if you want to introduce young chicks into an existing flock you need to toughen them up for bullying and illness – just like in middle school!

Bees are a different thing entirely – kind of like the Borg (Star Trek: TNG). If I understood this correctly, the actual Queen Bee mates with the drones one time (all of them? that seems poly-orgiastic!), then flies off to her brood spot and lays eggs for the rest of her life. She stores all that bee-sperm inside her for years as she selectively fertilizes some eggs to become new drones. The rest become worker bees, and last a mere few weeks before they die of shredded wings. Every hive has bouncers – guard bees that stop workers from other hives entering. But the drones are like the kept men, and can go wherever they want. Someone should tell these bees that women have the right to go places too! Guard bees are vicious, give them a chance and they’ll go straight for the eyes!

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