David E's Local Community Wealth Blog
"Things Could Be Lazy If They Weren't So Crazy"
March 2, 2010 by David Eggleton
My title is the first line of a song Dave Mason recorded roughly forty years ago. The song's title is World in Changes.
I recently sat several times through a recorded description of this historical moment that declares the next twenty years will be very different from the preceeding twenty years. Ours is a world of change, as it always has been. What's different now is the ratio of givens to fabrications. Humans have undone a great deal in order to put much in place. They've moved farther and farther into their own spaces and have extended themselves greatly, not always knowing what they're doing.
Over the span of three DVDs, the author/speaker presents much economic and financial material. He asserts and explains that our standard practice of reviewing the recent past as we make decisions cannot serve us well. He is a Massachusetts resident and his name is Chris Martenson. The recording is called The Crash Course and is structured as twenty chapters. You can view all of them at no cost at his Web site. Consider this a recommendation.
Martenson tells our story and presents a number of concepts to aid understanding of it. I'll dwell on the distinction he makes between growth and prosperity because it pertains to the foundation of Woburnite.com. Martenson says a society can use any surplus it produces for growth or for prosperity. He regrets that so many people consider them one in the same because that carelessness diminishes deliberation. If we want to thrive, not just survive, we must be conscious and careful lest thriving be only by accident.
In a forum on Martenson's site, in which some confessed or revealed confusion about the distinction, I restated it with this:
"Prosperity is an achievement I'll enjoy, if not celebrate. Growth is a calculated risk for a different prosperity. I can't have the party if I'm moving on by investing with hopes for a bigger and better party later on. I must choose."
The choice is to say "That's good. That's enough." If we loved simple parties, we could party more. "Things could be lazy if they weren't so crazy."
Can Nostalgia Morph Into Preparedness?
February 3, 2010 by David Eggleton
A few nights ago, I attended a presentation in the high school auditorium regarding a series of past disasters in Woburn. I arrived a few minutes after it began and could not park in any of the school lots. It was, therefore, no surprise to find the auditorium full of people. The empty seats were few and far between. I sat on the steps to rows of seats in the upper section of the hall.
I had been in that fine space only twice before, both times for events related to the city's mayoral leadership (a debate and an inauguration). Of the three, this was the biggest turnout I've seen. I was amazed and curious, and jealous of the guy who held everyone's attention with projected images of and stories about losses that happened a while back.
I am, as you know, concerned about conceivable disasters looming over our days, which would not be so isolated as fires, explosions and tornado touch-points. Only huge storms had overall effects comparable to what threatens all of us now: fuels too expensive to use in the manner to which we are accustomed, stores unable to restock their shelves with products from afar and weather events and swings interfering more and more with our awkward improvisations.
I would love to have one-tenth of the turnout for a meeting about beginning to consider our local capabilities and options. The reflection pleasure of we were up to it must be won by each generation.
What Will We Think Of Next?
January 13, 2010 by David Eggleton
When I was a boy, the question What will they think of next? was in the air, water and food. I cannot recall a time I wasn't aware that clever people out there were busy preparing newness for us. My family and its relatives, friends and acquaintances all anticipated next things, certain that innovation and invention behind commerce were to be continuous and endless. Cheap fossil fuels were making so much possible, and it was fun to live as an almost care-free, autonomous sampler of developments. It was freedom's new form, achieved through the climb out of the Depression and the victories over fascist imperialism. At once students and fans of The Beatles, we looked forward to doing our part, which we would discover along the way. Opportunities, of which the space program was symbolic, seemed unlimited for us, though not yet for all, as the civil rights and antiwar movements, in parallel, made plain.
Something very significant happened in those days that was not brought to our attention: peak production of petroleum in the United States. As a result not commonly regarded as one, before I reached the age of 21, energy availability and cost had become issues of which all were aware. The issues would not go away during my lifetime, despite various leaders' assurances that they, those clever and funded ones, would surely devise some means of continuity for all to adopt. We did not need to devise a new form of freedom, the leaders insisted. Thus, they encouraged and enforced complacency.
It's forty years later. Global peak production of petroleum was recent or is imminent. Post-peak, the price must rise, partly because the population of would-be consumers is growing and partly because the easy-to-get was gotten first. Only politically-motivated manipulations can alter the outcomes of these dynamics. As the manipulations become impractical and/or immoral, what has seemed natural, almost a human right, will become a luxury, remaining such until it leaves the scene.
Long before that happens, most people will need new ways of their own making. I'm wondering What will we think of next? I'm hoping we can think and make, after so many years of doing our parts while counting on them.
Diverse Minds, Unrestricted And Engaged
January 8, 2010 by David Eggleton
During the campaign and in his inaugural speech, Mayor Galvin professed a faith in technology that is common, reasonable and thought restrictive. As such, it is acceptable to a diffused majority not conscious of itself, not of one mind and content to leave some matters to city government. As such, his faith in technology gets our community only so far. To go the distance, Woburn needs its diverse minds unrestricted and engaged. If he hopes to be mayor for several terms or more, Scott Galvin should shift his faith steadily toward community. No one can prescribe the perfect stride, pace and percentage; I suspect that a genuine, and thus evident, intention will serve him well. It’s important to note that I am not advocating going from one extreme to another. For a beginning, I’m advocating discovery of balance.
That said, I must say more about the technology-community continuum and about going the distance.
Technology first extends capabilities of human beings with purposes. Then, with assistance from humans, it acquires a life of its own. The purposes of humans co-evolve with it, eventually losing connection with their natural and historic foundations. Increasingly, humans serve the latest technology, because it’s there.
Substitution of one technology for another is usually performed to capture some immediate efficiency for a previous choice. Honoring and reinforcing that choice, decision makers make the adjustment after confirming cost-effectiveness. Mayor Galvin anticipates doing this in order to make Woburn the best value among cities and towns.
Too often, customs and laws permit discounting or ignoring some costs. Those delay determination of cost-effectiveness. Also, it’s important to note that the decision makers do not review the choice made in the past; it has become a given. Consistent with that, they ask next-to-nothing of the present community, which they presume to welcome all forms of relief. In that sense, the present community is hostage to its predecessors by another increment.
Very occasionally, but then splendidly, substitution of technology is performed because people have developed new intentions, purposes and goals. In these cases, the substitute may not look so much like an upgrade. This can happen when leadership is for renewal, not mere adjustment. It must happen when people notice and declare that a previous choice no longer serves them well.
Cyclic and inclusive renewal is the way of going the distance, of becoming a sustainable community. Cyclic connotes inexorable and phased. Inclusive connotes comprehensive and fitting. With them, we keep moving and stay on track.
"Technology, like the body, is a good servant, but a bad master." - Stephen R. Covey
For The New Mayor
January 6, 2010 by David Eggleton
I heard Mayor Scott Galvin address a crowd in the spectacular WMHS auditorium Monday evening after he took the oath of office. I wish him well and hope that circumstances beyond the city limits don't force him to make many detours from his plans. Highly cognizant of Woburn's advantages, he's made his plans commendably optimistic and ambitious. The Daily Times Chronicle reported that he said "living in Woburn will become the absolute best value in the Commonwealth."
The event's printed program included a reminder that the previous two mayors in Woburn didn't remain in office as long as did each of the ten preceding them. I wish we could know what part external forces played in coloring and shaping the voters' perceptions of them and their challengers. And, of course, I wish we could have a crystal ball for knowledge of what's coming at us with the potential for disturbance.
We don't have access to such knowledge, but many people in the world are confident that the way things are and the way things go are at unprecedented risk. I've written about some of them, noting that we're at the end of key supply lines. I emphasize that point because this Web site is concerned with helping people find what they need. I would like to know that Mayor Galvin has assessed and is monitoring our vulnerabilities. I hope he is considering new ways we residents of the city might participate in reinforcing, adapting and sustaining the best value in the Commonwealth. Such internal moves are economic development, too. Any that are fruitful and viable add to the resilience of the community.
What's Growing in Woburn?
January 4, 2010 by David Eggleton
The scene outside is white with the powdery snow that seemed to fall and drift forever. Today, the times of sunrise and sunset are the same as yesterday's times. Very soon, the days will lengthen at both ends, that process continuing well into June. That's a kind of growth we can welcome and enjoy, even though we didn't bring it about and don't control it.
Are you involved in encouraging and/or controlling some kind(s) of growth? Are you planning a garden of some kind? When will you start your plants?
We'd love to hear from you.
Two Huge Successes Call for a Third
October 28, 2009 by David Eggleton
Altogether, humankind is way out on a limb that is severely stressed by the mass and activity of humankind. The mass (in terms of population) is increasing (nearly 3x in my lifetime) and the activity is both overpowered and increasingly abstract. By abstract I mean that intellect and spirit are not in balance with body and heart; we do not live and love according to the comprehensive design of our home. In that, also known as the web of life, we are beings interdependent with all other beings. We are different, but not so exceptional that we can go it alone. We’re needy and needed.
Humankind reached its precarious and isolated perch by way of two very successful structural changes, the Agricultural Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. The first featured harvesting recent solar energy as never before and the second came to feature exploiting ancient solar energy as never before. A third, unprecedented success must enable much, if not all, of humankind to move toward the trunk, if not to various limbs, before the overloaded limb snaps. The necessary movement includes harnessing, as never before, solar energy as it arrives and as it almost immediately effects movements of air and water. It also includes preparation for the time when forms of ancient solar energy will be very expensive, if even available.
I opened with “altogether, humankind.” However, in many significant ways, humankind is not together, is not a unity. The UN and WTO notwithstanding, there is no we that can act conclusively to the necessary degree. Historical and cultural factors created and sustain divisions that produce indifference, mistrust, scapegoating and violence of many kinds, of many scales. And nations – even communities within them – are no more unified than the world. Many, many people everywhere feel uncertain and insecure, or live in fear. Comfortable or not, they hope and pray the limb won’t break, and humankind won’t fall, during their lifetimes.
The lack of unity in and among nations makes timely political action for the third great structural change unlikely. In a few weeks, we’ll observe a restructuring attempt in Copenhagen by representatives of over 100 nations. Even if those talks produce an agreement, responsive and effective actions by the separate governments are far from guaranteed.
I recommend that each person begin to invest available attention, time and energy in proactive movement toward the trunk and, as possible, to other limbs. This appropriately-powered and affordable movement follows a declaration of interdependence. It entails closing gaps between people in their locales. It entails closing gaps between humans and the other beings in their locales. It entails the unprecedented balancing and integration of body, mind, heart and spirit of each human being.
What Do We Absolutely Need? [eighth in a series]
October 8, 2009 by David Eggleton
Here's a new online discussion that's brought a remarkable array of basic, yet significant, issues to light:
I hope you'll give it some attention and perhaps look around that Web site, too. It's one of my haunts, as you will see.
Genius Is With Us. Let's Get With It.
September 22, 2009 by David Eggleton
"All too often genius is abandoned because it doesn't make us enough money." -- Matthew Kelly, The Rhythm of Life
My enthusiasm for developing a local, low carbon economy gets its primary juice from anticipation of reclaimed and blossoming genius. THE ECONOMY, with its blind commitment to economies of scale, overlooks so much of it. Unlike Irving Kristol, the godfather of neoconservatism, whose negative reactions to fellow soldiers in WWII* grew into a guiding light for enforcers of social divisions and stratification still plaguing our society, I believe in people. I see humans not intrinsically flawed, but unique geniuses encumbered and distorted to varying degrees by artificialities based on and subject to choices, to design. According to Kristol and his followers, the best people, according to their specifications, should dominate the remaining people. Ironically and tragically, that's a notion that was at issue in WWII. It seems Kristol was too busy seeing the splinters in his fellows' eyes. Whatever the explanation, domination is naturally unsustainable. It costs so much every day, in lost opportunities, stress and trauma, that we should give it up immediately, instead of waiting for the crash.
We can heal and transcend the costly divisions by saying "No thank you" to the self-appointed ones and designing to unleash genius in Woburn and surrounding towns. From such focused efforts, ripples will go out, way out, for sure. People everywhere are weary of and ready to redirect their investments (of all kinds) in structures that are in the way of unity and widespread beauty and genius.
* learned from the obituary published 9/18/09 by The Boston Globe
Where Are We? [first of a series]
September 4, 2009 by David Eggleton
The question that is my title has only three words, and seems quite simple, but multiple answers are possible. Beginning a complete answer is my project this time.
In terms of social and political constructs, we are in or near Woburn, Massachusetts, a small city northwest of Boston, which is a seaport, is the largest city in New England and is old, by USA standards. Six towns surround Woburn (anywhere you stand in Massachusetts, you’re in a town or city); some are among the most affluent communities in the state. New England, a six-state, and fairly distinctive, region, is the most eastern part of the northeastern United States of America. That’s North America, if you're wondering about the continent. Planet Earth, solar system, etc.
Within Woburn is the intersection of two interstate highways. Stuff comes and goes, with relative ease, at speed. We do, too, for fun, for work, to shop. Low over Woburn fly airplanes coming to or going from major airports not far to the east (Logan) and not far to the west (Hanscom). Until a railroad made it obsolete, a canal connecting the industrial city of Lowell to the Boston area sliced through Woburn. Thus, the city is and has a history as a place of industry and commerce, as well as residences and institutions. Once there were some farms; only remnants of a couple of them remain. Food, fuels and other materials we can’t do without (living as we do) are very much part of the incoming stuff.
The region is in the so-called temperate zone and has a variable pattern of four seasons. We must heat our buildings somewhat in at least five and as many as ten months of the year. Summer daytime temperatures exceeding 95 degrees F have been unusual and irregular, rarely persisting more than a week at a time. Most of the region gets plenty of precipitation, annually. Lately, deluges seem more frequent. Woburn’s water system delivers a blend from local and non-local sources.
Almost all residing, working or playing in Woburn are in uplands of the Mystic River watershed. Very few of us have a sense of its divides (ridges off of which water flows into one watershed or the other) from abutting watersheds. Although the highest elevation is not great, the Woburn area is quite lumpy, with hills and valleys throughout. These physical realities were of consequence before vehicles with engines (VWE) became ubiquitous, and again will be consequential, when VWEs lose popularity due to beyond-reach first and operating costs. Historically and understandably, most people don’t relish crossing divides when self-propelled, and most upland folks sourced only carefully selected necessities from the lowlands. VWEs changed that, for a while and to this point. If they're less common in the future, we'll quickly relearn social and economic meanings and implications of terrain.
We are in a populous place on a continent of a planet, in a puzzling moment in history and at the end of some terribly long and important supply lines. That we are in proximity to each other is what I hope you’ll consider a great opportunity. No matter what unfolds or comes undone, what we do and make together, for one another, will be ours and will be here.