Like most people, I have had this vision of what my life would look like when I’m all grown up since I was a kid. It involves a big house in the country, with big bay windows, a big kitchen, a big garden with lots of fruits, veggies, and herbs, and tons of art facilities to make stuff. There are natural waterways very close by, forests, mountains, warm summers, and cozy yet mild winters. What completes the image are the people: friends and family blending to become one. Stories told around the fire pit outside. Gardening and art making sessions happening while angel headed children run around barefoot outside, climbing trees and picking blackberries for pie. Communal meals at a long table with everyone helping out to cook and clean the dishes afterwards.
As I read and read and read about what’s happening around us, reports of the events of the day, and predictions for tomorrow, I cannot help but wonder what the answer is to all of these social/political/environmental struggles/catastrophes with which we are faced. As much as I search for answers, an immediate solution is never apparent, but a long-term inevitability is: we’re going to have to live a simpler, more local life. We are going to have to cooperate with our community, and support each other. We’re going to have to condense our use of resources in our living situations. The end of suburbia means an end to every family’s home/castle. Higher density living is eco-friendly, cheap, and I think a refreshing change from the real life isolation that has seemed to develop with internet social networking devices. People will be people again, instead of profiles on the internet.
It seems like a long way away, but I guess my dream of the future might come true. Last night I saw Survivorman for the first time and I have to say that finding a way to buy some remote land and start a little self-sustaining compound sounds nicer and nicer. But I don’t want to live in isolation, giving up friends and communication and culture. Maybe the solution is co-habitation. Sharing houses. Giving up the monster house with rooms hardly used and having a cozier, more communal situation. Can you imagine actually knowing (and maybe even liking) your neighbors? Having a community farm to work at? Entertainment provided by your friends down the street? We will have the ability to create our own culture collectively. I think the future is a great opportunity to change the way we relate to each other. And to make everything we do not about money or selling things. It won’t be about making it big because there won’t be a big to make. Or at least, there will be less of one. Anyway, I’m ready to be friends with people I talk to face to face, on a regular basis. It’s way harder to hate people when you know them and cooperate with them.
Honestly, I figure the best way to prepare for whatever comes next is to start this local cooperation now. See who’s part of your community, reach out, get to know your neighbors. We are our greatest resource.
That said, I want to let you all know about this little project I’m starting. It’s a skillshare. Every month, we will gather at Fremont Abbey Arts Center in Seattle to share some skills. Each month, three volunteers will lead a short demonstration, workshop, or other lesson type thing. It will be a way for us to come together and spend some time as a community to explore our collective knowledge in a casual learning environment. It will be fun.
This Valentine’s Day, Love Your Community.
First Ever Skillshare!
This week:
Did You Hear What I Said?: A Brief Introduction to Sound Recording
So you wanna be a VJ? Remaking Videos on After Effects for Fun and Profit
Break My Heart: Pinatas for all you Heartbreakers
7pm, February 14th, 2008
$5 suggested donation
Fremont Abbey Arts Center
4272 Fremont Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
Questions? Comments?
Email: seattleskillshare@gmail.com