The Dark Side of the Sun

Hipcrime Vocab's Why Green Architecture is a Sham is more than just an expose' on greenwashing in the construction industry. It brings up the scary prospect that the whole project of sustainable technology is a way for the super elite to preserve themselves while letting the rest of the world go to hell.

Sustainable Living Doesn't Suck

Ma’ikwe Schaub Ludwig, Executive Director of the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, gave a talk about how living a sustainable lifestyle doesn't have to be a pain.

Link to YouTube Video

This presentation was part of the TEDx series given at Carleton College in Northfield, MN, on October 12th, 2013.

Why internet activists are ineffective

To sum up the article on Raptitude.com, "Why most internet activists don’t change any minds", it is because the authors have a tone of arrogance and come across as blaming the reader for his or her ignorance.  If someone truly hasn't been exposed to an issue, they are less likely to be defensive if you approach it as a teaching opportunity.

Respect

"I believe when anyone treats another being with disrespect, they disrespect themselves at the same time and therefore are less human. But for sure to avoid culpability, people must see the other as lesser. That is a given and has operated universally."  -- Karpatok on the Doomstead Diner

Free*(?) Farm Help

The (Pennsylvania) Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council has just published a Guide to Internships and Employment for Pennsylvania Farms.  It "surveys legal requirements and provides an overview of legal definitions of intern and apprenticeships, wage and compensation details, and housing considerations. It is not a replacement for direct legal counsel but builds a strong foundation for farmers considering the hire of or already employing an intern or apprentice. "

Jerusalem Artichokes

I never did get around to planting out my Jerusalem artichokes I bought this spring.  I guess now is a good time to do it.

You can see how they cracked open the plastic pot.

Going Upslope in LA

Wow, this couple has a self-reliant lifestyle in Los Angeles on 1/12 of an acre in a 900 square foot home: