Today it’s time to lighten the mood.
Yesterday I came across this hilarious gif while perusing my daily blogs
(thanks PoppyTalk!):
This cracked me up so completely (I know, simple things!) that it
inspired me to write about Crafty types (like the person who made this gif) and
the DIY ethos in anarchism.
Crafty people are cool. Controversial statement, I’m sure, but even if
everything crafty people make isn’t cool (crochet doilies perhaps?) then just the
fact that person is making something original, by hand, is very cool.
The survivalist in me thinks that we ALL need to learn more hands-on
skills ourselves, in order to survive the coming apocalyptic post-peak-oil-global-warmed
society that will one day befall us. But even if you aren’t anticipating the
downfall of society as we know it, there’s still a lot to be gained from a
hands-on lifestyle.
Growing a proportion of your own food is a simple hands-on activity that
can save you money and make you healthier, as you get exercise, nutrient rich
food and fresh air. Making your own clothes allows you to source your own
ethical materials and create off-the-rack or unique items for a low cost.
Similarly, building (or even designing) your own furniture means you can
create what you need for your own specific site. If you learn upholstery you
can re-cover that great couch instead of taking it to the tip and buying a new
one. Want to go one step further? Learn how to build and maintain your own
tools, and you can create anything.
The potential for creating whatever you need is exponential when you
consider 3D printing. Do you need a part? Just create it. Do you need a tool?
Again, just create it. There are open-source designs available for building, by
hand, the equipment required for ‘starting a civilization’, including how to
build a basic tractor, welder, engine and power supply. See Global VillageConstruction Set for more info.
With the ability to fulfill our own needs, we no longer have to rely on
the state or corporate institutions. You may ask “Why would I bother? Why
shouldn’t I rely on my government and corporations fulfilling my needs?” and
the answer has been given repeatedly all over the world, when things go wrong
the institutions look after themselves.
Look at all the austerity measures in Europe with social services being
cut back relentlessly, while the bankers who caused the crash are still
claiming their million dollar bonuses. Of course, pensions and superannuation can be lost at any time when gambling trading spree (there's always a 'rogue' trader when they describe it on the news, to pretend the whole stock market isn't one big casino).
So after 40 years of service to society as a good employee your pension
disappears at the last minute and you’re asked to work another 10 years to make ends meet.
Of course the corporate institutions have even less to gain from making
sure you have your needs fulfilled. It is their job to make you want things you
haven’t got, and to make you buy those things. As long as the shareholders are
profiting then human rights, ecological awareness and ethical trading aren’t
even considered.
There is an alternative to working your entire life for someone else,
just to have your pension disappear, you can learn to look after yourself. You
don’t need to do everything, that’s where communities of like-minded people
come in; they learn from and help each other.
Start small. Plant some herbs in pots for your kitchen window, or learn
how to sew. And who knows, you might even develop a passion for doing something
creative, and find an alternative source of income from wage slavery. And it’s
not like all our creations need to be sensible or serious. Take for instance
the amazing talents of this lady who created the quilt shown below.
What funny/crazy/creative thing have you come across lately? Add a link
below and share.
No comments:
Post a Comment