PG wrote:
The problem with most (political) revolutions is that they end up devouring
those who start them. The chaos caused by the deliberate break-down of old
rules is used by the opportunistic (and ruthless) to seize control of the
movement and install their own power structure. Elimination of those with
principles and morals usually quickly follows. These are the true
predators.

Not necessarily true. Remember, America is the fruit of one....

Well, maybe that's the wrong example.

But how are you going to jump start the dinosaur into action? Who's
going to stop the onslaught on the environment?


As for the person who needs 260 HP to have fun, that's not a predator,
that's a sheep with vision problems. The cure for that is in the works.
With the price of a barrel of oil spiking towards $100 per barrel (not there
yet, but soon), a lot of consumption-oriented expenditures become
discretionary. I share a waterway with many boats and it brings a smile to
my face when I think of how much someone is spending to propel themselves
from point A to point B with no purpose other than to "have fun". Of
course, there is always the idiot boater who is drunk and can't figure out
where they are going or what they are prone to hit, but the same idiots are
also driving their trucks and endangering other peoples' lives on land as
well.

Even in the kayaking world, we have the whole spectrum of those who are
perfectly happy in a stubby plastic rec boat, and those who disdain anything
that isn't kelvar/graphic fiber with a 30 lb. net weight. The latter group
is just as consumeristic as the ones who drive SUV's or big boats. The same
situation with cyclists - there are those who are happy with a single-speed
upright and those who drill out their magnesium/titanium derailers. You can
put a consumer mind into the most environmentally-friendly transport system,
and they will still be consumers. Heh, but that's humanity for you. :-)

The kibbutz solve that consumeristic drive the simple way: SHARING. In
our case, it could be 5 kayaks for 150 people say.

I'm I getting too political? Please see...


Going back to the coops, here are some good reasons why many people
would join them if given the choice...

"Most people are living on Kibbutz Arava for two reasons: 1.) to be
able to work for themselves [no politician, no bureaucrat, no boss, in
other words, no lion], and 2.) to be able to raise their children in a
safe and comfortable environment [in other words, no jungle]. In a
world whose cities are increasingly becoming more polarized and
violent, these basic wants/needs are synonymous with life on a kibbutz.


Internally, Kibbutz Arava functions rather communally and ecologically.
There is a central dining room and commons area. Food that is eaten in
the dining room arrives as bulk, wholesale crates, thus eliminating
retail wastes such as packaging and plastic wrappers. The kibbutz is a
pedestrian community. People are able to walk and ride their bikes to
any kibbutz activity. In fact, there are only five leisure cars
available for the 130 adult members. On kibbutz, people don't throw
much away. When things break, they are fixed either by the garage,
carpentry shop, or laundry. Things are not easily thrown away, as items
are scarce. There are public commodities, such as a coffee and tea
lounge, a pool, an entertainment area, a computer and fax room, a music
studio, and a horse stable. By offering these amenities, the kibbutz
eliminates the need for everyone to have their own TV, computer, etc
[no consumerism, which feeds the lion]."

kibbutz... http://www.objectsspace.com/encyclop...ex.php/Kibbutz

Behind Consumption and Consumerism...
http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRel...onsumption.asp