Conflict in TI groups
It’s a sad commentary on our times that even with such serious issues, as the unprecedented ones we face toady, we cannot find a new level on which to co-operate and communicate so as to affect a proper transition to localisation.
Personally, I think that this is down to people’s different levels of understanding. Some people have a vague idea of the severity of our situation and do not, therefore, have sufficient motivation to cast aside their ego, in order to see the wider picture. Moreover, people who have a high level of understanding, who deeply feel the need to transition and know exactly why we need to and what will happen if we don’t, often are more able to see a clearer path to what needs to be done and how. I think that this lies at the heart of any friction, resistance or conflict that may arise within TI groups.
It’s very hard to really convince many people of the need to change so that they have the motivation to give them the energy to take appropriate action. Most people will watch a documentary or two, read a few books, and in the interims between this fall asleep again, and thus loss the momentum needed to give real energy to the desire to change. It takes repeated hammering to get the main points sunk in sufficient enough for them not to be forgotten and there seriousness not once again to be overlooked. It took me nearly 6 months to really not fall asleep again to the issues of our (mostly) collective unsustainable future. I found that every time I spent additional time researching and educating myself about peak oil, economy and climate change, I found a deeper level of appreciation for the severity of it all. Furthermore, it was exactly this which gave me more confidence, determination and thus motivation to get out there and start becoming the change we all want to see in the world. I now grow all my own food, harvest all my own water and meet most of my electricity and heating needs through renewable, off-the-grid technologies.
To be honest, most people involved in the TI’s do not have a strong enough knowledge base with which to draw from, and if they do they likely do not apply it directly to themselves. For example, most people know that we are living unsustainably, but most also are not prepared to really live as self-sufficiently as possible. They are not prepared to try to grow all their own food, to harvest their own water and meet there own energy needs with simple, stand alone, off-the-grid technologies (which are so cheap nowadays that even someone on minimum wage can save up enough money in a few months to buy a decent solar PV panel or solar thermal panel.) We can find the time to read up about these issues, we can find time implement them in our lives. Heck, sleep a few hours less if you have to! If there was ever a time in all of history NOT to be lazy it would be now!
I thought that one of the main premises of TI is that we simply cannot wait for national or even local government to make the fundamental changes needed to cut CO2 omissions/ energy use, and bring in policies to make us more self-sufficient, localised and therefore sustainable into the indefinite future. It has to come from ourselves first and then our friends, family and then wider community. All we need is sufficient motivation to allow us to understand how we can be more sustainable, self-sufficient and localised. All the means are there, all the ways to transition are there and have been for millennia, its is simple a matter of us being prepared to make the changes needed. And you either see that or you don’t, quite frankly. And to be honest, the only thing that is stopping a smoother, quicker and less painful transition is our own minds and our inability to comprehend the severity of our situation and then to act effectively within our own lives, firstly, and then our communities to create change. We are mental and physical weaklings, really…who could spend 8 plus hours a day working the land day in day in day out? Heck we cannot even organise ourselves within the TI groups without conflict. Pahhh….its time to get real people…our economy is in its least legs and peak oil is sure to finish it of even if we manage to keep it on life support till then. Catastrophic climate change is almost inevitability now because the issue has been ignored and trampled on by corrupted governments working for the monstrous greed of national and multi-national cooperation’s for the past 40 plus years. And so, with these massive issues, you think that we could coordinate ourselves at least at the community and family level to create the change needed. But NO…people are still having tiffs about insignificant trivialities…how can we sleep at night knowing that such petty, silly little things are baring the way to real change? If you have been involved in something like this, and I bet there are many that have and many that are still unresolved…I suggest that you put aside your bruised ego and take the higher path to greater co-operation and communication. We don’t have time for this crap people…
Yes I agree.
Lets put aside our ego's and unify around the important task and the challenges ahead! I got some advice in this regard. Based on many years of living and working collectively and on the belief that ABOUT 99% OF ALL PEOPLE WISH TO DO GOOD. Here some words followed by 3 guidelines/rules that I suggest TI groups/steering groups – with “challenges to cooperate” - to adapt.
In order to make a difference – on the scale that is needed - we need to be able to UNIFY THE MANY. That can be done with replacing exclusiveness with INCLUSIVENESS. The goal all TI's ought to set them selves - is to gather many people around making a difference. To meet the challenges of the future we need to unify not only with the few likeminded people – but will many many more and many that are “unlikeminded” as well.
To be inclusive requires that we are open for different ideas and that we are willing to support them - even if they differ from how we would do it ourselves. There are MANY ways forward, and MANY ways how to be a Transition Initiative. The BEST way is the way of the person(s) doing the work. It is the WORK and ACTIONS that will create change. Not my opinion about what is right and what is wrong. Not if we agree about the world economics or not. If someone would like to DO something that they believe will make a difference. Support it! The need for consensus about WHAT and HOW to do can be hard and stop progress. That can be changed with the understanding that the minority also are “right”. And that it is good to support the minority and enhance diversity. The consensus could be based on 'one for all' but also 'all for one'. Support and embrace the goodness that resides in every person!
A typical argument is that we need to understand the cause for WHY we are in this mess. Yes, knowledge and understanding is important. I agree. Additionally my opinion is that the CAUSE is quite irrelevant COMPARED TO that something is being DONE. It is only what we DO that makes a difference. So focus on getting things done.
I suggest using 3 guidelines - and that are strictly to be kept. They are based on the idea to NURTURE EACHOTHERS IDEAS AND ACTIONS. I would suggest all TI groups with conflicts and with difficulties in getting things done to use them. They are as follows:
1) If you have an idea. Express it as well as you can
2) If you hear an idea. Listen, nurture and support that idea to develop to the best it can be.
3) When an idea turns into an action – give it and the people doing the work – as much support as you possible can – giving it the best chance to succeed.
Those 3 guidelines/rules would support SELF ORGANIZATION which can make diversity beautiful an stop it from being limiting.
I would suggest any TI group having problems and conflicts to try using those 3 guidelines for 6 months or so. Not any more guidelines. ONLY THOSE 3! What do you have to loose? Look at how long you have been having conflicts? Maybe 6 months will show that it can be different? Maybe not. At least it is worthwhile to give it a go. Good people being occupied with conflicts instead of making a difference!!!!!!! Do we really have time for that?
Remember that opinions are only opinions. Nothing more.
All the best to you all
cybiont
NB. I am traveling the world and came by this great opportunity :)
Have a look.
Oh splendid!!! Someone who can say things simply and clearly. I agree with all you say, apart from one thing. I think that it is a vital and absolutely necessary prerequisite that people fully grasp the severity of our predicament. If they do not, then how committed will they be to bring about real, fundamental change in there lives? Well, from my experience (and I don’t intend to sound self-righteous of presumptuous), many people in the TI are too cought up in this frenzy of talking and visioning and talking and visioning and talking and visioning – and no this is not a typo, it is really this boring! Like I said in the initial post, the means are already there and waiting, we just need committed and determined people to solidly implement them in the lives.
Start making changes to that you can grow all your own food, harvest all you own water, generate all you own energy needs and live in low-impact even zero-carbon home. Its all there, we just should not make the mistake of thinking that getting to know people in your community, networking and visioning as being the real business; as its only really the ground work and not really necessary (especially when it starts to detract away from getting things done – which I feel is where TI might head if we don’t get real and stop with all this mumbo-jumbo visioning malarkey). The really change that is needed now is not in the realm of ideas but in solid, concrete changes that can be made to the very way in which we live and thus impact on Mother Earth.
We know what to do and why we should do it – so lets bloody do it!
Peace, Peter.
Yes i agree. Knowledge and learning are important factors. Any TI's initiative needs to place education as an integral part of its activities. Maybe the pivotal part is to learn how to transform education into reality. As you say: 'we know what to do and why we should do it'. But how? I think there is where many get stuck. (Or at least the one interested in getting something done). It don't mean that we don't have knowledge of what technical solutions there are out there. But HOW do we organize our lives in all aspects in order to be able to put the time in that is needed to make a difference?
I believe it is important to develop opportunities and examples. Most people are after all busy with a job to make a living. So - it is about to "liberate" that time that is much held up with sitting in an office. To exchange office time with 'gardening time' - there might be needed some economical solutions as well. If not - it will only be the rich that will be to able grow own food...
Start growing food is a brilliant activity. Next step could be to grow healthy food together with others. It tend to be smarter to work in collaboration. It is usually much more effective (as long as the above 3 rules/guidelines are followed). Next step - grow quantity and with quality – to sell locally. If 10 people grow together - maybe a few of them could limit their 'employment' to part time and work on the behalf of all. In order to bring change – time is a crucial factor. So, how could we liberate the time of more and more enabling them to work on the questions and ideas created at TI meetings?
Maybe the same could be done in regards to energy? Why should every single one of us set up a power generating system? What about the nearby creek/river? What about the tide? What about creating a solution for more then just ourselves and invite/attract others to participate?
The commitment - to do something – often comes from the knowledge of HOW to make a difference. And an understanding for how that can lead to something better – for each one of us - individually. Yes - we might be facing a climatic catastrophe which urgently needs to be addressed. But at times the 'dooms day literature' - even though they are correct - can be extremely discouraging.
So lets teach SOLUTIONS and generate living examples what we can do.
:: cybiont ::
A traveler now visiting a Climate compliance endeavor in the Caribbean
https://www.facebook.com/Gaia.Compliance
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Cybiont, you mention again about the networking and bringing together of community. Well what is the purpose in this? What was the reason we had such close community ties a generation or so ago? It was because if someone had insufficient supplies of something, weather physical or emotional, the larger comuinity could step in and support them. So the obvious observation and the following logical question here would be: if we – you or me - are not largely self-sufficient in meeting out own food, water and energy needs and the love and respect found within the home, how in the hell are we going to have a surplus to spare for others in our community? The plain and simple answer is that we will not be able to. And this is at the heart what we need to transition towards today.
Peace, Peter.
Hello Peter (and others)
Thanks for your comment.
I do believe that we collectively got a better chance to succeed in becoming 'largely self-sufficient in meeting out own food, water and energy needs'.
I do not subscribe to the idea that we 'first got to help ourselves - before we can help others'.
Not in any case actually – or at least most. Development is something best done together. Be it economical, to become aware, to become sustainable, to start food production, find energy solutions, become open minded, to learn, get emotionally stronger, become better to overcome challenges etc.
The process of development/creating change - is in my opinion - something that HAS to be done together - in order to succeed with making a lasting and significant impact.
Think of the saying: 'The total is more then the sum of its parts'. That applies to non-linear science, to biology, to physics and to as as humans. 1+1 = 3!!!
Let say that you and me Peter sing together. I pick one note and you pick another. My note =1. Your note = 1. And the harmony we get = 1. The 2 of us have create a new property. 3!
I believe that our civilization needs to develop. To develop some new properties. Me with a small organic garden - not far from lets say Detroit - would not solve many problems. But me - as a part of a urban agricultural collaborative effort - may have the chance to succeed in securing the basic needs for many. Which also would be needed in order for me - to individually - have my basic needs sorted. Or alternatively - you can live in the mountains/bush/desert - far away from others. That might work for a few of us. But hardly for 7 billion people.
I suggest that we start acknowledging ourselves as social an collective beings - and find new ways of being together. I know this can be hard - since we over generations have been trained to behave like we are not. That is what the individualistic order of the western society has taught us.
As stated before – I am a traveling music maker – with plenty of collective experience - now visiting Caribbean. There are some interesting projects here: For example this one http://youtu.be/yWepX_MrlVE
All the best to all of you.
Wish you the best in your Transition endeavors.
:: cybiont ::
It’s very true what you say. Evolutionary biologists now believe that it was our ability to cooperate; share and support each other emotionally within groups that helped us not only survive longer than our competitors but to become so incredibly intelligent as well. So if altruism was responsible for us flourishing for hundreds of thousands of years, we can clearly see (as you have mentioned at the end of your post) that the way we have lived for the last few generations has eroded this highly positive quality – by making us more selfish/individualistic and thus less cooperative. So I think that it’s NOT about creating any new mental “properties”. I think it’s about rediscovering or uncovering - by discarding the dross of selfishness - what we have already learned over tens of thousands of years – To respect one another and the wider community of life on Earth, to share, care and be cooperative with each other so none have to go without basic needs and love.
However, I think that equal weight has to be given to becoming as self-sufficient as possible for you and you family first. Because this is where we can actually make the biggest impact, as we have the most control here. Also, we have to be prepared for every eventuality (such as oil spiking and/or depleting a lot quicker than we can transition – which I believe is already underway and will only be gaining in momentum). Because if this happens (a rapid collapse) the equally insufficient efforts that we are making on a community level will be just and meaningless as the ones we have made at a family level. And what then? We need to secure our basic needs first and foremost. And this starts at the level of the household. The reason we are in this bloody mess is because we have relied on other people bring all our needs in from far and wide for us! We should not feel conformable being reliant on a system that could implode very soon and very fast.
Anyway, what does society aim at? Currently it has been blinded by the meaningless and insatiably greedy pursuit of gaining ever increasing amounts of profit above all else, and at the expense of our quality of life. Not to mention the horrific degradation we have done to other life forms and the Earth systems!!! It all very well trying to work with the current model of business and politics, but this will be slower and harder than trying to meet our family and communities basic needs of food, water and low-impact shelter/energy ourselves. Business and politics will, I believe not be able to change in any meaningful way to help avert climate change and to help us live low-impact, self-sufficient, localised lives at the national and inter-national levels.
The current model of business-as-usual is found at the family and community level also - we live within its field of influence, we have been conditioned to think it is the only way and that to do it ourselves rather than have it done for us is they way it should be. So because of this, and with the obvious, physical observations one can make by looking at how habituated people are to living high-impact lives within you area; I don’t think people will really make the change at this level either, before we are in the shit.
Also, 1 + 1 will never equal 3. It’s impossible. The combined energy of 1 and 1 will just unite to produce twice as much energy in relation to being directed to achieve an desires aim. To think that the sum is great than its parts is just an illusion of the mind. It’s a violation of the laws of physics. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, right? When we identify with a large or massive group (say at a protest march or a transition meeting) we gain a collective ego that feels it must be more than its sum. But it can never be so. Perhaps the only thing that we can say about us coming together as groups is that we may be able to bring about a collective shift in peoples awareness so that they start to tread much more lightly on Earth.
However, collective evolution only goes so far. Social or collective evolution only helped us while we were hunter and gatherers living in small communes. But as soon as we became settlers, and created agriculture, surplus arrived and we started to become more selfish and greedy again, increased in umbers and started to create a society that had more means to separate us rather than bring us together – selfishness was more readily rewarded than altruism and giving loving support. So we arrive at where we are today. Evolutionary biologists recognise that we are incredibly effective at survival in small groups - and even on our own If we dare to abandon our attachments - and at a communal level, but that when we increase in numbers we become destructive to our environment – this is self-evident; you don’t need to be a PhD!
So what are we trying to transition to? What is the change we wish to see in the world? We have to really think deeply about it.
Look. Some things we can be sure of. More people are beginning to realise that a self-sufficient, localised, low-impact way of living will be better for the Earth and thus make them happier – which is does. So, while most people – perhaps %80 or more – will not ever realise this in time, there will be humans on a post-petroleum Earth. There will be people who are living back in harmony with Mother Earth. But it will not be on the scale we have today and with the complexity of a globalised network for trade and communications. As we need a highly versatile and highly dense form of energy to operate this model, and without fossil fuels, we simply cannot do this. I will not hold out for a transition to a green-renewable energy infrastructure. As I believe that the resources and capital needed to bring this into being will soon be unavailable due to resource depletion and a meltdown of currencies.
Many annalists now believe that without oil the planet can only sustain 1 – 2 billion people at the most. Why? Because, modern agriculture will never be as productive once oil starts to run out – which it is. Simple. We pump %70 of our water onto crops (using oil), we use over %50 of oil in the production and distribution of food! And most of the land we use currently use would just be arid if it were not for the petro-chemicals which saturate the dust to make it arable. And with no energy source being as versatile and energy-dense as oil stepping up to replace it, we could likely see (in my lifetime – I’m 25) a sharp drop-off in the human population due to mass starvation.
Unless we all become self-sufficient in growing our own food, harvesting our own water and generating our own energy, we will be at the mercy of a system that could collapse in a heart-beat. I think a movement like the “Victory Gardens” effort during the Second World War is the only way Britain will mitigate millions starving WHEN the Euro and Dollar completely collapse – which will not be very long at all (perhaps months – not years).
So, think deeply about the issues, think deeply about how you want to become the change the wish to see in the world, and think deeply about what to invest you time and energy into. Because we really do not have much of these left before we will be forced to change of die.
Hi again.
What comes First, second, third? Physics, non-linear science, complexity, phase transitions, quantum physics, peak oil, collective evolution etc and what the heck is the best to do - first. These are - in my opinion - all good topics for many discussion. You obviously got some mental capacity. That is needed. So are hearts filled with hope, optimism, empathy, compassion and solidarity. And hands - ready to work and make things happen. Life is beautiful and there are still a lot of possibilities in the future. What will happen - is still not certain. And we might still be able to steer the future in a positive direction. It is at least worthwhile to continue fighting for it. Nothing to loose there.
I think it is great that you are concerned and passionate. Great if you start an own garden etc. You have the idea that it is good to start doing something for yourself - I encourage you to do so. And wish you all the best. Then when it comes to the subject of this post 'Conflict in TI groups' - I encourage you to use your heart and mind to create unification. It tend to be better for all involved - and also more fun :)
All from me
Wish you the best in your future endeavors
:: cybiont ::
What I say is just hot-air and hypocritical of what I said about wasting time and talking to much. Anyhow, its interesting stuff. But, in the real world, and in the final analysis, what you said summed the entire subject up Rob: “hearts filled with hope, optimism, empathy, compassion and solidarity” This is what we direly need to cultivate. Then things automatically run harmoniously and we will therefore be literally unable to do harm to ourselves and the wider life on the planet Earth.
I am sorry for perhaps sounding overly pessimistic and negative. As I don’t want to dampen anyone’s optimism. But I don’t like to hear it either, as I’m a thorough optimist, all the way – optimistic that humans can always turn to a more harmonious and peaceful, loving way of life. But the facts are the facts, and the basic facts are simple and easy to understand. It’s really a matter of people accepting them as the truth and then being aware enough to take the appropriate and effective actions.
It’s true that we don’t know exactly what the future holds and I hope that we still have the time and energy to effect a positive change in a significant amount of people. I heard that their can always be a social tipping point in awareness and the subsequent actions that are changed – the monkey experiment, right!? Let’s just hope that something similar will occur.
Anyway, enough talking!
Peace, Peter.