I don’t there’s a single place on Earth where poverty is so…
I don’t there’s a single place on Earth where poverty is so confronting as the USA. In all the so called poor countries there is always the traditional village which provides an abundance of food shelter and belonging. The USA and Australia are two places breeding some on the most industry dependent humans on earth which creates an underlying anxiety that is unique in the world. America has pockets of relief and Australia has more government handouts to make things easier. America has the Native American communities in remote areas and it has parts of the African American community where people still know how to take care of each other and share the food and shelter resources in a soulful way that maintains basic dignity through a sense of fun. The sense of independence or sovereignty or nobleness in these two communities are something you don’t find easily in Australia so that is a measurement in America’s favour. I think the per capita consumption/ carbon footprint and also household debt to income ratio is now higher in Australia than America. I think we score higher than America in hospitalisations due to alcohol posing ( binge drinking) and our drug problem is also probably worse. My solution to the anxiety derived from being dependent on and beholden to industry - especially the finance industry for our shelter is to build and sculpt yourself a cosy high performing yet simple backyard earthen sleeping pod in a way that is pleasing to the soul.
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I definitely like the idea of being independent... do you envision this being a supplement to an existing home? or do you think this is an alternative to living in a typical home?
I think in the beginning and for quite some time it will be best as a supplement to an existing home - to put it in the backyard, especially if you have an aspect that can take advantage of capturing winter sun. Eventually for some it may become an alternative to living in a typical home. A backyard sleeping pod allows you to conduct real time comparisons between the two worlds which are worlds apart and yet side by side. Once space where the mindset and reality is eternal bills and eternal union with or dependency on industry especially the finance industry. the The first step is gathering around a table with a few people and building a small scale model using all the same recipes and considerations for building in life size.
The other space is a place that is made from a different mindset. An artists mindset. A parent's mindset. The mindset of a brother, sister, grandchild, uncle, aunty, community member, healer, visionary, a director, a community organiser, A free person's mindset. Independent from the non-human elements of industry. Created from dance and festive gatherings of one or more people. made from natural materials excavated locally - so freedom from VOCs and EMFs. Embracing the purest kind of indoor air quality available. Freedom and Security enablers. Freedom from and protection from debts and bills. Protection from the elements.
In one scenario the residents of the existing home gradually find themselves wanting to spend more and more time sleeping in their backyard pod and being outdoors and so their house gradually becomes more and more empty - providing space for the majority of people who are still attached to the idea of the industrialised consumer home concept and need that - especially the older people. I think the idea of creating and inhabiting a a space that is independent from the system is only for a minority at this stage.