Freeconomy Blog
Thu
22 Sep
The future of the Freeconomy blog
| 62 comments |
As you may or may not have noticed, blogs from me are becoming about as rare as an Eskimo Curlew, or an honest corporation. This hasn't been intended at all. Recently I've had more things on my plate than it is possible for me to keep up with, and I have been under quite an amount of time and mental pressure. When time is squeezed out of you from every side, and all you want to do is go out and be on the land, feel the sun touch your skin and the stream dance on your feet, or just spend time with the people you love, it seems a blog is the first thing that falls by the wayside.
My situation isn't going to change for a while. Things in my world have developed pretty quickly, and in the rare moments I get to think about them they're very exciting, potentially at least. I will update you all about these when I am in more of a position to be able to, and if/when things are 100% solid. But I've still quite a bit to do on a number of fronts, and for reasons I can't go into I may be limited in what I can say about them for a period.
I'll get to the point - for a long time now I've wanted to make this blog more representative of the whole community, and not just one guy. I'm becoming painfully aware that I may not even be the best person to write this blog anymore. My philosophies are evolving, and I'm conscious of the fact that some of my views these days probably (OK, almost certainly) don't accurately represent the views of most of the people who use this site.
I'm not saying that such views don't have a place here, and I believe they have as much place as the really useful comments the provoke in all of you. But my views are definitely on the margins of civilisation now, and if anything I am becoming more outraged by the levels of violence, aggression and exploitation that I see everyday.
This has been heightened by the fact that I am spending a little bit of time in the city, which I should note, has successfully eroded most of the peace of mind I had before I got here! I don't know how I ever lived in a city for so long before - the air is dirty, the atmosphere is aggressive, the sounds are unnatural and relentless, I don't get to see the stars, and the traffic is soul destroying. They're inherently unhealthy, and a wise people would never create them. I could write a blog about this alone.
We were not given the gift of life to spend it in such an insane and unhealthy way, that much I do know.
What I would love is that over the next while this blog evolves into a community blog, of which I'll be one guest publisher amongst many. I'll continue to write for it, but I'll be one of many, which will mean far more regular blogs and a far more wider spectrum of views.
I get emails every day from people who have decided to give up money or have made huge changes to their lives, and I'd personally love to hear those stories, and for them to be shared with you. If you have any, please get in touch.
This is much more relevant to many of your lives than one idiot living in a field without money. Which has it's place, I'm sure, as I believe we really need to push the boundaries of ecological living, and to challenge each other to question how we live and our effects on all life around us. This sometimes that requires some idiot to go out to those edges, extend them, and report back with the findings, as doing things to their full length can often illuminate the most hidden of truths. But it can't be the whole picture, the whole story. Mine is just one perspective of many, and I want to hear more.
For any of you who noticed that I published a blog last night, and are wondering where it disappeared to - I pulled it after 30mins. It was intended to provoke thought, to show the incredible cognitive dissonance we hold on many issues, but I was worried it would offend too many people (I know, that's a first from me!) and so I took it down. There is always a fine line between challenging people, and offending them, and I don't always get it right. However, if any of you do want to read this blog, it was called 'Who do the self-righteous think they are?', then leave me a comment asking for it and if there is enough demand then I'll re-publish - at least then you asked for it!
So what I would like to suggest is this:
If any of you out there want to write a guest blog for this site, then email me at mark@justfortheloveofit.org with a proposal. I'll remain as editor of this blog in order to hold the integrity and purpose of it, and work with you on whatever you want to post.
I'd welcome anything that questions the culture we live in, our conditioned belief and value systems, anything practical about truly sustainable living and alternative economies, ecology, philosophy, or anything that you feel would help the people of this community. I'd suggest you write me a short proposal of what you want to do, and if I agree to it (which I will try to do unless it is very inappropriate) then to go ahead and write something between 800-2000 words in your own style.
If you want to promote projects, blogs, works of art (documentaries, books, music, poems, films etc) that are relevant to Freeconomy and would be useful to our members, you would of course be allowed to include links to it. The blog is read by over 120,000 unique people a year, so it is a useful tool to promote whatever you're passionate about.
If you have any inspiring stories from your local groups, please feel free to share them, and I particularly welcome stories from those of you outside of the UK. Please don't worry about your English not being perfect, it is probably better than mine!
Lots of love to you all, and thank you for all that many of you have been doing through Freeconomy in your local communities. More and more local groups and becoming very active now as critical mass grows, and it is great to hear the stories coming from so many of them. I've personally met so many amazing people in my own local Bristol group, people who are too many to name. I've been spending the last month housesitting for local members, and plan to spend the next month doing the same too, as I plan and organise the next stage of things for this wonderful community and hopefully a book that reflects where I am at now.
For those of you who email me with lots of questions about moneyless living, I love your enthusiasm and your courage to take things to the next level in your own life, and I hope to meet you all one day on a piece of land, and to share its food with you. But it is impossible for me to reply to all of such emails. This is the main reason why I wrote the book, The Moneyless Man, to be a resource to anyone who was interested. It's also available in many libraries in many countries also, and for any of you outside the UK it is now available in the US, Australia, SA, NZ (all English), Greek, Turkish, Korean, Taiwanese, Chinese, Portugeuse, Japanese, Indonesian, German (next year) and Brazilian Portuguese. So if it is not in your library, do feel free to request it.
Pleasure to be sharing the planet with you all.
THE FREECONOMY BLOG is written by Mark Boyle, who has been living for over two years without money, and is the founder of the Freeconomy Community. He is the author of The Moneyless Man.
Comment on this Post:
Rachel from Brisbane comments ...
I would like to read your blog 'Who do the self-righteous think they are?'. I am happy to disagree with you Mark and still love yer work!!
Peter Hughes comments ...
I'd like to read the blog you took down too - I've read the ones you've left up, so now I am really intrigued!
Martin comments ...
Mark, I'd love to read your deleted blog post - as I'm sure most people would - after all, posting it and deleting it makes it more intriguing. People should not be offended by your views - they may disagree with them of course and that's what life is about - pushing the boundaries of what people term 'normal'. It's good that you push them in the opposite direction to the corporations, banks and government - what we have now would not be considered 'normal' 50 years ago!
BTW, I think I'm in transition from a 'normal' life to something different. I too am getting incredibly angry and frustrated at some of the shit going on, and have arrived at the conclusion that I have to do something because if I don't, I'm part of the problem, not the solution. It's a big step to take, but people like you are an inspiration mate!
Dori comments ...
I read Mark's blog last night before he pulled it and it certainly affected me - I found my dreams last night somewhat disturbed. However as I commented yesterday replace the 'woman' for our beautiful 'world' and it did help me understand the thoughts behind it. Thank you Mark for provoking a difficult analogy it certainly gave me more than a moment's reflection. I'm grateful for your insights and your challenges. Sometimes we need to see another's view in black and white, so that we can reflect on the bigger picture.
Best wishes for all your future endeavours and really like the idea of guest blogs, just hope you find the time to manage them. Xx
Mark Boyle comments ...
@ Dori - thank you Dori, that's very kind of you. It was provocative, and I am sorry it caused you a poor night's sleep, that wasn't the intention.
But yes the point was to draw an important parallel. The Woman was Lover Nature btw, just in case you were wondering.
Anonymous comments ...
I would like to read 'Who do the self-righteous think they are?'. I have never followed this blog before, but I did know of this website and the only thing about your values that I knew of was that (so I thought) you wanted to show people a moneyless way of living and you had, and that you believed in freeeconomy over the capitalist society we have now. It would be interesting to know how much our values on a minimal scheme appear the same and how much overlap and don't, but that's more just for inquiring minds want to know. Thanks for the update.
lou13 comments ...
I have found the thoughts and feelings that come up, for me, from your blogs and your book, absolutely fascinating, scary, inspiring, thought provoking and am interested to read where life has led you, Mark. I have found the entry on despair, on Dark Mountain blog, very helpful, in last few days....would like to read your deleted blog best wishes Louise
Bev comments ...
I'd love to read the missing blog. I may just be the self-righteous you refer to, but I'm sure I could use a good offending.
pipi comments ...
i read the deleted blog last night and i was the first who comment it. i was trying to understand what was about as it was not Mark's style. first i thought "that is a haker's work".
anyway i am glad that you deleted as i found it as a total insult to humans and especially women.
90% of the people reading and following this blog , are people who understand Mark's point of view and what he want to make people understand. we don't need shocks. personally i have plenty unpleasant situations around me these days that shock me everyday . i really need peace.
Thank you Mark for deleting last night's blog.
Love and Peace to everybody
James O'Keefe comments ...
Thanks for the post, Mark. I read pretty much every blog post you write and will continue to read the blog when it has the voice of many. Loved your book.
I would like to read your blog post 'Who do the self-righteous think they are?' as well.
Also, "We were not given the gift of life to spend it in such an insane and unhealthy way, that much I do know." ranks up in my top 3 favorite quotes.
Peace, love and solidarity
Frederick Dsouza comments ...
Hi mark. I would like to read the blog you deleted 'Who do the self-righteous think they are?' . Thank you for all that you are doing to expose the wrong things to make a better world for all.
Julia comments ...
I read the blog that you took down and I found it was very thought provoking but also quite shocking, perhaps a little too shocking that without an explanatory introduction or conclusion that I almost agreed with pipi in thinking it was a hacker. I would like too see it up again because I value the discussion your blog posts start up, but I think it would definitely be one of the most controversial! Thanks for uploading another blog so soon, I do enjoy reading them. Good luck with everything!
k.zombiegirl comments ...
I would like to read "Who do the self-righteous think they are?" I think offending people can bring necessary change. Besides, political correctness is exhausting and a form of censorship. Speak! Offend!
in valid comments ...
I think a gestalt or community blog idea is very good. The freeconomy web site would feel better as a group site.
I read the comments of that blog last night and I thought it was very good, that you acted on your sensitivity and pulled it.
I liked your explanation in this blog of the fine line between challenging people and offending them.
I think it is a great skill and rare gift to have, to be able to challenge and not offend.
And communication can also be in pictures and in the doing of a thing too.
One thing occurred to me about those comments last night.
The horror of rape and all the meaning and feeling of that that applies to rape and rape alone.
If I may make a suggestion. Rewrite it but try to think of another way or word or perhaps new word of what we are doing to we ourselves, we are our earth.
Keep the word rape to the thing it means. Perhaps it is not respectful and wise to use it as an analogy.
:)
Mark Boyle comments ...
@ All
OK, some are thanking me for taking it down, others are saying they want to read it.
What do I do?
I guess people don't have to read it if they don't want to...but I really don't want to cross the line too far either.
sad in seattle comments ...
Mark, I have been checking everyday for a new blog post since the last. I checked last night but I must have missed the one you took down. I am livid I missed it. Please please repost!!!!!!!!!
I too have read End Game on your recommendation. I finished it before you did and said to my husband, hmmm...I wonder how his blog posts will change after he reads this book. I was so pleased to see that we both had the same reaction to it. I was happy to see your blog posts change. If they hadn't, after reading this, then I would have been very surprised. How could it not!
I also had a horrible feeling that you would stop writing your blog. Now I know I was right. I'm very bummed because you were the only one we felt got it and was giving your opinions. We didn't feel so alone. I was so happy to read about what you were doing. I also would like to meet with you one day and now, even though you don't know me, I feel like, if you don't write the blogs, I have lost contact with the one person doing anything constructive.
I live in a city so I know exactly what your talking about. I have a dream that we would be able to someday live in a moneyless village, such as the one you've got in the works.
I'm happy that you'll be able to get away from the computer but sad you won't be posting anymore. I do understand. Will I be able to contact you in the future if you aren't posting?
Good luck in all you do. You rock!
sad in seattle comments ...
I forgot to mention, what you said:
"But my views are definitely on the margins of civilisation now, and if anything I am becoming more outraged by the levels of violence, aggression and exploitation that I see everyday."
That is spot on. Not many of us feel this way and it's hard to live and interact with society without feeling extreme frustration and disgust with the world.
Ryan comments ...
I would like to read your blog 'Who do the self-righteous think they are?'. I am happy to disagree with you Mark and still love yer work!!
tommy comments ...
Mark, you've been an inspiration to thousands of people, and yet, you are but human. With that knowledge comes the understanding that you are an evolving being, with ideas and morals constantly developing, for better or worse.
I've always enjoyed reading your blogs, and have your book at an arm's reach if I need any inspiration.
Regardless of the context, I believe that as long as you give a piece of warning as introduction to your latest disappeared blog, I see no problem in re-posting it. I personally would like to read it.
You are being very noble by asking others for advice; I think THAT, at least, should remind people that you do not mean to harm anyone.
Good luck in making the right decision.
In valid comments ...
The talk is done. Talk is cheap. Very cheap.
Now is the time to do not talk. Talk about plans. Talk about recipes. Talk and talk.
But the doing needs to be done.
Done local.
Internet.so what. Local is it.
Copied and spread.
Talk is only one way to communicate.
The doing can communicate too. But better. Because its the actual cooking the fooking cake! Being baked happening.
Dont set yourself up to get shot down. Dont hurt people. I dont want to hear, dont enjoy hurt. When most dont know whats going on anyway. And not all are born with brains. And they are still ok. Our brothers and sisters. And who am I to say I have brains too.
Cook the cake.
And join and unite with the others who are doing it too.
Not the money cake.
The equal slice cake.
Anemone comments ...
I doubt many would argue with your need to take time and "feel the sun touch your skin" or "just spend time with the people you love", yet I detect almost a boredom has set in with regards to the free economy movement. I've always believed that any movement should not just center on one person. Still you have voluntarily put yourself out there through your book, blog and newspaper column. Long silences followed by vague, ambiguous musings can turned patient mystery into irritating disinterest. Think about this in the future if you decide to once again thrust yourself out in the public forum for another cause. Like it or not you do have followers. Don't let this all become another walk to India.
Suelo comments ...
Yeah, out of all my own blog posts, I deleted one the day after I had written it in an angry fit of passion. It seemed half who'd read it thought I should've kept it, the other half thought it good I'd deleted it. What was done, was done, so I left it that way. If it was opinions, not your heart, that got you to take it down, then put it back up. If it was your heart that told you to take it down, then leave it down, regardless of opinions. Truth is not democratic, and stands even if it's the only one who gives itself a vote.
I also hear you about blogging in general. It's better not to blog than blog without inspiration, even if it means disappointing readers & a drop in popularity. My blogs have gotten fewer & far beteween too, also meaning a drop in readership. Maybe it'll spike again, maybe not, but it's all as it should be.
Whatever happens, you've already dosed me with inspiration, Mark my brother, and that's Priceless (maybe pun intended ;-)
Suelo comments ...
I should say you've dosed not only me, but thousands, with inspiration.
Mark Boyle comments ...
@ Suelo - I should have known you'd come up with the answer for me :) Mr Sundeen is sending me something in the post apparently, I'm really looking forward to it :) That is one blog I'll definitely write.
@ sad in seattle - thank you for all that you're doing. Yeah I still plan on writing for this blog, I just want it to be about everyone's experience. I'll still chip it with a blog every 6 weeks or so, and when things calm down for me I'll hopefully get back to writing more regularly for it again.
In valid comments ...
@anenome there are followers who follow and follow a work and love a story (and as the media knows for some reason many also love conflict) and there are others who do there thing, regardless of a figurehead but very much appreciate the work and the story and the contribution.
It is a hero worshipping culture we live in. It is not wrong to be thus if this is our nature. But not all are like that and that is good too. The other culture of cooperation also esteems people, and warms to those who enrichen cooperation, but recognises that all are of value and have the potential to blossom and become heros of their passions too.
Seems you mark and you too suelo both have a way with words.and define things very well. Both of your work is very much appreciated.
But still for a wider sharing moneyless change to happen, people with the exact same feelings about things as you two but who are not so brave independant and eccentric in whatever high personality trait it is that you have, in other words who are not so far towards the edge of the deviation curve as you two, they need to link up and work as one body to transition out as well as you have done. And it is they who will cause the actual change with you as a part of them.
In the 90s I have met individuals who lived moneyless, and there are other books written of experiences of others who did so too. And in those days I had the same feelings as now.
I resonate as one with the thoughts that Suelo had in his comments.
For me you have been empowering as I am a personality type who is part of a group, not a leader type, and unable to immediately vocalise moneyless sense, and it has been very frustrating all these years to be always told by many and groups concerned about injustice.
Yes we know we should share, and that is where we want to be, but we have to be Realistic! And as george carlin may have said but in better words, if he were alive, they always and forever must be Realistic! They somehow just dont seem to know that to fund good work is to put more wood on the fire.
The general people seem to want to share. Seem to want to enrichen.
Recently Ive come across a lot that simply do not have the list of reasons of why it is imperative that we must.
And you know what I need that list too, as I can never remember them either.
It ideally needs to be in the form of some sort of clock on the wall. A state of the world clock.
Oh lets have a look, Hows things going today.
Whats the time? Hows the weather? How are we doing today?
Anonymous comments ...
Ok I have to go, in a few minutes BUT your post has really intrigued me. I would really really like to see it put back up, and if you're worried about what people will think put a warning in the title, and then write a little warning or foreward notice in the actual blog and let others who would like to read it. I for one would like the choice to read and make my own decisions. There are too many things in this world which are shut out to people who are open minded and like thought provoking stuff to help challenge their own thinking styles, and we stop that because we're afraid of it. But ok I've run out of time and I can't edit this the way I want to. I do hope you post it with some warnings, because my interest has been piqued ahaha it's why I checked back :).
patrick in Dublin comments ...
Hi Mark ,I have recently read your book as well as End game by Jensen. I didnt get to read your blog last night but a mate of mine told me about the post that went up and came down again. We have frequent conversations about all this. I think anyone who is wondering what this is all about should read Jensens Endgame parts 1 and 2 then read " Deep Green Resistance" by Jensen, Leirre Keith and Aric Mcbay. It's at least time that the debate about taking action to bring bring down civilization is being had. This is a powerful forum indeed and getting others to contribute is very possitive. No one says it better than Jensen can.. Be brave there are plenty of people listening. Thanks Mark for your courage. By the way i emailed the Pat Kenny Show here in Ireland the other day suggesting that Pat do an interview with Jensen. I await a reply. There are plenty of people willing to have a debate. You cannot undo your good work
Carrie Wright comments ...
Dear Mark,
just found your site and hands down to you it's a great piece of creation.
I'll be registering shortly and will be promoting this to my contacts and friends. I say to you not to be too concerned about offending others - it's healthy to have active discussions and for differing viewpoints to be aired and debated. If people are offended they need to reflect on what it is that they are actually reacting to. Keep up the good work and don't leave it too long between blogs.
I'd like to read your blog "Who do the self-righteous think they are?
In valid comments ...
Withdrawal of ones energies from the system and diverting it to create the other system to enhance an already existing gift economy will bring down the exchange system to a more harmless level. Withdrawal of the energy continuing it.
The one aspect the sharing system the gift economy system has is an approval by all. That approval can be used.
Breaking smashing interfering with others lives is the same nonsensical violation visited on us. When by a new disuse it can go and lie wasted to rust away back to the earth instead.
Over 6000 years more defensive violence violation will be merely a repeat of what has gone and failed persistently before.
Pre history and tribal cultures that have existed into more recent times along side the saga of the 'exciting' battles his story recording the plunder of small cultures to bring them into civilisation, also records the investigations of anthropologists of both a gift economy existing within the tribe and an exchange economy between strangers and stranger tribes. There is nothing unnatural about exchange-money as number as debt recording the agreed Imbalance existing on one side of a simple exchange.(exchange = competitive distant cold distrustful relationship)
Our problems are caused by the issues described in endgame, through the his story of civilisations attack on our group cultures size shrivalling us to house size world culture.
Now house cultures are mostly all strangers to one another and exchange and its currency fluidity to entice us to eat and shit out what we naturally eat and make us eat and shit out what we naturally dont has taken over wholesale . Everyone for themself. Such that only at home do we look after each other and also the home, if we feel its ours to look after! And not the LANDLORDS. Everything outside including the outside earth is now fair game.
Hardly anyone now has the ability to concieve of community sharing! Nor its import. We havent even begun. Anarchists who talk of mutual aid, hold book fairs not the mutual aid.
And in that context neither will the smashers for the 'leaders' sharing cause, who will be perpetrating the violation or violence upon our kin.
There is both a naturalness happening in the way we behave under the system we have been born into, not having personally experienced the gradual erosion of sharing rights witnessed by previous generations, and there is the planners design.
You may have a choice of fighting force with force. But we also have a choice of letting the stupid cookers get on with what they are going to get on with anyway, and not taking part in its stupidity any more, creating a new story, with a new media, a new agriculture that more than rivals the stupid one we have, (now thatll take work committed people and interest too) we need to be ridiculing the stupidity of how we trash us, trash ourselves, and be sharing as a genuine solution and withdrawing our energies out of this race.
And as I say all will help in that sharing good process. The solution is luckily a good and happy one.
Open source software sharing and just sharing on the internet has shown that we just do it. No forcing.
But is a peaceful change like that just too boring.?
What has allowed this communication gift economy to naturally occur and prosper?
Free air space. Our energy.
(When nearly all can be persuaded of the solution of sharing then offending others creates unnecessary barriers for us and for me. Feelings are very important. The most as theyre what forms culture. Our values and how we behave.)
Freeconomy. Free. Where sharing is the currency. Because its everybodies economy!
Melissa comments ...
Please post the deleted entry so those who read it with unease can say "I find that really offensive" - well you should! If you're not offended by what's going in then you're oblivious to it.
Lila comments ...
Dearest Mark,
I can feel your angst & frustration in my heart. There is a very simple law of the Universe that I'm sure you know about but may have temporarily forgotten......WHAT YOU FOCUS ON EXPANDS. If you keep your focus on violence & injustice, you will encounter more & more each day- maybe you've already noticed? Change the way you look at things & the things you look at will change.
With great love, still sending warm hugs & blowing kisses across the pond, Lila
michelez comments ...
Hi Mark. I would be interested in the post, as I seem to often feel resonance with your 'edgier' ones. I would be really interested in reading about your further evolution even if it's not falling in this particular format anymore. Maybe a new blog/clean slate somewhere else if there's still a push to express and work through it in this form. I have started a blog several times and taken it down because I completely shifted perspective repeatedly. If you feel like just being quiet and living, that is totally understandable too! Do that and I'll still just love that you are out there.
Lila comments ...
@ michelez
Michelez....the singer? If so, I remember you from Francine J's blog months ago & thinking I wish we could be friends-we have so much in common it was eerie & now I find out we love the same man? What great taste you have! I too just feel so much better & braver knowing Mark is out there...
comments ...
'Who do the self-righteous think they are?'... how could I resist a title like that?! tell me more.... I agree it is a fine line between provocation and offence, the difference being more about the audience than what is actually said and by whom. Your whole lifestyle, so some, is an offence, to be frank, but to those of us who have either bitten the bullet or are at least chewing it thoughfully, I think provocation is what we are up for!
Claire comments ...
Mark, please don't censor your writing. As your readers, we should not judge your journey rather we hope you will share all of its insights with us. I want you to shock me, I want you to say what recently made you angry and jolt people from their apathy. Keep being a rockstar.
michelez comments ...
@Lila- Hi Lila! Yes, it's the same Michele, and I would love to be friends. Maybe we could go the facebook route? My last name is zayla on there. Thanks for writing!
Ruth comments ...
Mark, until you post your blog and wait for the reaction you are not going to know. I think whatever you have to say you will get a mixture of responses. No one has to read it if they don't want to. It is your blog so you do whatever you feel is right for you. I hope that whatever you are up to it is what you need, life changes, just go with the flow.
David Watts comments ...
Mark, I have been reading your blog for some time now, and the enthusiasm and admiration for your lifestyle which I initially held has slowly turned into a kind of horrified fascination for the views that you express on these pages. Unlike your book, which I thoroughly enjoyed, this blog contains very little emphasis on the positive progress that you and others are making, and far more negative sentiments concerning the many parts of society that you detest. While I agree with you on many of these points, I think it is better to be for something than against something. I hope that the future of this blog will contain more practical and supportive advice on moneyless and ecological living, rather than arguments that either offend or preach to the already converted.
comments ...
Giving up money means giving up your pension. What will you do when you reach that age? What if you aren't as healthy as you would like to be? What if you don't have people/family around to help look after you?
In valid comments ...
@Comments . You make a great point. Off topic but good.
The answer is same as now but 100% care instead of maybe 3%.
The moneyless system the nurturing system the gift economy is all about community care, and earth care. Not as the exchange system is now, care for the most competitive of us and their kin.
The winners who who over us and who win over our earth.
It needs to increase so that more people come into it.as sharing communities.
One only has ones bills to pay. If these are lowered to nought then for what do we need money?
Money is a means to 'share' the worlds already free goods and services out unequally, so unequally that humanity starves the mass of its members. Only the rich at present have pensions. Not even they/ we while ignorant of this greater harm existing give thanks for that.
Because 'perpetually there is always more 'happiness' just around the corner! it is or has been so far a never ending race for ?
What!
Eliza of Pennington comments ...
I would be really interested to read "Who do the self-righteous think they are?" It's good to read things that make us feel challenged, even uncomfortable. It makes us think! Bring it.
Lila comments ...
@michelez
Hi Michele! I must admit I am utterly inept at anything "computer", but I can manage email relatively well- perhaps you could contact me at elila40@yahoo.com
& I could then properly introduce myself without hijacking Mark's comment section- LOL! Would love to talk with such a kindred spirit.
ecoviewfinder comments ...
Providing a limited service, withdrawing it and then referring to it in fond terms is the capitalist way of creating demand. Bring back 'Who do the self-righteous think they are?'
Hippogryph comments ...
Hi Mark,
I’m very glad to hear from you through these blogs; what’s new and what direction you taking.
It is very important to me, because your contribution, your work and care is an integrity for many of us.
It is therefore fully respected that being alive, being human and balancing all sides of the coin is essential. Your action speaks louder than a blog, blog is a cherry on a cake, an extra bonus for us, and I thank you too for your time and concerns very much!
May I say my opinion about representing the community; I feel that you always adjust, learn and grow with others people’s views. I have got the impression that you are not fixed to your own philosophies and you do not fire around words of ‘I KNOW’.. Here I believe it is important that you share with us your dreams, believes and YOUR philosophies, because you DO INTERACT so sensitively to all community. It is never just ‘Your dogma’ it’s fully shared yet it is meant to be yours! Yours because you are the driver, you are the captain on this boat and the community that trusts you will follow you and dialogue with you, respect you and cherish you.
Because this community exist only thanks you. In some ways you are responsible for a direction we’re taking with you. Excuse me please if I am not clear with some expressions as English isn’t my first language… All I want to say: community is here for you and you are here for us, but please don’t let go a steering wheel, this leadership involved here is I believe very healthy relationship and JustFortheLoveofIt is now a living creature, that needs your care but it cannot take over, it can only cooperate and respect everything involved, just like any human relationships.
Of course I like your point of having a wider spectrum of blogs and sharing more this way, but I keep here my opinion and also a wish for a one-man blog, even if it has to be just every half of a year. Because I know you are in action, where the blogs have to go on the side…
Again here I want to say, Mark, it is not as pointless as it seems, this one man in a field without money. Like Gandhi you walk your way, creating one word with others, the word of love and care. Just by being you, just by BEING. If I want to share more and keep virtual conversations for hours and hours, I’ll go to one of thousands of alternative blogs and share or argue there. (As some blogs on internet is rather a new way how to entertain ourselves without doing anything profound, sadly trying to make our point in rather aggressive way)
It surely can work well accepting these proposals via e-mail and putting it on the wall afterwards, I only wish we don’t get lost in talks.
I’m looking forward once in the future (no rush:) to the blog about city versus countryside and how to balance that, as I feel probably very similar these days, temporary returned to London from a virgin Norway…Guys in Inner Potential (London) have mentioned at the recent talk very nicely, that as selfless as the planet is to us, that selfless we can learn to be every day. Just by spreading the word and our own action.
The blog you took down I’m also happy to see, I trust you, you don’t say things to offend anyone, you wish the best for all of us and you do your best to find the solutions! If I get offended it’s probably because I wouldn’t lift my own finger to even wash my own clothes, nor I would spend in such a case time to wash it with a handmade soap in my garden! I would likely just like my easy life, no challenges, no changes, still water, peace…booooooooooooooooooooooring!
Please feel free, I know you’d apologize from your heart may my inner woman part get hurt, and you’ll explain it to the point if anything would confuse me. Many many thanks for that!
Also I’m in UK for two months and would like to visit the Bristol Community of yours, would you be please so kind to direct me? Thank you for your time and care,
It’s a real pleasure to share such a world with you!
Best wishes and lots of love to yourself from yourself wishes Hippogryph
:)
andrew stretton comments ...
Mark, I have only just discovered you and therefore, unfortunately, missed the opportunity to read your deleted post. Reading your comments above, I am left wondering why it is that you appear to be so concerned about 'offending people'.
I have been writing very challenging material for 6 years. Unlike yourself, I am an unknown. I have no 'followers', indeed, the more I write, the more 'society' marginalizes and alienates 'me'. There is an important point there, for I do not believe that 'what I write', alienates and marginalizes 'me'.
This point highlights the 'upside down' world we live in. People, through the 'reproduction of their daily lives' in the capitalist system, physically attack the environment and other humans, and think nothing of it. In order to hide from this truth, they choose instead to focus on the 'hurt' that the words of others apparently cause.
No-one can make anyone else 'feel' anything they do not want to, through words. We are all responsible for our own feelings, so for anyone to suggest that some-one's words are 'offensive' or 'hurtful', is utter nonsense. Only the physical can hurt. If one continues to perpetuate physical harm through willfully ignorant daily actions, whilst claiming to 'care' about spreading 'peace' and 'love' through words, then one is a hypocrite.
We need more challenging commentary, not less, and we need to 'get over' the victim centered thinking that 'political correctness' has indoctrinated in us. As I wrote recently:
‘The ‘system’ does not want to recognize any form of criticism. Intelligent Critical Theory, has been marginalized (purposefully) into the generalized mediocrity of ‘political correctness’. What better way of silencing the intelligent provocateurs, than to lump them in with the politically incorrect rednecks. This is homogenization writ large……..’
I am often criticized (as you've probably guessed), for my 'outspokenness'. This prompted me to pen the following quote:
‘Arrogance and self righteousness lie not in the outspoken. They exist in the willfully ignorant actions of the majority.’
I sincerely hope you will re-post. If you choose not to, I respect your choice, but would ask that if you are open to the idea, I would sincerely appreciate a personal copy sent to me. My e-mail address is think@bios-anarkhos.com
nutrition Glynis comments ...
Hi Mark,
Please post the entry you removed. Nothing else is pushing us to makes the changes we need to make (myself included). The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results - that's not directed at you per se, but at the people of the developed world. So far, nothing else is working. Put up the post please. A bit sad to hear that we won't be getting monthly reality checks and inspiration from you, but it's far more important for you to spend precious time in as prioritized a manner as possible. Excited to hear what you've been up to... how the moneyless village is coming along...
Thanks for all that you do,
Glynis
In valid comments ...
Im not a clear speaker myself, or in other words I find it hard to be able to find the best words to use in my vocabulary to communicate that which I wish to communicate. So to use the best words I can think of here: my guard or my wariness starts to rise when I hear people that get on the bandwagon of degrading the concept of political correctness which is two words coined to describe an attitude of behaviour to have respect dignity and sensitivity towards others that validates others. So, in a competitive world that bows down to those above and treats people below as pieces of cak stuck to their shoes, of course political correctness has a bad name, and trys to persuade us all that we should rather invalidate people! And I am also very wary of people whose conversations talk in a them and us tone. Demonising others. Not having gained an awareness that there is no them and us at all. Or rather we all are them and us at the same time. Because as far as we are concerned we are all involved in a race, much like a typical horse race, and we are all at different places within that race, being overtaken and overtaking others. The practical reality of what it is we are all in, of the day to day race. No matter how much one knows about it, and no matter how one feels about it, whether one is trying to get ahead in it, trying to keep ones head above water in it, or failing in it, and dying of starvation of lifes needs and losing in it. or whether one is like the cooperative movement and spirit trying to form a different game of life to get out of it, we are all in it, so far.
With only any remaining primitives of us not so.
Feelings, how we feel about things are important. They are part of our cultural mores.affecting how we behave.
They are why we do the things that we do.
Why everything that is happening is happening.
That old Sticks and stones saying about words NOT causing harm (by the same token words promoting nurture), is a lie, as big a lie as the one that says the world doesnt owe us a living.
Of course the earth owes us all a living life! And so it is with words, they work. They affect.
(Note just to add that this earth which is life, owes life to both those whose nature it is to be predominantly competitive and also cooperative, but not as it is now, to the detriment and starvation of those in whose nature it is to be predominantly cooperative. All.)
Francesca Massey Tulk comments ...
Mark- Last night I dreamed you had written more books. I was disappointed when I woke up and ralised " It had all been a dream ". You have so much good stuff to say, I will continue to keep my little Tasmanian fingers crossed. Love your work, Francesca :)
magicalcat comments ...
In valid, I reckon you are not such a bad speaker if your writing is anything to go by. But I would argue your point about "the world does not owe you a living," I believe this depends on what you consider by the word, "world," I consider the word to mean the society created by the western world, which is based on finance and slavery, in which case, I would agree totally that the "world" does not owe me a living. It enslaves me and mine in a world I would not choose if I had a real choice. In that world I have no choice but to go to "work" to earn numbers on my bank balance so that we can eat decent food provided by the world in exchange for some of those numbers in my bank balance.
However, if I referred to the "earth," then I would say that the earth will provide me with life and enough to sustain it for me and mine.
The reason I cannot utilize that sustenance is because the "world" will not allow me access to this.
In valid comments ...
Hi magicalcat. Woops, Thanks your right.
Somehow I need to put that better.
Our world system that owns the whole earth by colonisation force and now by contract it seems, fences it all off, and so denies people and tribes and communities that land, that earth to eat, to harvest gather and consume to live as a life right, their animal life right for free. Originally by imposition of land rent or a rent called taxes. 'you can have the privilidge of working my land providing you give me a proportion of your surplus'. It then remarkably convinces us, tempts us to join in with it, and become little landlords, that this earth ownership might is right and then remarkably causes us to willingly and thankfully work that land for the landlords, and these world system owners who convince us that the world doesnt owe us a living.
I tend to take the words world and earth as the same. Probably because I believe it does actually owe us a living. We dont have to carry on thinking that and we can become aware. Aware of how we have been acting and own it now cooperatively, nurturing.
Im probably still mixing the two words up, sorry if I am.
But by world I really meant earth. I was likening that statements falseness to the saying sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me, is as false as the saying the world doesnt owe us a living.
The earth, world does owe us a living otherwise where are we meant to live. No space, outer space. (There is no where except on condition)
And words we use are important and cause harm and can cause enhancement.
Only a few people are robots or have no feelings or are sociopaths. And arent harmed or enhanced by words. And there is no thing wrong with them either if thats how they are or how they were born and this is there nature.
But the most of us are affected by words.
Except that in general we arent very affected by what trolls and true strangers may maliciously say as we know they are ignorant and are out to harm . Ie., the laughing hyenas. Theyre pretty easy to ignore as stupid and not let affect us much if at all.
But we are truly affected when harsh or felt words are made by those we are close too and have relationships with.
(But maybe Im just too sensitive and am projecting what works for me onto everyone else.)
In valid comments ...
Hi magicalcat again.
Rereading your post I think you give a good point and explain it well. The earth does owe you a living, but the world doesnt feel it owes you a living. The world has claimed all of earth.(and is presently working hard on the sea seeds water and space)
And thats how it gets us to money work or starve.
It keeps us busy too, with little time if any to do change, and little money to buy the land.
And so:
What do we need to do. We need to claim buy earth and allow it to be used to feed all on that claim
and
limit
the multiplication of unnecessary
necessities.
Itd be good to be with a good working group of people with that focus just to even start real 'on this earth' work on that.
But everyone who appears to be concerned seem to want big mass change solutions, before the small and personal local, or theyre writing articles and books and blogs, and always have done. With maybe one hopeful exception here.
Why dont we get Doing doing doing it. Getting cooking doing it. To
Feed all. Who, on the surface could possibly disagree with that! (under the surface it would be a different matter, as there would be less and less slaves available)
magical cat comments ...
In valid, (no offence, but I wish you would change to a positive name, I really don't like to call anyone by that name and not one that it sounds like you deserve.) Anyway, yes it would be great to be doing the little things, I have found it very slow where I am located, just don't understand why people attach themselves to a website they have no wish to be actively involved in.
I would love to be involved in working towards reducing cash and increasing care and support to each other.
But I have had nobody take up my skills, nor for that matter respond to the few requests I have made.
Mark, I would love to hear about this item you deleted, I may feel very guilty on reading it, I do feel very trapped in the "world" and have little option but to remain for now.
However, here I am, and for "now" I will enjoy what I can and share what I can, any learning on how I can improve this is gratefully received, I can do what is real for me.
comments ...
Mm. You sound real nice. :) youve got a gentle easy way of putting things.
Have you seen the freegive Facebook groups, theyre real easy to use to ask and get stuff, because all you do is do a simple post on their wall.
I find freegle and freecycle groups hard to do offer and wanteds. Freeconomy Ive never got the hang of at all.on a sharing basis but its useful and good for other things.
On another tack of being tied into the 'world' I have a feeling theres great hope or promise that were a group to prove out real integrity for demonetizing and demonetized moneyless community, and had a mechanism for spreading it, the good people of us with more of the 'paper and numbers' would give it in trust for that real social change. I certainly would. :) its what Im working for.and the change I wish to help. (Oh and if people think that that change can come about through a change of cultural mindset that frees land and frees basic life needs I agree with that,after all weve done that for health and libraries, (though 6000 years of effort for a type of free life change hasnt created that change so far) but I also totally agree with a buy out) :) In
comments ...
Mm. You sound real nice. :) youve got a gentle easy way of putting things.
Have you seen the freegive Facebook groups, theyre real easy to use to ask and get stuff, because all you do is do a simple post on their wall.
I find freegle and freecycle groups hard to do offer and wanteds. Freeconomy Ive never got the hang of at all.on a sharing basis but its useful and good for other things.
On another tack of being tied into the 'world' I have a feeling theres great hope or promise that were a group to prove out real integrity for demonetizing and demonetized moneyless community, and had a mechanism for spreading it, the good people of us with more of the 'paper and numbers' would give it in trust for that real social change. I certainly would. :) its what Im working for.and the change I wish to help. (Oh and if people think that that change can come about through a change of cultural mindset that frees land and frees basic life needs I agree with that,after all weve done that for health and libraries, (though 6000 years of effort for a type of free life change hasnt created that change so far) but I also totally agree with a buy out) :) In
In continantmouse comments ...
Comments! Where did that title come from and twice!
:) In
bandage dress comments ...
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this bandage dress, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic Herve Leger Dress. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.I will bookmark your blog and have my kids check up here frequently V-Neck Bandage Dress. I’m very certain they will understand lots of new stuff here than anybody else. I do appreciate that youve added relevant and intelligent commentary here though. Thank you!
katka19 comments ...
I am reading your book now and I found fascinating what you have done - going oposite the mainstream. Well done. I would like to read your blog you took down. I wonder if it comes with age that the older I get the more I nostalgy the times of my childhood. I was born in socialist country and we had lack of material things but I remember our parents had so much time we spend together that I do not realized something was missing. We felt always safe as there was no crime. People were more friendly and willing to help each other. When I think of children these days I can"t stop wondering how quickly they learned the terms money and how much everything cost. How easy things come with the money while forgeting the value. They hardly see their parents at home because they are both busy earning so that they can spend it on silly things just to make them feel less guilty for not spending time with their kids. Our family values are going downhill in this economic crisis.
