Comments on: Editorial from Western Morning News: “Hippy Town Comes of Age” http://transitionculture.org/2009/12/21/editorial-from-western-morning-news-hippy-town-comes-of-age/ An Evolving Exploration into the Head, Heart and Hands of Energy Descent Fri, 25 May 2012 09:25:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Keith Thomas http://transitionculture.org/2009/12/21/editorial-from-western-morning-news-hippy-town-comes-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-65991 Keith Thomas Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:56:43 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=3251#comment-65991 It's easy to make up silliness about one's opponents - it's the straw man technique. Sure, soap carving is not a feature of TT. On the other hand, I don't think many advocates of sustainability have proposed the wearing of hair shirts. I also agree with David Eagleton's point: We have to be careful that "green alternatives" do not become alternative ways to continue practices that are unsustainable, by masking their damaging aspects from immediate view or conscience - often by exporting (usually to China) their polluting and exploitative costs. It’s easy to make up silliness about one’s opponents – it’s the straw man technique. Sure, soap carving is not a feature of TT. On the other hand, I don’t think many advocates of sustainability have proposed the wearing of hair shirts. I also agree with David Eagleton’s point: We have to be careful that “green alternatives” do not become alternative ways to continue practices that are unsustainable, by masking their damaging aspects from immediate view or conscience – often by exporting (usually to China) their polluting and exploitative costs.

]]> By: David Eggleton http://transitionculture.org/2009/12/21/editorial-from-western-morning-news-hippy-town-comes-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-65988 David Eggleton Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:55:39 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=3251#comment-65988 It's helpful to know some more about Totnes' readiness (fertile soil) for what sprouted there. As Putney, VT (USA) presently demonstrates, Transition moves ahead more easily in such centers. On another note, I'm disappointed in the inclusion of "green alternatives to modern life," though I understand the casual repetition of it. Increasing resilience means adding differently founded and sourced dimensions to modern life, so that what's unsustainable can fall off without taking everyone with it. Alternatives deemed green are not guaranteed to endure. It’s helpful to know some more about Totnes’ readiness (fertile soil) for what sprouted there. As Putney, VT (USA) presently demonstrates, Transition moves ahead more easily in such centers.

On another note, I’m disappointed in the inclusion of “green alternatives to modern life,” though I understand the casual repetition of it. Increasing resilience means adding differently founded and sourced dimensions to modern life, so that what’s unsustainable can fall off without taking everyone with it. Alternatives deemed green are not guaranteed to endure.

]]> By: James R. Martin http://transitionculture.org/2009/12/21/editorial-from-western-morning-news-hippy-town-comes-of-age/comment-page-1/#comment-65930 James R. Martin Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:06:22 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=3251#comment-65930 Congratulations to all of you in Totnes! And thanks for getting the ball rolling there--, and for inspiring the rest of the world. Congratulations to all of you in Totnes! And thanks for getting the ball rolling there–, and for inspiring the rest of the world.

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