Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Laurel Avery on January 6, 2012 at 20:15

Well, one of the ways is to lead by example. If enough people simply walk away from the system (and I know this is not as easy as it sounds), then others in the cmmunity will see that it can work. What needs to be done is for peopleof like mind to come together and form new communities of people with a variety of skills. A few people provide property, some contribute their skills in medicine, child care, farming, teaching, technology, etc., until a small working community is formed that is mostly outside the workings of the established system.

Permalink Reply by Occupy Paddy on January 7, 2012 at 3:29

I agree to lead by example. I think we have to make it a really good pr exercise. We really need to sell this to the public through our actions. That means no fuck ups, being organised, having a committed team and people who know what they are doing. We need to be polite and work hard. It has to be done right first time. Planned and scheduled etc. Thinking ahead is key. Having an online network already set up for these communities to communicate is also key.  

We here in Scotland were planning to get together with some existing local sustainability groups and a Time bank and share knowledge and resources. Once we know who's on board we plan to go to shopping centres in the housing estates in glasgow with a stall and invite people to some Guerilla movie nights. We show some shortened video's that are relevant to the current situation, have a discussion and ask anyone if they would be willing to take part in the projects.

Any thoughts would be welcome?

Permalink Reply by Laurel Avery on January 7, 2012 at 7:55

I was actually thinking of creating a web site with practical ideas about sustainability, creating an ecovillage, etc., and where people could connect to form groups in their particular geographic area. Your idea is great and a good way of exposing people to the ideas that Occupy is trying to get across. I wish I were just a bit closer to Scotland!

Permalink Reply by Laurel Avery on January 8, 2012 at 9:52

Hi Gerry. I think the movement needs to represent all types of people, hippies included! The strength we have is that we come from such diverse backgrounds that they can't peg us as only being the young (I'm 46 myself) and disenfranchised. We need to appeal to everyone, and the hippie contingent likely appeals to as much a part of the population as the conservative blue-collar worker does. Hippies and blue-collar workers unite! :-)

Permalink Reply by Occupy Paddy on January 8, 2012 at 19:08

Apologies Gerry. Thank you Laurel and Gerry for your contributions. I was trying to point out the problem of public perception. I mean how do you get someone who works all day comes home and watches tv till bed time to come out of there comfort zone and trust people they don't know to tell them what they should be doing. If that makes sense? I mean I personally have had comments made to me like "ah you're the hippies in the tents" or the 'tent people'.  It's a pigeon hole thing, lack of understanding or information. I would like to know how we can improve perception and shake off these tags?

Permalink Reply by Laurel Avery on January 12, 2012 at 15:35

This video interview with Rob Hopkins on how the transition town of Totnes came into being has some useful points on how to get people on board when making big changes. I think we can use some of the same techniques to promote various aspects of sustainability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQF09NG00

Permalink Reply by Occupy Paddy on January 12, 2012 at 22:46

Brilliant Laurel. Very useful. :)