PowerSwitch

[Ludwig]

I'm currently unemployed. Of course I am applying for jobs but I don't expect any job I get to last more than a couple of years, so it all seems rather pointless.

What I'd really like to be doing is getting together with other sensible and intelligent people and building up some kind of community to cope with the post-PO world. I don't mean campaigning: firstly, I don't think it would really have much effect, and secondly, I'm not really a natural campaigner, as I am very easily demotivated if I don't get direct results or positive feedback on my work.

The problem is that opportunities for this kind of lifestyle don't really seem to exist. There aren't enough people who are PO aware, and the ones that there are are distributed around the country. In addition, of course, a lot of those people are "going it alone", which is something I am not really suited to do either temperamentally or in terms of my skills. I am good at thinking, but I am not a particularly practical person: I'll pull my weight, but I'm not one to take the initiative. It's just not my style somehow.

I've been to a few meetings of the local Transition Town group, but even there, there seems to be the assumption of some kind of BAU - there's talk of investment and loans. Not many people seemed to make the link between energy and economics.

Not sure why I'm writing this really. But I'd be interested if anyone else has any thoughts on these matters.
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We have nothing to fear but fear itself, disease, squalor, violence, starvation, global war and the total collapse of civilisation.

"The basis of optimism is sheer terror." - Oscar Wilde

[JohnB]

An answer is in my signature
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John

Low Cost Holidays in West Wales
Eco-Hamlets UK - Small sustainable neighbourhoods
Permaculture UK Forum

[emordnilap]

Ludwig

Do you have a partner? If you do, what's her/his take on your questions?
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The human appears to have no idea what its ideal diet should be; has self-inflicted diet-related diseases; causes extensive environmental destruction through basic food production & creates pathogenic infestations that widely infect its food supply.

[Lord Beria3]

Ludwig

At one level creating a community seems like a good idea, but in the devil is in the detail.

I think creating a niche for yourself, choosing a locality which will be ok in a post-peak setting is probably more achievable than trying to create a alternative society.

Having said that, if i was a rich man, i would definately be developing 'eco=hamlets' for the well-off, combining the security of a private estate with all the associated aspects of a gated community with a self-sufficent off-grid system (solar etc) which will ensure the well-headed residents would keep their lights on when the rest of the country suffers power cuts.

Of course any such development would cost a fortune in terms of land...

[JohnB]

[Haggis]

Really, cause I'm just gonna party until the lights go out and then work it out from there. Minimal preparation, maximum enjoyment from life.
Single people have far less worries and if things get bad, I'll sleep in a friend or family member's garage or whatever, with my insulated sleep pad and artic sleeping bag.
When things happen it won't matter how prepared you are, chances are you're be overrun by gangs of home invaders for being well off when others are starving/struggling. Or not.
Everything is chance and you can't prepare for that.

Beer anyone?
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We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the mean time, we should all go shopping to console ourselves.

[foodimista]

Blimey Ludwig, you remind me of this fellow.


"Hello. I'd wave but there doesn't seem much point."

Life is what you make it, mate.

[Ludwig]

[mobbsey]

Run to the hills!

Talking to friends in Wales its a lot easier (financially, socially and practically) to be unemployed in rural areas, provided you have a network of people to share lifts with, etc. -- and last I heard if you live well out in the sticks you don't have to sign on as often either.

[fifthcolumn]

[re]

[jonny2mad]

ludwig

what Id consider doing is maybe working on organic farms

wooff on organic farms http://www.wwoof.org/

uk communes looking for people
http://www.diggersanddreamers.org.uk/

Im on a list to help this guy build a eco house in wales they want more helpers its part of the lammas.org project
http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm


eco village in mountains Portugal will take people you need to have enough for a years supply of staple food
http://www.thatroundhouse.info/matavenero.htm

at the moment I'm at a loose end too, I'm clearing out my house and selling as much as I can then either going sell it or let it but I want to move on. This Christmas I'm going to be letter sorting with royal mail Ive done it before, basically I'm going to make some money over the winter while getting my affairs in order then do something else .

the other thing Ive considered is applying to join the fleet auxiliary thats civilian supply ships for the royal navy .

as I see it you can do anything to save some money put that into gold or food or land , or you can work on your contacts and skill base or you can do a bit of both.

basically I'm looking for work where I can work long hours and make some money dont give a damn where ,if I could do that in some form of outdoor work where I live out of a rucksack Id be plenty happy .

I think haggis has the right attitude enjoy yourself and be the sort of person whose happy living in a tent or a garage floor

the wwoof thing isn't paid and you can find jobs doing agricultural work that is paid killing chickens picking potatoes and suchlike, and being paid is always better than not paid

http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/
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nuclear war survival

empire of the sun

basie Jim didn't I teach you anything
Jim yes! you taught me that people will do anything for a potato

[biffvernon]

http://www.helpx.net/ is another thing worth investigating. A bit like Wooff but less formal and not restricted to organic farm work. Hosts provide full board and lodging in exchange for labour. We've had quite a few helpers. It's a good way to pick up some practical skills if you've got time to spare and not much money.

[jonny2mad]

in the summer months Ive been doing paid work at pop festivals Ive done that for a few years its quite fun you can start around hmm may finish sept in the uk great way to pick up camping gear, beer, food, and lots of other stuff .
Ive also advertised on gumtree very hard working man drives works any hours any offers Ive had some odd jobs related to that one job just being company for someone sitting their driving test.

the best job I had this year was sitting on a beach in newquay guarding a field of corn buntins, I got paid a few hundred pound for doing this oh every few hours they bought me food or ice lollys this was during a pop festival

working pop concerts you do meet some really interesting people, lots of them are travellers or doing odd things, you get really good at travelling about with not much stuff they really are fun if your interested I can tell you about places that will be recruiting next year
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nuclear war survival

empire of the sun

basie Jim didn't I teach you anything
Jim yes! you taught me that people will do anything for a potato

[mobbsey]