From kowens@teleport.comWed Mar 15 22:57:49 1995 Date: Wed, 15 Mar 1995 09:41:20 -0500 From: Jeff Owens Reply to: homestead@world.std.com To: homestead@world.std.com Subject: Homesteading and society Homesteading seems to encompass lots of different systems, but the attitudes or relationships with society are probably the most important. To me the social systems are the glue that holds everything together. Some of the current social changes which appear to impact homesteading are: 1. Growth of home schooling. 2. Growth of mass communications (TV) 3. Communications via internet and local BBS's. 4. The domination of large corporations and economic interests in politics and mass communications. There are probably other significant events, but these are the ones that come to mind first. The growth of home schooling seems to be telling us many people have lost faith in their local school system. Mass communications (TV) have had large impacts on family life and the way people think. Advertising has found that repetition and images sometimes work better than facts. Mass communications have also made people feel helpless when confronted with world problems, crime, environmental disasters, bad politics, and excessive violence. Statistics show that political candidates with the most money usually win, and the most money is contributed by large business. The internet has become one of the last great areas of real freedom. Trying to relate all these facts to homesteading is difficult. Probably like walking out on a limb, then sawing it off . Anyway, here are some predictions to consider: 1. Since homesteaders are self-reliant by nature, they accept home schooling and free internet style communications. For some the family unit and internet groups could satisfy the need for community. 2. The constant barrage of bad news from the mass media will cause many people to look around for a better lifestyle. Some will consider homesteading, resulting in increasing numbers of homesteaders. This lifestyle will have different names but the independent homesteader attitude will be a common thread. 3. The use of mass communications and domination by economic interests has created a mass mind to some extent. Since homesteaders are very independent, they will be one of the more interesting groups and will probably be considered somewhat radical. 4. The continued conflict between ecology and economic interests will frustrate many people and they will look for meaningful lifestyles that are sustainable and promote their view. homesteading will be one meaningful alternative to political lobbying and court battles. My intent when writing this was to say something new and possibly controversial. But after reading it again, it looks like pretty mild stuff. Oh well, maybe it will generate some comments. I always enjoy the comments more than my mutilated english. Jeff (vote with your lifestyle)