PowerSwitch

Hi,

I'm running this poll to gauge the level of interest in this course at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales some time in Spring 2006:

http://www.cat.org.uk/courses/programs/diyRE2005.htm

If we get enough people (at least 10), C.A.T. will run a dedicated course for us, so we'll be able to specify dates that are suitable for us and get a discount. If there is sufficient interest, I'll run a poll later to determine suitable dates.

A few of us have been discussing this in another topic and think it'd be a great way to have a holiday, learn new skills and meet other peakniks for discussion and support in an inspiring location: http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/forum/vie ... sc&start=0

I might be interested.

A couple of quick thoughts:

Is the DIY energy the best course?

If the idea behind it is setting up an intentional community, might not a course directly aimed at that be better, e.g.

http://www.lowimpact.org.uk/courseoutli ... nities.htm


Peter.

The idea behind it is really to give the wider PowerSwitch membership the opportunity to meet up, learn important skills, discuss issues, take inspiration from each other etc.

Right now I get the feeling that the people thinking about intentional communities are a pretty small subset of the membership, so I didn't want to exclude anyone. I was also conscious of the fact that I hijacked someone else's idea about the 'PowerSwitch holiday' so thought it would be inappropriate to try to impose my own agenda too much.

Nevertheless, I think the DIY renewables course is still highly relevant in the context of intentional communities.

I've been to CAT three times over the past 5-6 years, it's great! I'm actually going there around Easter to stay for a few days as part of my MSc course. If this turns out to be before we have one booked for PowerSwitch, I'll feed back on how it is (though I'm sure it will be good).

Joe wrote:The idea behind it is really to give the wider PowerSwitch membership the opportunity to meet up, learn important skills, discuss issues, take inspiration from each other etc.

Right now I get the feeling that the people thinking about intentional communities are a pretty small subset of the membership, so I didn't want to exclude anyone. I was also conscious of the fact that I hijacked someone else's idea about the 'PowerSwitch holiday' so thought it would be inappropriate to try to impose my own agenda too much.

Nevertheless, I think the DIY renewables course is still highly relevant in the context of intentional communities.

The reason why I questioned DIY renewables is that I have always wondered about their potential long term sustainability (in earlier posts I remember Mike Pepler questioning how sustainable some of the technologies are). For the short term, they seem fine, but they do seem to depend upon quite sophisticated things such as pumps or special glass, or even just qood quality wire, magnets, fixings etc.

So when I've looked through courses, I must admit to being drawn towards more timeless skills, say blacksmithing, or green wood working or strawbale building, etc.


Peter.

In case anyone missed it here are some comments from my recent trip to CAT:

http://www.vitaltrivia.co.uk/2005/08/28

Blue Peter wrote:The reason why I questioned DIY renewables is that I have always wondered about their potential long term sustainability (in earlier posts I remember Mike Pepler questioning how sustainable some of the technologies are). For the short term, they seem fine, but they do seem to depend upon quite sophisticated things such as pumps or special glass, or even just qood quality wire, magnets, fixings etc.

So when I've looked through courses, I must admit to being drawn towards more timeless skills, say blacksmithing, or green wood working or strawbale building, etc.Peter.

Like so much to do with Peak Oil, it's a judgement call with lots of variables to consider. I agree that renewables probably aren't sustainable indefinitely, but at the same time they should provide a degree of comfort in the short to medium term (however you choose to define that) to allow us as individuals and communities to make the psychological adjustment to a world of increasing scarcity.

I for one couldn't switch straight from 'post-modern laptop-toting urban man' to subsistence farmer or hunter-gatherer in one fell swoop and hope to retain my sanity

I guess you need to choose the courses that feel right for you though.

Joe wrote:I for one couldn't switch straight from 'post-modern laptop-toting urban man' to subsistence farmer or hunter-gatherer in one fell swoop and hope to retain my sanity

I guess you need to choose the courses that feel right for you though.

Indeed. And since we haven't booked, I was just throwing something else into the pot


Peter.

Definitely

I'll arrange my vacation around it.

<<level of interest in this course at the Centre for Alternative Technology>>

I would be interested if I was in the UK

<<is still highly relevant in the context of intentional communities.>>

at the community level its of interest but its of interest even if you are not interested in communities.

<<The reason why I questioned DIY renewables is that I have always wondered about their potential long term sustainability>>

I would see renewables not as the answer but as part of the answer together with different methods of farming, stable population and balanced production in a non growing economy (to name but a few). Then with production aimed of long life, the system aimed at lower energy usage, reusing things and recycling I would see renewables as an important part of that.

I would be up for it!

It would be a good opportunity to meet other peakniks - and of course learn a few skills. My other half could be persuaded by the promise of a holiday in the country!

Nice site, Andy. I've taken the liberty of mentioning it on another forum.
Period Property UK

Joe wrote:I for one couldn't switch straight from 'post-modern laptop-toting urban man' to subsistence farmer or hunter-gatherer in one fell swoop and hope to retain my sanity

Me neither

My friend Fiona puts it as "I want to be an enlightened peasant with internet access"

Yep - sign me up for sure Joe. Excellent stuff. I'm so good at thinking and reading - it's overdue for me to get down and dirty

Hi Joe, I think we discussed this at the conference on Tuesday; I'd definitely be interested.

Ooh fab, can I come too? Sounds like fun!