2003-12-12

 
Limits to the spread of a grand solution.

Whatever magnificent scenario arises to guide a polis toward sustainability, the path will be most difficult to navigate amongst a sea of people. Perhaps, should a group of individuals seize upon an idea of seceding and constructing a new home, the task of membership might erode any democratic spirit of liberation. Indeed, rules would need to be established in a communal society, to prevent the abuse and gluttony and greed and overpopulation that are inevitable once the bandwagon realizes they have an alternative (ie, America's alluring frontier being destroyed by taking in those yearning to breathe free). Instead of being governed and willfully accepting destruction, persons will want to build their own communes, communities, villas, arcologies, domes, collectives, and govern their affairs under the labor of equality. How will power-hungry golems with a will to conduct be compelled to soften their leadership roles and allow a langorous process (in order to assure democratic consensus)? How will safeguards be placed to limit the immigration of those who care to participate? (Arcosanti will not feed you free even if you volunteer to help build their city.) If utopian pilgrims cannot join up with others, how will they ever pick up the knowledge of how to settle and build new communes? If the answer is "Our commune is full; build your own with neighbors," how can these new families remain fortified against a flood of alien affairs, what gel will shape them against the creep of capital-exchange? We must weave without wandering too far, we must collaborate without coaxing. There must be a blueprint to easily sow. There are golden atoms we can project, ideas too lustrous to be buried beneath the sea of morals. And there must be a patient partnership that knows change cannot be demanded, but adapted. We must find a way to safely allure and to inspire without leadership, to teach without induction.
posted by MM 9:39 PM