Project Report Two
Stacking functions
Autumn of 2011, in a slight alteration from my ALP I have decided to base this project on problems I am currently experiencing. And instead of treating my studies as separate to daily life, try to integrate this incredible tool for a better way forward...
Goals Articulation
I have decided in the past few months to settle in the south, to be closer to my (expanding!) family. Perhaps just for the cold months or perhaps longer, if I can make a way of living that suits my intentions. Choosing to 'settle' in our system can be quite costly, in more ways than money. The intention of this output is to take action on my current fears surrounding the way I support myself, by creating and implementing a design that will enable me to be more efficient and live into my ideals for Right Livelihood. For this I will be exploring in particular the Permaculture methods of stacking functions and linking, in an effort to design my way into fulfilling all my needs whilst or through doing what I love. I am also aiming to;
- Re-evaluate and renew my relationship to money
- bust out of my stories and fears about 'proper' livelihood to start earning a living from things I believe in
- offering for free in order to benefit the learning of myself and others
- set up multiple income streams
- meet all my needs and more and more needs of others by doing things I love
- Practice my networking and linking skills
For structure I will be focused on using the design acronym OBREDIMET in this project. This will guide me through, there are a few versions so I'm looking forward to trying this out and then maybe a different one for the next.
Observe
First things first, as this is my first full design I feel like I need a little recap on the basics of Permaculture, so that I can keep it in my mind as I work. So I spent a bit of time reading and drew out a nice list of the Permaculture principals to go on my wall. I think I may give a copy to family for Christmas!
These are found in Permaculture Pathways by David Holmgren, HOWEVER! After I wrote them out I realized that there are more from Bill Mollison, which are important, they are:
Work with nature, not against it
The problem is the solution
Yield is limited only by imagination
I like the way this list is flexible and evolving, permaculture has principals, not rules!
Work with nature, not against it
The problem is the solution
Yield is limited only by imagination
I like the way this list is flexible and evolving, permaculture has principals, not rules!
And here are the three Ethics of permaculture. People care is something I really want to move into working with, but you need a good balance. It's a great thing to keep in mind.
In my initial observations of my lifestyle through journaling I realised that there were principals I particularly needed to pay attention to in order to move towards my goals.
One of these was that of 'catching and storing energy'. I read up on this and it resonated in me with the need to see the energy or, value stored within things, and that passes through systems. I realized that to make progression away from my old stories I needed to move away from seeing money as my only capital to seeing it as one of many, that are both fluid and stored. And to turn my attention to the energy I could capture that has longevity in it's value, such as growing food, other's trust, co-creation and life long learning.
Sunlight. Invaluable CuRReNt energy!
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I observed the way my life was functioning and the way my stories were telling me that my life as a 'grown up' should proceed. From writing and drawing I could see that: 1- It was so liniar and uncreative!! The connections between the elements (and future patterns) in my life were by no means beneficial, or being used to full advantage. It was sad as this is the way it's seen normal to live. 2- It appeared to be strongly rooted in fear of lack and an odd relationship to money. This money focus was stunting my creative linking and system thinking. |
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Stories
I and many people I know have been brought up by schools, parents and capitalism with the acceptance that you have to do things you don't want to do to get things you do want (or stuff to keep you occupied.) It's a common phrase to hear 'life IS hard' or 'It's money, just get on with it'. When I was younger this made me scream inside in frustration and confusion. WHY couldn't we aspire to do something that is fulfilling AND supportive of our lifestyle AND do good? This idea that you get what you're given and get on has tried to eak into my narrative, and certainly got right into my confidence levels, and it's time to live into the truth that has hidden behind my frustration all this time. This is where Mollison's extra principals really resonate with me:
Yield is limited only by imagination - The biggest barrier to being an effective being is actually only my thoughts/ beliefs
Work with nature, not against it - If I don't go with my natural ambitions I will not be using least effort and, will be unsatisfied.
The problem is the solution - With dissatisfaction begins regeneration, haha, here we go!
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Functions and l-i-n-k-i-n-g
Richard had advised me to look at stacking functions for this project and I have to say, it took me a long while to truly understand what this meant!
But through reading in the designers manual, observing nature and sounding through with Daniel it finally clicked and I came to know it properly.
These are Bethany's important points about stackingfunctions:
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Functions and l-i-n-k-i-n-g
Richard had advised me to look at stacking functions for this project and I have to say, it took me a long while to truly understand what this meant!
But through reading in the designers manual, observing nature and sounding through with Daniel it finally clicked and I came to know it properly.
These are Bethany's important points about stackingfunctions:
- Elements have functions to fulfill needs, for example a tree (element) creates seeds (a function) to continue its species ('need')
- Some elements though, supply more than one function, and some functions supply more than one need. Sometimes these needs can even extend to those of other elements, species or systems. In ecosystems it is just as important to contribute to needs of others as the needs of the singular, for a stronger assurance of its health (a lesson to remember!) This is naturally occurring in the plant and animal world. But if you were designing a system yourself to stack functions, it would be vital to consciously consider placement, to get maximum benefit from the links between elements. These links are what allow elements to benefit other elements in a system through simply their natural behavior.
- Mollison says to know where to place elements you need to know much information about them first, and he suggests to list the needs and outputs of each in turn to become clearer about relative placement.
- The way humans have come to design is often very linear: I have a need, I'll find an element to function to fulfill that need. (see image below) meanwhile you need to find another element to function in another way to fulfill another need, and so on. It's often that there isn't space for all these elements and they are not compatible with each other. This is certainly not energy efficient!
- However, with good design elements can be placed for awesome connections to be made...that means less elements, more functions and needs easily (and sometimes inspiringly) met!
- Lastly, it's really fun. Our brains like to link and solve puzzles and in fact, the less you think, the easier these links can arrive...I'm on to the practicing part now, I hope it will become a lot more natural and enhance my life! Linking thinking...
My thoughts on ways energy can be wasted through lack of design.
"On the traditional small farm the main characteristic is that nothing is connected to anything else, thus no component supplies the needs of others. This is why most farms are regarded as places of hard work, and energy inefficient." Could this be said for our lifestyles?
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A reflection on the inspiration we can take from other natural systems using Bills advice:
Each element should support two or more functions and, each function should be supported in two or more ways
Just by moving things into a careful assembly we can make sure things work for us a little more! Maintenance work is decreased, and need to import energy is reduced.
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Boundaries
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This stage looks at the limiting factors.
What needs working on, what boundaries can I push?
What edges are fertile areas to push into?
What can I not change?
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Resources
Magic of co-creativity
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"Resources are practical and useful energy storages, while information is only a potential resource, until it is put to use." Designers Manual To place an element in a system so that it functions beneficially for others you first need information about it. Mollison advises listing the inputs and outputs of each element. As you do this it soon becomes clear how the outputs of one element in a system can serve another, thus reducing extra work. Working with this information provides you with a list of resources and a starting point from which to plan relative placement. Some of my work on this is to your left. What resources do I still need to find and connect to? During this project I have become aware of my need to have support in my endeavors from other people. At first I thought this was a weakness (lacking self power, yes partially) but also, I have come to see it as a gap in my resources. I enjoy collaboration, helping people and creating together, working with people who have ideas and say yes!! But I've always found it very hard to meet and keep relationships with like minded people, who are enthusiastic about conscious creation. In my design I need to keep in mind relative location in order to make these connections. | ||
Evaluate (Assess)
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So, the more beneficial links between the elements in my life the easier it is for my needs to be met just through my natural function! So I need to design in elements that will have multiple functions, that meet my needs, and the needs (inputs) of other elements. For example forcing myself to be an accountant wouldn't benefit me or anyone else!!
I have made some very interesting discoveries so far. At this point I can see that I need to both diversify what I do but keep the links simple and clear. I can see I need to place myself in situations where I use the outputs of another and vice versa, rather than thinking in a linear way and trying to support all my own needs. Keeping in mind all the time my quadrant results from project one. |
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Design
This process took me quite a while and it is still up for change, I will seek out feedback to do this. But I began a million miles away from this, so I'm pleased to get something down on paper. As many of the elements here are to be introduced from scratch, I will be stacking in time, starting with a home, moving on to the rest. But I don't plan to take too long to fully implement this design as there are not many barriers at all apart from my own fears!! By learning as I go I hope to create and exponential spiral of evolution! See my idealistic doodle below.
Crikey that looks confusing! (I can tell you it's come from a far more complicated space) Well, it's simpler than you might think; a few elements that support each other and each supply more than two functions. And each function supported by more than two elements. Underlying each function is a core need. This is my idea of how to get many positive functions out of things I love and want to do and that are complimentary to each other. Let me explain the elements a little.
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Home: This has been an important basis of the design, in-fact, the reason for the project in the first place. I wanted to move back to this area, to be near my family and the countryside I love, and to offer back to a beautiful community that I believe has become very ungrounded in the past few decades because of it's desirability as a commuter county. But I was troubled by the idea of falling into the trap of crap job for renting a house you're never in. Especially as I feel I've limited skills to offer so limited options...waitress or,, bar work?? So this is a plan so that if I need to pay rent etc I am doing it in a way I am proud of. We are on a list for the village I grew up in, and there are multiple reasons for wanting to be there. Family and nature is one, engaging with the local community is another but also, this village has many abandoned farm buildings and walled gardens that I believe I could put forward proposals to use very wisely indeed! More on that soon. In this time also we would be looking to share our house with creative friends and build towards a small dream of living together beneficially with a larger group of people, for a 'price' that makes more sense. Options are also still open for living low impact in a van etc if we don't find a suitable house arrangement soon. Web site: Very Important also! Whilst beginning this diploma, and doing a lot of site surfing it has become clear that I will need a 'professional' site to direct people to, as this one here is not beneficial for those who are looking to easily see what it is I do. It will clearly lay out the way I wish to work, offering Performance workshops and garden designs for free for places that could benefit from them (schools, retirement homes, work spaces etc) and also co-designs for people who are interested in Permaculture-ing an element of their life, for an optional donation. This means much less pressure as I am not saying I am qualified, but I get the practice straight away, learn on the job! The idea of doing for free for people who need it is that I can set up methods of funding through my website, using sites such as chip-in, Kick-starter and the Arts Council. Once this site is up I'll send it to everyone I've EVER met!! And network like crazy. Garden, creative-space: There is a really nice link between the gardening element and creative space. I had decided that I needed the use of a space (quite large, warm for the winter) to train in and create work. To my mind, space is such a resource, and there are so many buildings everywhere that are hardly ever used! What have I to offer for the use of them? My plan is to scout around (I already have a few little-used spaces in mind) and find a town/ village hall, school hall etc that has land on the premises. I can offer to make that into (and maintain, organize events) a haven/ a community space/ workshop area/ sensory garden etc in exchange for use of the indoor space. The output of work in there would be performance and workshops that I could offer back into the system. I don't think ownership is important for me right now, but I need to work out a way to encourage people to share spaces and experiences much more. Job..?: At the moment I have a job baking in a little whole food place in town. It's pretty nice and serves the purpose of integrating me into a particular section of the community, enabling me to get great local produce and giving me some money. For the moment this suits, a few days a week lets me do art stuff for a bit of cash too, but my intention is to get a job that I learn a vast amount from and feeds into my other elements far more. Sacred Space: An important part of my relative placing is to do with living with nature and having that private space of a home. Forming practices that work for me and bringing them into my creative work and, in the future my movement into learning mentoring skills. See below for my diary scrawled plans of this space being used to approach my barriers regarding this design, using ideas of ritual, EFT and meditation. 
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Frisbee, family, downs, Glynde
Cooking up a treat at Pleasant Stores
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Implement
I am very aware that the main purpose here is the DOING!! "We must never confuse the assembling of information with making a real resource difference. This is the academic fallacy: 'I think therefore I have acted'." Said Mollison, and I've stuck that on my wall to remind me, I am moving into a time of doing in a way that is very new for me. I need the strength to move forward.
During this project some large mental and physical shifts have occured, it has been a very strange project indeed. We have been struggling in a few house shares that were quite difficult indeed, and meanwhile I've found my subconcious slowing me down with fears. If I finish this design I have to actually DO it. What if I fail at pure potential? What if I'm not good enough at being my best? So at points it has been difficult to get myself to work.
Also however, I have learned some vital ideas and information that have really sunk into my understanding by taking more time on design. I am ready to implement and it just so happens that my next steps are actually an extension of my next project in my ALP. So it is good timing, the two outputs will run along side each other.
Maintain
The idea behind a good design with well placed elements is that it will mainain itself to quite a large extent. I will need to set it in motion first by putting myself in the positions where I can fully be myself and be useful. What will I need to do to keep up this design? I will need to keep learning, keep making open connections, and ask myself often, am I doing what I set out to? Am I living by doing all the things I love? And if not, what's in the way?
Tweak
My ALP has already been tweaked with this project, it is important to "creatively use and respond to change"! Part of the maintenance of this project will be constant little check ups, and tweak accordingly.
-------here is a look back at the design nine months later..............
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I wanted to:
Here is a little slideshow of how I have followed the design and progress on the elements that I designed into my life. Looking back I am really pleased! This has definitely been the most successful design of all of them. I wonder if I could help other people with designs like this for them... |
confidence in what I do..
Offering for free...
Doing things I love
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I have realised through looking at what I am naturally good at, and what I have been able to focus my energy on, that I can infact combine my interests of permaculture, art and community together in a way that takes less effort. I am creative and social, and whilst I really love the idea of practical permaculture in gardens etc, I don't find it easy. I think now that a practical way forward is to connect with people who are down with the real serious business of permaculture and offer the social side that supports that. There is no point in creating an amazing permaculture garden or farm in a country or city if the people don't engage with and eco these principals within themselves. I feel like that's where I come in. So the quest is now, how do I realistically get there from here. The first idea that comes to mind is to gather experience like different pieces of thread that eventually plait together to make 'qualified' (both in confidence and experience) to offer this. A complex system is fine but, it would be good to have complexity in links and stacking functions, closed loops that save me energy.
I like the idea that this design is one that I come back to every so often and tweak to ensure I am using least energy. This may also change due to my zone 00 work
I feel like I need to be working in collaboration with other people. I need more mentors who have a business creative way of looking at things. I could go out there and offer things for free, develop my skills, bash things out, but actually this hasn't been working, I am not a person who puts things out alone. We've worked that out, what now then? Collaborate! Help people...find what you do and offer it!
Evaluate
Evaluation of the design stage follows below.
Resources used for this project
Please see a lovely list of links in 'workings behind the project' in the appendix HERE
Time review
Research- 5hrs
Brainstorming- 8hrs
photos drawings etc 3hrs
Design-4hrs
Website and final draft- 6hrs
Experiential Learning Cycle
This time I will be evaluating my project less formally than the previous question and answer formula. The experiential learning cycle is a more feeling based approach to reviewing a process:
Next achievable steps for moving forward
Next achievable steps after re-evaluation
Please go to the appendix for this project here.
- Go out and find garden (with space?) to design for next project, make an offer of exchange...
- Begin to formulate ideas for creative workshop / performance. Use leadership skills to gather interested co-creators!
- Follow up house in Glynde and move towards a living space that is peaceful and free
- Continue to set aside time for contemplation to clear inner barriers and move forward
- Make a website for clients, do big unveiling of clear project to all I know, and to alt-economy sites
Next achievable steps after re-evaluation
- Develop connection making skills read "how to make friends and influence people" ...apparently.
- Start to look for another job for when this one ends...same vein, learning, creative etc
- Do a proper branding of my web site
- Follow up on leads with creative and theatre space
Please go to the appendix for this project here.
