I have been a student of the climate crisis since 2016, initially focusing on its economics by reading mainstream work from environmental economists and the conventional economic analyses of climate change. Unsatisfied with their methods which are overly focused on monetary figures and too far removed from life-supporting systems, I found
"It will mean negotiating with those we disagree with on many fronts, working alongside people who make us uncomfortable..."
I've been thinking of this with regard to my city's time bank. Asking about organizational memberships, I was told (in an MMT spirit) that organizations usually run at a negative time balance, and that's okay because it makes sense they'd have more individuals devoting hours to the organization than the organization to other individual bank members.
But this made me think of something a student of mine said about many rural Oregonians, who she lives and works with. She said they are hyper-independent, like if they get badly cut on the job, they'll say, "I don't need to go to the hospital for stitches. I'll just pour some alcohol on it and wrap it up; it will be fine." Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but I thought, "That population would never get on board with the idea that a negative balance is okay." It would violate their culture too deeply.
So for this time bank to get beyond being a hippie pastime, it needs to refigure how it adds up hours to better reflect the contributions to the community that member organizations make. I'm still chewing over how, but I think that move will be essential to bringing more conservative folks in--and we'll need them.
Climate change and capitalism increases risk of falling off the cliff. Even if now you are doing well, your crops, health, property can be significantly damaged. We should celebrate autonomy, but people should not bet all on their individual luck and hard work, together we are safer. I think it applies to say, alone you go faster, but together you go further.
It is extremely disappointing to see the subject of the writing paired with AI generated imagery. The technology goes against the values espoused by the piece. Choosing to use AI slop shows a disrespect for human artistic labor.
Thanks four your comment, we changed the picture because we agree with you. I think it shows more our limited capacity, we do all this work on a volunteer basis, but we should support artistic work.
"It will mean negotiating with those we disagree with on many fronts, working alongside people who make us uncomfortable..."
I've been thinking of this with regard to my city's time bank. Asking about organizational memberships, I was told (in an MMT spirit) that organizations usually run at a negative time balance, and that's okay because it makes sense they'd have more individuals devoting hours to the organization than the organization to other individual bank members.
But this made me think of something a student of mine said about many rural Oregonians, who she lives and works with. She said they are hyper-independent, like if they get badly cut on the job, they'll say, "I don't need to go to the hospital for stitches. I'll just pour some alcohol on it and wrap it up; it will be fine." Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but I thought, "That population would never get on board with the idea that a negative balance is okay." It would violate their culture too deeply.
So for this time bank to get beyond being a hippie pastime, it needs to refigure how it adds up hours to better reflect the contributions to the community that member organizations make. I'm still chewing over how, but I think that move will be essential to bringing more conservative folks in--and we'll need them.
Climate change and capitalism increases risk of falling off the cliff. Even if now you are doing well, your crops, health, property can be significantly damaged. We should celebrate autonomy, but people should not bet all on their individual luck and hard work, together we are safer. I think it applies to say, alone you go faster, but together you go further.
It is extremely disappointing to see the subject of the writing paired with AI generated imagery. The technology goes against the values espoused by the piece. Choosing to use AI slop shows a disrespect for human artistic labor.
Thanks four your comment, we changed the picture because we agree with you. I think it shows more our limited capacity, we do all this work on a volunteer basis, but we should support artistic work.