Going "Off the Grid"
smileyguy
advances that we have been "blessed" with and have incorporated into
our lives by slowing them down and/or eliminating them entirely. This
has been a discussion that began a few month ago and has been
gathering a little bit of steam (not much) but the idea keeps
reigniting and we're to the point of figuring out what it would look
like.
We're interested in your input and feedback.
In its primitive form, it would look like this: In a non-isolationist
fashion, we would move to an area where the commerce functions could
be reached by bike or by horseback. Probably Vermont, but it could be
any rural area where there is an accessible, cohesive community. We
would probably keep a vehicle and it may turn out that a vehicle would
be necessary on a limited basis.
Otherwise, transporation would be by foot, bike or animal.
Other attributes would involve the abolition of television,
periodicals and internet. Since I have many profiles on the internet,
I would have to change them all to be an address where snailmail could
be delivered or people could visit. I would like to think we could
live without cell phones but this may be impossible.
The whole thing may be impossible since I am an internet addict, a
news hound, a cell phone affectionato but our discussions have
centered more around what it would actually be like to live without
these annoyances and what we would do with our time.
I relate this discussion to Jacob in this way; this is how he lived,
this is how his Amish/Mennonite colleagues and friends lived and this
is how the Amish live today. They seem to be happy and I wonder if it
is not a better formula. The whole thought came about as I
investigated more and more the lifestyle that Jacob and his
contemporaries enjoyed (if that's the right word).
This is completely ridiculous, right? Does anyone have any thoughts on
it?
Daniel Hostetler
larry gilbert
When I think of going off the grid I think of generating my own electricity from solar and wind power, being more self sufficient, growing most of what I eat, keeping it all simple and healthy. Keeping my phone, but using it less, have my internet but using it wisely. I only watch Public Television as all commercial television today promotes hate and violence, which is not healthy. I sort through what the news media spews to find what affects me, not wanting to be caught up in the negative. It's all about making choices that are important to each of us.
When I travel in Europe I don't need an automobile. The public transportation system, especially trains, run to every place. That is what the United States was like a hundred years ago. But the industrial giants persuaded the general population to keep giving up more and more and forcing us all to own cars and trucks thus killing the mass transit system.
I don't think you need to move to some remote location to get off the grid. I can feel the isolation in a crowded city, but have chosen to live in the rural parts while commuting to the city only for work. As one of the t-shirts I sell in my store says, "Stop Bitching Start a Revolution". We all need to come together and work towards slowing down the pace and enjoying our lives. Start that revolution of turning the television off and tuning into what makes us happiest. I think it is the Danish who have already done that, from a program I watched a few weeks ago on PBS. They are a happy people.
Larry Gilbert
Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail®-get your "fix". Check it out.
smileyguy
choices that I'm making daily instead of saving up my actions for the
future. Thanks.
Dan Hostetler
> Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail�-get your "fix".http://www.msnmobilefix.com/Default.aspx
Ruth Zook
me it sounds like brainstorming that looks at multiple possibilities before
deciding on what fits you and your beliefs and goals.
Larry Gilbert's suggestions are much like the place where I find my fit.
I think of myself as a part of an interdependent web of existence. (Not my
original metaphor, but one that describes how I see life). I feel
responsible to act in a manner that contributes to all of life. This means I
cannot withdraw, but must participate and contribute the strengths that I
have as an individual. Daily.
Yeah, we live in an age of information, like no other. I find it a challenge
to sort through that information to find sources that I can trust. I would
not choose to be off the grid, although I do understand the draw towards
over-use of the internet. I can also imagine a day when we are all off the
grid. I take seriously the problems of global climate change and its domino
effects.
Several years ago I participated in two discussion courses at a local
Unitarian Universalist congregation. The courses are sponsored by the
Northwest Earth Institute, and are "Voluntary Simplicity" and "Choices for
Sustainable Living". http://www.nwei.org/ One of the resources the
companion books site is Wendell Berry, a writer whose lifestyle I find to be
an interesting example of voluntary simplicity. (The companion books of the
course can also stand alone as inspiration and suggestions to practice of a
simple lifestyle.)
The Northwest Earth Institute courses were attended by about 20 people, who
continue to support each other in making better choices in our daily living.
It is really helpful to have this encouragement for making difficult
changes.
For truth in advertising here--I may be coming at the question of lifestyle
from a different direction than you. I left the Mennonite church largely
because I wanted to know and understand the community beyond the limited
Mennonite circle that I knew. By personality, I longed for diversity and a
greater partnership with the larger community on mutual concerns, a stance I
did not experience in the church community. But, I live as simply as my
brothers and sisters who are still Mennonites. Or more so.
From my point of view, I believe that it is important for you to find what
fits for you within the context of your beliefs and the terrific challenges
our country, our planet faces.
Saying all this is easy. Living it is the hard part. I know.
Ruth