Via Transition NZ
Rob Hopkins
Sep 082010
The Transition Network conference in Sheffield, Rob Hopkins runs an open space on a Transition Pattern Language
The ’12 Steps of Transition’ has become the way that Transition is communicated, in the Handbook, Transition Training and so on. But is it the most appropriate model for communicating something as multi-faceted as Transition? For the second edition of ‘The Transition Handbook’, Rob is reworking the Transition model, inspired by Christopher Alexander’s ‘A Pattern Language‘. It offers a way of explaining Transition that is much more representative of what it has become, much more usable, and reflects the multi-faceted nature of Transition. It is a process that needs your input and your ideas. This workshop will introduce work in progress, where the project has got to thus far, and will have plenty of space for ideas and feedback.
Source: Sheffield Indymedia
If you replace the word ‘localism’ with ‘privatisation’, it is not that different in some ways from the Thatcher government’s agenda.
Image: Political Scrapbook
I do however have some problems with this new localism agenda. As I listened to Blond’s talk, I thought, well is it actually true that we live in a country with not much society, that society has now disassociated? I remember just before the election hearing Eddie Izzard, who had just run all around the country, doing 50-something marathons for charity. He said he didn’t believe in ‘Broken Britain’.. everywhere he had gone people were much more community focused than he had expected. My experience from visiting Transition initiatives is that community is there, everywhere, sometimes more obvious than other places, but the point is that community will organise when it wants to, it doesn’t need permission from government.
In the short film at the top of this post, Cameron says “I don’t believe that civil society springs up of its own accord”. Well there are thousands of community organisations around the country, run mostly by volunteers, Transition initiatives, Low Carbon Communities, Greening groups and so on, none of them waited for permission from government. They certainly sprang up of their own accord. What matters is for the State to offer such projects meaningful support, and to remove the obstacles strewn in their paths.
Of course the cynic might point out that the reason for the Big Society is the sweeping cuts in public spending that are only just beginning. If you replace the word ‘localism’ with ‘privatisation’, it is not that different in some ways from the Thatcher government’s agenda. There is a challenge within it around what people are actually capable of doing in their spare time. Working full time, and also running a school? Working, managing a family, looking after an ailing relative, and running a Community Land Trust? Of course there are incredible people out there who do that, but it will have its limits unless people are supported in other ways too.
Jan 242010
In Transition 1.0 from Transition Towns on Vimeo.
An Evolving Exploration into the Head, Heart and Hands of Energy Descent
In Transition 1.0 is Now Available!!
In Transition1.0: from oil dependence to local resilience
Available now as a Special Edition 2 Disc DVD set!
‘In Transition’ is the first detailed film about the Transition movement filmed by those that know it best, those who are making it happen on the ground. The Transition movement is about communities around the world responding to peak oil and climate change with creativity, imagination and humour, and setting about rebuilding their local economies and communities. It is positive, solutions focused, viral and fun.
‘In Transition’ has been shown in communities around the world to enthusiastic audiences, and is now available as a special edition 2 disc DVD set, beautifully packaged in entirely compostable packaging, featuring the film itself (with subtitles in Deutsch, Español, Français, Italiano,and Nederlands) and an embarrassment of outtakes and extras, with interviews, films about Transition you’ve been searching high and low for quality copies of, and other gems. It is a must-have for anyone with an interest in this new take on responding to the challenges of the 21st century.
Source: Transition Culture
Nov 252009
Rob Hopkins is the founder of the Transition movement, a radically hopeful and community-driven approach to creating societies independent of fossil fuel
Rob Hopkins reminds us that the oil our world depends on is steadily running out. He proposes a unique solution to this problem — the Transition response, where we prepare ourselves for life without oil and sacrifice our luxuries to build systems and communities that are completely independent of fossil fuels.
Source: TED
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