my keynote in march 2014

Diego is asking me for a topic for my keynote at permaculture voices.

So, far, here are some lame ideas. Maybe some of these ideas will spark good ideas?


- Add more bricks to the 72.

- The language of the engineers.

- residual income streams / how to get out of the rat race

- where are all the women keynote speakers?
- - hate in the name of love
- - podcast 111
- - infighting in the permaculture world
- - kathy sierra

- changing the world: find the spot with the worst problems and solve that
- - toxic gick in lawn
- - toxic gick in pans
- - energy problems
- - global warming / climate change
- - things that are being protested now, and what are the permaculture solutions
- - red herrings

- what are corporate trolls; do we need to play this game too?

- sometimes innovation requires breaking the law (art ludwig)

- 100,000 permaculture communities
- - 20 or more people in one community
- - one central leader
- - each community represents a different set of values


- deviating from the norm

- permaculture velocity

- embracing philosophical diversity in permaculture

- dreaming of a future:
- - husp
- - tefa
- - wofati
- - new kinds of community
- - solving most sickness

The language of the engineers.

As the daughter of a civil engineer and an electrical engineer, and the sister of a ceramic chemical engineer, I love this idea!

I suppose a repeat of your southern California keynote won't be quite right, because by the time you're talking, at least some of the stuff (that was in that talk) will have already been presented to the attendees.

I think a lot of what you should talk about is your own story and what you are planning to do. Think of it as an infomercial for the deep roots package at your land. You will be in front of an audience with some means, and with great interest.

I think that discussing your project on the land, as a framework for your most up-to-date thinking about permaculture, is a great topic. You can basically describe your vision and plans for your land, detailing all the most important permacultural concepts that you aim to integrate.

Your presentation could be sort of a 'state of the art' glimpse into your current thinking. Your project can be described as a microcosim of how the world could develop along permacultural principles.

I like the one about what is being protested now and what the permaculture solutions are.

What is being protested? Surveillance is a big one. Most everyone of every political stripe agrees that privacy is good and corporate surveillance is not.

"Embracing philosophical diversity" is also a great topic that could be ruled into the above topic because it is a solution to a lot of problems, not the least of which is politics. Philosophical differences are paralyzing the government and discourse in general in the United States. If we can't solve this and quick, seems like the whole society is doomed

Climate change/global weirding is a big one too. A little more "political" but permaculture has so many good solutions.

Hi,
I would like to throw my two cents in here. I was a young man about 25 years ago when GIS (Geograhic Information Systems) were just getting started. Through organizations like URISA GIS grew to what it is today. Things like google earth were not available back then.
URISA (Urban & Regional Information Systems Association) would run a series of classes where speakers would present different topics over the course of several days. They would give each conference a theme name.

It seems to me that if Paul wants to talk about his farm and his work being done there, that this is best done in the track for Permaculture Farming or something along those lines. There could be a track for Permaculture Structures too. Maybe one for Earthworks.

The Keynote, to me, should be a kick off of the next few days of topics, not any one specific topic. The keynote would talk about a short term and possibly a long term vision of how great a future lies ahead of us if we take a path of permaculture led design. Jack Dangermond( Esri Arc Info) gave great keynotes that inspired a great many people in the GIS world. Perhaps some research into some of his keynote speeches would be helpful.

URISA would also publish the proceedings from the conference so that people who could not attend in person could purchase and read the presentations and stay abreast of all the latest news in whichever track they were interested in.

If you would like more info I can try to find some of my old conference proceedings.

Sorry if I am being to vague.

Kevin

Hello,

The success of the Commons,

The tragedy of the commons is a well covered topic. It seems to me your project on your farm uses the commons to bring together people with common goals.

Your internet sites, that serve as a commons (like a town green, or a table at the local breakfast place) to discuss any subject. It goes beyond crowdsourcing...

That's my brainstorm,

Bill

residual income streams / how to get out of the rat race


I like that one. I'm in the process of figuring this one out and living the life I want to live! It'd be good to get some inspiration and I'm sure some other people would think that, too.

I was visiting with some folks here at basecamp and I said "it's okay to want things. Want away." and Jocelyn said that should be my keynote topic.

paul wheaton wrote:

- permaculture velocity

Plus, how to get to the permaculture "tipping point"

How about this: How to get "permaculture" into 100 million brains.

paul wheaton wrote:How about this: How to get "permaculture" into 100 million brains.

82. the tesla roadster effect
83. do anything
84. "do epic shit"
85. dream big
86. use the word "permaculture" more often
87. the function of the playing cards
88. blog, youtube, pinterest, etc. New stuff and old stuff.
89. play the game of the corporate trolls
90a. infighting and the ethics
90b. "where are the queens?"
91. support the permaculture efforts of others - even if it is just a kind word
92. embrace philosophical diversity in permaculture
92a. millions of permaculture artisans
92b. 100,000 permaculture communities - each with their own values
92c. thousands of forums - each with their own values

A lot of what you're listing is the large scale application of permaculture systems, which is a fresh perspective. Small and slow solutions for the big picture. Discussing things like gardening, toilets, heaters and chickens is a lot of what we do on Permies but the large scale system of people "being nice" makes the forums so much more useful and productive than other online discussions.

Creating functional systems that improve and adapt over time is the way that we can survive and thrive as a species (world domination?)

+1 to Kevin (but I don't have an example organism like he provided).

Inspirational stuff to tie the succeeding "tracks" together, help provide some perspective and direction in "today's world".

"Philosophical diversity" is always in good taste; hard to prescribe too much tolerance to a bunch of individualistic anarchist go-getters ... Might be a spring board for exploring ways to connect, find common ground and coordinate w/other broad movements. Eg. Occupy; maybe also with government agriculture programs in this and other countries. Not even politicians or pet scientists _really_ want to trash the world if they can see an equal cost opportunity to do good by doing right. There's a reason the Dali Llama is always talking with heads of states - look what happened when John Muir talked with Teddy R. There _is_ common ground.

Don't mention the Other (eg. corporate villainy) unnecessarily - it doesn't need the publicity and it's a downer.


Rufus

"Permaculture Velocity will get you what you want"

"It's ok to want, want away, want is good & let's use Permaculture Velocity to get us there"

" The dynasty of Permaculture begins with a want"

paul wheaton wrote:

paul wheaton wrote:How about this: How to get "permaculture" into 100 million brains.

82. the tesla roadster effect
83. do anything
84. "do epic shit"
85. dream big
86. use the word "permaculture" more often
87. the function of the playing cards
88. blog, youtube, pinterest, etc. New stuff and old stuff.
89. play the game of the corporate trolls
90a. infighting and the ethics
90b. "where are the queens?"
91. support the permaculture efforts of others - even if it is just a kind word
92. embrace philosophical diversity in permaculture
92a. millions of permaculture artisans
92b. 100,000 permaculture communities - each with their own values
92c. thousands of forums - each with their own values

I take issue with section 92c.

I feel one of the greatest strengths of permaculture is that it bridges the camp between people of many different values and brings them together in common purpose and sharing common experience.

also

999,999b - Getting Permaculture into the damn spell check dictionary (et al)

Whats the audience like at this San Diego Key Note? What's the target audience in general? That would change what bits I'd emphasize.

Edit: Language of the engineers>? - I'd like to know more where you are going with this - I personally have more an 'eye of the designer' and need to be spoken to like a 4th grader when it comes to 'engineering'

To expand on the "Success of the Commons" and incorporate "1000's of forums - each with their own values";

Permies.com has about 100 separate forum categories each that attract many high level passionate, knowledgeable members who are true masters (experts)? in their respective fields. They help to support and grow others in mastering each field;

How about "the Success of the unCommons". - gathering together those people on the webs, local communities, and individual farms who are changing the world, or each farm by just trying one thing at a time. Permaculture is gathering together people who are optimists who will find a way to live abundantly, and meet challenges.

And that is the "Commons of the unCommon"

Here is Jack's Keynote to URISA in 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EGtE899R5U&list=PLNceLiPQaNP2UC2uVBTj519PAjVwBeRQB&index=1

I think he did a pretty good job summing things up on where they have been and where they hope to go.

HtH
-Kevin

Matu Collins wrote:"being nice" makes the forums so much more useful and productive than other online discussions.

92c.1. "be nice" is relative and subjective

??

I take issue with section 92c.

I feel one of the greatest strengths of permaculture is that it bridges the camp between people of many different values and brings them together in common purpose and sharing common experience.

I feel like there could be forums with a focus on guns and bugout locations and bigger guns, and hunting and little guns and .... permaculture. Maybe hundreds of forums managed by hundreds of people or groups.

And there could be forums about fairies, and paganism, herbs, witch stuff, astrology, crystals and ..... permaculture.

And forums about politics, activism, social justice, the peace corps, protesting and .... permaculture.

And forums on pot, other recreational drugs, fun things to do when you're stoned, growing pot, legalizing pot and ..... permaculture.

And for any of these there could be hundreds. And hundreds more facets. And maybe all of them claim to have the primary focus as permaculture.

People here at my web site talk about the parts of permaculture that I like, in a communication style that is within my comfort zone. I like the idea that there are thousands of permaculture forums and each person can find the one site (or many sites) that are best for them.

Language of the engineers. Here is something I wrote about ten years ago: http://www.javaranch.com/fallacy.jsp

I actually massaged that into a full book, which I never finished.

I feel like there could be forums with a focus on guns and bugout locations and bigger guns, and hunting and little guns and .... permaculture. Maybe hundreds of forums managed by hundreds of people or groups.

And there could be forums about fairies, and paganism, herbs, witch stuff, astrology, crystals and ..... permaculture.

And forums about politics, activism, social justice, the peace corps, protesting and .... permaculture.

And forums on pot, other recreational drugs, fun things to do when you're stoned, growing pot, legalizing pot and ..... permaculture.

I couldn't agree more. There are a gazillion niche interest and subject areas. They could not possibly fit neatly into one forum without chaos breaking out. Too much fighting in the forums means a lack of forward momentum. A diaspora on the web would allow for a Darwinian process to hopefully let the winners start their own 20+ person communities based on their values.

In regards to the thread - I agree with Julia Winter and Adam Klaus above, but it would be great to lightly discuss thoughts on Fracking and some other concerns you may have, and a mention of permaculture solutions to those problems.

Perhaps discussing what you are doing now, how the model could be replicated easily, and then how amazing it would be if others did similar things all over the place.

My impression of the March conference is that it is an informational and grounding event where newbies, like me, and oldbies, like those that activitely post on premies, come together to share information and levels of knowledge. I see you Paul as a "benchmark" brand for what permaculture is and where it is going. You might consider answering the following questions in preparing your keynote address:

1. What is working in the permaculture world?
2. What is not working?
3. What needs to change now?
4. What are the next steps that need to be taken?

People cannot hold all the information that you provide in the majority of the speaking you do. Even permies need your leadership and grounding - clearing what is important and what activities/projects have the priority now. I would be very clear about the outcomes that you want from your keynote. Once you have determined the outcomes you want from your presentation, you will produce an ease and focus to take with your next steps.

When you speak easily about what you love about the commitment that you have made to the permaculture movement, you are powerful and profound.

The very best speakers provide 3 main points. No more, no less. they use the 3 points as a way of moving the information along throughout the keynote. That does not mean you cannot provide some of your best or most spectacular stories, as long as they embed the message and the outcome you want to produce. People need to be guided to the conclusion and where you want them to take action.

You can and should position yourself as an expert; committed and someone who has taken massive action to ensure this permaculture movement is roaring along.

If you would like help with preparing your keynote, I would be pleased to support you.

A titile to consider: Wheaton's Permaculture Story, Actions and Challenges OR Permaculture - Wheaton's Actions You Can Take Now.

This is my first post. Thank you for reading my ideas. My best, Natalie (5 time book author, keynoter, blogger, conference speaker and newbie permie)

Welcome to Permies Natalie!

At breakfast this morning there was some brainstorming. Possible titles for the presentation "World Domination" or "Bring it Bitches!"

The idea was that the presentation would focus on improving the velocity of infecting brains with permaculture.

1. What is working in the permaculture world?
2. What is not working?
3. What needs to change now?
4. What are the next steps that need to be taken?

As I read this, this makes me think that I might be "the" evangelist for permaculture. So it does seem a bit like that should be my focus. What is the state of infecting brains? What is our current brain infecting velocity? How do we improve our velocity?

paul wheaton wrote:
As I read this, this makes me think that I might be "the" evangelist for permaculture.

Hmm. Paul_the_Apostle

I'll reiterate my vote for velocity (with a goal of positive tipping point).

paul wheaton wrote:How do we improve our velocity?

I think by having real examples that people can see, smell, touch, taste, and feel. There are so many dreamers, and too few do-ers. The living example, is how Joel has made his ideas so powerful.

Ideas are a dime a dozen, real examples of productive systems are just not encountered very often. I see lots of places where the people can tell you all about what they are working to create, how it is going to be, etc. Or tiny examples where the difference between permaculture and organic is too small to be significant. Almost none of those become Sepp's place, in terms of productivity. We need examples that inspire.

Velocity of Ideas and infecting minds.

That sounds like its worth 10 or 20 minutes for sure. I'm way new to the internet thing - but it seems like a powerful force for disseminating information. I imagine social networking to potentially be a powerful force - and I'm sure this subject has been considered much more thouroghley by Paul and others than by me (I mostly just plot world domination and look at how all the pretty plants grown together)

Pictures et cetera of long term success stories would be killer. Of course I don't know of too many - its easy to burn out, loose momentum and inertia is a bitch. Especially when you're working against a system that would rather have you diving four hours two and from a humming little fluorescent box.

I hope 3 or 4 years from now I'll have something a little more 'wow!' to show for my efforts. A focus on small scale/ big picture efforts and changes and perhaps a few comments of fallacious thinking would be helpful to help steer people towards the conclusions you want to propagate.

Anyway

Its done raining. and I'm done ranting. I'm going to gooutside.

One of Jack Spirko's topics is "Taking Permaculture to the Mainstream." The velocity talk sounds pretty close to this, so you would want to consult with him to make sure there isn't overlap.

My keynote is delivered. It sounds like it will be up as a video in a couple of weeks. Diego says he will send the audio to me so I can put it in my podcast stream.

The core message was: the permaculture world has 100 times more haters than the "normal" world. If you are going to stand up and be a leader, you need to be prepared to get so many arrows in your back that it looks like you are wearing a huge feather coat. And at the same time, you will need to nurture all the good, gentle souls in the permaculture world.

As bizarre as it sounds: be tough and nurturing at the same time.

Sound just like being a parent when teaching a lesson. yup that's just about perfect! Looking forward to the podcast!
Congratulations~
M