Expanding the D.r.e.e.m. Reality Library

D.r.e.e.m. Reality is coming closer and closer to launching its first major research project focused on conducting a large scale study of ecovillages throughout the United States. The purpose of this study will be to collect data on the different social, economic, and physical components of these different ecovillages. Ultimately this project hopes to publish a scientifically recognized study on the topic, to bring the concepts of sustainability, community, and environmental awareness to the scientific arena.

One of the first steps to conducting a study is to make sure there is an understanding of other literature concerning the topic. Therefore, we are always looking to expand our D.r.e.e.m. Reality library and have recently purchased some new books:

• Finding Community: How to Join an Ecovillage or Intentional Community (Diana Christian). Finding Community presents a thorough overview of ecovillages and intentional communities and offers solid advice on how to research thoroughly, visit thoughtfully, evaluate intelligently, and join gracefully. Useful considerations include: Important questions to ask (of members and of yourself), Signs of a healthy (and not-so-healthy) community, Cost of joining (and staying), and Common blunders to avoid.

• The Dream of Earth (Thomas Berry). This first volume in a new series, the Sierra Club Nature and Natural Philosophy Library, explores human-earth relations and seeks a new, non-anthropocentric approach to the natural world. According to cultural historian Berry, our immediate danger is not nuclear war but industrial plundering; our entire society, he argues, is trapped in a closed cycle of production and consumption. Berry points out that our perception of the earth is the product of cultural conditioning, and that most of us fail to think of ourselves as a species but rather as national, ethnic, religious or economic groups. Describing education as "a process of cultural coding somewhat parallel to genetic coding," he proposes a curriculum based on awareness of the earth. He discusses "patriarchy" as a new interpretation of Western historical development, naming four patriachies that have controlled Western history, becoming progressively destructive: the classical empires, the ecclesiastical establishment, the nation-state and the modern corporation. We must reject partial solutions and embrace profound changes toward a "biocracy" that will heal the earth, urges the author who defines problems and causes with eloquence.
  

• Localization: A Global Economy (Colin Hines). This book is unique in going beyond simply criticizing free trade and globalization trends. Details self-reinforcing policies the create local self-sufficiency and shows clearly that there is an alternative to globalization--to protect the local, globally.

• And We're Doing It: Building an Ecovillage Future (J.T. Ross Jackson). A brilliant scientist, prominent financier and visionary described his experiences with developing ecovillages that restore our sense of community and our connection to the earth while providing us with environmentally sound and sustainable sources of livelihood. Ross Jackson's vision contrasts sharply with the rootless, money-mad, exploitive world of the global economy. It is grounded in the practical experience of hundreds of ecovillage and green enterprise experiments that are being developed around the world. Anyone interest in global, regional or local environmentalism should read this book. It is especially useful and inspiring to those who think good things can't be done. This is a wonderful guide to the development of self-sustaining, green communities, you can learn from the experiences of someone who has fought environmental battles -- and won. It sets forth a clear, practical, feasible vision of the ecovillage. How to do it and how to sustain it.

We are presently working on completing the notes and follow up report on Ecovillage Living: Restoring the Earth and Her People. As soon as that report is complete we'll post it for anyone to view. These books, as well as the rest of the growing library, are essential tools. While we are waiting for the legal confirmation of our organization we can be ready to hit the ground running!

~Phoenix
~Dani