globalvillages December 5, 2010

First, Franz, I think the streaming stories is a great idea, and suggest you check out the Coalition of the Willing video and blog, and consider placing it in that context.

Second, Kevin, I submitted a response to Jeff and Franz which I don't see here, but I'll focus on your contribution. Funding "rural colonization" comes from the point of view of city-dwellers who have lost touch with the nature of rural life, and plan to reshape it and its current occupants to their acquired tastes, rather than returning themselves to what they or their ancestors once were -- rural or even wild-land dwellers, living in some sort of balance with everyone and everything around them. Rather than that frankly horrifying prospect (colonization), I propose an alternative for you to consider.

Let's suggest that city-dwellers ready to bail use the Internet to find and connect with others who came from the same village, or region. that they or their ancestors came from, and share stories about the causes of emigration, and what life was like in those places before it broke down and people were displaced. This creates a mental and emotional foundation for envisioning what might be possible in those places if the heritage that was broken were to be repaired, assisted by carefully selected appropriate technologies as well as an infusion of cash and equity from the diaspora, with that network supporting those most eager and prepared to return to do so as prodigal children returning to make a difference. Once there, these returning pioneers could work with the existing communities to find ways to enhance quality of life, and to work out with them where, and in what numbers carrying what skills, the community could absorb returnees comfortably.

Those who are not among the returnees in the first, second, or succeeding waves still get to have a huge return in their sense of meaning in life, their sense of having made a difference by contributing to others, and their feeling of membership in a larger community that includes their roots. They may also participate in extending the economy of the place of origin, by marketing goods and services, and by sourcing resources needed to realize its potential.

What do you think? if you like this, I am joining others in designing information tools that can help with each stage, and creating movements of which it can be a part.

Regards,

Mark Roest

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