This was posted to the Deep Ecology list from the Utne Reader. I wrote a similar article for the last issue of the Permaculture Activist. It makes a (unintended?) point that working from within the system (cultural immersion?) it is impossible to end up with something based on other assumptions. The main point for me was that if money and "standards" are more important than ecological impact it will always lead you away from a sustainable result. Frank, this would be of particular interest to you. http://www.utne.com/bNewPlanet.tmpl$search?db=dArticle.db&eqheadlinedata=Whi ther%20Walden%3F In my in mind I was contrasting it with my recent readings on how the local Pomo Indians made their houses. They used willow or alder poles dug in to the perimeter of a circle (12' - 50' in diameter) leaning on to a center post or sometimes four or five posts. Horizontal smaller willow poles were lashed across the vertical poles, making a domed framework. The framework was then thatched with grasses tied in bundles, working up from the bottom to shed water. A hole was left in the top center for smoke and ventilation, sometimes covered in rains. The door faced east, the direction of morning sun and, perhaps more importantly, the direction least likely for a storm to come from. There were variations, including recessed floors. Others in other areas used earth covering over the thatch. Some others used redwood bark slabs instead of the thatch. One reference mentioned that it was not uncommon for the buildings to be burned down almost annually to reduce pest infestation. I took that as an indication that it must not have seemed like a tremendous undertaking to build such a structure, given the availability of materials and several people to help. Eric Storm
