Yeah!! - I lived in NYC for 20 years in a 4 story brownstone - 8 apartments. I moved there from Mo, a little farm town. No one knew anyone in the building. i invited everyone to a breakfast - they all came. We stayed knowing each other for years - and doing much of what you imagined here. it's not rocket science, but intention helps a lot. Yes, yes, yes. Thanks for reminding me of this. Skye
On Mon, Mar 18, 2013 at 1:51 PM, Robb Kushner <[email protected]> wrote: > *Community for the Rest of Us: Knitting Neighbors Together* > * > Robb Kushner - Jersey City - 2013* > > ================================================================= > > With all the advances in communications around the globe - and even in > space - the next frontier is right in our own backyard - in fact, just next > door. It’s the neighbors we don’t even know. Maybe we recognize them but > don’t know their names or anything else. Maybe we’re nervous about > developing a connection because we think we might not like them or we’ll > have a problem we can’t resolve. > > Like Martin Luther King, I ALSO have a dream. I imagine neighbors in > cities and towns building relationships as they get to know one another. > Some people may become friends while others may just say “Hi” on the > street. But, in my dream, people will at least know who lives on their > block. And bonds of trust will be able to take root and grow. With > time-tested ways to communicate, we can all get along better and work > through our differences. Imagine being able to do that - what a concept! > > As the saying goes, "There is much more that connects us than separates > us." We are all alive at this time, and the mere fact that we're breathing > and our hearts are beating is truly a miracle. And the miracle extends to > our being aware of - and open to - the people around us. > > Clearly, the sense of community people used to feel is sorely lacking for > many. I don't know how long it's been since most people knew their > neighbors, but I imagine in earlier societies it was a basic part of > people's experience. And somewhere along the line - as our society has > become more complex - we lost touch with that part of ourselves. > > Margaret Wheatley, founder of The Berkana Institute, author, and an expert > in this field, has said, "Whatever the problem, community is the answer." > In her work, she has been "preparing for unknown futures by creating strong > and sustainable relationships." > > Intentional communities - such as ecovillages and co-housing - where > people choose to live in proximity based on common goals or ideals - serve > as examples of what life can be like when people feel a strong bond with > their neighbors. And while these communities exist in many countries - > including the US - they are exceedingly rare. That’s why I’m calling this > idea “community for the rest of us” - in the same way the Macintosh was > introduced in 1984 as “the computer for the rest of us.” > > So what would a connected community look like? Let’s imagine that for a > minute: > > Suppose that I now recognize all of the folks on my block. I learned their > names and saw their photos using an online application, Nextdoor, which has > been gaining a foothold across the US and provides a secure bulletin > board-type web site, available only to residents within a defined > geographic area. Due to a concerted enrollment effort - including periodic > open houses - we’ve reached 100% participation on our block. And we held a > block party during the winter to celebrate the achievement! > > And let’s also imagine some of the potential benefits to developing > communication and trust on our block. Perhaps someday we could boast the > following: > > - Several of us on the block have developed skills in Nonviolent > Communication and in conflict resolution - and we’re helping others learn > them as well. So, bit by bit, we’re getting better at handling disputes in > a constructive way. > - We use our web site on Nextdoor to stay in touch regarding any > occurrences of crime or vandalism - so it augments our crimewatch efforts. > - We swap tools and equipment, so people can avoid purchasing > expensive items that get used only once in awhile. > - Some folks on the block have a meal sharing arrangement where they > each have to cook only one meal a week - and they make enough to share. > - I don’t have to pay the full cost of car ownership. A group of the > neighbors share the use of several cars - enough so there’s always one > available when needed - and we distribute the expenses. > - Baby sitters can care for a few kids at a time on a given evening - > and the kids have more fun in the process. > - We have a communal composting arrangement, set up in some unused > backyard space. A group of us contribute our food scraps to keep it going - > and each of us can take back fantastically fertile soil for our flower or > vegetable gardens. > - Last summer, a group of us worked to establish a rain garden which > not only beautifies our block, it helps harvest rainwater runoff and > reduces the load in the city sewer system. > > > I see this challenge and opportunity as part of a global awakening that’s > happening - on many levels. People are realizing more and more how precious > life is - and that being more connected to each other - and to nature - is > fundamental to our collective growth. > > Mr. Rogers had it right all along: “Won’t you be my neighbor?” We have > things to share - tangible and intangible - that can benefit us all. > > I want to help make this vision a reality. Will you assist me? I’d love to > hear your thoughts - and suggestions! > > ================================================================= > > *About Robb: * > > I grew up on a suburban block in Maryland, just north of DC. Around us > were young families of varying backgrounds. I played with all the kids on > the block, and my parents knew nearly all the adults. This seemed like the > natural way of things. Then, during my college years in Boston and > Cambridge, I found myself living in an apartment building where hardly > anyone knew anyone else. “What a strange way to live,” I thought. Being > strangers to our neighbors has seemed odd to me ever since. > > Over the years I’ve learned my forte includes turning people onto ideas, > places, people, music - and more - that I find interesting. I’m always > learning - in many areas - and I’m adept at connecting the dots to grasp > the larger picture. In recent years, my affinity with the natural > environment has deepened, and I realize more and more how we need to > connect with each other and also with the earth in moving toward a > sustainable future. > > My career has woven the triple threads of learning, technology, and > relationship-building. I’ve taught people about systems and also designed > applications to help people learn and share knowledge. In a variety of > positions, I’ve developed skills working with others in a collaborative > mode. I’ve experienced many organizations steeped in the domination model > of top-down management and am eager to work with and within organizations > that are more “enlightened” in their management style. > > I believe the future is bright for us, if we can truly wake up to all the > blessings we have and learn how to work together toward common goals. > > ================================================================== > > *Call to Action: How You Can Help* > > In addition to your reaction to “Community for the Rest of Us,” perhaps > you can be of help in any of these ways: > > - Do you know someone with whom this vision may resonate? If so, I’d > love to connect with them for a conversation. > - Can you think of any organizations that might want to fund an > initiative to help “knit neighbors together” as I’ve outlined here? > - I am seeking to work for an “enlightened” organization with a focus > on helping people connect and communicate in mutually supportive ways. Can > you suggest someone who might be interested in my skill set and > orientation? > > > Feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 201-349-4481 > > ================================================================= > > > > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list > To post send emails to [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org > >
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