08151 Unplugging as a Lifestyle Strategy

The goal of the future is full unemployment, so we can play. That’s why we have to destroy the present politico-economic system. — Arthur C. Clarke

Here’s an outline of the Unplugging strategy (from document 08141):

Dwellings — the movement offers a place to live — pods — made by enterprises associated with the movement. The pods are small, don’t cost a lot of money. Systems owned by Unplugging organizations mass produce them in three basic designs. They make energy and are super-energy-conservative to operate.

Food — they have an organized communal way to grow food. Unpluggers live in communities. The communities produce food for the use of their communities. A surplus may be sold.

Wealth is the ability to live without a cash job (a/k/a “job-job”). This is not a monetary definition of wealth. It is a functional definition. Instead of saving and investing large amounts of money, the Unpluggers participate in systems which provide them with what they need for life, without spending money.

Last Purchase is the buy-in to an existing Unplugger community. It comes with a “pod” designed to personal needs/wants. It is an amount of money that could be reasonably saved on a blue-collar income.

Education and medical care — they take care of their own.

Governance — their communities are organized as cities and towns, either by taking over existing governments or by establishing new municipalities.

At present, the Unplugged movement is just a story. Wouldn’t it be fun though if it came true? I know this sounds crazy, but . . . why don’t we make the Unplugged a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Like any successful crusade, it starts at the grassroots. No one gives an order and says “go.” We don’t have a debate and then take a vote. People just start unplugging on their own. They develop their own small communities. They tell others what they do and invite them to do likewise.

As more people Unplug, we develop more resources to help people along on their journeys. Maybe somebody will actually design a pod or maybe we will just become specialists at renovating existing housing to be sustainable dwellings that make energy and grow food besides providing comfort and security to its inhabitants.

No one is in charge of the movement because everyone is in charge of their individual lives and households and families govern themselves. As more people do this, the individuals and families and permaculture learning communities link up and work together to create quality of life and protect well-being and happiness.

The more people involved, the easier it becomes — the more impact we can be as we go about our lives maximizing cooperation, beauty, happiness, health, and freedom, while minimizing conflict, consumption, injustice, waste, and work.

Obey Emperor Gandhi! That’s our motto. I see little signs on people’s doors — This household obeys Emperor Gandhi! Or maybe, God Save Emperor Gandhi! And, Obey Emperor Gandhi! Also, Emperor Gandhi ROCKS!

Eventually there will be signs like these at city limits and state lines and national ports of entry.

Nothing is stronger than an idea whose time has come. So said Victor Hugo (and he should know!)

Just do it. Go to http://www.ipermie.net/ and print some of the Obey Emperor Gandhi printables. Put one or more of them on your door. When people ask, “What’s that?” Explain — “I quit being the problem and now I am the solution.” When they say “What’s that?” send them to http://www.ipermie.net/.