A Fun E-mail I wrote on 8/7/2007. What's changed?

Dear friends and comrades,

This is the first of what will hopefully be a continuing posting to a
truly amazing group of people. This will be a way of reaching out to
a group of individuals who have more in common than an interest in
sustainable living. United by morale, compassion, a desire to learn,
community spirit, and strong "work ethics", this group can share a
great deal. Be it over a digital medium or in person, we can offer
ideas and inspiration to one another.

This group exists because of a dream of mine. I hope to one day live
in an outstanding community while being as self sustainable as
possible. The dream arose out of moral questioning, an observation of
contemporary societies, and a desire to ease our parasitic
relationship with the earth. This dream has metamorphosed from a mere
ideal to become a way of survival and perseverance of quality of
life. Current squabbling and fighting over high-yield energy
resources points to a coming brake-down of contemporary lifestyle that
will leave many in the dark (pun intended).

There is great controversy and speculation to the timing of events to
come. However, many working models based on peak-oil curves suggest
severe blackouts will start occurring in "industrialized" societies
around 2012 (not suggesting any correlation with Mayan or other
eschatological prophecy). By examining the recent events of global
economics and militaristic action it becomes clear that the current
relationship between fuel production and its consumption cannot last
much longer. This will bring great change to our society's relation
to food production, transportation, and macroeconomics. Virtually
every aspect of the "civilized" way of life we have come to know is
dependent on cheap transportable fuel that is being quickly
exhausted. Outside the question of timing, it will eventually be
imperative to be more self-sustainable and sufficient.

There are many questions for pondering within this group. Two core
questions are where and with whom may a sustainable living community
be established.

It would be my greatest delight to draw upon people within this group
to eventually live with. It will thus be necessary to add members to
this group but some discretion is needed. Community living takes more
than a common goal or philosophy to succeed. Individuals must be
adaptive, productive, and open minded. If you are currently receiving
this post, you have my vote for containing these qualities and more!
Whether a new community is established or an existing one is joined,
we can stay in touch and benefit from each other. Now, please help
this group grow through your contacts and discretion!

The more daunting question is in regards to location. It seems
obvious that a general location should be remote from any large urban
area. Although trade or sale from cottage industries would benefit
from the proximity of a dense populous, it is my opinion that the cons
out weigh the pros. My opinion is based on visions of contamination
(air, water, etc.), and the inevitable collapse of suburban and urban
lifestyles. I had also held the belief that settling in my home
country would make more sense for its ease and proximity to family and
friends. However, with the continual stripping of civil liberties,
the blatant ability of government to violate law and constitution, and
my role in financing oil extraction, multi-country invasions, murder,
and other atrocities, a multi-country search commences.

It is my hope to send out a post every two weeks. In the next issue I
would like to include a brief analysis of other countries around the
world that may be viable for expatriation. I shall start with Central
America for economic and food production reasons. If you have any
suggestions or thoughts please post away! Please help the membership
of this group grow as well.

Stay tuned, or online I guess.

Much Love and Happiness,

Rob