This article is puzzling to me.
I wonder why she chose to put ecovillage in quotation marks...she's uncomfortable with that term and doesn't want the readers to think she called the GOE an ecovillage herself, but she offers no reason why it doesn't fit the definition of an ecovillage.
Actually lots of her word choices surprise me - "Of course a commune that condemns chemicals and emphasizes sustainability wouldn’t have bug repellant with Deet. "
Condemned is way harsh, and completely misses the point of the infinite options you offer @gardenofeden. Plus, even though no one who lives there uses it, I'm pretty sure we DO have bug repellant with Deet...or why didn't she try any of the natural repellants we make?? The bugs were a really big deal to her, and it was such a superficial element of the day but she couldn't look past it.
She's also afraid of the strawberries in the water and yoga, which makes me LOL. She must be stressed out all. the. time. if berries, water & yoga scare her!
And obviously she is, "I envision being drugged and forced to do some ceremonial dance or — worse — yoga." She felt threatened without any impetus, which again makes me LOL or else I would cry... so sad she can't see the real freedom that exists at the GOE. CHOICE is the basis of life there - never force. It's so different and so profound that she couldn't even grasp it...
Then she goes on to say "Jobs are assigned that are essential to keeping the place up and running..." which again misses the hugely profound reality of CHOICE that everything is based on. It's not assigned - the GOE operates by agreement.
She calls the GOE a "mix of commercialism and counterculture" ...Also interesting that she clearly scoped the website, but overlooked the multiple places where it's blatantly stated we are NOT a commercial enterprise & don't sell anything. I again feel sad that she didn't understand the huge & deep paradigm shift offered by our ethical merchantry reality.
That didn't show up on her radar, but she shares how she was crushing on Daniel 😂
I would love for you to share on the blockchain the really profound thanks he sent you after just a few weeks at the GOE, Quinn.
People are where they are and all and can only understand what they are capable of understanding. Guess I'll just use it as an example for examining my own biases and pre-determined ideas to see how I can be a better person!
Thanks for your patience in dealing with me, because I know I'm as dense as this author sometimes. But you're still supportive even when I just don't get it - thank you!!!
Wow,
Thanks for this comment with so much perspective. In a way its more valuable than the commentary I considered sharing in regards to this article as its not coming from me.
I wouldn't say what you said the way you did per say but I feel everything you mention is a valid and insightful input.
Thanks~*~
Yes so interesting to analyze! Different things stand out for different readers, and I have no doubt that your commentary would illuminate your perspective which as we know is different than mine. My insight shows as much about where I am as her writing shows where she is!
I think certain things are pretty obvious - almost all comments on your post here agree that there is a "cultish" slant...which is nothing new, it's pretty common for people to judge life at the GOE. It's really "far out there" for some people, and they don't know how to relate or define it, especially if it makes them a little uncomfortable!
Indeed~*~