"joe tainter's theory of how societies evolve and sometimes collapse is sophisticated, but its core argument is quite straightforward. all societies face problems of various kinds over time, he points out. some of the problems might come form outside the society...others might arise form developments inside the society...either way societies often respond to problems by increasing their complexity. a society dealing with less rainfall might build elaborate irrigation systems so it uses water more efficiently on its farms, and it might create another layer of state bureaucracy to ensure that everyone abides by water sharing rules. in short and medium terms greater complexity often produces big benefits...but eventually, tainter argues, things usually don't work so well. 'while initial investments by a society in growing complexity may be a rational solution to perceived needs, that happy state of affairs cannot last.' " from "the up side of down" by thomas homer-dixon p. 220-221_________________________________________________
so...is everything anthropogenic in entropy? is tomorrow more cluttered than yesterday because you have to do more to achieve the same results? depends, i suppose, on how complex things get and how much energy they begin to demand...the top photo is of farmer browns weedy, wilting field ( it hasn't rained any measurable amount here since the tenth when that photo was taken ) if that field is going to be a success farmer brown is going to have to douse it with atrazine and, probably, some more anhydrous ammonia...and if it doesn't rain soon there's going to have to be some irrigation...complex stuff...the second photo is of some jerusalem artichokes on campus last season ( there are more this year as well ) and that's my kitchen sink full of their tubers in the last photo...they're comparable to potatoes nutritionally...lots of phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and iron as well as vitamin a and c...they taste a bit sweeter than potatoes but i am growing them because they are native to northwest indiana...you chuck them in the ground and they grow without much trouble ( actually controlling them is the bigger issue )...they're not perfect...storing them is a problem...but they grow naturally without atarazine or anhydrous ammonia...i'm working on some marsh elder as well...trying to get enough individuals going to try to select for more shatter resistance in the seed heads...they're native as well and were a native american staple before the introduction of maize ( at which point the domesticated varieties became extinct...victims of a superior grain )...i've been researching other native wild foods i can try to cultivate if not domesticate, in an effort to grow more self-sustaining, low input group of foods...less complex...relying on natural processes rather than chemicals and fuel...trying to learn to eat in season and make things simpler and so, i hope, more resilient..small steps..nothing world changing...just trying to change me and my habits and, perhaps, a world view...if just once this season i can sit down to a meal and say to myself, "i grew everything i prepared here" it will be a small victory...a step in the right direction...not off the grid...and probably not really outside the box...movement in the direction of becoming a native...not just someone who lives here.
"joe tainter's theory of how societies evolve and sometimes collapse is sophisticated, but its core argument is quite straightforward. all societies face problems of various kinds over time, he points out. some of the problems might come form outside the society...others might arise form developments inside the society...either way societies often respond to problems by increasing their complexity. a society dealing with less rainfall might build elaborate irrigation systems so it uses water more efficiently on its farms, and it might create another layer of state bureaucracy to ensure that everyone abides by water sharing rules. in short and medium terms greater complexity often produces big benefits...but eventually, tainter argues, things usually don't work so well. 'while initial investments by a society in growing complexity may be a rational solution to perceived needs, that happy state of affairs cannot last.' " from "the up side of down" by thomas homer-dixon p. 220-221_________________________________________________
so...is everything anthropogenic in entropy? is tomorrow more cluttered than yesterday because you have to do more to achieve the same results? depends, i suppose, on how complex things get and how much energy they begin to demand...the top photo is of farmer browns weedy, wilting field ( it hasn't rained any measurable amount here since the tenth when that photo was taken ) if that field is going to be a success farmer brown is going to have to douse it with atrazine and, probably, some more anhydrous ammonia...and if it doesn't rain soon there's going to have to be some irrigation...complex stuff...the second photo is of some jerusalem artichokes on campus last season ( there are more this year as well ) and that's my kitchen sink full of their tubers in the last photo...they're comparable to potatoes nutritionally...lots of phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and iron as well as vitamin a and c...they taste a bit sweeter than potatoes but i am growing them because they are native to northwest indiana...you chuck them in the ground and they grow without much trouble ( actually controlling them is the bigger issue )...they're not perfect...storing them is a problem...but they grow naturally without atarazine or anhydrous ammonia...i'm working on some marsh elder as well...trying to get enough individuals going to try to select for more shatter resistance in the seed heads...they're native as well and were a native american staple before the introduction of maize ( at which point the domesticated varieties became extinct...victims of a superior grain )...i've been researching other native wild foods i can try to cultivate if not domesticate, in an effort to grow more self-sustaining, low input group of foods...less complex...relying on natural processes rather than chemicals and fuel...trying to learn to eat in season and make things simpler and so, i hope, more resilient..small steps..nothing world changing...just trying to change me and my habits and, perhaps, a world view...if just once this season i can sit down to a meal and say to myself, "i grew everything i prepared here" it will be a small victory...a step in the right direction...not off the grid...and probably not really outside the box...movement in the direction of becoming a native...not just someone who lives here.
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