self-sufficient

Self-sufficiency refers to the state of not requiring any outside aid, support, or (in hardline cases) interaction, for survival; it is therefore a type of extreme personal or collective (group-based) autonomy.

The term self-sufficiency is usually applied to varieties of sustainable living in which nothing is consumed outside of what is produced by the self-sufficient individuals. Examples of attempts at self-sufficiency in North America include voluntary simplicity, Luddism, homesteading, survivalism, and the back-to-the-land movement.

Practices that enable or aid self-sufficiency include autonomous building, permaculture, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy.

The existence of an effectively closed system makes self-sufficiency a necessity for any form of space colonization, and to an extent ocean colonization. An experimental attempt to achieve self-sufficiency could therefore include the Biosphere 2 project.

The term is also applied to more limited forms of self-sufficiency, for example growing one's own food or becoming economically independent of state subsidies or (in the case of larger political entities) foreign aid.

Note: For Thailand "Self-sufficient economy" see Localism

Post-modern self-sufficiency

The term ‘post-modern self-sufficiency’ or ‘escape capitalism’ refers to a mode of life that seeks to exist outside industrialized non-agrarian ‘western’ norms. This mode of life-style is usually seen as alternative because it seeks to rely on cutting edge technology to eliminate or greatly reduce the reliance on a capitalistic structure i.e. wage labor.

Paradoxically, escape capitalism usually begins inside the capitalist framework where highly skilled and highly educated labor is exchanged for capital which is then progressively invested into long-term self-sufficiency.

Examples

1. Long-term residential and transport energy provided by investing in automated solar/wind/fuel-cell plant and equipment for the home.

2. Long-term residential and agricultural water provided by investment into automated well/dam/rain & grey water systems.

3. Long-term residential investment into automated hydroponics/green house/orchard fruit and vegetable production.

The key focus of the movement is the use of modern technology to create a significantly high level of quality of life rather than sacrificing quality of life for non-participation in capitalist society.

Most individuals who proscribe to escape capitalism work greatly reduced hours in highly educated ‘contract’ roles that require great expertise. This income supplements their life style for areas like travel, health care and building passive income investment streams.

Escape capitalism economic considerations

The following is a hieratical assessment of needs to be fulfilled progressively:

1. Housing and land for necessities production e.g. including entertainment, sporting and agricultural considerations.

2. Water and waste management e.g. rain, grey and brown water capture and processing.

3. Energy including household, transport and agricultural consumption e.g. fuel cell plant and equipment.

4. Means to produce marketable goods and services e.g. home call-centre to support highly specialized or skilled industries globally.

• It is expected that all needs are fulfilled at a level that will support a high level of quality of life

the term self-sufficiency has a positive connotation and refers to the fact of not needing others' help, advice, knowledge.

Influential People

• Alain Saury
• John Seymour
• Claire Wolfe
• James Wesley Rawles
• Carla Emery

Sources & bibliography

• Five acres and independence, 1973 book, by Maurice Grenville Kains (great back-to-the land classic explains basics of self-sufficient farming. The one book to get) , Dover books. ISBN 0486209741

External links

• Survival Strategies
• TeachAManToFish - Self-Sufficiency in Education
• Foundation for Self-Sufficiency in Central America
• Path to Freedom
• Self Sufficient(ish) UK based online guide
• AchieveAbility: Education is the key to self-sufficiency
• SurvivalBlog
• Home Power Magazine
• Self Sufficient Life - rural and country style living
• The Good Life
• Self Reliant Yuppies

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