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1. PermaMax
   Member

   Here's the final version: http://permalot.org/files/u2/MVJ_Thesis.pdf (10 Mb!)

   And the summary:

   What would happen to the specific Czech rural area of Bouzovsko, if suddenly - or gradually in a 15-year time span - a drastic shortage of fossil fuels occurred?

   The aim of the Transition Initiatives is to prepare for such a possibility through a communal based positive gradual descent. The question posed and answered in this M.Sc. thesis is:

    1) Is the Transition approach applicable in socially/culturally less favorable areas?
    2) How can Bouzovsko again become sustainable?
    3) How may the Transition concept best be applied in Bouzovsko?

   Based upon an empirical comparison between localities in Norway, California, Oregon, New York and Czech Republic, including two different future modeling techniques and aligned with methodologies aimed at analyzing potential for implementation of new technologies and policies, the conclusion is:

   • That it is unlikely to implement the Transition approach in socially/culturally less favorable areas
   • that the parameter which prevents this is the lack of a popular understanding (by the local population), that it there is no other way possible
   • finally that the best way to ensure the application is to follow the model of the ‘Shock Doctrine’: Have a specialized plan ready for implementation when the time is right.

    

   Posted 2 months ago #

2. DaveDann
   Member

   Maybe what we need now is the opinions of people of 'non-favourable rural areas' as to whether academics will ever adapt to a low energy economy.

   Posted 2 months ago #

3. PermaMax
   Member

   Cute! While your statement echo's my generalization of 'academics', then I find it hard to recognize within myself, nor in the 'non-favourable rural areas' which I live in... Let me first excuse for the rather clumsy name 'non-favourable rural areas'; Naturally a more thorough definition of the meaning is given in the thesis.

   This particular 'academic' manage 17 organic hectares according to permaculture principles, while running a NGO training centre for natural building. As soon as the frost leaves the ground you'll see me knee-deep in mud; currently I'm busy building Igloos and splitting wood to keep warm in this 120 year old house, striving to make ends meet as my student allowance runs out next week when i graduate....in actuality my rural neighbours have a better economy than I; Including houses heated with gas from Norway...
   As we are becoming more and more self sufficient, and should move into our new solar/wood heated straw bale house during autumn, I believe this 'academic' is well adapted.

   Cheers, Max, Director of PermaLot Centre of Natural Building - www.permalot.org

   Posted 1 month ago #

4. PermaMax
   Member

   Oops: A slight clarification: On the final thesis I had changed the description: "Is the Transition approach applicable in
   socially/culturally less responsive areas?" ...which was as good as I could define it...

   Posted 1 month ago #

5. PermaMax
   Member

   Full Clarification from thesis:
   The term: “socially/culturally less favorable area” is in no means an expression for lack of social or cultural life in Bouzovsko or other rural areas. It relates to the potential of ‘Transitioning’, in other words: Less likely to adapt the methodology of the Transition Initiative due to difference in social/culture background, as compared to the areas which already has adapted the Transition Initiative.

   Posted 1 month ago #

6. DaveDann
   Member

   "Observe and interact!" What do the people of the "socially/culturally less favorable area" think of your thesis, PermaMax?

   Posted 1 month ago #

7. PermaMax
   Member

   A) No-one here read English
   B) Considering what you just displayed: Judging the book from the cover, not wanting to even download, skim through it, then I don't expect anyone here to act much differently
   C) Please read the bit about Czech 'post socialistic stress disorder', better yet, come and experience it (for 11 years as I have?), and you'd be able to comment on it. What you're now repeatedly doing is simple too cheap, and I'm reminded of this:
   Most of the people using these forums will be motivated to cooperate, learn and exchange in a respectful way. There may be others that don't, and the persistent ones are known as "trolls". Advice: "if you feed the trolls, they'll keep coming back"
   ...From "The Art of Conversation": http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/Forum

   Posted 1 month ago #

8. linda screen
   Member

   Hi Max,
   I've just been looking through your study and its a strong piece of work even if you couldn't test out your theories with the local people- particularly I was interested in your identification of Transition as a "social carrier of technology" but also in your conclusion that in areas where communities are less-likely to engage or people have a low interest; that the Transition model is not easily deliverable.
   This relates directly to a piece of research that the Transition Network is currently seeking to win working with Universities here in the UK and aiming at explaining the behaviour changes and social norms that might be influenced through transition in light of the societal, economic and technology factors which act as catalysts and constraints. It also will enable us to explore the roles of "actors" and communities in catalysing shifts in social norms and behaviours (and hopefully help us understand how these stimuli can be or are provoked even where baseline interest /take-up is low)
   The call that we are responding to is ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) http://www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/opportunities/current_funding_opportunities/Energy_and_Communities_Collaborative_Venture.aspx#0

   We are focusing mainly on theme 2 but are still drawing together research questions which will then be tested within Transition communities - if you have any thoughts on this then I would very much appreciate your inputs and please do continue sharing your studies...we need to maintain a variety of voices providing critical analysis and research and your study has already helped

   Best wishes

   Linda
   Data & Funding Lead, Transition Network
   lindascreen@transitionnetwork.org

   Posted 1 month ago #

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