There was good news recently in that I (Andy) passed my Msc Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies at CAT. I was researching and writing about local food production in Llanidloes. I will post a link to the thesis at some point.

It was hard work last winter writing for a January 31st hand-in. However, once the thesis was submitted I felt so relieved but also drained that I had to stop thinking about “local food production” for a time. However I’m now at the point of feeling inspired about the whole thing again, perhaps it’s the bounty of fantastic local fruit and vegetables we are devouring at the moment. I want to use the knowledge I’ve built up to make a difference to the area in which we live, it would be a real shame not to.

Anyway the focus of the loop project is going to change over the next year; the bakery is doing well and I would also like to focus more on research and perhaps do some consultancy work (if any comes our way) surround the mid-Wales region and local food production. Therefore there will be less emphasis on website design although Leanne will still be graphic designing and if the right sort of website comes along we will still work on it. There will also be a little one to nurture and look after.

I am becoming increasingly aware of the need to reduce our dependence even further on some aspects of the consumer society that surrounds us. We have already reduced the constant bombardment of advertising and marketing by not watching TV adverts and not buying newspapers or glossy magazines. We don’t really need much more than we have and by embracing “voluntary simplicity” we’ve had the happiest few years of our lives.

The next stage of this plan is really to spent more time learning simple skills such as carpentry, making clothes and basic electronics. This is not to say I expect an imminent societal collapse, it is just that we are (happily) time rich and money poor – we can learn these skills to improve our lives whether or not the consumerist world continues to grow for the rest of our lives. Community building is also very important. Luckily we appear to have stumbled across a fabulously strong community in the town we moved to only 18 months ago, Llanidloes. This can only grow stronger as time progresses and we build even greater bonds of trust with those we live and work near to.

We’re looking forward to the year ahead!

There will be lots of exciting varieties of seeds available. Please bring along any spare seeds you have to contribute. Click here for more information on Llanidloes Seed Swap.

On the same day at the same venue there will also be the launch event of “Fruit Trees For All” – a new Llanidloes based project ran by The Llanidloes Allotment Action Group and funded by Environment Wales. The project aims to establish a community orchard throughout the town and will be offering fruit and nut trees for sale at £4 each – half normal price.

It’s going to be a great day. Hope to see you there!

As we mentioned, we only showed the first part of the documentary on Sunday, to watch the next 3 parts try looking on Google Video. Here is a link to part 2. It’s not difficult to find the rest.

Once you’ve worked through that documentary, why not give another of Adam Curtis’ documentaries a watch? The Power of Nightmares looks at how politicians have used our fears to increase power and control over society. It looks at the development of the American neo-Conservative movement through over the course of the last few decades. “The Trap” looks at the concept of freedom and specifically “”how a simplistic model of human beings as self-seeking, almost robotic, creatures led to today’s idea of freedom.” (Thanks wikipedia)

Both perfect for family viewing over the Christmas period!

Curtis also has a blog on the BBC website which he uses to observe and discuss footage he has found in the archives. It’s a really interesting mix of stuff that he posts up so would recommend subscribing to it. I quite enjoyed this 1970s documentary about the hell’s angels and their mini-break on a canal barge!

Adam Curtis’ award winning documentary seems to answer these questions more directly and with more persuasive force than anything else I’ve seen. What’s more it comes at it from a surprising angle.

Adam Curtis introduces the first episode,

“This series is about how those in power have used Freud’s theories to try and control the dangerous crowd in an age of mass democracy.”

So, you may ask, how does Freud relate to the environmental problems we face? Through the documentary we come to learn how since the 1920s public relations and politicians have used Freud’s theories to “engineer consent” and how our desires (to consume) have been created.

Curtis cites Paul Mazur, a Wall Street banker working for Lehman Brothers in the 1930s:

“We must shift America from a needs- to a desires-culture. People must be trained to desire, to want new things, even before the old have been entirely consumed. [...] Man’s desires must overshadow his needs.”

In order for any real change to be made in the world we need to understand the root cause of our consumeristic values as only through understanding can we bring these values into question and have any chance of changing the way we live.

We invite you to join us to watch the first episode of this brilliant documentary series.

After the film there will be discussion and drinks. Please bring something to share.

“The Century of the Self – Happiness Machines”

Sunday 12th December 7.30pm Dol Llys Hall.

We are currently looking for people who would be interested in taking part – either by giving talks, attending events or by getting involved in promotions so we can reach a larger audience.

At this point I suppose I should let you know about what you would be letting yourself in for…

“Sustainability” – Of What?

We started from the perspective of concerned environmentalists, worried about sustainability and despairing at the lack of any convincing action either from businesses, government or individuals. Eventually we realised that environmental catastrophes unfolding are but a symptom of a much larger problem and that current attempts to “solve” environmental “problems” are ultimately flawed as they seek not radical change, but instead to sustain our current individualistic lifestyles of consumerism, materialism, the unending pursuit of growth – the very things that are in the fact root causes of the environmental problems.

A New Morality

The Loop Project hopes to call into question these values and believes that only by doing this can real change be made and the way opened to a new morality that recognises our place in the world, as part of the ecosystem, not rulers of it. To have any real effect the environmental movement needs to give up on it’s mission of “sustainability” (of current lifestyles) and move towards a radically different set of values, that while they may not line the pockets those currently in power, will enrich our lives.

We hope to bring forward new ideas, to challenge assumptions and to give real practical advice on how to live a life more in harmony with each other and the world we are part of.

We know this is not an easy task to take on and don’t expect to change the world overnight, but for change to happen it needs to start somewhere. Albeit in our own small part of the world, we are opening the door and invite you to walk through. Who knows where this may lead?

Loop Project Presents… will take place at Dol Llys Hall. We invite people to come to the events after which there will be open discussion and drinks (bring something to share). Keep an eye on the website or sign up to be kept up to date with the program of events.

If you would like to give a talk or have suggestions of films to show please contact us, we would love to hear from you.