Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Community and Boundaries

[Sharon Villines (sharonvillines]

> I was trying to explain to someone about the lack of evidence of
> indigenous culture in the New Zealand landscape, and they responded by
> saying that landscape was not about control or ownership but about
> connection with the land.

This seems to be true of all indigenous cultures. Conquering heroes or new
religions declare ownership and banishment. But the complexity of indigenous
cultures, as well as their ethical concerns are also very low--romanticism
aside. Scientific development depends on democratic and judicial systems to
protect the process of education and investigation.

> I wonder to, if personal, family and community space is really defined
> by the degree of connection we feel with that space rather than
> ownership over it.

I was hoping for this kind of theoretical discussion about communications. I
was wondering if concerns about having any boundaries at all (there is no
personal space) are somehow related to feelings of connectedness. Not
wanting connectedness to develop?

Indigenous cultures were very connected but they were also very
private--there were very few per square inch. It didn't take much to be
alone. No barriers were needed in daily life -- only occasional raids from a
neighboring village.

Sharon
-- 
Sharon Villines
In Washington, DC where all roads lead to Casablanca
Takoma Village Cohousing
http://www.takomavillage.org
http://www.cohousing.org