Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Coho & LIFESTYLE CHANGES--> Sustainability?

[Zac Helmberger (zac]

On Sat, 4 Mar 95 15:16 CST, 
Jo Haste  <jhaste [at] cln.etc.bc.ca> wrote:

>Stuart's comment about the "mainstream of Human Thought" which has not 
>yet come to grips with the problem of overpopulation of the planet is 
>very apt.  I would like to add two points-
>1. How long will it be before it becomes fashionable, acceptable, 
>praiseworthy, etc. to choose to be childless in our society.
>
>2. I have yet to hear anyone comment on the medical community seeking to 
>extend the life span.  120 years was the last target I read about.

I don't think it would ever be fashionable to be a childless family. It 
would be a neccessity because of our past.

I wouldn't want to live 120 
years. I would think my quality of life at that age would be pretty crappy. 
Then again I might be wrong. ??!?

When the hell is the oil going to run out? I believe that oil 
is what allows us to exceed the Earth's carrying capacity and when it runs 
out, hooboy!

Short sighted national policies around the world have contributed greatly 
to the overpopulation. Human fecundity changed little, while human 
mortality rates dropped dramatically due to immunization programs and the 
"green" revolution. Since contraception received little attention, we 
created ourselves a little problem.

One thing about cohousing that I find could be appealing to mainstream 
America is it's ability to support young and old economically. I think of 
cohousing as a return to the extended family. Why do the elderly have to be 
segregated? What's up with this daycare stuff? Who do you trust to take 
care of your parents and kids? 

In hard economic times, the extended family or cohousing would almost 
become a necessity.

With an epidemic of depression and loneliness, a strong or closer community 
becomes a necessity. 

I think it would be so cool to have each community have a WWW homepage that 
describes their community. Does it have a specific world view? Does it have 
a theme like music, science, gardening ...? Does it cater to eligible 
people? Does it use energy efficient technology? etc... It would a great 
way to find your NEIGHBORHOOD. Oh won't you be my neighbor? Hi, neighbor.

I just wish I had a satisfying job that paid enough to allow me to even 
think about buying a house. I want to play volleyball.