Cob "A Pattern Language"

[Jeffrey Kirsch]

Hmm, where to start?

First, I am still reading the book, and expect to be for some time. 
This is book two of a trilogy, and this book alone is 1171 pages, 
none of it "fluff". This book could support a mailing list by itself.

That said, the authors say "Individuals have no effective voice in 
any community of more than 5,000 - 10,000 persons". Living in 
Atlanta, I can relate to that! This is spelled out in detail.
They also go on to explain the relationships of neighboring 
communities, large urban areas, and "the countryside".

There is a lot in this book, and since it isn't cob related, per se, I'll 
leave it at that. Do try and find this book. 

I've entertained getting 50 acres or so, and not worrying about 
neighbors, but I realized that would be the worst thing I could do to 
myself. No telling what kind of person I'd be with little social 
contact. Scary thought! 

A cob community certainly is intriguing to me, not because of the 
similar style of buildings, but because we are all pretty independent 
thinkers, or we wouldn't be on this list. Could be an interesting 
assembly of citizens. Believe me, I'm not looking for utopia, I think 
this collection could get quite explosive at times. But I'd rather have 
that than the bland complacency I encounter now in my life. Land 
of the living dead would be an apt description.

Enough rambling!

-Jeffrey  




Date sent:      	Mon, 17 Aug 1998 17:24:28 -0500
From:           	Paul Valerio <valeri at io.com>

> Jeffrey,  could you very briefly describe what the book says about why
> some places aren't very hospitable?