Sunday, May 17, 2009

Social Environmental Entrepreneurship (SEE) (士農工商 + 志)

Social Environmental Entrepreneurs SEE (this is to really see) both the threats and opportunities presented by the Generation-E (Environment, Energy, Equity, Enterprise and E-commerce), irrespective of whether they individually are the Baby-Boomers (now generally retired, born 1946 - 1961), or the Gen-X (Hip-Hop and MTV, born 1961- 1981) or the Gen-Y (E-mail, IM , YouTube, born 1981 - 2003) and to some extent, even the Gen-Z (MP3, Cell-phone and high digital connectivity).

Today, let us explore the route taken by Mr. Naoki Shiomi, the author of the book “Half-Farmer, Half-X” (半農半X) and his promotion of associated lifestyle which I would described as TransFarmers (transforming themselves, the earth and the world) or Culturvators (Cultural Innovator, both cultivating the Earth and Culture). This is real (Agri)Culture / Permaculture (Permanent Agriculture or Permanent Culture).

Mr. Naoki Shiomi, is the originator of the "Half-Farmer, Half-X" (半農半X) Concept and authored the book carrying the same title, and founded the "Half-Farmer, Half-X Research Center” at Ayabe, Kyoto, Japan. Half-Farming, Half-X Research Center Official Website http://www.towanoe.jp/xseed/

The phrase, "Half-Farmer, Half-X" (半農半X) is drawing much attention as the new key phrase for a lifestyle, a way of life, for the 21st century. "Half-Farmer" refers to "a lifestyle with a touch of farming," and the X in "Half-X"(半農半X) refers to an individual's profession / passion / purpose or social mission or natural calling. The synergy is inspiring / enlightening to the individual’s pursuit of wealth / health / happiness, while making real contributions to the world, making good while doing good or Triple-Bottom-Line (Profit-People-Planet).

This concept can form an excellent alliance with Permaculture (the most famous Australian cultural export, courtesy of Bill Mollison and David Holmgren). By the way, someone once said, to the effect, that if you do not know anything about Permaculture or Biochar (biological char-coal), it is high time you get interested, in the coming convergence of three crises: Food / Fuel / Finance!

A true Social Environmental Entrepreneurs integrate the Primary (Farming) / Secondary (Manufacturing) / Tertiary (Service) / 4th Sector (Experiential) / 5th Sector (Transformative) into a holistic whole, covering much more than what the Chinese used to call “Official / Farmer / Worker / Trader” (士農工商 + 志) or (志農工商).

Further details on Permaculture / TransFarmer / Culturvator are available here (ppt) or here (pdf) for download. They are, however, draft documents only subject to further revisions.

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