Our main philosophy on achieving change in general and in furthering "a.t. "is to "do as way opens." There isn't any right path and luckily no party line _to follow. We must all work on projects we feel we are best at and work in ways that are appropriate to each of our particular skills and situations. It remains therefore important for all ofus to respond with • . good-humored, empathetic criticism (or reminders) when we seem to be going overboard or being too conservative or defeatist in our views and actions. RAIN will continue to try to cover all manner of achieving the ends we feel are 'important. So thank you for your feedback. It struck a good chord in all of us. - LdeM Besides the above comments on the November issue, we have an important one to make- and an apology to offer to an old friend. Because of bis long illness this fall, Wilson Clark did , not have a chance to write the piece he planned on doing. Gigi, the editor of the issue, bad wanted therefore to include a piece be bad done for the Ecologist on ·energy, but it wasn't very California a. t. related and got axed when we were getting short of space in layout. In the process Wilson was barely even mentioned in the issue. He is an integral part 9f a.t.. in California, as one of the three members on the OAT Steering Committee and as assistant to Governor-Brown on energy-related issues. We were down there the other day watching him in action- I think bis sense of the values and problems of working in government are as well-grounded as anyone I've yet talked with. Hopefully we'll get him to write on these perspectives for you soon. - LdeM Dear Rain, I have just finished reading your November '77 issue and enjoyed Sim Van der Ryn's article "Get the Right Rock." The thing I am not sure about is whether the first steps he talks of are really far along enough to be considered steps rather than just pointers for action. My consideration of this as such is due to the experience of Community Technology in Washington, D.C., of not being able to get the low income minority groups that most need _alternative technology out of the high technology ideas that have been implanted in them through media, education and social surrou'ndings. The most neighborhood participation we got was among the young, who saw us as an ideal target for ripping off tools and produce. It seems to me as though too much of the focus on appropriate technology comes directly from the people who do not have to worry where their next meal is coming from, from those in the middle and upper classes. The'effort of Community Technology seems to have had most effect in spurring other groups that profess the same ideals but do not yet have significant effect on public attention. Getting more _accomplished than just setting up community gardens is where focus needs to be appli~d, such as setting up groups that specialize in low cost, low energy architecture that would readily be apparent to the poor as deserving of the lump sum that initially needs to be invested. -Getting like-minded people together seems fine to me, but it does not go far enough. Until adequate people who are now opposed to alternate methods are "converted," it will serve only as a primarily academic forum of ideas rather than results. I am not trying here to knock alternative technology, but rather the way it seems to be progressing among too high social strata. Sincerely, Ben Swet Suntek Research Associates Corte Madera, CA 9492 5 For anyone interested, there is a very intriguing article by Karl Hess on his feelings about the Community Technology experience. It is entitled "Flight From Freed9m: Memories ofa Noble Experiment," and can be found in the September/ October issue of Quest '77, $2 from Ambassador International Cultural Foundation, 300 West Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91129. - LdeM Dear Rain, • • I liked the November issue. (I got it two days ago, I think.) OAT is clearly doing the best work int he country. However, I had some minor problems. Somehow, the issue did not convey to me the massive potential in California. The Pu?~i~ Utilities Commission's analysis of solar energy and ut1lmes, the Santa Clara leasing experiment, the Palo Alto neighbor- -hood utility concept, the Davis, California, redu_ction in electricity and model ordinances were not ment10ned. I guess my problem is that the is~~e was totally e?v~ronmenta~, a?d didn't really speak to political or economic issues. It didn t mention SolarCal, for example, which may or may not be an important consideration in California, but certa~nly _Hayden has a constituency. I think the 55 percent tax credit might have gotten somewhat more play in it. After all, Californi~'s goal for 1985 of solar homes is apparently equal to Carters goal for the entire country! This leads to another comment. I happen to adore Jane Fonda, Mary Tyler Moore and Paul Newman. I think the idea of a public television show and stars for the sun is very im- • portant. However (isn't there always a however?), as I said to the Sun Day initiators, there are really three issues involved in solar energy. One is the need to ~witch to a renewable energy resource; the so-called environmen~al/survival issue. This.is the one which has broad public support. Ir brings people by the millions out into the streets. People want solar, and the country is moving, ever so slowly, toward solar energy. ·But, the need for a Sun Day that emphasiz.es only this component has passed. California's 55 percent tax credit me,:tns that 10 percent of the population is now rapidly heading • - more feedback+
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