September 2011 - P2P-Foundation - lists.ourproject.org

fast facts about organic
by Michel Bauwens 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

DEAR ELI, could you present this report to the blog? Many thanks!! *Truly Sustainable Agriculture* <http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/fst30years> Rodale Institute *Here is some very interesting good news. In the face of the corporatization of agriculture, and the complete disconnect from the natural processes of the earth this has led to, here is firm evidence that the only real road to sustainable agriculture is to work in conjunction with nature's natural cycles and processes. This shows us that ordinary people, using none of the chemicals that are Big Agra's hallmark can grow their own far healthier food with no recourse to the chemicals. I recommend you go to the primary site and download the .pdf of the full report.* The hallmark of a truly sustainable system is its ability to regenerate itself. When it comes to farming, the key to sustainable agriculture is healthy soil, since this is the foundation for present and future growth. Organic farming is far superior to conventional systems when it comes to building, maintaining and replenishing the health of the soil. For soil health alone, organic agriculture is more sustainable than conventional. When one also considers yields, economic viability, energy usage, and human health, it’s clear that organic farming is sustainable, while current conventional practices are not. As we face uncertain and extreme weather patterns, growing scarcity and expense of oil, lack of water, and a growing population, we will require farming systems that can adapt, withstand or even mitigate these problems while producing healthy, nourishing food. After 30 years of side-by-side research in our Farming Systems Trial (FST)®, Rodale Institute has demonstrated that organic farming is better equipped to feed us now and well into the ever changing future. Fast Facts Organic yields match conventional yields. Organic outperforms conventional in years of drought. Organic farming systems build rather than deplete soil organic matter, making it a more sustainable system. Organic farming uses 45% less energy and is more efficient. Conventional systems produce 40% more greenhouse gases. Organic farming systems are more profitable than conventional. History The Farming Systems Trial (FST)® at Rodale Institute is America’s longest running, sideby-side comparison of organic and chemical agriculture. Started in 1981 to study what happens during the transition from chemical to organic agriculture, the FST surprised a food community that still scoffed at organic practices. After an initial decline in yields during the first few years of transition, the organic system soon rebounded to match or surpass the conventional system. Over time, FST became a comparison between the long term potential of the two systems. We selected corn and soybean production as our research focus because large tracts of land, particularly in our region and the Midwest, are devoted to the production of these crops. Corn and soybean acreage comprised 49% of the total cropland in the U.S. in 2007. Other grains made up 21%, forages 22% and vegetables just 1.5%. Throughout its long history, the FST has contained three core farming systems, each of which features diverse management practices: a manure-based organic system, a legume-based organic system, and a synthetic input-based conventional system. In the past three years of the trial, genetically modified (GM) crops and no-till treatments were incorporated to better represent farming in America today. Results and comparisons are noted accordingly to reflect this shift. THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS Organic Manure: This system represents an organic dairy or beef operation. It features a long rotation including both annual feed grain crops and perennial forage crops. The system’s fertility is provided by leguminous cover crops and periodic applications of manure or composted manure. This diverse rotation is also the primary line of defense against pests. Organic Legume: This system represents an organic cash grain system. It features a mid-length rotation consisting of annual grain crops and cover crops. The system’s sole source of fertility is leguminous cover crops and the rotation provides the primary line of defense against pests. Conventional Synthetic: This system represents the majority of grain farms in the U.S. It relies on synthetic nitrogen for fertility, and weeds are controlled by synthetic herbicides selected by and applied at rates recommended by Penn State University Cooperative Extension. In 2008, genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans were added to this system. No-Till Systems: Each of the major systems was divided into two in 2008 to compare traditional tillage with no-till practices. The organic systems utilize our innovative no-till roller/crimper, and the no-till conventional system relies on current, widespread practices of herbicide applications and no-tillspecific equipment. CROP ROTATIONS The crop rotations in the organic systems are more diverse than in the conventional systems, including up to seven crops in eight years (compared to two conventional crops in two years). While this means that conventional systems produce more corn or soybeans because they occur more often in the rotation, organic systems produce a more diverse array of food and nutrients and are better positioned to produce yields, even in adverse conditions. -- P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net Connect: http://p2pfoundation.ning.com; Discuss: http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation Updates: http://del.icio.us/mbauwens; http://friendfeed.com/mbauwens; http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens

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Fwd: [fcf_discussion] Save de date: oXcars and FCForum 2011.
by Michel Bauwens 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

Dear Chris, the announcement is already on Ning, but thanks for also publishing it on the regular blog, oct 5 or after, many thanks!! ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Simona Levi <info(a)conservas.tk> Date: Wed, Sep 21, 2011 at 7:52 PM Subject: [fcf_discussion] Save de date: oXcars and FCForum 2011. To: fcforum_discussion(a)list.fcforum.net 27 to 29 of October 2011 - Barcelona* Oxcars and FreeCultureForum 2011 Networks for a R-evolution **Three days to think about what the Internet has done for us, and what we can now do for it ;-).* http://whois--x.net/english/oxcars-and-freecultureforum-2011 2011 is the year when the consciousness of a global network has emerged. The massive and strategic use of social and digital networks has allowed the movement of citizen empowerment to step up a notch, and has facilitated a viral uprising of civil society in many parts of the world. The struggles to defend the Internet have shown to be a fertile breeding ground for such uprisings. The #15M movement within the *#spanishrevolution* is organized online. By the same token, one of its biggest strengths is the feedback process that happens between the network and the streets, between the internet and the men and women gathering in streets and squares. *We have to continue promoting, facilitating and improving the efficient use of the Internet to achieve mobilization and direct participation.* During the previous edition of the FCForum it was already discussed that the intense struggles by civil society within the Spanish state to defend the Internet against the Sinde Law (a law to stop downloading) were the starting point for a larger action. *For 3 years now, the OXCARS and the FCForum*, held in Barcelona, have provided international meeting spaces in which to build and coordinate common tools for issues regarding free culture and the Internet. The FCForum gathers the main organizations and active voices that are working on such issues, while it is also an open space for all those who wish to understand, deepen and participate in the responses before the pressing challenges that face our connected societies. This year, the FCForum will focus, inevitably, on the experience of the 15M movement as a case study that can be exported to the global arena. *The intention of the FCForum 2011 is for all participants to analyze and build the best tools that the struggle needs at this point, both for its organization and for the impact it aims to have here in Spain, as case of study to be applied more globally.* * Some of the questions that we will discuss this year are:* Which tools and methods of online organization and communication have allowed the emergence of the #15M movement? How can these practices be improved? How have social networks facilitated a change in the respect shown between people from different groups? What dangers threaten the neutral, open Internet which we know and want to preserve, at the local and global levels? How has the Internet facilitated the creation of new ways of producing and spreading culture? How can some of those methods become a way to avoid artists being used as an excuse to privatize the Web? What should we do with SGAE (the main management organization in Spain) now that its directives have been taken to court ;-)? *This gathering of 2 days will be preceded, as always, by the OXCARS, the biggest free culture event of all time. A great celebration of free culture that will serve as a warm-up event.* We believe it will be a very useful space for the empowerment of the movement. We welcome and await you all. This year we will be helped along in our discussions, amongst many others, by John Perry Barlow, who in 1996 lit the spark with his ‘declaration of independence in ciberspace’, Alex de la Iglesia, who stepped down from his post as Director of the Film Academy in protest against the Sinde law, as well as many of the hackers and people who have created tools to assist the actions of the 15M movement, such as the network N-1.cc. *Three days to think about what the Internet has done for us, and what we can now do for it ;-).* Location Thursday 27th October, 20.30 Oxcars Sala Apolo - Barcelona Friday 28th and Saturday 29th from 11h to 21h at the Rambla in front of Santa Monica and at Santa Monica, Drassanes metro stop * Site: http://www.2011.fcforum.net/ Program: http://www.2011.fcforum.net/topics/ English translation will be provide. * Please, help to disseminate the info.* * http://oxcars11.whois--x.net/en/ http://whois--x.net/english/the-oxcars http://whois--x.net/english http://2011.fcforum.net http://fcforum.net http://www.facebook.com/LaEXnet Twitter at @fcforum_net (inglés) Identi.ca at @fcforum (inglés) Twitter at @X_net_ (castellano) *X.net **http://whois--x.net* ----- +info http://list.fcforum.net/wws/info/fcforum_discussion ---- -- P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net Connect: http://p2pfoundation.ning.com; Discuss: http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation Updates: http://del.icio.us/mbauwens; http://friendfeed.com/mbauwens; http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens

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Ethics of Sharing, special issue
by Michel Bauwens 22 Sep '11

22 Sep '11

Dear Franco, can you announce this on the regular blog, October 5 or after? see http://p2pfoundation.net/Ethics_of_Sharing Many thanks! -- P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net Connect: http://p2pfoundation.ning.com; Discuss: http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation Updates: http://del.icio.us/mbauwens; http://friendfeed.com/mbauwens; http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens

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The Sun "Asleeping"...
by robert searle 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

The following maybe of interest, and maybe know to some but not all on this site. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulhudson/2011/06/a-sleeping-sun-could-have-a-b… R.Searle

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Re: [P2P-F] http://blog.p2pfoundation.net/unemployment-is-the-cure/2011/09/21
by Michel Bauwens 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

thanks Paul!! On Thu, Sep 22, 2011 at 3:31 AM, Paul B. Hartzog < PaulBHartzog(a)paulbhartzog.org> wrote: > you've been asking me about this for a while > so I finally wrote it up ;-) > > http://blog.p2pfoundation.net/unemployment-is-the-cure/2011/09/21 > > -p > > -------------------------------------------------------- > http://www.PaulBHartzog.org > PaulBHartzog(a)PaulBHartzog.org > -------------------------------------------------------- > The Universe is made up of stories, not atoms. > --Muriel Rukeyser > > Perceive differently, then you will act differently. > --Paul B. Hartzog > -------------------------------------------------------- > -- P2P Foundation: http://p2pfoundation.net - http://blog.p2pfoundation.net Connect: http://p2pfoundation.ning.com; Discuss: http://lists.ourproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/p2p-foundation Updates: http://del.icio.us/mbauwens; http://friendfeed.com/mbauwens; http://twitter.com/mbauwens; http://www.facebook.com/mbauwens

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Chartalism, a new P2P Entry?
by robert searle 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

Michel, et al, I have done a check on the p2pfoundation site, and it appears that Chartalism is not present yet it is an important form of monetary reform. It is often known nowadays as Mondern Monetary Theory, or MMT. There has been some data on it already on the discussion group, but the wikipedia entry could in full, or in part go on the p2pfoundation site if desired.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartalism Essentially, it believes that governments should create "enough" new non-repayable money to fund social, economic, and political concerns. Taxation is seen as a means of reducing inflation as opposed to raising revenues in the conventional manner. R.S.

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The Ethics Of Sharing: Out Now
by Felix Stalder 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

The current issue of the International Review of Information Ethics on the ethics of sharing, guest-edited by myself and Wolfgang Sützl, is available online now. With contributions by Clemens Apprich, Michel Bauwens, Vito Campanelli, Alessandro Delfanti, Marie-Luisa Frick/Andreas Oberprantacher, Mayo Fuster Morell, and Andras Wittel. … This issue brings together contributions towards an ethics of sharing that embed the new technological potentialities linking them to their actual social impact. In our understanding, information ethics “deals with ethical questions in the field of digital production and reproduction of phenomena and processes such as the exchange, combination and use of information.” So, the task of developing an ethics of sharing is both descriptive – helping us to understand the contemporary complexities of the ethics of exchanging information as it emerges from using digital technologies across a global range of social and cultural contexts – as well as normative – helping us to address blind-spots and clarifying possible ethical frameworks to address unresolved issues regarding these practices. And what do we and should we finally do with the truly impressive contributions gathered here to provide answers to the above named questions and guidelines for the outlined task? We share them with you leaving them to your appropriate use – whatever you may make out of it. complete IRIE issue 15/2011 in pdf format http://www.i-r-i-e.net/inhalt/015/015_full.pdf --- http://felix.openflows.com ----------------------- books out now: *|Deep Search.The Politics of Search Beyond Google.Studienverlag 2009 *|Mediale Kunst/Media Arts Zurich.13 Positions.Scheidegger&Spiess2008 *|Manuel Castells and the Theory of the Network Society. Polity, 2006 *|Open Cultures and the Nature of Networks. Ed. Futura/Revolver, 2005

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Deep Sea "Gold Rush."
by robert searle 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

It is said that most of the planets resources lie undersea. Using the present debt-based financial system this might become a serious, but highly controversial proposition. http://www.newscientist.com/embedded/hydrothermal-vent-map http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_sea_mining

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Mining on the Moon.
by robert searle 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

The following may be of interest. http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/962678/plans_to_strip_mine_t…

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Community I/O - proposed for W3C Community Group
by elf Pavlik 21 Sep '11

21 Sep '11

Hello, I have just proposed a new W3C Community Group - Community I/O In short description: "Group focusing on applying current information technologies to create foundation of infrastructure for organizing flow of resources and support with services within human community. All peers (individuals or projects) can state their needs (input) and offers (output). Using Semantic Web, Federated Social Web and other related technologies people can develop various approaches of connecting those needs and offers. Including variants with and without use of currencies." I would like to invite everyone on this list interested and working with such technologies to join in. At this moment you can only find it as one of proposed groups: http://www.w3.org/community/groups/proposed/ Once 5 people express support for creating it a small infrastructure from W3C will appear with wiki, mailing lists issues tracking etc. Thanks! =) ~ elf Pavlik ~

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