It’s possible and one non-profit company is at its cutting edge. Called Open Source Ecology, the loose-knit group of volunteers from different walks of life are launching a civilization from scratch. At the moment, the organization has a Kickstarter funding drive going full blast. The aim is to raise enough money ($40,000) for the production of no less than 50 essential machines, including an open-source car and a 3D printer.
The scope of this project, dubbed the Global Village Construction Set or GVCS, is to efficiently build 50 machines needed for maintaining modern life. By ‘modern life’ isn’t meant the numbing satisfaction of consumer society, but a livable, sustainable community that provides everything it needs from power to bricks.
The Vision Behind GVCS
The GVCS project is not just about creating machines; it’s about creating a new way of life. The vision is to empower communities to be self-sufficient, reducing their reliance on external systems that are often unsustainable and exploitative. The machines being developed are open-source, meaning that the designs and blueprints are freely available for anyone to use, modify, and improve. This open-source approach fosters innovation and collaboration, allowing communities around the world to adapt the technology to their specific needs.
So far, the GVCS has already received pledges for half of its target amount. It’s encouraging and sort of precarious at the same time, since the campaign ends by mid-November. The success of this campaign could pave the way for a new era of decentralized, sustainable living.
Examples of Essential Machines
The 50 machines that GVCS aims to produce cover a wide range of needs. For example, the open-source car is designed to be simple, durable, and easy to repair, making it ideal for rural communities where access to traditional automotive services is limited. The 3D printer, on the other hand, can be used to create a variety of tools and parts, reducing the need for expensive imports and enabling local manufacturing.
Other machines in the GVCS include:
– A Compressed Earth Block Press: This machine can produce bricks from locally sourced materials, reducing the need for expensive and environmentally damaging construction materials.
– A Solar Power Generator: Providing a renewable source of energy, this generator can help communities reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
– A Tractor: Essential for agricultural communities, the open-source tractor is designed to be versatile and easy to maintain.
Anyone interested in an exciting new adventure that draws from a broad selection of skills and knowledge should really have a good look at these guys. The principles that are motivating them stem from self-reliance and a degree of libertarianism, both of which are increasingly attractive in these dire economic times.
The GVCS project also emphasizes education and skill-building. By involving community members in the construction and maintenance of these machines, the project helps to build local expertise and resilience. This focus on education is particularly important in developing regions, where access to technical training and resources is often limited.
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Source Kickstarter
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