The Concept behind "The New Colony"

This new record does indeed have an underlying concept which I believe is very crucial in our world and that I am currently taking small steps towards making a reality.  It is all about sustainability, self-sufficient homes and ultimately a new approach to society or "The New Colony."  This is NOT some flaky utopian vision of the future, rather it's right at our fingertips and I am by no means the first to pursue this.  In fact, there are many that have already proven themselves.  Several months ago, I read Earthships Vol 1, 2 and 3 as well as The Coming of Wizards and Comfort at any Climate by Michael Reynolds, the creator of the Earthship.  I recently attended a weekend seminar this past October (2005).  Basically, these Earthships are homes made of spare tires which are rammed with earth and are designed for optimal passive solar application.  They are not connected to the grid but rather have their own electricity which is produced primarily from solar photovoltaics (PV) and/or wind (to all but eliminate the need for fossil fuels).  The design also includes rain catchwater systems with filtration systems, greywater systems (using the water that goes down the sink/shower etc to water plants), composting toilets (thus eliminating the need for a centralized sewer system) and more.   The bottom line is to create comfortable dwellings that are NOT DEPENDENT ON CENTRALIZED SYSTEMS and I know the Earthship dwellers are doing it.  The "New Colony's" concept is basically the same as the Earthship concept.  The big difference is that "The New Colony" is just a record while the Earthship is a reality that has been developed over the last 35 years!  It will continue to evolve.  Kudos to all those involved.

I would also like to mention The Monolithic Dome.  It most certainly runs parallel with "The New Colony" concept.  These are structures that can withstand hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires and are also very thermal by design thus making them much more efficient (50% approx) then your conventional structure.  Low maintenance and they cost about the same as conventional housing to build.  The inventor's name is David South.  I did get a chance to attend a conference and more recently a 5-day workshop.  At both events, I was frankly blown away. 

One of the songs on the New Colony entitled "Around the Sun," I had written a couple of years ago.  I did NOT know it at the time of the writing, but the song is all about a place I recently discovered called ARCOSANTI.  This is the vision of Paulo Soleri who coined the term "arcology."  Arcology is basically architecture and ecology as one. 

Between the Earthships, the domes, Arcosanti and many other developments out there, it's really just a matter of time before "The New Colony" (or something like it) becomes a necessary reality.  Sure, we'll need fossil fuels a little while longer but to quote the record "...the phase-out has begun!"     I think the critical nature of what we're facing in terms of sustainability gives the bagpipes relevance on this record.  The bagpipes were always used as a "call to arms."  Well, this "call to arms" is just as critical (if not more) as any march to war.

-11/3/2005