A ProtoMartian Curriculum - Lessons from Cobb Hill

Scott G. Beach · 2004-06-07 00:00:47

I recently searched the web to find a K-12 curriculum that could be used in The City of Euthenia's public school system. Optimally, that curriculum would prepare students to design and build sociocultural systems that can maintain and replicate themselves on Mars.

I was looking for a curriculum that is based on systems dynamics and my search took me to the Sustainability Institute. I discovered that some of the systems dynamicists who work for the Institute have built an intentional community. I believe that their community-building activities will yield lessons that ProtoMartians should study.

The following four paragraphs appear on their web site (http://www.sustainer.org).

Cobb Hill is an intentional community of people who want to explore the challenge of living in ways that are materially sufficient, socially and ecologically responsible, and satisfying to the soul. As a rural community, we try to practice sustainable land management—organic farming, ecological forestry, minimization of waste. We are also developing the skills of community: sharing, responsibility, compassion, communication, consensus building, conflict transformation, appreciation of diversity, and love. We believe that these skills are necessary to bring the larger society to sustainability and sufficiency, and we want to learn them to the best of our ability.

Life at Cobb Hill will be frugal in terms of quantity, rich in terms of quality. We strive for a sane balance between privacy and communality, labor and leisure, freedom and order. Decisions are made, insofar as possible, according to what will be best for the community, for the land and for the world over the long term.

Cobb Hill members earn their living from the land, through work for the Sustainability Institute, through teaching or workshops inspired by the land, through arts or crafts based on the land, and through outside jobs. We pay taxes to the town of Hartland and participate in town affairs. We will work toward self-sufficiency of food, water, energy, building materials, and waste-processing.

Each member household owns its own living unit, plus a share in the commonly owned land, barns, and commonhouse. Decisions about operating budgets, capital investments, resale, and land use are made by the membership in a consensus process.

Cobra Commander · 2004-06-07 10:38:08

I recently searched the web to find a K-12 curriculum that could be used in The City of Euthenia's public school system. Optimally, that curriculum would prepare students to design and build sociocultural systems that can maintain and replicate themselves on Mars.

Humans form "sociocultural systems that can maintain and replicate themselves" all the time, they don't need to be trained for that.

Unless there's already a very specific sociocultural system in mind. Then indoctrination is vital.

We strive for a sane balance between privacy and communality, labor and leisure, freedom and order.

The fascist in me sees much potential in this, though the libertarian is reaching for the rifle.

Some of the points mentioned are worth considering, but given some previous Scott G. Beach proposals I'm dubious. Certainly willing to listen and evaluate each proposal on its merits, but skeptical.

Bill White · 2004-06-07 11:02:37

May I suggest any Jesuit run school system?

Actually the Jesuits are pretty damn good at designing self-replicating socio-cultural systems.

Mundaka · 2004-06-07 14:58:12

Morris · 2004-07-25 15:08:24

The following four paragraphs appear on their web site (http://www.sustainer.org).
Cobb Hill is an intentional community of people who want to explore the challenge of living in ways that are materially sufficient, socially and ecologically responsible, and satisfying to the soul. As a rural community, we try to practice sustainable land management—organic farming, ecological forestry, minimization of waste. We are also developing the skills of community: sharing, responsibility, compassion, communication, consensus building, conflict transformation, appreciation of diversity, and love. We believe that these skills are necessary to bring the larger society to sustainability and sufficiency, and we want to learn them to the best of our ability.
Life at Cobb Hill will be frugal in terms of quantity, rich in terms of quality. We strive for a sane balance between privacy and communality, labor and leisure, freedom and order. Decisions are made, insofar as possible, according to what will be best for the community, for the land and for the world over the long term.

Scott,

Thanks for posting an interesting website. The purpose sounds very similar to those of a wide variety of communities which were very popular in the 19th century and the late 1960s and early 1970s. Many of them were quite famous for a time. Naturally, they don't want to expand a lot and so the long-term successes don't make news, whereas the failures usually do. Does anyone know of a systematic study of the long-term outcomes of these communities? Of course, continued survival over decades and, especially, centuries would be the best evidence. Of course, steady-state communities are very vulnerable to neighbors who want to grow.

In terms of transplanting these ideals to Mars, it would seem that the earliest settlements would have to embody these values because they won't have many options. The question is "Do they want to embody these values over the long run?" Or will values change as the economy develops and opportunities change?

Morris · 2004-07-25 15:16:51

May I suggest any Jesuit run school system?
Actually the Jesuits are pretty damn good at designing self-replicating socio-cultural systems.

Yes, and if given the slightest opportunity, collaborating with civil authorities to impose their specific religious beliefs on others.

If you choose to go this route, make sure they are a small minority in the community at large.

Scott G. Beach · 2004-07-26 12:03:25

Morris:

You asked, "Do they want to embody these values over the long run?” I cannot speak about “the long run” (500 years). The Cobb Hill values and cultural practices might be studied by those residents of The City of Euthenia ( http://www.geocities.com/scott956282743 … thenia.htm ) who have been chosen to live in the city's “experimental neighborhoods.” Those residents might ask the systems dynamicists of Cobb Hill to help design the structural, mechanical, electrical, educational, and governance systems of the experimental neighborhoods.

The question that most interests me is whether the residents will adopt an educational system that is based on systems thinking. People who have taken college classes in systems thinking frequently report that the classes transformed their worldviews – they became systems thinkers. If Euthenia's school system has a curriculum based on systems thinking, and if the city achieves the goal of building a daughter city on Mars, then the worldview of most Martians will probably have a systems thinking foundation. And since systems thinking induces people to think about the long-term consequences of social processes, Martians probably will adopt the Cobb Hill emphasis on “sustainable land management.”

Morris · 2004-07-26 18:04:34

Those residents might ask the systems dynamicists of Cobb Hill to help design the structural, mechanical, electrical, educational, and governance systems of the experimental neighborhoods.

I would hope that the residents would appoint a working group to examine the educational possibilites which are available, including all those which adopt a systems approach. In making their selection, I would hope that they would evaluate whether or not any proposed consultants have actually produced working curricula, which have been embodied in actual schools and which have been in existence long enough to determine whether or not they are successful by a variety of criteria and whose curricular materials and manuals are publicly available either free or for purchase at a reasonable price.

I would hope that the working group would include experienced professionals who are aware of the many, many nice sounding ideas put forth by educational theorists which have cost other school systems a great deal of money and which were total or partial failures, e.g. "new math". In fact the market of "good ideas" put out by educational/social/ cultural consultant is one of the riskiest markets available if one's true mission is to produce something which works in the social/cultural arena. (If you simply want to go through the periodic "reorganization ritual" found in most systems, then most any of them would be adequate. They are great at producing high sounding reports which say what the administratiors want them to say and which nobody expects to have any practical effect whatever). If Cobb Hill or any other proposals survive the "I'm from Missouri. Show me." review, then the citizens might well want to work with them to produce a systems theory oriented curriculum.

The question that most interests me is whether the residents will adopt an educational system that is based on systems thinking. People who have taken college classes in systems thinking frequently report that the classes transformed their worldviews – they became systems thinkers. If Euthenia's school system has a curriculum based on systems thinking, and if the city achieves the goal of building a daughter city on Mars, then the worldview of most Martians will probably have a systems thinking foundation. And since systems thinking induces people to think about the long-term consequences of social processes, Martians probably will adopt the Cobb Hill emphasis on “sustainable land management.”

I have the impression that there is often a difference between taking a "systems approach" including certain intellectual baggage that goes along with it, and actually using systems thinking. The latter is absolutely necessary when completing any complex project these days in order for the final product to work. The space shuttle, a subway, an airplane, a car are all a "system of systems". The question is "When does the system end?" A new car or building may be superb but the thinking of the organization that produces them may be much more governed by "range of the moment" thinking than awareness of all the consequences of its production.

Of course, when designing a society, the range includes the indefinite future all the practical interactions between components. The current planned nation which has most effectively used this approach is probably Singapore. An outline of how all this was accomplished (third highest per capita GDP in the world, sustained very high ranking in international math and science competitions, reduction of tensions between and relative assimilation of a multicultural population) is contained in Lee Kuan Yew's From the Third World to the First. Lee was Prime Minister of Singapore for about 30 years and, while still healthy and active, voluntarily and at his own initiative, gave up the Prime Minister's position to the next generation. This book should be required reading for all city/nation planners. [And also for libertarians who believe that it is a law of nature that planned economies can't work].

In Singapore, intellectual capital was concentrated in government rather than in the private sector and we had the interesting phenomenon of government developing highly profitable businesses which were turned over to the private sector when talent adequate for running them was finally found. One of these was Singapore Airlines. You may have seen some of their recent ads on TV.

Also the government is known for its incorruptibility. I'm not talking about their own propaganda here. Business groups who rate countries on factors influencing the chances of business success rate Singapore very high on freedom from corruption. Travel guides warn visitors not to make any statement to a government official which even might be interpreted as a bribe and to give them NO gifts. The punishment for a minor offense of this type is caning. They take justice so seriously that if you are a visiting businessman and are the victim of a crime, they will pay your airfare and hotel bill to come back and testify in court!!

Of course there may be disadvantages to some. If you decide to work in Singapore, all of the videos you bring with you must be turned over for censorship.

Anyway, Scott, I also like a systems approach, but whatever approach we use to design settlements should be based on principles which can be shown to WORK.

Morris · 2004-07-27 22:53:51

And since systems thinking induces people to think about the long-term consequences of social processes, Martians probably will adopt the Cobb Hill emphasis on “sustainable land management.”

Is there a book or set of readings on systems theory as you see it which has particularly impressed you?

I also want to apologize in getting a little tangential in my last post.

A.J.Armitage · 2004-07-30 17:11:49

The fascist in me sees much potential in this, though the libertarian is reaching for the rifle.

The rifle, man, go for the rifle! Kill the sucker!

(BTW, why do you quote the BoM? Are you a Mormon or something?)

Aetius · 2004-07-31 19:30:30

Cobra, when you made that comment it reminded me of the "Frosted Mini-Wheats" breakfast cereal commercial.

John Creighton · 2004-07-31 21:03:22

If the goal is social engineering then the issues are:
What are the objectives: freedom, crime rate, mental health, education?
Is there any mechanism to change the objectives?
Who will be responsible for education?
Will any social norms be enforced and how?

I personally value a society that places a large interest on freedom, education, entertainment and arts. I am not particularly adverse to risk but reasonable building standards and fewer guns on the street will ease my woes. I value a society that looks after its members but promotes productivity.

Anyway, If there is a land rush, perhaps people of similar values may settle in similar areas. What happens from there is anyone’s guess.

Morris · 2004-08-01 08:39:58

I value a society that looks after its members but promotes productivity.
Anyway, If there is a land rush, perhaps people of similar values may settle in similar areas. What happens from there is anyone’s guess.

Sounds like we are in the same ball park on general goals.

One thing that interests me is what additions/changes to a basic curriculum would be uniquely associated with the needs of an early Martian settlement. It struck me that a small settlement would need plenty of cross-training on essential tasks. Maybe the school day would be divided with perhaps 6 hours spent on academics (if automated techniques are heavily relied on there might be little difference between "classroom" and "homework" time) and another 4 spent in on-the-job training in essential tasks.

And physical education would be de rigeur. Perhaps another 2 hours per day.

Cobra Commander · 2004-08-02 11:03:43

Cobra, when you made that comment it reminded me of the "Frosted Mini-Wheats" breakfast cereal commercial.

I wonder which side is frosted. :laugh: They could both use some sugar-coating I suppose.

Scott G. Beach · 2004-08-03 20:36:43

John:

You wrote, “If the goal is social engineering then the issues are: What are the objectives: freedom, crime rate, mental health, education?”

The primary goal of the educational system of The City of Euthenia would be to socialize children; to prepare children to perform the functions that keep their society running. A secondary but very important goal should be to teach children how to control the evolution of their society. They should be taught to question the efficacy of their traditions, to imagine more effective and enjoyable traditions, and to experiment with new traditions. They should not be controlled by “the dead hand of tradition” -- they should be in control of their sociocultural evolution.

You also wrote, “If there is a land rush, perhaps people of similar values may settle in similar areas.”

There will NOT be a land rush to colonize Mars for the same reason that there has not been a land rush to colonize the floor of Earth's oceans. The capital cost of colonizing these areas is far, far, far beyond the means of a husband and wife.

In the 1800s a man could buy a wagon and a team of oxen. He could then join a wagon train and take his family West to settle unoccupied, fertile valleys. This “Westward Ho” scenario cannot be repeated on Mars and the romantic notion that it can be has generated a lot of woolly headed and thoroughly unrealistic speculation. In contrast, the scenario that I have suggested (The Euthenia Project) does have the potential to generate a political consensus, and a legal and financial foundation, and technological systems that will prepare people to establish permanent human settlements on Mars.

clark · 2004-08-04 09:04:45

Your argument is predicated on the capital cost precluding a land rush scenerio. Wouldn't "Euthenia" and the technology developed by creating this city reduce the capital costs, thereby providing the foundation for the land rush scenerio?

If it's just capital costs, then it's a time issue- as time increases, generally, capital costs decrease.

Euthenia is a romantic notion, by the way. :laugh:

Morris · 2004-08-04 10:28:42

The primary goal of the educational system of The City of Euthenia would be to socialize children; to prepare children to perform the functions that keep their society running. A secondary but very important goal should be to teach children how to control the evolution of their society. They should be taught to question the efficacy of their traditions, to imagine more effective and enjoyable traditions, and to experiment with new traditions. They should not be controlled by “the dead hand of tradition” -- they should be in control of their sociocultural evolution.

Yes, Mars would be an outstanding place to experiment with being "in control of their sociocultural evoluation". While technologically Euthenia might be very complex, it will, at least for some time, be small enough for a high degree of social planning to be practical. While I love your statement about the children being taught "to imagine more effective and enjoyable traditions", won't there have to be standards relating to the probability that an experiment will be fruitful to keep the very considerable expense of experimentation within bounds?

Speaking of Euthenia, I notice that on Level 5 you have livestock and poultry. Livestock is very labor-intensive and requires large amounts of biomass daily. Do you have hard evidence that this will be feasible, especially in a restricted underground environment? If so, I would be very interested in reading about it.

Scott G. Beach · 2004-08-04 17:05:20

Clark:

You asked, “Wouldn't 'Euthenia' and the technology developed by creating this city reduce the capital costs, thereby providing the foundation for the land rush scenerio?”

The people of The City of Euthenia would be working together to build a daughter city (New Euthenia) on Mars. The Euthenians might periodically draw lots to decide which families will be provided with transportation to Mars and with title to or leases on dwellings in New Euthenia. I do not foresee these matters being decided by a land rush in which people literally race to Mars to take possession of various dwellings. That sort of chaos would certainly result in a grievous loss of life.

Scott G. Beach · 2004-08-04 17:06:56

Morris:

You wrote, “Livestock is very labor-intensive and requires large amounts of biomass daily.” It would probably not be practical to try to raise cattle in these circumstances. Smaller critters like goats and sheep could be kept in a neighborhood setting.

Animals that are raised for slaughter could be allowed to graze in the greenhouse domes (MUTs) operated by agricultural neighborhoods in the city of New Euthenia ( http://www.geocities.com/scott956282743 … thenia.htm ). However, breeding stock should probably be kept in well shielded underground facilities.

Morris · 2004-08-04 20:54:43

Animals that are raised for slaughter could be allowed to graze in the greenhouse domes (MUTs) operated by agricultural neighborhoods in the city of New Euthenia ( http://www.geocities.com/scott956282743 … thenia.htm ). However, breeding stock should probably be kept in well shielded underground facilities.

Thanks for the link. The through link to the article in Astrobiology was excellent.

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Re: A ProtoMartian Curriculum - Lessons from Cobb Hill

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