Re: permaculture trademark alert

[Lsmitholy@aol.com]

I have been following the discussion and decided to chime in.  I took Scott 
Pittman's PDC course last summer and worked with him and his Board of 
Directors this past winter on their strategic plan.

I understand the frustration and confusion that has erupted due to Bill's 
actions.  We revere him so.  But the organization must move through this 
transitional period in the best way it can.

The organization sought a way to control the content of the PDC and the 
integrity of the movement.  Trademarking the word "permaculture" was the 
method chosen.  This provided reasonable assurance that only PDC grads would 
use the term to describe their work.

With the recent turn of events, this means of control is no longer available 
(apparently it never was if it was not trademarked in the US).  So, how else 
to maintain the integrity of the movement?

I think certification is still an appropriate method, only more should be 
required of someone to actually go out and teach or landscape for money.  
This still does not guarantee competency.  We all experience bad mechanics 
(who are licensed).  The difference is that we don't encounter one bad 
mechanic and think taking our car to a mechanic is a bad thing in 
general--which is what seems to happen when someone encounters a bad 
"permaculturist."  This is due to the youth of the movement and the ignorance 
of the consumer.  Consumers need to know what kinds of questions to ask 
someone when they hire a "permaculturist."  If you want to create 
professional "permaculturists" I'd say you have some work to do in informing 

consumers to make good decisions.

That said, I don't believe there is such thing as a "permaculturist."  
Permaculture is a framework, a lens, a way of interacting with the 
environment and society.  Yes, there are some practical techniques, but they 
evolve as we do and are not set in stone.  I forget who was talking about 
this, but the idea of competency permaculture classes for different 
applications is a good idea.  Rather than cover everything, cover what is 
applicable to a group of engineers, a group of mechanics, a group of nurses, 
a group of farmers, etc. 

The grassroots movement of "permaculture" is growing up.  Some coordination 
is essential at this point.  It's not going to come from Bill anymore.  So I 
suggest (humbly) that you take this opportunity to look at where the movement 
is and where you'd like it to go.  Some kind of guidelines for teachers is 
going to be necessary, internships, new curriculua, etc.  I believe 
permaculture has an exciting future ahead of it, but it will take 
coordination.  And who cares what you call it as long as the idea gets 
disseminated.

Peace,

Linda Smith