Re: all theory thread

[Bob Howard <rmhoward@omninet.net.au>]

Robert Jensen wrote:
> 
> Thanks Myk,
> 
> You have crystalised a thought that has been forming for sometime and
> particularly amidst the chaos of this rich theory thread.
> 
> Perhaps the philosophy of Permaculture needs to be treated more as a
> "social" issue, whereas the science/theory and in practice variations need
> to be treated organically.
> 
> Sometimes putting too much into one string muddies the logic.
> 
> Or am I just being muddle headed???
> 
> Any thoughts???
> Best wishes to you all.
> Robert Jensen
> 

Consider these differences between reproductive and productive work

1. Reproductive work is cyclical; productive work is linear, with
respect to time.

2. Reproductive work is time compulsory; productive work is time
voluntary.

3. Reproductive work is necessarily social; productive work is socially
necessary.

These come from Mary O'Brien's ground breaking work "The Politics of
Reproduction". Mary O'Brien is concerned to to extend the development of
what might be termed socialist feminist thought. As she points out,
Engels wrote about the reproduction of the worker without ever once
mentioning biological reproduction. 

If you consider that Pc is basically an economic theory i.e. Pc's have
the feeling that in the long term they will be better off economically
(at least as far as falling fruit is concerned!). Then I'd suggest that
Mary O'Brien's feminist dialectic about reproductive labour would be a
good place to start.

The above three principles essentially underlie many of the nostrums of
permaculture. Consider the idea of multiple usage. Reproductive work is
time compulsory. By that, she means that it takes 24 hours in the day
and it can't be put off. Child and animal carers will immediately
apprerciate the distinction. But all sorts of maintenance work is also
reproductive work. Hence the way to economize on reproductive work is to
do two things at once. So work spaces that are safe for children reduce
the cost of the labour of reproduction. Similarly tools, designs that
serve more than one purpose will save on the cost of reproduction. 

I could well go on but I think you might have the idea. COmments?

Bob Howard

p.s I'me relatively new round here - i live in Albany, Western Australia
with a motely collection of ducks, chooks and the occasional bandicoot.

rmhoward@omninet.net.au