Having problems with message search?
I'll still have to pass this time, given how limited and already-spoken-for my money is right now, but maybe at another future event. Work/trade is what I meant by hostel-like (because hostels typically get work from guests in exchange for the stay). Putting the cost up for comparison against even a motel room for two weeks, the cost doesn't seem so out of place. OTOH, motels are very capitalist business, and I feel very strongly that anything "PC" should be setting a higher ethical economics standard. I have a very socialist-like perception of how things should be ( i.e., just because a fool is willing to part with his money doesn't mean it's ethical to take ALL of it if you're not returning as much in objective value). Since I've lately begun to notice some very overt capitalism in some of the high-falutin' "ICs", I'm beginning to scrutinze the motives of other PC operations as well. Somebody (with no concern for his own reputation) ought to be asking the questions, even if they prove to be unwarranted, as they might be in retrospect here. It's unfortunately not practical to simply assume that PC enterprises aren't flaming capitalists in sheepskin disguise.
(If I were a capitalist myself, of course, I wouldn't care, because I'd make up for it by screwing-over some other guy later down the road, at least I would if I had any intention of being a "successful" capitalist. Capitalism only works well when everyone is equally self-interested, and I don't fit that presumption. A lot of people don't, and that's why wealth concentrates.)
Mark
On 3/14/07, Gryphon <gryphon@...> wrote:
Mark,
I've heard similar criticisms regarding the cost of Pc courses in the
past. Of course every situation is different, but as far as I
understand it, RDI does not own the land the event is being hosted at.
Commonweal is a non-profit organization that studies illness and helps
people suffering with cancer: http://www.commonweal.org I am sure that
Commonweal's property taxes are high (unless they baought it aeons
ago), but I'm sure they're getting very little of the tuition money
for their own expenses -- mostly they'll be getting lots of free Pc
work on their property done in return for use of the land.
But think about this: for a two-week intensive course taught by three
main instructors, plus about 4 guest instructors, plus all meals for
the two weeks and materials, there really isn't much slush to go
around. Everyone should be paid a fair wage for their work and if
they're helping to insure that Pc knowledge continues to get taught
and shared, all the better.
There may be some work/trade opportunities offred in lieu of a portion
of tuition, but I don't know for sure, so contact RDI directly if you
have any questions.
Many Blessings,
Gryphon
--- In NorCalPermaculture@yahoogroups.com, "Mark A. Craig"
<mark.a.craig@...> wrote:
>
> I wish these things weren't so horrendously expensive; I'd like to
> participate in some of them, and I have ample time to do it right
now. With
> them operating from a 17-acre farm right on the Marin coast
(absolute prime
> real estate), I really have to wonder about their priorities? Is
that why
> the courses have to cost so much, to pay down their extravagant
choice of
> locale?
>
> Are there any workshops like this that are more egalitarian or
hostel-like
> and don't cost an arm and a leg and one's firstborn?
>
> Mark
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
See what's inside the new Yahoo! Groups email.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/0It09A/bOaOAA/yQLSAA/NUlwlB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NorCalPermaculture/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NorCalPermaculture/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:NorCalPermaculture-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto: NorCalPermaculture-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
NorCalPermaculture-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Offline 
Send Email