Structure

It is interesting to me that your subject today is about structure, because I was talking with Petunia last night about structure in her community. She said that to say they have self-governing communities is somewhat misleading, in that they don’t have government in the form that we know it. There is no authority, whether it be chief or council. There is no one or group that dictates policy or morals, so everyone directs themselves. In the times of disaster or extreme problems the body of the community responds similar to the way the physical body responds to an injury. All attention is focused on the injury, and the community naturally rushes to respond, the same way blood rushes to the site of a physical injury creating swelling in that area. Then there is a temporary structure set up, based on the nature of the problem, like the manner that New York City responded to the WTC event. This structure is based on collective cooperation and each individual offers their support according to their own knowledge and abilities in a concentrated effort. But once the problem is resolved the structure is dismantled. There is no planning for anticipation of future disasters because each is different and handled entirely in the moment according to need.

Her particular community has a theme to live in harmony with their environment, so their physical housing structures are composed of living and growing matter, such as trees, bushes and vines. They are more like intentional shelters. Some are small for the individual, some are larger for families, and there are many common areas like barns. Overall her village resembles a large garden composed of plants and flowers of all varieties.

The weather is rainy, but they can control it in the manner that it does not rain on their shelters directly, but rather around them, therefore the shelters remain dry and comfortable. There isn’t furniture as we know it, but rather contour of the land to simulate sitting and sleeping spaces. Sort of like a nest. They can levitate themselves, but only a few inches. This provides for a constant air cushion, which is very comfortable for sleeping purposes. Petunia has lined her sleeping contour in moss, and it is extraordinarily pleasing.