Critique of Open Source Ecology

Critique:

From Don Jackson:

I'm not totally convinced open-source is going to work for farm ecology (only because I'm not sure things can be made economically on a one-at-a-time basis, versus making things in a factory), but I like the idea of universal design and easily replaceable parts, and I like the sharing of information, so in those ways I do believe in and share your goals.

Response

Think of it as mini-factories (like Factor e Farm) via a robust, digitally-assisted fabrication lab. The distinction between one-off and mass production ceases to exist when you have digital design files shared worldwide, flexible equipment for the actual production part, and skilled labor to carry it out. This is called small enterprise, as opposed to the prevailing model of corporate welfare monopoly. Only the former is a route to Jeffersonian democracy and other ideals that the unique American experiment produced - ideals which are being eroded consistently today. That's why there's a demand for reinventing free enterprise, which people today confuse with monopoly. Indeed, open source ecology is our process for realizing Gandhi's concept of mass production - using ancient wisdom combined with modern technology.