Self-reliance

Technological Meltdown
//“There is a time in every man’s education when he arrives at the conviction that […] imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better for worse as his portion.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson// Alarm clock. Cell phone. Computer. Text-messaging. Email. Car. Stereo. iPod. Television. Coffee maker. The essential technologies of our days. Your ecovillage has agreed to “go green” for a week and save electricity or battery life by giving up one “essential” technology in your lives. Stop using one piece of technology all week. You must quit “cold-turkey.” Cut out anything with a motor or electricity. Record the changes you discover in your life during the absence of this piece of technology. Did it allow you to have more or less free time? Did you get used to life without it? Does this item truly simplify your existence, or is it possible to live without it? (Exception: if you are required to use a computer for a school assignment, this project is not an excuse for an exemption.) Your ecovillage must brainstorm a way to present your experience.

__Karl, Leith, and Stephanie __ We gave up watching TV for the weekend. We found that we had a lot more free time on our hands. However, finding ways to use that free time for something other than TV was slightly difficult. We couldn't really get used to life without the TV. Leith missed out on watching Secret Billionaire with her sister, and Karl was really upset that he couldn't watch any of the Phineas and Ferb marathon this weekend. Steph and Karl both found that they had much more free time to work on their Take Home AP Chem Test with Master Ben Zhang. He hates TV, so he already has extra free time. We think that if this assignment had run for a longer period of time, we might have eventually gotten used to the idea of no TV, but for the short term cutting TV out was hard to get over. This item does not really simplify our existence, or make life more complicated, but TV is a nice way to relax and waste some time. Having a TV can be informational, or just a distraction. Mostly a distraction. We came to a unanimous conclusion that we should all try to cut TV out of our lives like Ben Zhang so that we can have more free time to philosophize and search for om. Watching TV is largely unproductive and in today's world, also rather technologically advanced, which makes the practice of watching television really not simple at all.



Hover over these cool photos for thought-provoking captions.



** TASK: Week 2 **
**// The Simple LifeThe Simple Life //** // “Our life is frittered away by detail. […] Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity.” – Henry David Thoreau // Celebrities' lives have become overcomplicated with material possessions, entourages, paparazzi, and gossip. The constant pressure to live up to this standard has proved overwhelming for some. As a result, your ecovillage has become a hot spot for celebrity-lifestyle detox. Your collective role at the ecovillage rehab facility is as life coach to celebrities in need of life simplification. Using Thoreau's advice, create a 12-step program or timeline to help a Hollywood-obsessed celebrity wean off his/her fame-induced addictions.

__ Thoreau Pillows __

Thoreau Pillows Rehabilitation Facilities Here at the Thoreau Pillows Rehabilitation Facilities, we take pride in providing our elite celebrities with the highest quality rehab in order to help them separate themselves from their obsessions with material possessions, technology, and the fame that has begun to overwhelm their lives. We have created a 12 step program to help our celebrities develop their consciences, tune in to their intuitions, and become happier with themselves in order to earn a level of self-respect and self-reliance. Our program features several aspects that relate to sacrificing luxuries and in lifestyles in order to reach a level of control over their obsessions and fame. It is imperative that all celebrities who enroll in our program follow through completely with all 12 steps and dedicate the full 6 weeks to becoming healthier and happier individuals. If the celebrities are willing to sacrifice, work, and make changes, we are confident that we can help them take control of their lives and reach a point where the things they felt they needed to survive before are no longer a necessity.

The 12 Step Program to a Healthier and Happier Life 1. Spend time with family and friends in secluded or private spaces 2. Connect with nature through exercise, observation, and isolation 3. Revist past memories through pictures, videos, and sentimental objects 4. Keep a journal of your progression, reflecting on your feelings and on things 5. Let the people who work for you take a break to go on vacation or take some time off so that you can develop an appreciation for what they do for you 6. Clean out all expensive or luxurious items that you do not need and donate them to charity 7. Take down any pictures or posters of yourself and avoid reading any blogs or articles about yourself 8. Volunteer at charities or organizations to realize how lucky you are and how much one person can make a difference 9. Connect back with your religion in order to lead a spiritual life 10. Find ways to eat healthier and provide your own meals without relying on restaurants 11. Do not spend money on things you do not need, only necessities 12. Take time out of your day to spend time alone doing activities that calm you and put you in a peaceful place.

Some examples of celebrities that we have treated are as follows:

Paris Hilton came to us asking if we could help her with her addiction to herself and spending lavishly. Before she came to us, she was noted to have tweeted "Who needs church when you have @parishilton she's proof enough that there is a god, who else could make such an angel." After leaving our facilities, Paris was seen volunteering her time at an animal shelter and taking long hikes through the woods. Lindsay Lohan was brought to our facilities after her family convinced her that she was obsessed with her fame and material items. After being treated by our team, Lohan was seen writing in her journal and her appearances at fancy restaurants decreased.

** TASK: Week 3 **
** Thoreau for President ‘12 ** // “I heartily accept the motto—‘That government is best which governs least.’” – Henry David Thoreau //

Henry David Thoreau has announced he will be running for President in the 2012 election. He has turned to your ecovillage to run his campaign. Design a campaign strategy that allows Thoreau to educate Americans on his view of the best government. Your campaign objectives should include (but are not limited to): • ** Campaign poster ** • ** Campaign slogan ** • ** Stump speech offering Thoreau's views on five current political issues **

** Resources: ** [|****http://www.johnmccain.com****] [|****http://www.barackobama.com****]

** TASK: Week 4 **
** The Story Tree ** ** “ **// Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same, // // I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin, // // Hoping to cease not till death.” // //– Walt Whitman// The City of Pittsburgh has decided to create a genealogy project for the Millenial generation (that’s you). They have invited your ecovillage to submit a design for the project. Your design should go deeper than the traditional “family tree” to instead focus on 2-4 stories from each member's genealogical background. Keep in mind, Pittsburgh is looking for innovative, compelling ways to tell the stories and attract the attention of the Millennial generation.