Aug 22 2009
Ideas found at the Renaissance Fair
Yesterday, I wrote on self-sufficiency in an entry titled “Transforming Society – Self-sufficiency”. This is kind of a follow-up on that post.
Today, I decided to go to the Michigan Renaissance Festival that is near where I live. For those who have never been to a Renaissance fair, it is a themed event that loosely emulates some period in the Renaissance period (14th – 17th Century) usually England. I say loosely, since it is mainly a gathering of artisans and performers whose theme based on the period. Other than that, there is not much in common for the period.
Once you get past the bawdiness of some of the performers and crafts, you can learn a lot about different crafts that can be used for everyday living and also how small and individual businesses operate. Some of the items I saw of interest varied from mugs, candles, honey, and even soap.
Now, I know what some will say, what does this have do with self-sufficiency. Not much unless you look at things one can make that they normally buy in stores. Lets concentrate on one item, soap. The soaps there were made from various ingredients from beeswax, goats mild, olive oil, and honey. Many of these ingredients that can be produced by the individual if they have the resources (many can come from a garden and/or small farm) and the knowledge and patience to do so.
The second thing is that many of the artisans at these Renaissance fairs own their own businesses that produce the goods they sell. Although it is not based on Distributive principles, it does show how one can run their own business, do what they like, and make a living at it. One can get inspiration from this to do the same thing.
Finally, a Renaissance fair shows a kind of cooperative or community atmosphere. It takes a lot to get and organize a diverse group of relatively independent people together for a specific number of weekends each year. Although it is a completely different concept, a community or cooperative based on a Distributive economic and rooted in Catholic Moral and Social teachings, one can learn a lot from a Renaissance fair on how to come together to start and work towards a goal.
We can learn a lot from a Renaissance fare. However, it is how we put this knowledge to use that is important.
