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Stephanie
Stephanie
9 years ago

I really enjoyed this podcast. It pushed me a little outside of my “belief” comfort zone. And that’s always a good thing.

Also, as soon as Curtis mentioned the book “Antifragile”, I downloaded it on audiobook and so far, I’m enjoying it.

Thanks Jack!

Reese M
Reese M
9 years ago

Marconi didn’t invent the radio. At most he assembled it from Tesla’s patents. Tesla knew what he had. He was trying to invent something like cellular television and didn’t want to lose his funding by stopping at just radio.

Tim
Tim
9 years ago

Thought this was a great show. I’ve listened to many of The Urban Farmer series on Permaculture Voices Podcast.

I thought this was a great synopsis of the work he’s doing, plus a nice diversion into topics of anarchy, etc.

I give this one: Two Thumbs Up.

Great show.

jeff nw ohio
jeff nw ohio
9 years ago

I think a benevolent fiefdom is a very cool way to run a larger farm. It brings accountability and simplicity at the same time. Joel’s farm seems to run very good this way.

Curtis is very inspiring and has a great message. I just started the anitfragile book and what a challenging book to read. Definite free market book and shows how corrupted our minds are from our dysfunctional our education system and news and media sources.

jeff nw ohio
jeff nw ohio
9 years ago
Reply to  jeff nw ohio

I wonder if the fiefdom hasn’t caught on because our thoughts and actions are not on the same level of Joel’s. I think that those wanting to manage larger farm type acreage don’t have the mindset and goals that Joel has. I agree, he has a large funnel to staff his estate, but his desire is market his products as directly as possible and to help others who want to be part of it.

How many property owners ever sit down with 500-1000 acres and say hay, I want to create something similiar to what Joel’s doing? It doesn’t hurt that Joel’s seems to be a genius that really appears to be benevolent, in his actions.
I wonder if anyone looked up the first five years of polyface, I’m sure it’s way different than it does today. Most people don’t want the headaches of trying to manage that much land with so many different things going on.

Insidious
Insidious
9 years ago

Always great to hear from Curtis!

I’ve been thinking that I don’t think its so much a ‘fear of success’.

Instead I would say that we’ve been trained to be ASHAMED to be a WINNER.

This works well for the standard ‘shame the thing people desire’ control method (you want to succeed, but your ashamed when you succeed… mental confusion ensues, and you’re ready for control).

The shame message generally being ‘if you have anything (have won) you TOOK IT from someone’ (oppressor! thief! unfair!).

This can be some deep (childhood) programming.

societal meme:
If you’re STRUGGLING… you’re virtuous. If you’re SUCCEEDING, your oppressing/exploiting someone.

This mental weed needs to be rooted out.

Josh Scandlen
Josh Scandlen
9 years ago

Relatively new to the podcast, so first time I’ve heard Curtis. Love this guy. My own bias had me discounting him at first as I thought he’d be WAY to the left and I almost skipped the episode. My mistake and I’m glad I listened. He’s a capitalist the way it’s supposed to be and fun to listen to. Another lesson to keep your bias in check because you never know.

James Stevens
James Stevens
9 years ago

Jack, you and Curtis really play off each other well. The conversations you two have are always entertaining and profound.

I just pre-ordered a copy of The Urban Farmer. That’s awesome to hear that it focuses on business – hoping to pick up some relevant marketing knowledge in the small grower space.