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<DIV><FONT face="Times New Roman">Is Tom Rijven Ok?</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV>Paul <BR>
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<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=Max@PermaLot...
href="mailto:Max@PermaLot...">Max Vittrup Jensen</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, September 01, 2011 12:14 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=strawbale@amper....muni.cz
href="mailto:strawbale@amper....muni.cz">strawbale@amper....muni.cz</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> [Strawbale] Hurt Herbert and the future of strawbale
building</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
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style="FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none"><BR>Dear
all and Herbert,<BR><BR>Herbert, in brief: I feel pity for you.<BR><BR>At
length: Here's some more significant omission from your mail.<BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>Some personal remarks on the so-called european strawbale gathering 2011 in<BR>the sleepy village Bouzov-Podoli (CZ)<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>With
representatives from about 22 countries and from all shades of SB building, I do
believe it qualifies as an ESBG, right?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR>My first day in BP:</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>This is the significance: You
forget to mention that you first arrived on the Thursday; The day before the
conference. Thereby you didn't get any introduction to the place or the event,
you obviously didn't ask anyone else, and hence your mail is emancipated by
judgments and wrong conclusions. <BR>To me it seems that the fundamental
underlying cause of your mail is that you were not on the list of presenters for
the conference, and that at 1:20 at night you refused to turn out your
cigarette, even when asked 4 times. You were sitting 1 meter from a pile of
loose straw, under a flamable tent, bringing a huge risk to people and property.
Significantly you were smoking with people who had been told several times that
this was our central rule: No smoking beyond the camp fires. We had also very
clearly asked people to 'police' among yourself, that we would much prefer not
to have that role. You refused to turn it out, and I ripped it out of your
hand and subsequently closed down the bar due to such behavior. You were
extremely close of being kicked out of the property, but I showed leniency and
didn't.<BR><BR>So lets look at your accusations.<BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> imagine coming to a place where permaculture is the<BR>thing. That?s fine by me, but in this case it literally means<BR>eco-puritanism. </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>I"m
afraid you're not aware about my two Land Rovers, tractor, chain saw and power
tools?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>The only room for presentations - a tiny teahouse </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>I beg
to differ: There was a large tent with room for 100 people. We had sides ready
to be put on if necessary. We had 2 beamers available and 2 large monitors.
Another place to show digital images could have been in the area we used as
internet cafe; has housed 30 people at other times for film/slides. Perhaps the
most significant issue is that there was not much of a request, hence using the
cottage was the chosen place for the limited occasions. I suppose you didn't
arrive for the Passive house discussion in the big tent? One of the big
monitors were in use there; again, being a 'full' participant could have done a
lot of difference to your mail.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>(and this also means no coffee anywhere) </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>At any given
time there was about 20 L. of hot water and coffee ready to mix in it.
Personally I complained to the cook about this way of serving unfiltered coffee,
but it comes down to "When in Rome, do as the Romans", and this is a very normal
way for Czechs to drink their coffee. But I guess you were not present when the
coffee table was announced? (It was 4 meters from where you sat and smoked
later).<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>with a sunken roof because of the abundant vegetation on it,</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Not
quite. Fano had unmounted some boards in order to put new prettier ones on it.
Unfortunately Fano got busy with other more important ESBG issues, and it didn't
get done. I'm sorry it looked worse than ever during ESBG.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> that you have to enter with a deep bow and some deep respect of mother nature. A big bump on the head reminded me: tree-trunks are harder than my skull,</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Perhaps
you should take it as a reminder of the several mails, where we have mentioned
we have a forest kindergarten? Kind of make sense for me that a hosue for
children is dimensioned according to kids, right? The doors are 175 cm
tall, very few people are not observant to notice this fact; apparently you
chose to find out the hard way.<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> maybe because I had not taken off my shoes before entering. <BR><BR>The purpose of the building (100 % ecological of course, made of trunks,<BR>earth and maybe a little straw) </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Once
again: WRONG. It is a straw bale building, made of 4 big bales, with about 40
small bales on top of the big bales, as well as one wall section made from small
bales. Only the South facing wall is from rocks with cob infill, as is the
rocket mass oven. The cottage was started at an European Natural Building
Colloquium; Noe, Tom Rijven, Elke Cole, Cristo Markham, Sara Tommerup, Tony
Wrench, Paulina Wojzicowska and many others all took part and added their touch
to it.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>became quite clear: it?s a stresstest on<BR>what earthen walls really can do for indoor-climate. No ventilation,</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>???
I suppose you didn't look up and notice that the roof of the tower tips and
allow for cross ventilation from the door?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> no<BR>electricity, </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>There's 2x100 volt electricity
supplying all the light necessary for the 12 LED bulbs inside. There's also a
small inverter available for a notebook PC. Yes, when we need a projector we
pull an extension from our house; is that a problem for you?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>no windows to be opened, and now you may multiply like 30<BR>people in a room for 20 with the 36 ?C it had on this day, add a lot of<BR>sweat and you come to the result, that it?s possible to build 100 %<BR>ecological even with almost no money and without architects and building<BR>
physicians. At least if you don?t intent to use the building for longer than<BR>the 2 minutes we humans survive without breathing.<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Central
issue to this is that so many people have pointed out to me that the building
works extremely well in ensuring a cool temperature during hot days of summer
(should do with the large overhang, earth floor and 60 compact straw
insulation!<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR>Apropos shoes: We wouldn?t have needed them at all because of the heat, but<BR>outside the teahouse we had to decide whether to walk on crushed stone with<BR>bare feet (and get rid of this softening overcivilised attitude of us petty<BR>
urbans) or slip back in our dampening footwear.<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Now, is
this a complaint that our local quarry has crushed gravel? That we chose to use
this gravel on the sloped driveway outside the cottage, as otherwise we could
never get a vehicle up the hill? I'm afraid you forget to mention that at the
flat area where the dining area were we had nice river polished gravel for your
feet...<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>Nature was the big theme on this 'ESBG', but even the wasps (which seemed to<BR>gather here from all over Czech Republic) knew that and so they decided to<BR>populate the vegetarian feeding places in crowds and followed the food and<BR>
drinks to the tables. This was the next lecture to learn to live in<BR>accordance to mother nature. And if you count those nice little creatures as<BR>visitors (why not?), this ESBG was the best visited ESBGs of all time.<BR>
</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>This is very correct, a very kind Austrian biologist who
arrived to help prepare the ESBG explained how the wasps are aware that they
will soon die, and hence they want to get the last bit of sugar available. I'm
sorry we didn't find time to deal with this issue, install electrical zappers
(proven to kill 70% beneficial insects), spread agent orange, or whichever other
solution you'd prefer.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR>But who am I to complain: not arriving on the first day saved me from<BR>working on the wells (yes, really!) to have the pleasure of pipewater. </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Incorrect
again. A few people arrived a day before or early during Tuesday. (We started at
17:00). One of them was Richard who kindly offered his help preparing before the
ESBG. He did a great connecting some of the pipes to the new well which had
taken 2 different well companies 15 months to make (Welcome to rural Czech
Republic; I'm very sorry things don't work like in Austria here). One of the
processes which had to happen was to lower a tank into a hole we had escavated,
and that hole had to be leveled first. Richard is not a 'spring-chicken'
anymore, and asked 2 young strong guys to level the ground and help lower the
tank. It is not my impression they had any problem with performing this
task?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>Cold water was spare, except at the only real refreshing place around,</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Had
you arrived Wednesday afternoon, you would have seen me pumping out massive
amounts of cold spring water into the garden/fields? During the Thursday when
you arrived all water systems was online and working, which included hot water;
heated by our 12 m2 integrated solar collectors, or our DAKON central wood
stove, which heats both a 500 and a 300 liter insulated tank: All in all, had
you arrived in time to get a tour of the house and property, you may have
benefited immensely; Ask the ones who did get the tour during the Open Space
session.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> a pond about 3 km astray, which had obviously been overlooked by the eco-puritans<BR>and so kept it?s natural beauty.<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Funny
viewpoint. Just for your information: It was made 13 years ago, funded by
EU.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR>Enough; I came here to meet and greet and share and exchange, so let?s come<BR>to that. The programm was very relaxed, it's called ?open space? and<BR>supposedly the latest hype for conferences. </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Once
again: You arrived much too late and missed out on our facilitators presentation
of it. You apparently have also forgot that it was included in the ESBG in
Sieben Linden back in 2007. And, yes, Open Space has been proven to be an
excellent way to avoid the scene of some people being hostage to other peoples
ego-trips, when they feel they have to present something to everyone. In this
case people are free to go to another venue. I'm sorry such freedom of choice
does not appeal to you.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>In fact open space means, that nobody feels responsible, because nobody had to follow a schedule or could<BR>even be sure about what he or she had to present or share. </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm
sorry that you didn't notice the poster advartising the 3 x 4(or 5) posted
simultanous events happening in 45 minute intervals? Or know that the central
rule of Open Space is 'The law of 2 feet'. You may want to read this? <A
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Space_Technology">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Space_Technology</A>
(It was also forwarded to you when you paid your fee...(remember, the 'early
bird' fee you got for signing up in February, but which you first paid on 16th
of May, and yet got the discount?)<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>The majority was<BR>wandering around the perimeter, not knowing where to go, what to say or<BR>hear.</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>I
don't beleive this is true.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> Superfluous to mention the lack of any presentation technique like a<BR>silly beamer</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Again,
2 beamers and 2 large displays available (One serves as a mobile cinema at
festivals). Every workshop convener at the Open Space was asked if they needed
IT for presentations; everyone requesting was served.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> (which really doesn't fit to such a low tech area); </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>????
You're really off here. I work 4-8 hours a day on computers, we own 3+monitor,
cameras and most digital equipment you'd imagine. I'm very sorry we don't live
up to your accusations and judgements.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>we crowded<BR>together around some laptops, until their batteries went dead.<BR><BR>But let?s have some practice. Only pure naturalists enjoy standing in the<BR>baking, burning sun for more than 5 minutes, not to speak of building<BR>
strawbale constructions. But there are always those tougher than the rest.<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>We
had 350 m2 of area covered by 3 huge tents, in addition to the 35 m2 cottage and
the SB house. All in all it seems to me that anyone wanting to get out of the
sun had ample opportunity?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>Some were very willing to work with the handmade strawbales, but...<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>When
in Rome; do as the Romans. It's well known the CZ bales are of bad quality due
to old East German equipment (Farmers tend to buy round bale and big bale
machinery when they upgrade). The bales we had was made with such old press 2 km
away. Before they were made Kuba had visited the farmer and agreed that he could
use them for his workshop. He insisted on compacting them further as part of his
educational approach, and his overall sense of quality. It took an hour or two.
Do you really seriously believe we should have imported 40 bales for this
workshop? Or for making an open bus stop? <BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>according to the law of Max (I come to that later) one has to begin with the<BR>stemming of the lines before the wrapping may begin. </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>???
I've never even hinted at anything like this, so please don't spread this kind
of nonsense to 650 innocent list subscribers. Fact is you never had a
conversation with me at ESBG, apart from refusing to turn out your
cigarette.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>A lecture, that the truth of strawbale-building isn't just fun with bales, but a lot of<BR>preparing work around. After 15 minutes everybody seemed to know the<BR>technique of wrapping by watching the stemming and left the place.<BR>
</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>I was busy and did not take part of Kuba's workshop. As far
as I could see it was always a place of attraction for many people. When you
arrived and sat watching there was min. 15 people at the area.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR>Dusk fell, it was still very warm, and after exchanging a lot of<BR>anger-calming jokes about the ongoing events </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>In
other words, about 6 hours after you arrived, 2 days into the ESBG, without any
understanding, you're busy back stabbing; isn't that what you describe?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>(in the center of which stood<BR>?Mad Max?, the ever stressed out, goofylike leader with an annoying cowboy<BR>attitude (and hat)),</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Do
you really want me to public describe your looks? Simply try a mirror.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> we found ourselves coming together, enjoying delicious<BR>cold beer and soothing cigarettes (some more natural smokeables) and each<BR>other, celebrating a birthday child with a ?cake? of clay with candles, and<BR>
entertaining us with tales of the strawbalers world and about the funny<BR>situation. The local ESBG-team tries always to compensate Max' chaotic<BR>manner and is really nice and friendly, serves some schnaps and (free) beer<BR>
to lift the spirit... but it all came to a sudden end with the spontaneous<BR>arrival of the 'leader'. </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Again;
I was about 100 meter away, inside an old farm house made from adobe, and at
1:15 on a Thursday night I heard loud screams, and figured I better czech out
the situation, afterall, I have to live here with my neighbours, my daughter
play with their kids etc. You on the other hand are only here for extremely
limited time. In other words, my role what that of the 'host', and yours that of
a 'guest'. And after hosting about 3000 guests here, you win the prize for being
the worst guest ever.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>He prohibits smoking (we sit outside in the open<BR>air on a place called 'bar', but according to Max' law we are on a<BR>strawbuilding site and everybody knows: don't play with fire when on a<BR>strawbuilding-site).</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>This
is simply too rediculous. You were 1 meter from the leftovers of Kuba's bale
tightening workshop; a 1 meter tall pile of straw with a 5 meter diameter. In a
very hot weather period and among lots of people. I will forever view your
actions as grossly irresponsible, and not worthy of anyone entitling himself the
'National coordinator of SB building'.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> Because the author of this silly review seems to ignore<BR>the actual seriousness of the situation, Max threatens him to remove him<BR>from the premises and fetches the lighted cigarette out of his hands. ?What<BR>
about the candles?? one dares to ask. You all can surely imagine, that the<BR>cake with the candles followed the cigarette immediately into the dust of<BR>the night.<BR><BR>After that lecture in preventing fire on strawbuilding-sites we could have<BR>
proceeded smoking, lighting candles and joking but nobody was in any mood<BR>for that anymore. What was told in the minutes before we went to sleep is<BR>better not be cited.<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes,
equals attracts. You had attracted a few other who favoured smoking and back
stabbing, rather than pro-active involvement: Congratulations!<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>But what the hack, the next day would save the event: the big 'European<BR>strawbale conference' which takes place ? oh glory halleluja ? in a<BR>different location at the townhall in Bouzov (and this means comfortable<BR>
toilets, a beamer, windows to open and hopefully no wasps).<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>You
are aware that during the past 6 months you've been aware to rent a hotel or
pension? Was the toilet seat not comfortable enough for you? Was it better in
Sieben Linden? And again; why didn't you ask for any of our 2 beamers, 2
monitors etc, if you had the need?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>My second day in Bouzov-Podoli: In preparing the big event some creative new<BR>things were established, e.g. the european networkers, who have brought<BR>european strawbale building-efforts to the point, where it is today, had to<BR>
present their topics on posters. </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Once again: WRONG. As
majority of whom you refer to as 'European Networkers' are not recognized as
such in their own country/or do not network, then we had not especially asked
them, and most certainly never asked them to present 'their topics'. We asked
the participants of each countries to please make a poster representing SB
building in their respective country; a poster which we then had printed and
used for a poster exhibition. I'm awfully sorry that you once again feel hurt
due to the fact that other Austrians were asked; I view this as a central cause
for your overall slander campaign.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>Themes of the presentations were edited and<BR>dictated to prevent duplication and different views, as a result e.g. a<BR>well-known plasterworker didn?t talk about his expertise, but shared some<BR>refreshing notes about his life as a young entrepreneur... an entertaining<BR>
presentation in contrast to the usual specialized strawbale-lectures.<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Eh;
WRONG. As part of the <A href="http://www.Ted.com">www.Ted.com</A> format, we
did the best we could to get very consize specialized topics, rather than 'all
round'. We had a series of themes. We invited special selected people whom we
knew had something significant to contribute with, and whom we beleived would be
able to do so in an engaging and enliving manner like at the <A
href="http://www.ted.com">www.ted.com</A>. This was also the why you were not
invited; as a matter of fact; the only 2 presentations which were very diffuse,
was the 2 which were not in the planned program, including yours. In the
case of Noe; he never offered to talk about plaster. He accepted our invitation
to talk about his fascinating self designed apprenticeship path, which I
personally found very stimulating and thought provoking as a contrast to the
formal EU funded approach presented right before him. <BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR>The schedule was tight, to say the least. We were at the clock; a<BR>countdown-device counted 20 minutes, starting again in the second it reached<BR>zero. Questions were entirely postponed to after the last presentation at 5<BR>
pm and exept a lunchbreak and a short break on afternoon we had no pauses at<BR>all for questioning or discussions (or smoking:-). A conference without the<BR>usual exchange like comparing experiences, sharing knowledge, bringing up<BR>
strawbale building by working together. Obviously Max has a completely<BR>different viewpoint on that ? no topic was scheduled more than once, so in<BR>the end it was one large heap of puzzle-pieces, only every stone belonged to<BR>
a different puzzle...<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm afraid I can't claim the honor
of inventing the hugely populate and effective TED.com concept, but thank you
for giving me such credit. As for your other misconceptions: Tomas clarified it.
He actually spent some 3-4 hours making that 'stop clock App', and it's the
central issue why this conference didn't slip so much in time as the Cohabitat
did. BTW: Have a look at the TED.Com conferences; they always have such a clock
to help keep presenters in line.<BR>BTW: Have you ever considered that standing
in front of the display, reading up what's already projected on the display, and
wanting to captivate people for as long as possible to listen to you, may more
be due to your need of attention, than due to the desire of the audience? Which
of these two elements should as conference serve?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR>Unfortunately even off the stage it was not possible to learn much, because<BR>whatever was interesting and not per se understandable in the presented<BR>system turned out to be a secret of the inventors. All in all a pleasent<BR>
conference-day with concise presentations and without arduous debates...<BR><BR>I left immediately after the conference, some of the visitors from Poland<BR>and Germany did that immediately after arriving (and clashing with Max),</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I'm
afraid I don't recall any clash? The 3 company partners you mention wanted the
type of ESBG they had experienced in Belgium, and would likely also have left
the ESBG in Sieben Linden or Friland, as they didn't have that
'conference/shephearding' approach which you experience in conference halls. I
tried to find out their concern, and all it came down to of facts was that they
felt we should have imported German standard bales, and that we shouldn't mix
the body coat for the bus stop with our clay-rich soil and local sand, but
rather use ready mixes (as their company consequently does).<BR>Had you stayed a
bit longer, you would have experienced a great concert at the castle grounds, a
nice farm fair and more workshops, and a farewell circle with about 50 remaining
people at 3pm during the Saturday, many with a lot of praise for the organizing
and execution of the event... But once again you chose not to take
part.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> but<BR>most of the others persevered, tolerated and outlasted the challenges and<BR>inventions because of the big distances to their home-countries, waiting for<BR>something like a turning point, which didn't come at all.<BR>
</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>You generally seem to be projecting your feeling of hurt on a
lot of other people?<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR><BR><BR>My conclusion: Certainly it was great to get to know and meet again so many<BR>nice people, but if this so-called ESBG is in any way significant for the<BR>future of the european strawbale building, then good night, european<BR>
strawbale building. Whats the purpose of an ESBG? For me, what it always was<BR>? sharing knowledge and experiences between all european networkers and<BR>straw bale builders, so that we can go home to our respective countries,<BR>
with renewed enthusiasm (which lasted long e.g. after the last Belgian<BR>ESBG), the reinforced feeling of being part of a movement, fine-tuning next<BR>years coordination, and some new ideas in the baggage to be spread at home<BR>
in workshops. In one word ? bringing forward the case.<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>What
you describe above was indeed what we tried to emphasize by using the very
successful instruments used at the ESBG in Sieben Linden; the 'World Cafe' and
the 'Open Space'. Please notice that you refrained from joining any of those
events, refrained from taking anything in, refrained from contributing to making
the event, never submitted anything for the conference, and arrived with a
seriously bad attitude. BTW: Here's your written promise of June 15th: "I will
soon send you my potential conference contribution, thank you for the
reminder." , well, it never came.<BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR>This years ESBG paints a threat: a threat of an event advertising the<BR>organiser, </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>?
I hardly feel we took it to the extend of Casa Calida? Yes, we showed which
non-profit organisation it is which hosted this ESBG. I believe that's quite
'Kosher'.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>abused for the sake of the local/regional strawbale building<BR>scene alone. </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>You
mean; "Also using the ESBG to promote SB in Czech Republic?" Yes, this was a
central reason to offer to host the ESBG, and clearly stated in our initial
proposal. In addition we asked online as well as among participants for 'deep'
topics to the world cafe, topics which then were carried on in the Open Space
(which you missed out on).<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE>That leaves the international networkers with the task that<BR>should be done by the locals: teaching newbies.</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Not
at all. This was not about 'International networkers'. This was about asking the
participants to share their skills with each other. Kuba offered his wrap, Tom
his C.U.T. (But was hospitalized right before ESBG), Niels showed ramming. Fano
Cobbing. Maren and Rikki recognized at the opening circle that some participants
would appreciate basic stuff and offered that; Is that so wrong? If so, then
please take up that issue with Maren and Rikki, don't blame the ESBG
planning/execution.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE> Don?t get me wrong, that?s<BR>an honorable task, and an important one, only why should any international<BR>expert pay for that? Experts pay for becoming even greater experts. If<BR>there?s just a job to do in which they only give, they should GET at least<BR>
paid. Or otherwise simply no one will gather together anymore.<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>This
has always been a central issue for me in planning the ESBG. I firmly believe
we're all equal, and I wouldn't dream on treating our esteemed Doc. Minke
differently than ...say, a Polish architect student. This is also why we chose
the approach of simply asking all registered participants if they had something
they wanted to present. The Google document where they could offer suggestions,
material and tool needs is still online for your to view; the link is in one of
the many mails you obviously didn't read.<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:mailman.70.1314791401.1050.strawbale@amper....muni.cz
type="cite"><PRE><BR>This is just my opinion, but I think its time to act now and push the next<BR>ESBG in a better direction....<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes,
this is very clearly very opinionated. As you heard at the end of the
conference, we will compose a call for hosting the next ESBG and invite for an
online vote about this, as there's not a fixed system to decide for these
issues, and as the list of national networkers is for a large part
dysfunctional. Please be a little patient and a lot less judging. We have an
international course starting tomorrow morning, so I've had other issues to deal
with and believe that this can wait for a week or two.<BR><BR>BTW: We'll start
our course with a team work exercise which includes doing the Jung/Briggs
personality test: <A
href="http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm">http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm</A><BR>I
just did mine with these results: <BR>Extraverted
Intuitive Thinking Perceiving<BR>Strength of
the preferences %<BR>22 12
1 11<BR><BR>I have a suspicion you're going to hit the '100'
mark in 'Judging' ....?<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR>Max<BR><BR><PRE class=moz-signature cols="72">-- <BR><BR> Ing. Max Vittrup Jensen<BR> "Jen-Sen: Make it Reality"<BR> Consultancy in sustainable building, planning and environment<BR> +420 585 15 20 10 - <A href="http://www.jen-sen.cz">www.jen-sen.cz</A> </PRE>
<DIV class=gmail_quote>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; PADDING-LEFT: 1ex"
class=gmail_quote><BR>Message: 2<BR>Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:20:48
+0200<BR>From: Cas Mol <<A
href="mailto:chwmol@hotmail...">chwmol@hotmail...</A>><BR>To: <<A
href="mailto:strawbale@amper....muni.cz">strawbale@amper....muni.cz</A>><BR>Subject:
Re: [Strawbale] ESBG 2011 and the future of
strawbale<BR> building<BR><BR><BR>Dear
All,<BR><BR>I wasn't there so I can't really comment but I do recognize some
of it.<BR>This is what you get when people make strawbale building into a
believe instead of a science.<BR><BR>Best regards,<BR>Cas<BR></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Cas: I'm sorry that you feel called upon to bark up at the wrong tree (A
dogwood?).</DIV>
<DIV>I view myself as a natural builder, using a multitude of techniques.
I design my approach using permaculture, also called 'a design science'. On a
more academic level I have a M.Sc. in Planning and Environmental Management. I
hope the long mail above illustrated that there's more than one side to Herberts
fractionalized story? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<P>
<HR>
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