coconut revolution

[darkrezin]

I saw this documentary recently.. great story about totally exploited people who went to war with a huge multinational and 2 corrupt/colonialist governments and won with nothing but their own natural resources, recycled machinery and sheer ingenuity.

There's a small clip on youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTMT1gnoTvs

You can get the full documentary here:

http://www.mininova.org/tor/578983

[siriusbliss]

I saw this documentary recently.. great story about totally exploited people who went to war with a huge multinational and 2 corrupt/colonialist governments and won with nothing but their own natural resources, recycled machinery and sheer ingenuity.

There's a small clip on youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTMT1gnoTvs

You can get the full documentary here:

http://www.mininova.org/tor/578983

hence all the push by the government and fake environmentalists to hijack this idea in order to take control of water and land before we do - effectively turning biofuels into yet one more boondoggle. Artificial control of oil/food prices COULD force US to fight in the streets.

good documentary though...

Another good one is 'The Take'

Greg

[darkrezin]

I think the main point (if you watch the full documentary of course, not just the youtube clip) is not just the concept of bio-fuel, but more about using resources in an intelligent way to defend yourself from exploitation. They didn't just use coconut oil for fuel, they built their own hydro-electric power generators and weapons from scrap metal and random parts. They also use coconut materials for everything from soap and anti-septic to mosquito repellent. They also got back in touch with and developed their ancestors' bush-medicine.

In the documentary they actually thank the PNG and Australia governments for blockading their island (something that led to most of the 15,000 deaths) - because it forced them to develop their own methods and help themselves. This is the main point of the story.

[siriusbliss]

I think the main point (if you watch the full documentary of course, not just the youtube clip) is not just the concept of bio-fuel, but more about using resources in an intelligent way to defend yourself from exploitation. They didn't just use coconut oil for fuel, they built their own hydro-electric power generators and weapons from scrap metal and random parts. They also use coconut materials for everything from soap and anti-septic to mosquito repellent. They also got back in touch with and developed their ancestors' bush-medicine.

In the documentary they actually thank the PNG and Australia governments for blockading their island (something that led to most of the 15,000 deaths) - because it forced them to develop their own methods and help themselves. This is the main point of the story.

yes, correct. I watched the whole thing.
Was just pointing out some other modern-day equivalents.

Greg

[darkrezin]

Yep - the implications of commercial bio-fuel on food supply/prices is definitely a serious issue right now... no argument there. If it does come down to taking the fight to the streets, I wonder if western societies are capable of the kind of solidarity and community empowerment that these guys showed... I sure hope so.

And thanks for the recommendation for 'The Take' - will definitely check it out.