I don't think any community can be truly self-sufficient either in this current rendition of the digitized-legal-infrastructure.

When there we were still operating on the legacy paper-systems, communities could play out the legal loop holes with various Co-Op Schemes. The Amish have enjoyed relative self-sufficiency for a long time; the bribe money needed to maintain such a community wasn't as costly (bribe money = mortage, land tax, property tax, licenses etc).

Now i can hardly see if this is at all possible. I often sit atop skyscrapers in my city...and i have a very good pair of binos...i scour the landscape and i see the whole western world becoming Hong Kong.

When i travelled Hong Kong in the early 1990s, it struck me how unified most Asian/oriental cities were...skyscrapers, narrow roads, many back alleys, convenience stores, eating-out-culture to supplement the lack of space (thereby creating a booming economy via the food and beverage industry in local areas), and to maintain all such rigors of daily neccessities...the HK ID card was introduced.

I had been given one of these cards since 1996, when i was 6 years old...just before the passover back to China in '97.

Now i cast my bad eyes across this landscape and behold! I see the corrupt-uniformation of everywhere...how can communities possible survive?

I have been going back to reading Frank Herbert Dune. Especially the first book. I love the Fremen and their culture; some of it may be fictional, some of it may be based on various desert tribes. I have read Dune I, II and III many a time (I don't enjoy "God Emperor of Dune"...it's too tragic and sad for me...but Leto II the Godworm's observations on the human condition, of societal progression, genetic adaptation according to the times, are all poignant lessons for me).

It may be that we have to live outskirts on the borderlands. However in a recent conversation with the excellent @valued-customer, found here:"L.O.E.S - 5 - A Message To All Millennials"...I would like to bring your attention to the below sentiment:

I'm grateful for this heartfelt reminder that not all is doom and gloom. I am not one to fall into the black pill mosh pit. No way Ma'am. (wow i just realized if you switch the letters around...Ma'am can be spelt as Mama' LOL)

In my video there, I lament that the pre '96 kids (Gen Y's, thats me) were able to catch the last train of the old world. I don't include Gen X because they were already on their way to become digi-fied. In the video i comment on upholding old world "relics" (the old ways, traditions, lifestyles, thinking, cultural heritages, ethnic arts). Maybe i came across as saying that we should forsake the new and preserve the old.

(in Cantonese accent) THAT NO GOOD!

We have to embrace the new techniques and technologies being introduced into the world. Yet we can't be overcome by it or controlled by it. Many modifications are needed for us to adapt to this brave-clown-town.

We are in dire need of all elders to come forth and show us youngsters what the flame is...this life-fire ought to be re-appreciated and then the torch passed down to the ages, with careful instructions/guidelines on how to maintain the semblance of our rich old world, whilst navigating the updated world.

What do you think Elder @owasco ? Please advise this young grasshoppa.