SOCIAL: Bali's "Perfect Order" this FRIDAY, Feb. 17 (for forwarding)

[Adrian.Cotter at sierraclub.org]

The latest Long Now foundation lecture (below) sounds fascinating (at Fort
Mason, Cowell Theater).  Unfortunately I'll be unable to attend I think

+ Adrian Cotter
----- Forwarded by Adrian Cotter/Sierraclub on 02/13/2006 12:15 PM -----

Never has complexity theory been applied to so beautiful a subject.

Anthropologist Stephen Lansing spent 30 years delving into how Balinese
water temples regulate an island-wide irrigation system of such highly
evolved complexity and nuance he came to describe it as "perfect order."
In the same environment western techniques of the "Green Revolution" have
proved to be crude and destructive.

Lansing's Bali richly illustrated story is first-rate anthropology field
work and an elegant application of complex-adaptive-systems analysis to
otherwise mysterious cultural practices.  It is also a vivid demonstration
of the uses of deep time.  In Bali, ecology and culture are totally
immersed in each other.

"Perfect Order: A Thousand Years in Bali, " Stephen Lansing, Cowell
Theater, Fort Mason, San Francisco, 7pm, Friday, February 17.  The lecture
starts promptly at 7:30pm.  Admission is free ($10 donation quite welcome,
not required).

This is one of a monthly series of Seminars About Long-term Thinking
organized by The Long Now Foundation, usually on second Fridays, usually at
Fort Mason.  If you would like to be notified by email of forthcoming
talks, please contact Simone Davalos--- simone at longnow.org, 415-561-6582.

You are welcome to forward this note to anyone you think might be
interested.

                                --Stewart Brand
--



Stewart Brand -- sb at gbn.org
The Long Now Foundation - http://www.longnow.org
Seminars: http://www.longnow.org/projects/seminars/calendar.php
Seminar downloads:  http://www.longnow.org/shop/free-downloads/seminars/