We are constantly seeking the technological fix. The adage, reduce, reuse, recycle follows a definite curve. Why would “reduce” be the first in this bunch? Wouldn’t it behoove us to consider reducing our energy use to begin with, or better yet to integrate into the landscape and all that the natural forces of the world provide for us? Can we not direct these forces by “passive” means in order to live a life of comfort and ease? The winds will condition our space, water can be held in the container that is constructed for it in the earth and feed our planting regime, sunlight captured by the mass of a floor will keep us warm when needed and six feet down in the earth is a constant temperature that will not only supply coolth but in the colder months, warmth. Why all these mechanical gadgets built from an already depleted resource base? Every broad acre farmer knows that too much time is spent fiddling with machines. Small, intensive systems of agriculture belie the use of hand tools and are more energy efficient and bountiful in the long and short of it. Cheap oil has turned us into machines that use machines. A monocultural world, an industrial being, an imperialistic maven. Technology, technology on a large scale, draining funds from the people, taking food out of the peoples’ mouths. Bengali farmers cannot even afford to buy their own rice. When we fail to make even the slightest attempt to observe the landscape we miss too many opportunities. The bounty is enormous and the natural world needs no machines nor the intruding hand of the people to make for its well-being. It gives and gives and gives and we do not know how to manage. Ecologically sound, economically viable. Where exactly are we heading with all of this?