User:Steve.mussared

WHO are you?

   Name/Nationality/Ethnicity - Steve Mussared/American/Caucasian
   Location – what is your city and country? - Galena, IL USA
   Contact Information - steve.mussared@gmail.com (563)258-0750
   Introductory Video -
   Resume/CV - available upon request
   Hobbies and Pastimes - learning, reading, electronics, crafts, machining, internet, gardening, boating, rc planes/cars, robotics

   WHY are you motivated to support/develop this work?

   After being honorably discharged by the US Navy I found myself wanting to learn as much as I can about the world around me. I discovered that there were a number of facets about modern American consumer culture that I found untenable. America consists of only 5% of the world's population yet we consume 25% of it's resources and feel entitled to do so. We dominate the geopolitical arena with hegemonic resource monopolies. There is something deeply wrong with the current economic philosophy steering the helm of this ship we call a country. Modern advertising and business models contradict the very essence of what it means to economize, which is to increase efficiency and decrease waste. We have let the hunters and warriors govern for too long and now I believe it is time for the scientists and engineers to step up and render all the nonsensical tenets inherent in modern capitalism obsolete, if such a thing is possible.

   Do you endorse open source culture? 

   Absolutely. I see the laws governing copyrights and patents as a hindrance on innovation, social progress, and the general well-being of the people of this world. The process has become so convoluted and corrupted by business that people who truly design or invent something new and want to see it affect people positively on a large scale will release it openly for others to copy and innovate, and improve upon.

   Why are you interested in this work? 

   I'm interested in this work because I believe in the core philosophy behind the open source movement. I would count myself an opponent of centralized power structures. My favorite quote regarding freedom comes from Thomas Jefferson. “Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition.” I believe no such thing as freedom can exist while we are dependent upon an inefficient globalized economy. I believe we should be want to be well-educated in various aspects of life and reject the notion that specialization brings about more prosperity than having a broad range of skills and knowledge. What I believe specialization actually fosters is a self-destructive tendency to compartmentalize. Compartmentalization cultivates interdependence and spreads systemic vulnerability. I believe open source design will create a future of possibilities where resources and skills are independent of systemic risk while maintaining efficient redundancy. 

   Are you interested in teaching about the GVCS? 

I would consider myself more an architect than a teacher but I also believe that teaching is an inherent part of living life.

   Are you interested in economic relocalization possibilities arising from the GVCS? 

Absolutely. Especially regarding food cultivation. The average American meal travels 1200 miles before it gets to our plate. Every calorie of food costs ten times as much in energy under the current economic paradigm. That is extremely inefficient and wasteful. Same holds true with many consumer goods. Localized independent economies is the future...whether we adjust for it or not.

   Do you want to use the GVCS technologies yourself? Do you want to build them yourself? 

While the project is still in prototyping phase I doubt I will be building one of the early designs for my own personal use. Maybe a few. Right now I have plans to design and build wind turbines using a CNC machine that I am building at home. I am also interested in designing and building a solar concentrator out of a 10 ft satellite dish. I want to design and build an efficient steam turbine to power a generator.

   Are you interested in starting up enterprise using the GVCS technologies? 

I'm more interested in being a part of a well organized community that creates and uses these technologies. I want to help prove the concept.

   Are you interested in having the GVCS technologies fabricated by your local custom fabricator? 

I am more interested in learning to build them myself.

Are you interested in applying the GVCS to third world development? To redevelopment of crisis areas? To development of derelict areas in the developed world?

I would be interested in seeing the impact such technologies would have on third world development but I am adamant about staying in the US.

   Are you interested in starting up Industry 2.0 flexible fabrication enterprises for your local community, by drawing from a global repository of freely down-loadable designs and fabricating using open source fabrication equipment? 

Once the concept has been proven to work, I don't doubt many others would. Including myself.

   Are you interested in the potential of the GVCS for developing local food systems? 

I mentioned this earlier in the question regarding localized economies. An ever resounding yes. :) Who wouldn't like cheap local organic food. I am particularly interested in aquaponics.

   Are you interested in doing academic studies/papers, publishing books, or doing other analysis of our efforts? 

I'm actually more interested in design, building, and implementing the technologies.

   Are you interested in financial investment opportunities arising from our work?

I'm not really sure and can't provide any real answer regarding that topic at the moment.

   Are you interested in the distributive economic aspects of our work, and if so, how do you see this playing out?

I believe in the great potential in local, independent, redundant economies. Rather than having our goods made half a world a way, I would much rather build my own goods myself or have them made quite close to where I live.

   Are you interested in building renewable energy production facilities based on open hardware (solar concentrator electric, wind, biomass power)? Are you interested in building resilient communities based on access to the GVCS? 

Absolutely. It has been the focus of my innovative aspirations since I departed the Navy.

   Are you interested in creating a bug-out hut using GVCS technologies? 

I would imagine that GVCS technologies once fully implemented would nullify the need for bug out huts but yes I suppose.

   How do you think that the GVCS can help alleviate the instabilities of global monetary systems? 

As it currently operates, the global financial system has decoupled from reality in that exponential growth is expected of a finite system. Currency manipulation is the number one tool of tyranny. I believe being independent of such currencies is actual freedom.

   How do you think that the GVCS can address issues related to resource conflicts?

The primary issue related to resource conflicts is gluttonous consumption. I believe OSE cultivates a culture around conservation and efficiency thereby relieving much of the strain on current resources. If fully implemented I believe resource abundance would be a natural outcome.

   How do you think that the GVCS can address issues of overpopulation?

Again I believe this is a cultural issue but I do not see OSE contributing much in terms of combating this problem. The only real way I see population becoming a non issue is if it were culturally taught to have no more than 2 children and to live in a socially equitable economy so as to alleviate any concerns regarding retirement security. This is a complex issue and I have not come to any solid conclusions regarding it's solution.

   How do you think that the GVCS can address issues of resource depletion and environmental degradation?

By fostering a culture of conservation, efficiency, and sustainability. It baffles me that modern economics has produced planned obsolesce as a viable marketing tactic.

   What should happen so that you become more involved with the project?

I would love to come out for a visit to see current projects, where I would be able to help, and if I were a good fit to join the team. If all those things fall into place I would love to join you guys.

   What is missing in the project? 

In short, more widespread awareness of it's possibilities and a bit more aesthetic appeal. Most of all it is missing more like minded individuals who are dedicated, motivated, and technically minded.

   What are your suggestions for improvement of the project? 

I am more mechanically inclined so my suggestions would probably be related to the individual machines themselves. Outside of that, I would say some creative content or aesthetically appealing media. It would be superficial outside of the core goals, but I believe it would also create more interest.

WHAT have you already contributed to the OSE project?

Currently I have contributed nothing but my own interest.

   How are you interested in contributing to the work of GVCS development?

My own technical perspectives and my labor. I'm a team player and I am willing to fill whatever gaps are needed so as to promote the project without burning myself out.

   Can you volunteer to work with us, and if so, how many hours per week? 

Currently I live 5.5 hrs away so if I did join it would have to be for extended periods of time.

   Are you interested in working with us for pay? If so, what services can you offer, and what is your hourly or per-project rate? 

I am currently in school for CNC machining and programming which I see as an aspect that your project is in great need of. I don't know that finances would be something to discuss in this forum but if I were offered to join the team I can say that my philosophy motivates me more than my need for compensation.

   Are you interested in a Dedicated Project Visit?

I am. It would depend though.

   Are you interested in purchasing equipment from us to help bootstrap development? 

In such an early phase of development I have no need for them. I'm still a student.

   Are you interested in bidding for consulting/design/prototyping work? 

I'd be more interested in being involved rather than as a consultant/contract work.

   Are you a True Fan? If not, why not? 

I am. I believe open source is (or should be) the future. It is my aim to help make that a reality.

   Would you like to see yourself working with us on a full-time basis?

I am very interested. Again, it would depend on how it would all fit together but it's a definite yes. I would be proud to work with you people.

   Are you interested in using the technologies that we are developing directly?

Yep. off grid energy is one aspect that I am currently trying to design and implement at my current residence.

   Are you interested in being part of the world's first, open source, resilient community? The GVCS is the preparatory step for the OSE Village Experiment – a 2 year, immersion experiment (2013-2014) for testing whether a real, thriving, modern-day prototype community of 200 people can be built on 200 acres using local resources and open access to information? We are looking for approximately 200 people to fill a diverse array of roles, according to the Social Contract that is being developed. This may be the boldest social experiment on earth - a pioneering community whose goal is to extend the index of possibilities regarding harmonious existence of humans, ecology, and technology – as a beacon of light to benefit of all people on Earth. 

Absolutely.