User:James Clark

WHO are you?

• Name/Nationality/Ethnicity - James Clark/American/English decent
• Location - Denton, TX
• Contact Information - greenlinepcs@gmail.com, 972-754-8041, skype ecophoenix77
• Introductory Video - coming soon.
• Resume/CV - [1]

• Hobbies and Pastimes- I enjoy talking, cycling, philosophy, meditation, building, writing, activism, technology, sustainable agriculture, and science in all its wonderful forms.

WHY are you motivated to support/develop this work?

• Do you endorse open source culture?

I most certainly do. In my opinion, it is the foundation of a truly sustainable cultural shift that will be essential for the future of our world, if we are to ensure that everyone has the tools they need to maximize their potential.

• Why are you interested in collaborating with us?

I think that distributive economics is the model that has the power to erode the power that the richest 1% have abused in their insatiable drive to control all wealth, and places it in the hands of the 99%. I think that a better system needs to take its place, and it starts with the GVCS.

• How do you think that the GVCS can address pressing world issues?

The artificial scarcity model is an outdated paradigm; we can see the flaws that plague it, from resource wars, starvation, environmental damage, and even the social fabric that has sustained civilization to this point. I feel that if we are to survive as a civilization we need a model that can meet the needs of people with local resources; such a model would address the issues of cyclical consumption that would only work if resources were unlimited, which they are not.

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

I have been talking about the GVCS to the Occupy activist community that I have been a part of since I left Factor E Farm a year ago. Additionally, I went and did the Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) course so that I could have the skillset I felt I needed to contribute to this project. By doing this, and building consensus with people about new ways to meet people's needs, I think I can help with not just technical things such as greenhouse aquaponics, but contribute to the culture of collaboration and community reliance that is undoubtedly occurring out at FeF, which I feel is just as important as the technical work that is the prime motivator of this project. I want to be more involved with the project, I think it is the most meaningful work I could possibly do. In order to do this, I have been building a project for the last few months, a means to grow superfoods, medicinal herbs, and fish in a zero-waste facility in a climate in which they would not normally grow.

• What is missing in the project?

I prefer to think of this question as "What more could this project do?" and the answer to that is a resounding Everything! Their is no horizon that I am capable of seeing that this project could not engage, present or future. I think it Will affect the very fabric of our collective existences. I think it will totally change our societal structures to a transparent global cooperative working together for the common good of Humanity; I think we have a lot to do! More specifically, I think that by doing aquaponics focusing on superfoods, medicinal herbs, and quality animal products, we can provide cutting edge nutrition to the people building the GVCS, which would raise productivity, but also by making value added products, we can internally bootstrap further GVCS development, plus open source the tool kit and knowledge of how to replicate this elsewhere, which is the core mission of the GVCS.

• What are your suggestions for improvement of the project?

I think that OSE is making fantastic progress on the development of the 50 fundamental technologies. I have been following what Gabrielle LeBlanc has been doing out there, and think she is making fantastic progress, and I think we could collaborate to realize the agricultural potential of FeF, and develop the open-source agricultural paradigm of the large mission (the 200/200/2 experiment), and also help make the agricultural development not only feed the FeF staff, but the larger community as well, which would help demonstrate the massive potential of the agricultural side of the GVCS.

WHAT are your skills?

• List all of your skills in these areas:
• Communications - I am very good at conflict resolution and talking through challenging issues.
• Organizational - My logistical background and experience in collaborative environments help me integrate well into an organization. The leadership experiences I gleaned from the Marine Corps and in the student organizations I participated in also help me in this regard. I subscribe to the school of thought that leadership through example is the best way to motivate others, and that the we is greater than the me.
• Computer Support - I can usually troubleshoot and fix most mundane computer issues, as well as working with computer graphics, but my IT skills are mediocre at best, for the time being.
• Finances - I was Director of Finance at Occupy Dallas, so some ability in this area.
• Design - I naturally gravitate to this and am rapidly improving in this area. I feel that function begets beautiful design. Do I have area for improvement? Yes, especially in CAD.
• Natural Building - My years of woodworking and my strengths in design do, without a doubt, make this my strongest suit.
• Electronics - Very specialized knowledge with electronics, mostly related to computer hardware, but need more work in this area. I would enjoy learning about this in order to develop valuable laboratory equipment (ftir. uv/vis, hplc, gas chromatograph, et. al.)using Arduino.
• Automation - I am very interested in this, and have given it some thought, via Arduino and similar open-source technologies. Although I don't have the programming experience to implement stuff like this.
• Metallurgy - I know a bit about the basics of metallurgy and crystallography in general from my chemistry background. I also think that I could help develop technologies for isolation of metals through various techniques.
• Engineering - Although I've very little engineering training, it seems to come to me rather easily. My knowledge in this area has mostly been solving practical issues via qualitative analysis, but I would like to learn to put my qualitative knowledge into more quantitative contexts.
• Fabrication - I have fairly extensive skill in woodworking and related technologies (kiln, steam bending, composites, bamboo) I would like to diversify my knowledge into metal and other media.

Agriculture - Very robust knowledge of organic farming practices, agribusiness, and land management practices.

• Energy - I have some good ideas about this that I would like to share including ideas like turning effluence into energy, et. al. that I will discuss in chemistry below.
• Architecture - I have always been a "maker" and this interest spans this subject as well. I like creating beauty out of function, and as my knowledge in engineering and other areas increases, I think I will only get better. That being said, although it has not been constructed, I think I have designed a scalable, modular, locally sourced model of building that would meet LEED specs, perhaps even platinum level, with help. That being said, I still have a lot to learn, but I must say, the design technique seems sound, to my eyes.
• Video/Graphics/Art - I am fairly competent in GIMP for making graphics and art, but not much in video creation/editing.
• PR/Marketing - My experience with True Colors, and the various organizations I have been involved with, as well as the work I have done up to now on my ideas have helped me develop some competence with developing grassroots organizations. I have also done a small amount of research in targeted advertising through mediums such as Google Adwords®.
• Education - I am a lifetime learner. While my higher education is not complete (I have approx. 140 hours of undergraduate courses), I have learned that it is not the only way to learn, and, quite frankly, might not be the best way either, at least not exclusively. I think being immersed in a practical environment emphasizes the junction between creativity, experience, and knowledge and the result is the skill to think critically, which is where true human capital is born.
• Construction - I have many practical skills in this area, and in the right environment with the right people, I can help build just about anything, including a civilization, both figuratively and literally.
• Industry - I am very familiar with a vast array of tools and techniques, plus I have a great deal of knowledge about how to overcome many practical problems. That coupled with my geologic and chemistry knowledge should make me a valuable member of any team looking to develop energy efficient, sustainable, and innovative industrial solutions. I think this is where my strength will be in the future.
• CNC - No skills in this area yet, but something I want to learn sooner than later.
• Chemistry - First, I want to say chemistry is my passion, and I find the fields of sustainable biochemistry, ligand field theory, catalytic chemistry, and the application of such fields in material science fascinating. I have great lab skills, and believe that I can contribute a great deal in helping this organization win the future by harnessing cutting edge chemistry solutions.
• Product Design - I have always been creative; I guess it is just how I am wired. Combined with my inquisitive nature, it has become natural for me to look at other products and easily see how it can be improved. I have also always had an eye for aesthetics; I had to while working at True Colors, as we built furniture.
• Other - I would like to use this section to talk about me, as a person. I have always worked well with other people, and I think working together brings out otherwise dormant positive personality traits. I am, by my very nature, a collaborator. I have a thirst for knowledge, and I have an iron-clad belief that my purpose in this world is to make the world a better place, not for me and just the people important to me, but to the entire world, but I digress. Personally, I have an sunny disposition. I tend to approach issues sideways, and have a penchant for going off on tangents, and some people find it baffling at first. However, as you get to know me, I have been told that I have a huge heart, never hold grudges, accept constructive criticism easily, and always have the best intentions at heart. I think that it makes me who I am, and gives me a unique perspective, which is often needed when tackling tough problems. I perceive it as the source of my creativity. I would also like to say I have had a wealth of life experiences, that I give me a different take on things, and I think that it has molded me into who I am.

• How have you already contributed to the project?

I haven't given much, yet. I have been familiarizing myself with the projects OSE is working on, and I have done a great deal of research into creating some very useful tools that I think would be of vital importance to OSE, including technologies that feed off each other with great synergy that, quite serendipitously, works very well with OSE's goals. I have given photohydrolysis via Carbon doped Titania and other active species on conductive ceramic substrates for production of hydrogen and oxygen with minimal electrical potential some thought. I have also been working a bit on a scalable cascading sterling cryocooler fractional distiller that can separate and store H20(s)from multiple inputs, NH3(l),CO2(s), CH4(s or l)from anaerobic urine/fecal decomposition, N2(l)from mostly atmospheric sources, O2(l) from atmospheric/photocatalysis sources, All the noble gases(special precautions needed for replicability in certain locales, due mostly to radon concentration),H2 from photohydrolysis, even He(l). This technology, used so widely, including in coordination chemistry would allow for extraction of other valuable chemicals from waste products, everything from dirt to biowaste and fly ash, with the ultimate goal of providing the building blocks to build all the things people need for their underlying infrastructure, both in the present, and the future: energy storage technology, energy production, and the multitudes of of other uses that a sustainable chemistry/material science infrastructure provides.

HOW can you help?

I have many different ideas, like the ones above, as well as other things. I also have many practical skills, and am very good with my hands, and, most importantly, I have the motivation.

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

I am interested in sharing ideas, working on the ground with you all to make this a reality.

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

I am interested in helping in any way I can. That being said, I am still recovering, albeit slowly, from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome[2]comorbid with Fibromyalgia[3], and that does require flexible hours, due to the inherent variablity of the illness. I have made great strides in recovery, but have to carefully maintain a strict diet/medicine/activity regimen. That being said, I don't mind getting my hands dirty.

• 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?

My motivators are intrinsic, and much like Dan Pink's speech on creativity, as long as my needs are met (which are small, as I have lived minimilistically for quite some time), I will be satisfied. The greater value is the experience and skills to be gained working with people that want to change the world.

• Are you interested in a Dedicated Project Visit?

I am, although quite a bit more research needs to be done before that can occur. Ideas that I would put forward are numerous, and I would most certainly want to get feedback on viability, implementation, and improvements from this community, and perhaps enlist the help of University of North Texas[www.unt.edu] researchers, of which I have two in mind specifically that may be interested.

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

I personally am not ready to purchase anything, but I have many contacts, of whom I am sure several will be interested.

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

I would rather donate my time and energy to this, and help increase this organization's positive cash flow instead of the opposite.

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

Due to my extended convalescence, I have lived on a fixed income for quite a while, so I have not been able to. However, largely thanks to the V.A. Vocational Rehabilitation program[4], I plan to go back to UNT for one semester to fill in some deficiencies in my education, and during this time, I plan to become a True Fan.

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

It would be my pleasure to do this. I would like to learn from this community the multi-disciplinary skills that are needed to win the future.

• 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.

Nothing would please me more.