Robert Cote
Team Culturing Information
WHO are you?
- Robert Cote
- Chandler, AZ, USA
- Email: robertcote@cox.net, Mobile: 480-244-7137
- Resume/CV
WHY are you motivated to support/develop this work?
- Do you endorse open source culture?
Yes, whole-heartedly. My feeling is that the model of industry according to profit-based corporations has gotten out of hand. The typical modern industrial focus is on short-term profits – and the future, of our planet and our children and theirs – be damned.
Open source culture provides for putting the power back into the hands of the people. There is nothing wrong with realizing an honest profit in business, but things get out of hand when one is forced to buy certain specialized (and overpriced) products or services. And perhaps this would normalize if the currency of exchange were goods for goods, as in bartering. There is too much focus and energy put on getting rich with money, and too little on the richness of an honest, hard-working lifestyle.
- Why are you interested in collaborating with us?
I want to collaborate because I feel this is an idea whose time has come. I work for a military contractor, and I go to work every day for someone else’s profit, and put my energy into a cause that I don’t believe in – just to get paid and receive benefits. I am at a point in my life where I feel the quality of what I do matters to me and to the world. I want to become part of the solution, and cease to be – as I feel I am – part of the problem.
- How do you think that the GVCS can address pressing world issues?
I believe that the US is necessarily in the path of a major cultural change when our economy falters with the weakening of US currency. The present-day “fix” of injecting more fiat currency can only go so far before the US dollar is worthless, and the long-standing position (or illusion) of power falters. Our goods and services will become too expensive for the average person, and the gulf between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ will widen further.
The situation worsens when peak oil is considered. Our modern culture is based, more than most realize, on cheap fuel – fuel that is dwindling, and therefore will not remain cheap. The staggering scale of all this is what brings a plethora of goods to market, allows suburbs to exist for commuters, and many petroleum-based products like plastics, tires, and many others. But it also means choked freeways, planned obsolescence of vehicles, and pollution that threatens life on our planet.
- What should happen so that you become more involved with the project?
I am interested in finding out how I could replace my corporate job with doing an OSE-type activity, yet still provide for my family. I am not about high wages, but I do wish to be able to afford adequate medical coverage. I am wondering if there is a kind of transition program, whereby one who is “stuck” in a corporate job situation can break out gradually into the OSE culture.
Could it be possible for one, as me, to produce parts needed for one or more of the OSE Fifty Machines in my spare time? I have work space and could tool up to do so.
- What is missing in the project?
The only thing that I have not seen in the wiki is any reference to the music or arts as necessities of life. I know these are not skills considered necessary for survival as are food and warmth, yet you speak of the need for psychiatrists or counselors. This tells me you value those who can touch the non-physical parts of humanity, and I would argue that music and art does precisely that. I, for one, can state without hesitation that making (and listening) to music has done a great deal to maintain my sanity over the years.
Beyond that, I am confident that, given the OSE community mindset, any shortcoming would quickly be identified and addressed. There is no greater way to find what may be missing than to launch a project, during which any unfilled holes will soon become apparent.
- What are your suggestions for improvement of the project?
One idea for an improvement is this: Since it seems optimal to be able to attend the Factor E Farm in order to learn the skills and be steeped in the culture of the OSE, it would be good if there were a chance to do one- or two-week visits to aggregate the one-month training. This would allow persons as me who, due to present work constraints, are unable to take off four contiguous weeks, and aid in the transition from the corporate work paradigm to a community-based work situation.
WHAT are your skills?
- List all of your skills in these areas: Communications - Organizational - Computer Support - Finances - Design - Natural Building - Electronics - Automation - Metallurgy - Engineering - Fabrication - Agriculture - Energy - Architecture - Video/Graphics/Art - PR/Marketing - Education - Construction - Industry - CNC - Chemistry - Product Design - Other
As is indicated in my resume (below), I hold a BSEE degree, and am a 20-plus-year software designer/developer/tester of embedded processing systems. (I was trained in circuit design, but my first job was as embedded SW, and I have been there since.) I have used numerous real-time operating systems (RTOS), as vxWorks, Green Hills, and pSOS+. I have developed code from low-level drivers to application-level code, using C, C++, and some assembly code. I have also written a few Visual C++ GUIs. I also enjoy scripting languages as Perl, Python and Bash shell scripting.
In 2010, I earned a certification for Permaculture Design, and have applied many of the concepts and techniques in my back yard. I am dealing with the many challenges of trying to grow food plants in the desert.
Also in 2010, I attended a 7-day intensive, build-from-scratch wind turbine seminar. This was held off-grid in the mountains just west of Fort Collins, CO. A team of 7 built a 6-foot, 3-phase, axial-flux alternator. The emphasis in the class was to use easy-to-obtain materials and common construction methods, like welding and common fasteners. I purchased this unit, and it is currently in storage.
I am a life-long musician, and have played an array of instruments over the years. Most notably, I have played (and still play) the keyboards and 5-string electric bass guitar.
- How have you already contributed to the project?
Besides signing up as a True Fan, nothing yet.
HOW can you help?
- How are you interested in contributing to the work of GVCS development?
I would like to transition to an OSE community by gradually weaning myself from my current corporate culture work. I envision producing some needed part or parts by setting up a small “factory” in my home work space. My goal is to replace my current means of income.
Alternately, I am good with documentation, and would be willing to edit or create word processing documents, adding drawings in same, if required.
- Can you volunteer to work with us, and if so, how many hours per week?
I could volunteer about 5 hours a week.
- 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?
Yes, I am interested in working for pay, in an effort to gauge what would be needed to replace my current means of income.
The services I can offer are producing parts. I am skilled at optimizing a task, and creating jigs, etc., for repetitive (mass) production.
It is difficult to give an hourly rate, because I feel that my effectiveness will vary from task to task, depending upon the nature of the work. I would like to discuss this matter.
- Are you interested in a Dedicated Project Visit?
Yes, the interest is there. However, with work and familial constraints, I am presently unable to be absent for a solid month.
- Are you interested in purchasing equipment from us to help bootstrap development?
Yes. I would want to discuss this. I am planning a move soon, and would want to wait until settled at the new location.
- Are you interested in bidding for consulting/design/prototyping work?
Yes, prototyping. Of course there are a lot of variables here, so I would want to discuss this.
- Are you a True Fan? If not, why not?
Yes. I just signed up to contribute monthly.
- Would you like to see yourself working with us on a full-time basis?
Yes. I would work, if not physically on the Factor E Farm, then local to my own community. The OSE village concept is adaptable to any area. No offense, but Kansas City area is not my first choice.
- 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.
I find the thought of this very interesting. This would be difficult if I could not have my family accompany me, however. Is that a possibility?
If it is possible to include my family (provided they are on board with the idea), and I am not bound by a job scenario (that is, if by 2013 I am not working a corporate job), I would be quite interested. I realize these are two rather large “ifs.”