Leif Sayvetz

Team Culturing Information

Last updated: June 16, 2012

WHO are you?

• Name - Leif Sayvetz
• Location (city, country) - Sinks Grove, WV USA
• Contact Information (email, skype, phone) - lasayvet (at) owu (dot) edu
• Picture -
• Introductory Video -
• Resume/CV -

WHY are you motivated to support/develop this work?

• Do you endorse open source culture?

I have been long interested in open source tech beginning with Linux. A fully functioning operating system of millions of lines of code could be produced not only by a company for profit motive, but by a community of designers in a non-capitalist setting based on collaboration and transparency. This is inspirational- large complex projects worked on by thousands in a way that moves beyond intellectual property and other capitalist ideology. Such may be our only hope for moving beyond capital (corporations) as the prime mover and motive for technology.

• Why are you interested in collaborating with us?

My own project involves trying to live on my farm in a way that is ecologically sensible while being as far removed from capitalist machinations as possible. This movement allows me to both develop/apply my skills where others can benefit freely, and provides ideas and plans for my own application. Our shared goals can not be accomplished in personal isolation, collaboration is key.

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

Sustainability is (tautologically) the key goal in developing ecologically sensitive methods of life. However, due to current technology, many people are alive that would not have been supported with pre-technological methods of food/shelter/etc. The answer can not lie in throwing away technological innovation and knowledge that have led to such ecological problems, but in recasting that knowledge such that a community on their own (not by some corporation) can support themselves from the local resources. GVCS is also structured such that it can be bootstrapped, which greatly lowers the catalyst energy for such a community to create itself given some will and practice.

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

The project is young, and yet seems to be one of the best chances that I've seen to produce a method of life I can identify with. As the project advances, proves itself, I feel that I will believe in it more strongly as our best viable option. When I graduate college and really dictate what my own time consists of, every success that I can produce here at home with and through this community will increase my ties, belief, and effort in support.

• What is missing in the project?

It is too early to heap on every goal and complexity that would be part of the solution, but further on more aspects of human life can be addressed. Right now the channels for basic needs (shelter, food, fabrication, etc.) need to have highest priority, and that's what I see. After the first steps we can think of all the space in between.

• What are your suggestions for improvement of the project?

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

Programming - C / C++ / Scheme. Pretty good at learning new languages
Design - Sketchup. Use for some of my own projects
Electronics - Basic analog, working on digital
Engineering - informal, applied on farm, application of mechanical physics
e.g. built cider press out of scrap wood
Fabrication - most experience with wood work, trying to develop metal work in the coming years (cutting/welding/forging)
Agriculture - Worked hay fields/grown gardens most my life,
- work with/repair tractors and other farm equipment
Construction - built pole barns, repaired barns, good with hand/power tools
Language - working on Chinese, maybe good enough for translation/relation in couple years?

• How have you already contributed to the project?

HOW can you help?

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

I live in mountainous country in West Virginia, where the land is incredibly hard on equipment (steep, rocky, groundhog holes, etc.). Farmers here find out which equipment is toughest, and everything breaks somehow. I feel my farm is very good for shakedown and testing power of equipment in terrain. However, I would love to develop my own skills in fabrication and apply my problem solving skills/farm experience in helping develop some of the machinery. I am very interested in energy production and agricultural aspects along with the very shop equipment you're producing.

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

On my farm I can certainly devote shop time after I graduate next spring, though times are very variable based on farm status (e.g. haying time is not good).

• 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?

Certainly not starting out, I have much to learn/develop.

• Are you interested in a Dedicated Project Visit?

Sadly, probably not. My responsibilities dictate I stay on farm.

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

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

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

no, currently I am a college student without the means.

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

Doing so here in WV, designing/building/testing in the future, working for something I wholeheartedly agree with would be a dream job.

• 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.

No, sorry. Once again, I am fairly restricted to living where I do now.