Comments on: Lessons from Children’s Tales: Three Little Pigs

By: erzebet

erzebet — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:00:29 +0000

I think that organisms that change a lot survive more than organisms that do not adapt. the world is a complex changing place so lasting things are not always better. I would always prefer a house made of modules that I can interconnect and change all the time than a house made of stones. the planet is also changing so I wouldn’t cling myself to things that last a lot.
Did you hear about the concept of wabi-sabi? It is an aesthetical concept based on accepting transience and not durability. we are just mere thoughts in time so why build something that lasts?

By: Carnival of the Green #203! | EcoSalon

Carnival of the Green #203! | EcoSalon — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:36:03 +0000

[...] Green considers the tale of the Three Little Pigs as it relates to building development. Why don’t we make things to last [...]

By: The Three Little Pigs and Political Correctness | Fish in A Crowd

The Three Little Pigs and Political Correctness | Fish in A Crowd — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:18:01 +0000

[...] Lessons from Children's Tales: Three Little Pigs » Frugally Green Share and Enjoy: [...]

By: Tyler

Tyler — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:56:54 +0000

Hey Aldra & Alison,

Thanks for adding to the conversation. You guys rock.

By: Alison Wiley

Alison Wiley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:47:58 +0000

Great post, great analysis and analogy. I also love Consciously Frugal’s comment above. I would just add that here in Portland, Oregon we’ve got lots of green building going on, including LEED certified, also green remodeling. Green building costs more. The energy costs of the building are then lower . . . but not necessarily in a way that pays back the higher construction cost. It’s still the right thing to do. My point is that green can’t and doesn’t always save money. That’s not the fault of green; we’re just spoiled from decades of doing things dirt-cheap. Or, in the piggies’ tale, straw and mud cheap. Humorously, a green building program here is called Better Bricks.

By: ConsciouslyFrugal

ConsciouslyFrugal — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:38:22 +0000

I blame the modernists (watch as they come after me, pitchforks in hand!) with their clean lines and worship of efficiency. Although I love the uncluttered look, I miss how design and construction used to mimic nature, which is a messy, curvy, intricate creature, no doubt.

Wait! I’m not done blaming. The construction industry, particularly in North America, is all about repeat business and “efficiency.” Build it cheap, build it fast and build it to be easily replaced. We tear down classic buildings in this country all the time. Madness.

Then there’s the transient nature of our population. If we don’t maintain our roots by living in extended family communities anymore, why would we care about physical structures? Hell, if yo’ mama don’t matter, a building sure as hell won’t either! And then there’s our general love of the disposable…on and on.

ANYHOO–you make a very interesting point about renewable sources. I wasn’t aware that a great deal of these prized tools aren’t durable. Wowza. That’s really something to ponder.