Is Lo-TEK too late?
As the ferocity of modernity appears unchallenged, a question is posed amongst a panel of indigenous scholars.
A Late Start
The secular study of the world emphasizes a scientific exploration of the material world. Where precision, accuracy and repetition are often measurements of truth, oral wisdoms are often left behind for anthropological study with no consequential impact on our futures. With centuries of scientific dominance, the Lo-TEK (local, traditional, ecological, knowledge) movement pushes an alternative narrative which teaches us to revisit a world before modernity in order to heal and crumbling world. However, with trillions of dollars of investment in development and centuries of terraforming with steel and concrete, reintroducing indigenous building practices can sometimes appear impractical. Despite years of conditioning to trust scientific progress, indigenous scholars offer a different perspective to not only civilizational success but also failure.
The Great Flood
Dr. Lyla June references how almost every culture has a reference to some form of a great flood story. In this light, Dr. Lyla views collapse as not only inevitable but a gift. On one hand there is an understanding that destructive systems will eventually destroy themselves but also from that destruction a new world is possible. Dr. Watson adds that in times of crisis, humanity is also required to collaborate. Although prosperity is desired outcome, Paul Fragua proposes that even when we should fall to also leave behind a good example of failure.
Timescales
The American Society of Landscape Architects was celebrating their 125th year anniversary. Despite the occasion, the panel would take a step back to remember that indigenous cultures have accumulated and produced 3000 years of landscape knowledge and wisdom. So although there is an urgency for Lo-TEK to advance it’s agenda, indigenous people were often planning for future generations and a day they may never see within their lifetime.