Back to our old blog

I decided that I liked our old blog better. Economics 3.0 is a little too esoteric for me. I need something a little more concrete. While I still like the concepts developed by economic thinkers like Wilhelm Roepke, Peter Barnes and others, we have to apply these ideas to concrete scenarios to make them effective.

I am also thinking about creating a Wiki just for New Ruralism. This will help us manage projects as a team, coordinate schedules and create discussion boards. If I decide to launch the Wiki, it will be very exclusive and require membership. Only those serious about promoting New Ruralism will be allowed to join.

Finally, don’t forget to sign up for our email list. Things like our Wiki will only be available to subscribers. Please join our online group if you are interested in getting updates and becoming more involved.

The New Rural Studio

I came across an article in Architect Magazine called “The New Rural Studio“. I was a bit taken aback by their designs and social theory. The designs coming out of Hale County, Alabama are more urban than I would expect from a “new rural” studio. I won’t fault them for designing houses anyone can afford, I just wish that they didn’t look like anyone could afford them.

In many ways, the concept that this new rural studio isn’t new at all. This is just an extension of the old “workers’ houses” that Tom Wolfe described in From Bauhaus to Our House. However, instead of putting them in the city, they are now sticking them in the country. I appreciate that these groups want to alleviate the effects of poverty, but it seems that the better way to reduce the effects of poverty is to reduce poverty through innovative ways of expanding the rural economy.

I hope that you will work with me to create innovative solutions for expanding the rural economy.  Please send include your ideas in our comments section or contact me directly.

Russell Versaci

I am very pleased at the attention this blog is getting. On Sunday, we were discovered by Kathie Friedley, Russell’s life and business partner. If you haven’t visited our “About New Ruralism” page, please do. We picked the name for this blog based on an article Russell wrote for New Old House Magazine called “New Ruralism“. In it, he outlines some of the principles which inform the new rural movement. Coincidentally, they are also friends with Milton Grenfell the architect who sent me this article.