It’s interesting to think about how you might use connections you already to to facilitate a project like this. The strength of this project I think is in it’s broad scope and general appeal, as well as multiple levels of engagement. With that said here are some brainstormed ideas:

-Durham Broadcast News Channel
– Family friends who run an energy independent lifestyle (Solar panels/ special construction)
-Farms/Stables that my brother works for
-Selectmen from Durham
-Run a project here on campus with James.

There are a number of possible networks that I could tap for the Brave New Maine project. In my hometown (Durham, ME). I know a the people who run the local broadcast news channel, and it’s conceivable that I could ask them to run something that would help raise awareness for what we are doing. I think doing this will end up targeting a small demographic but my thought is they will be relatively receptive. I have a number of family friends who live in Durham that have chosen low energy life styles by building their houses specifically for it and turning to solar power. I think it might be interesting to possibly ask them about why they chose to go the more lower/independent energy route and how they plan to continue that in the future. Perhaps see if I can manage to ask them when I see them over Thanksgiving break.

In addition to that, I also know one of the selectmen in Durham, who also runs his own construction business. I’m not sure how I could tap that network but I think it might be an avenue worth exploring for potential value to the project. My brother knows/works regularly for a number of different farms (both agricultural and other types e.g. stables) that in some ways embrace energy descent lifestyles with their practices so it might be worthwhile to talk to them about their mindsets and plans for the future within the context of some of the predicted futures and maybe have them get the word out to their boarders (for the Horse Stables). I know that many of them have similar mindsets and it could be of some worth to get opinions/stories from people who are already doing things in a future conscious way.

I know James is working on plans to run a Brave New Maine Night which could be potentially valuable, and I think it’s a good way to engage the very local campus sneakernets.