In Praise of (Wo)Manpower

One of the elements of sustainability and permaculture is the synthesis of tasks and the mutual benefit of action. This is how decomposition meets growth; flowers provide pest control while veggies give nourishment; and stewardship provides overall health.

In our human quest to make things ever more efficient, we've skimped on sustainability. We've replaced much of our livestock with machines, trading for example horse and plow with tractor and attachments. But the tractor doesn't give manure to the ground, and does zero to maintain soil fertility. Farm animals, living in harmony with plants, feed each other.

We use gas-powered motors to trim back hedges, mow down grass and hay a field. In the process, we reduce our own physical fitness, deny nourishment to the dirt and utilize an ever-depleted natural resource.

But what if we didn't?

Check out the insane video above of the sheer power of human. Then go ahead and sharpen your scythe, cancel your gym membership, and get moving.