Name Due Wednesday May 3 Animal Project: Fill & Download for Free

Here are one or two or a hundred:I’ll start with some that I’ve already written about, and then I’ll move to a bunch more I found on the internet.First, here is the link to the Cornell University project: ZooniverseThey are calling the project “Hawk Talk”!That link takes you to the “About” page, which describes the project. In the right top corner, you’ll see a link to the “Classify” page. That’s where you’ll want to go to participate. It allows participation from anonymous volunteers if you wish, or you can also register and have your contributions noted by name.Basically, what’s going on is that they are trying to collect additional data about the vocalizations that Red Tailed Hawks make (their sounds, or calls), and what the various calls mean. Normally, this would almost be impossible… or at the very best, it would require researchers to spend thousands of hours just watching a cam. There’s not enough hours in anyone’s day to do that, without missing something. So, they have set up this project, where any of you can help collect the data. What they’ve done is… they have broken up hundreds of hours of nest cam footage, into 10-second clips. Clearly, this results in many thousands of clips. What they hope is that enough people will get involved and that each person will run through these short clips, hoping to catch a moment when either one of the parent hawks, or one of the chicks, is calling out in some way. There is a set of four questions next to each clip, which are to be answered. Then, when the project is over, they will have caught every single instance of red tail vocalization, and exactly what they were doing at that exact moment. It’s quite a brilliant project plan. But it requires the help of hundreds of people who want to spend 5 or 10 minutes of their day or night, running through the clips one by one and clicking on the various possible answers.Okay, so this one is a whole lot of fun. It’s actually a sub-section of Zooniverse, above. But there are a lot of menu items in Zooniverse, so I wanted to point this one out in particular as I’ve had a lot of fun and spent quite a few hours playing with it. It’s basically photos taken by a automatic Trail Cam. Each photo was set off by something moving, and they are asking you to look at each still-shot and try to find what it was that set off the camera. Sometimes it was just the wind on a weed or something you can’t see. But they have thousands of photos to go through, so they’re asking for the public’s help in flipping through them. There are two cams here… one for mammals and one for birds. Give it a try! I found it to be a bit addicting, sort of like finding Waldo! Sometimes you need to adjust the contrast, or maybe change it into a negative photo. Usually you find nothing, but sometimes you’ll see a bobcat, coyote, or maybe just a hare’s or rabbit’s butt running off the photo’s edge. This was set up by Sky Island Alliance, an environmental group I worked with for a number of years, out of Tucson, AZ: Help Us ID Species - Sky Island AllianceNext… I’ll give you the best kept secret I know for nature lovers; how easy it is to VOLUNTEER for wildlife. It can change your life and give you adventures & knowledge you never thought you’d have access to. No matter if you’re a banker, a soccer mom, a grandma, a student or an electrician… there are groups you can join near you. Most people have no idea.Volunteers Home Page, US Fish & Wildlife ServiceThere are infinite ways to learn about nature. School, reading, asking, etc. But nothing beats DOING. And this is extremely easy. The number of opportunities to volunteer in nature-related work are more than I can count. If you are in the USA, look at the link above; The US Fish & Wildlife Service Volunteer Opportunities page. I’ve used it. Whether you live in Mississippi, Alaska, the deserts of Arizona, or anywhere in between, there are ways that you can volunteer your time out in the field and get the best education about nature that you could imagine. Get your boots in the mud. Walk the prairies counting antelope. Scramble over rocks looking for tortoises. Wade though rivers picking up trash or fixing bank erosion. Change the ground bedding at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Facility. Spend two hours a week, and go home after. Spend a weekend a month and camp out with fellow volunteers for a weekend project. Spend a two week stretch in the wilderness on an advanced project. Be the car pool driver for your fellow volunteers. If you have a little time and no money, or a lot of time and can help with supplies… it doesn’t matter. Go out and help and you will learn more than you can imagine.US Fish & Wildlife is but one resource. One of hundreds or thousands.Water SentinelsThe picture above is a group I’ve helped with. Water Sentinels. It’s part of the Sierra Club Near YouVolunteering Opportunities Government Agencies Various outdoor opportunities in your stateWorking with Us | US Forest Service Self-explanatory. Much of this volunteer work is in National and State Parks. Also involves the planting of seedlings, a vital task usually done by volunteers. Programs for kids, too!Wildlife Conservation Volunteering That one is for international projects. However… please be aware that most of what you’ll find on this site internationally requires you to pay a considerable fee to participate. From $2000 - $8000. I can’t really wholeheartedly endorse these types of programs… at least not all of them. Since they are businesses, and they give you a grand adventure, they are “for profit”, so the animal’s welfare isn’t necessarily the first priority. I’ve provided this link just so you know that these programs exist. Some may certainly be worth a look, but my preference is to volunteer locally (and for free!). Every area has wildlife volunteer opportunities of their own, close to where you live.United States wildlife habitat Volunteer Opportunities That one covers everything from taking a whole summer to be a care-taker, to meet-ups on weekends to do local projects for a few hours.Get Involved That one is for locals in FloridaVolunteer Opportunities There’s for MichiganVolunteer - Sky Island Alliance A fantastic group I spent years with in Arizona. This is where I got introduced to someone who eventually recommended me for a spot on the jaguar research team:Volunteer Opportunities at Texas State Parks There’s one of the many in TexasI could go on, but I think I’ve made my point. Google “Wildlife Volunteer Opportunities in ______” or “Environmental Volunteer Opportunities in _____” (fill in your city or state)…and you will find the way to learn about nature, with other people who also care, also want to learn. You’ll be amazed at the adventurous things you will end up doing.Do you live somewhere other than America? Then try some of these:Here’s one of the resources in India: List of wildlife volunteering programs across India..Try this one in Brazil: ▷ Volunteer in Brazil | Top 10 Projects for 2018 | Volunteer WorldHow bout Norway? The Norwegian Wildlife HospitalOr South Africa? 7 Places To Volunteer With Animals In South Africa (Just don’t go swimming, wearing a seal suit!)Keep Calm and Volunteer in England: Animal Volunteer Work UKCheerio!Whether you’re in India, Norway, Chile, Australia or the USA, every place has people, groups and agencies that will give you these adventures if you offer them a bit of your time and effort. 13 year-olds can help and learn. 75 year-olds can help and learn.You can stay on Quora and read the hundreds of awesome nature and animal articles I’ve written (some are quite good, if I do say so myself!)… but instead of that, I would suggest you start searching for a group near you who go out and make a difference and who need your help. It’s a win/win situation. It’s easy and fascinating. You just have to get started. Take a friend with you! You can thank me later, for helping you discover a world of adventure that was right under your nose the whole time. I highly recommend it!EDIT: One important additional point… once you volunteer for any of these government agencies, non-profits, groups, etc., you'll become privy to many more fun opportunities directly from them, which aren't advertised on the websites. Once you are in the inner circle, get to know people, and start building a reputation as being dependable and passionate… you will get good references for the really good stuff at other organizations. This was my experience as well, and as an example, it's how I got a tip and good reference for a job with the US Fish & Wildlife Service. It was a month long research project that took me by helicopter to the bottom of a branch off the Grand Canyon. I was put on a waiting list, and about 6 months later, got the call. I felt very privileged, as the other members of the small team of seven were all reputable biologists and researchers from all over the country. This is also where I had my adventure of being stalked by a mountain lion that some of you may have read about, elsewhere on Quora. It was a thrill of a lifetime, and all due to having volunteered diligently, and building a solid reputation in that inner circle of wildlife professionals and volunteers, the year prior. All of this experience and reputation also eventually made me a shoe-in for, years later, getting a position at the Carolina Raptor Center, which was also life changing. So I urge you… just get started! Good luck! It's extremely satisfying.These are the Non government Organizations you should keep an eye out for if your passion is helping animals. Find out who they are to start saving lives today!World Wildlife Fund (WWF)One of the largest organizations in the world dedicated to save nature and ensure endangered species.You can go to their site and there you will find many different ways to contribute, amongst which are signing petitions or contacting officials to save endangered species, travel with WWF to natural habitats, make donations, adopt an animal, and many other ways to help make a difference.Humane Society of the United StatesCompletely dedicated to animal protection, this organization offers the opportunity to help in three big ways: Animal rescue and care, Animal advocacy, and Pets and shelters.Animal rescue and care – You can be a part of the rescue team, disaster response, mobile vet clinics, or sanctuaries and care centers.Animal advocacy – You can help advocate through public policy, corporate reforms, and major campaigns.Pets and shelters – Providing humane residence for animals in need.Go to their site to find out more.Read more on Activism with Compassion: Volunteering at Farm SanctuariesAmerican Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals (ASPCA)This society is a huge advocate for animals in need, ASPCA offers nationwide volunteer opportunities where you can advocate in legislative and public policies, get on the investigations and response team, advocate to protect horses from slaughter, volunteer at adoption centers, and be a pet foster parent.Find out more here.Animal Welfare Institute (AWI)The AWI seeks better treatment for animals everywhere, in the laboratory, on the farm, in commerce, at home, and in the wild.Though you should know that because AWI is the country’s leader in obtaining laws to benefit animals in need, it is slightly a less hands on kind of experience, the kind of help they encourage you to give is donating to their causes or getting involved with their initiatives and raising awareness for their cause.You can find all the information you need here.PetSmart CharitiesTheir goal is to end animal homelessness by investing in animal welfare charities all over the country to get pets adopted, and fund spay/neuter surgeries to prevent unplanned litters and reduce overpopulation from the start.And the best part is that they have a really good web page where you can easily find the adoption center or spay/neuter clinic closest to you, so you can waste no more time and start saving lives today.Teens Making a DifferenceAre you an animal-loving teen who wants to make a difference? Well, you’ve come to the right place!The Anti-Cruelty Society has been providing shelter and medical care to hundreds of thousands of animals since 1899. This is only possible thanks to hard-working, dedicated individuals who share a passion for helping animals and the people who love them. Volunteers have long been a backbone of the Society, providing much-needed assistance in every department to ensure that the shelter continues to operate smoothly and that the animals in our care stay happy and healthy while they wait for their forever homes. We encourage anyone--of any age--to volunteer! If you love animals and want to help, we have a number of different programs for you to participate in.Have questions? Email [email protected] for answers regarding this or any youth program at The Anti-Cruelty Society!Virtual OpportunitiesLIVE! At The Anti-Cruelty SocietyCalling all classrooms, community groups, and youth clubs! Are you looking for an engaging activity for your group to learn more about animals and animal welfare? Look no further than LIVE! at The Anti-Cruelty Society. This unique virtual program offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the important facets of the work we do to help people and pets at The Anti-Cruelty Society. Click here for details and more!Service ProjectsThe Anti-Cruelty Society offers a wide range of home and classroom-based service learning projects. They are ideal for students in need of service learning hours, scout troops looking to earn a badge or teachers in search of a classroom project. Each different project is worth a specific amount of hours, but you can mix and match to suit your needs.Service Project DetailsWeb WarriorsWhether you’re stuck at home or are simply looking for unique ways to learn and volunteer this program may be just what you are looking for. Explore animal welfare topics, and make a positive impact in your community through our Web Warriors program!Read Web Warriors DetailsVeterinary Mentoring ProgramThe Anti-Cruelty Society, in partnership with The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, offers an exciting program for high school students with a serious interest in veterinary medicine or animal science-related careers. The Veterinary Mentoring Program is an academic program that introduces students to the many areas of science that they will encounter in veterinary school. Students attend seminars one Saturday a month at which they explore various topics and learn how clinical science is used to diagnosis and treat injury and disease in animals.Veterinary Mentoring DetailsTemporarily Suspended: (next four)After School AdvocatesThe After School Advocates program empowers teens ages 13-18 to explore animal welfare issues that affect the Chicago community. After School Advocates gives participants the opportunity to gain valuable insights into animal shelter operations, positive reinforcement training, animal careers, animal abuse in the community, and animal advocacy, while learning from professionals in the field. This limited admission, 4 week programs takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with three sessions per year.After School Advocates DetailsJunior Crafting CrewIf you’re looking for a one-day, on-site volunteer opportunity for your group at the Society, consider signing up to for a Junior Crafting Crew! This onsite program engages youth clubs or classes to help shelter animals in a practical way by crafting enrichment projects using common everyday materials.Junior Crafting Crews DetailsShelter Service DayThe Anti-Cruelty Society welcomes teens to our Shelter Service Day! This unique volunteer opportunity occurs one Thursday per month from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Use your crafting skills to create toys and beds for the animals at The Anti-Cruelty Society so that they can stay cozy and happy while they are in our care.Shelter Service Day DetailsTeens Who CareThis program aims to provide a hands-on volunteer experience for high school youth ages 13-18. Participants will help our animals find homes by performing supportive tasks throughout the shelter departments such as cleaning, animal socialization, administrative assistance, and more.Teens Who Care DetailsVolunteering Opportunities with AnimalsWe know there are TONS of animal lovers out there who wish they could help every single animal in need. If that's you, know that, while you may not be able to help all animals, you can certainly make a difference for many right in your own community.Before looking for volunteer opportunities with animals, think about the type of involvement you want and how much time you realistically have available. For example, would you prefer working directly with animals or providing behind-the-scenes support doing administrative work or fundraising? Would you rather work in a group or do tasks you can perform alone? If you don't have a lot of time for a big commitment, volunteering for a one-time event or for two or three hours here and there can still make a difference.Once you've determined what type of volunteering you want to do and how much time you can devote to volunteering, look for volunteer opportunities with animals in your area and identify ones with missions you feel most passionate about.Below are some ideas for volunteering with animals to get you started. Many non-profit organizations that work with animals will need volunteers to help with one or more of the tasks below.Transport Animals to Appointments - Help shelter animals stay healthy by driving them to and from their vet appointments.Volunteer at a Pet Adoption Event - Shelters often organize adopt-a-thons and other events, many of which require setting up of booths, tents and displays. This is a perfect way to help out for a day if you aren't able to volunteer on a regular basis.Become a Foster Parent - Many animal shelters and rescue groups rely on caring foster parents to provide a loving home for the animals in their care. By volunteering to be a foster parent to an animal, you help keep him out of cages and kennels.Help with Laundry - Shelters go through a lot of laundry, all of which needs to be folded and put away. When volunteers help with these tasks, staff members are free to focus their efforts and attention on caring for the animals. A lot of shelters also rely on volunteers to wash the laundry, as hiring a laundry service often isn't in the budget.Use Your Photography Skills - Help animals find homes by capturing their personalities and overall adorableness with your camera. Photography can increase adoption rates, helping to save animals' lives.Become a Board Member - If you love fundraising and networking and have great management skills, consider becoming a board member at your local animal shelter.Social Media Management - Do you possess excellent social media and advertising skills? You can use these skills to bring attention to the cause of your favorite animal shelter by managing their social media accounts. Share the stories and photos of animals to help promote the shelter's cause and help more animals find homes.Sources:13 Creative Ways to Volunteer for Animal Shelters & RescuesHow Photography Can Save Pets' Lives | PetfinderVolunteer StoriesTestimonialsLocal Volunteer OpportunitiesHoliday Volunteer OpportunitiesB-Corp Partnerships5 Benefits of VolunteeringDownloadable ToolkitSimply put, volunteering your time saves precious lives.In 2018 alone, PAWS volunteers contributed a staggering 74,000 hours toward helping cats, dogs and wild animals in need.HOURS & LOCATIONSEach year, PAWS cares for more than 7,600 cats, dogs and wild animals, and we couldn’t do it without our compassionate and dedicated volunteers. Volunteers work side by side with PAWS staff caring for wildlife and companion animals and helping with education and outreach to the community. We provide the training for all volunteer positions – no prior experience required. Whether you’re feeding orphaned wildlife, helping find homes for cats and dogs, or contributing to the success of an event, you can play an important role in the life-saving work of PAWS.Ready to volunteer?Become a volunteerAre you looking to help animals in need, feel inspired, and meet like-minded animal lovers? Find the requirements for volunteering at PAWS and how to get started.LEARN MOREVolunteer opportunitiesFrom feeding baby birds at the PAWS Wildlife Center to making donor thank you calls from your home, PAWS has volunteer positions for anyone who wants to make a difference. Check out the many opportunities and get involved today!LEARN MOREInternships and externshipsPAWS has a variety of opportunities for those wanting to gain hands-on experience in the fields of companion animal sheltering, wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, and outreach/education.LEARN MOREPopular Ways to Volunteer with AnimalsLending a hand at the local animal shelter may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about volunteering with animals, but there are tons of different settings and roles beyond the shelter for prospective volunteers to explore. Wild and domestic animals alike need help from human volunteers, and even those who want to help animals without handling them directly can find their niche.Explore Animal Volunteer PathsAnimal Shelter VolunteeringFostering Pets in Your HomeAgricultural Animal VolunteeringVolunteering with a Therapy PetVolunteering in Wildlife ConservationVolunteering with Animals Abroad1Animal Shelter VolunteeringApproximately 6.5 million animals enter shelters annually according to the ASPCA. Caring for and homing shelter animals is a collaborative effort, so volunteers are needed to fill many different types of roles. Hands-on behavior modification, animal handling at off-site adoption events, educational outreach, groundskeeping, veterinary transportation, photography, administrative work and everything in between are crucial to the success of animal shelters and their furry residents.Common Volunteer Tasks & ResponsibilitiesSocializing catsWalking, running and playing with dogsTraining and behavior modificationBathing and groomingTransporting animals to vet appointments and adoption eventsCleaning and maintaining groundsCommunity outreach and educationWorking in the shelter retail storeWorking off-site adoption and fundraising eventsAdministrative and office workPet photographyGathering background data on adoptable animals through observation and interactionYou’re a good fit for this type of volunteering if …You’re at least 16-18 years old, depending on the volunteer positionYou can commit to a consistent volunteer scheduleYou can bend, lift and spend multiple hours on your feetYou work well with people as well as animalsYou communicate effectively in person and via email and textYou enjoy hands-on workReal-Life Animal Shelter Volunteer ProgramsVolunteer programs will vary from shelter to shelter, but the following examples of real-world programs can give future volunteers an idea of the opportunities that may be available in their area. Volunteers can find a program type that aligns with their interests, skills, and schedules and ask their local shelter if they have similar opportunities available.Animal Shelter Group VolunteeringGroup volunteering opportunities are great for students, office teams, clubs and other small organizations to lend a hand and build comradery. These are typically single sessions that last a few hours. Group volunteering at the Oregon Humane Society is open to small and large groups and can entail socializing animals and maintaining grounds.Youth Volunteer ProgramWhile many opportunities require volunteers to be at least 18 years old, many shelters have youth programs that allow kids and teens to help out in a variety of capacities. At Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Virginia, youth volunteers can participate in adoption events and help with administrative work in the shelter office. Fundraising, educational camps and even birthday parties where kids make treats and toys to donate to the shelter make for hands-on volunteer opportunities off-site, too.Animal PhotographyShelter animals often get a quick photo snapped when they enter the shelter to help them get adopted, but these animals are often scared and uncertain when they first enter a shelter. Volunteer photographers play a key role in taking nice photos that make shelter pets look more appealing to prospective adopters. Photographers, like the ones at Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA, may also take photos at special events.Off-Site Adoption Events & Special EventsOrphans of the Storm shelter in Illinois notes the unique impact off-site and special event volunteers have on getting animals adopted. Volunteers develop relationships with animals outside of a shelter environment, get to know their histories and personalities and hype them up to potential adopters who either can’t or prefer not to visit shelters directly.Retail or Thrift Store VolunteeringShelters often have a retail component to help fund shelter operations. Volunteers may help out in these stores, taking in and selling merchandise. The Humane Society for Southwest Washington’s ReTails Store has been consistently voted the best thrift store in Clark County thanks to its volunteers, and proceeds go to help the shelter’s animals in need.Reading with RescuesReading programs are nice ways for kids to spend time with animals who can benefit from the soothing effects of a human voice and company. Kids can also gain confidence in their reading and speaking skills since animals are a non-judgmental audience. Minnesota’s Animal Humane Society Rescue Readers program offers a low-cost season pass for young readers who want to visit regularly.Teaching Animals Basic Behavior SkillsEast Bay SPCA puts a strong emphasis on behavior modification to help animals get adopted faster and thrive in loving homes. After receiving training, volunteers help in training, socialization and enriching animals during their shelter stay.Exercising PetsAnimals in shelters don’t usually have the ability to roam freely and get exercise on their own, so they rely on volunteers to help them stay healthy. Pet exercise can include walking dogs, running with high-energy dogs, playing with cats, and helping prospective adoptees burn off excess energy during adoption events. The San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter’s Pet Project Foundation even has volunteers who set up safe exercise pens for their rabbit residents.2Fostering Pets in Your HomePet foster parents are essential players in the animal adoption and shelter system. When shelters don’t have room for new animal intakes, or they have animals who could benefit from being in a temporary home rather than a shelter, foster parents step in and open their homes to hundreds of thousands of pets each year. Keeping animals in foster homes rather than shelters gives them a chance to let their true personalities come out, which is key in finding permanent homes. The Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Virginia found that after placing 52 dogs thought to have behavioral problems in foster homes, 90 percent turned out to be normal and were adopted within a month. The shelter environment was simply too stressful. Foster homes are needed for all types of animals, not just stressed dogs, so it may be a great option for people who like the idea of having a significant impact on animals without the long-term commitment.Common Volunteer Tasks & ResponsibilitiesUnderstand the individual needs of your foster pet and ensure you can meet themProvide basic care, including exercise and vet visits, as well as a safe and loving homeSocialize foster pets with other animalsWork on trainingTake pictures of your foster pet to help them get adoptedLearn about your foster pet’s personality and behavior and talk about them to potential adoptersYou’re a good fit for this type of volunteering if …You want a flexible way to help animalsYou like caring for animals but don’t want or are unable to take on the full commitment of a permanent petYou can commit to care responsibilities for different animals, like walking dogs, administering medication, or nursing kittens.You have experience training animalsYou are patient and empatheticYou are able to promote your foster pets to help them get adoptedSources & Further ReadingBestFriends.org – Pet Fostering Q&AFoster Dogs, Inc. – Know Your Role as a Foster ParentOneGreenPlanet – Why Fostering Dogs and Cats is So Important and How to Get InvolvedPetFinder – Before You FosterPetFinder – How to Prepare Your Home for a Foster Pet3Volunteering with Animals in Agricultural SettingsThere are many opportunities for people to volunteer in agricultural settings, particularly at farm sanctuaries. These sanctuaries provide care and enrichment for animals who have escaped or been rescued from factory farms or other inhumane animal agriculture facilities. There are farm sanctuaries around the country, but since they strive to let animals live out their lives in the most natural way possible, more opportunities exist in rural areas, where animals have space to roam freely. Volunteers typically help with animal care, grounds maintenance and guided tours and education for the public.Common Volunteer Tasks & ResponsibilitiesBarn cleaningGrounds maintenance and minor repairsFeeding, cleaning and providing other care for animals in the shelter’s hospitalHospital chores, like cleaning and laundryFeeding barn animals and cleaning troughs and food dishesEgg collectingAdministrative supportPublic educationGuiding toursRunning the gift shop or visitor’s centerAssisting with special eventsAnswering visitor questionsYou’re a good fit for this type of volunteering if …You meet minimum age requirements or plan to volunteer with an adult parent or guardianYou can work in all types of weatherYou are physically fitYou are interested in volunteering on a regular basisYou are invested in the welfare of agricultural animalsSources & Further ReadingOneGreenPlanet – 10 Farm Sanctuaries in the U.S. That Are Great For VolunteeringThe Farm Sanctuary4Volunteering with a Therapy PetUnlike the other volunteer opportunities addressed here, where volunteers help with animals that live in sanctuaries or don’t have permanent homes, volunteering with a therapy pet typically involves pet owners working with their own pet to help people in their community. Therapy pets can play many helpful roles, like helping young students learn to read, relieving college student stress, calming nervous fliers at airports or enriching patients at hospitals and residents of elder care facilities.Common Volunteer Tasks & ResponsibilitiesParticipate in handler trainingParticipate in regular therapy pet training, including the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen training for dogsTalk with visiting people while remaining attentive to their petVisit hospitals, schools, assisted living facilities, airports and other participating locationsEnsure that both human and animal participants are calm and safeYou’re a good fit for this type of volunteering if …You have a well-behaved pet, and you work well togetherYou can commit to trainingYou can pass a criminal background checkYou and your therapy pet can commit to regular visits to participating organizationsYou are okay with others touching and interacting with your petSources & Further ReadingAKC Recognized Therapy Dog OrganizationsAlliance of Therapy DogsK9to5 National Therapy Dog RegistryLove on a LeashPet Partners Therapy Animal Program5Volunteering in Wildlife ConservationVolunteers can play important roles in animal care and wildlife conservation, both directly and indirectly. There’s a huge range of volunteering opportunities where you can help protect wildlife. Some volunteers may work in enclosed wildlife sanctuaries, caring for animals that can’t survive in the wild, while others may work in fish hatcheries or nature refuges ensuring animals can continue thriving in the wild.Common Volunteer Tasks & ResponsibilitiesVisitor educationWorking in the retail shop or visitor centerGrounds maintenance and restorationFeeding and food preparationCleaning enclosuresCommunity outreachGrant writing and fundraisingObservation and data gatheringSpecial events coordinationRehabilitation and medical carePreparing animals and facilities for seasonal changesYou’re a good fit for this type of volunteering if …You can meet the physical demands of volunteer work, such as lifting heavy objects, bending, twisting and navigating different terrainsYou are comfortable working on different types of tasks as neededYou can commit to training and a consistent volunteer scheduleYou can work in different climates and types of weatherYou communicate effectively with visitors and fellow volunteersSources & Further ReadingCalifornia Wildlife Center – Become a VolunteerU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – VolunteersAnimal Ark Volunteer Program6Volunteering with Animals AbroadVolunteering with animals can be a global adventure. Wildlife and domestic animal populations around the world can benefit from volunteer efforts in a range of capacities, from caring for street dogs to making sure that newly hatched sea turtles survive the dangerous journey from beach to ocean. Because of the incredible breadth of ecosystems, animals, organizations, and needs around the world, international volunteers can offer specialized aid that they may not be able to provide in the U.S. Upon returning home, volunteers can continue spreading awareness of global ecological and animal welfare issues and apply their skills in local settings, too.You’re a good fit for this type of volunteering if …You have a passportYou are at least 18 years old or will be traveling with a parent or volunteer organizationYou are interested in ethical volunteerism abroad, not just social media cloutYou are flexible and adaptableYou can pay travel feesYou can get any requisite vaccinesYou can work in all weather conditions4 Rewarding Ways to Volunteer with Animals AbroadBecause there are so many ways to volunteer with animals abroad, you may find it helpful to narrow your focus to one of the following areas of interest before seeking volunteer positions.Wildlife Sanctuary VolunteeringWildlife sanctuary volunteers help care for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals. Volunteers can work with a wide range of indigenous wildlife in a single area, which makes sanctuary volunteering unique and exciting. Some sanctuaries focus on rehabilitation and release into the wild while others care for animals through the remainder of their lives. Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Costa Rica are popular wildlife conservation destinations.Volunteering with Street AnimalsMany areas around the world do not have the resources to care for and house homeless animals. International animal care volunteers typically provide care to street dogs, but opportunities to work with other animals may be available as well. Volunteers generally feed, wash and play with street animals and may help shelter staff with cleaning facilities and providing medical care to animals. Opportunities are common throughout Asia and South America.Volunteering with Marine LifeCoastal regions around the world need volunteers to help preserve and study turtle populations and collect data on reefs, fish and other aquatic life. Volunteers may go on deep dives, comb beaches or help in rehabilitation and care facilities. Marine life volunteer opportunities are common in Costa Rica, Seychelles, Thailand, Fiji, Sri Lanka and Mexico, but opportunities are available in many other island and coastal areas.Farm and Livestock CareThose who volunteer on farms abroad often do a combination of animal care and farming work. Volunteers may learn about sustainable farming practices and help ensure animals are fed and tended. Volunteers may herd goats, milk cows and gather eggs as well as build and repair farm buildings and infrastructure. Farm and livestock opportunities are available in Thailand, Kenya and Nepal.Examples of Animal Volunteering Abroad ProgramsAustralia – Wildlife Animal SanctuaryVolunteers help out at Walkabout Wildlife Park, a wildlife sanctuary and Aboriginal cultural site, for 1 to 4 weeks. Volunteers spend half their on-site time working directly with animals and half maintaining sanctuary grounds. They have weekends free to explore the surrounding areas. Living accommodations are provided on-site.Location(s): Calga, AustraliaGet more infoAnimal Care/Animal Rights in GuatemalaAnimal care volunteers are placed in high-demand facilities, including dog and cat shelters, exotic animal refuges and veterinary clinics, and may perform many basic care duties. The facilities commonly rely on volunteers to clean enclosures, help with vet care, bathe and play with animals and work on small construction projects. Volunteers live with host families during their stay.Location(s): Antigua, GuatemalaGet more infoElephant and Endangered Sea Turtle Coastal Conservation in ThailandVolunteers can have a direct impact on two endangered species: the green sea turtle and the Asian elephant. The program begins on Thailand’s southern coast, where volunteers work with turtle conservation groups, like turtle nurseries. Then volunteers head to northern Thailand to help trainers reintroduce Asian elephants to semi-wild habitats.Location(s): Chiang Mai, Thailand and Phang Nga, ThailandGet more infoMarine and Coast Conservation Volunteer Program in SpainThis volunteer opportunity involves working with marine wildlife as well as studying coastal plants and animals nearby. Volunteer work focuses heavily on gathering data and monitoring wildlife like whales, turtles, dolphins and seabirds. Volunteers also help improve wetland ecosystems and work on underwater and beach cleanups.Location(s): Denia, SpainGet more infoThe Little Farm Friendly ProjectFarm volunteers assist with both animal care and sustainable agricultural work. Animal-focused duties can be hands-on, like feeding, bathing and raising, but volunteers also help with building enclosures and cleaning up after animals. Simple living accommodations are provided along with two meals per day. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one week of work.Location(s): Ratchaburi, ThailandGet more infoHow and Where to Find Animal Volunteer OpportunitiesOnce you’ve decided how you want to volunteer with animals, it can sometimes be difficult finding organizations and programs that are located nearby and/or offer the exact type of volunteer work you’re looking for. Here are some tips and resources for tracking down the perfect animal volunteering opportunity.Look online for animal volunteering opportunitiesWhether going directly to an organization’s website to check their volunteer positions or searching through a volunteer database, looking online can be a great way to find a wide range of animal volunteer options. These websites can get you started in your search:Best Friends National Network: Find a Best Friends volunteer program in your area, or search for a Best Friends Network partner.The Humane Society of the United States: Search for over 60 types of Humane Society animal volunteer opportunities across the United States.Vet Set Go: Vet Set Go is a resource aimed at aspiring veterinarians, but anyone can use their volunteer opportunity search tool.Audubon Society – Audubon Near You: Ornithological enthusiasts may want to hone in on bird-specific volunteer opportunities. Local Audubon societies are a great resource.GoEco – Animal Volunteer Opportunities: Discover a range of opportunities to volunteer with animals abroad and read past volunteers’ experiences.Volunteer.gov: Get involved in government-sponsored wildlife and conservation volunteer projects through http://volunteer.gov.VolunteerMatch: VolunteerMatch is an extensive database of open volunteer positions. Narrow your search to find animal-focused opportunities in your area.GoAbroad – Animal Welfare Volunteer Programs Abroad: A popular resource for international teachers, GoAbroad also helps connect volunteers with animal welfare projects around the world.Petfinder: Unfamiliar with shelters in your area? Petfinder’s shelters and rescues search can help you find a place to volunteer.ASPCA: Learn about and find ASPCA volunteer opportunities by location and area of interest.International Volunteer HQ – Wildlife and Animal Care: International Volunteer HQ facilitates many animal volunteer opportunities abroad and provides helpful information to future volunteers.World Animal Net Directory: Search for animal protection agencies domestically and abroad to help narrow your volunteer opportunity search.Corporation for National and Community Service: This government resource helps volunteers find local opportunities in their area of interest.The Nature Conservancy – Volunteer and Attend Events: Find events and ways to volunteer with The Nature Conservancy, which has chapters around the country.Projects Abroad: Find international volunteering opportunities focused on conservation, animal care, marine life and more.Oceans 2 Earth: Oceans 2 Earth is a nonprofit organization that works exclusively with wildlife habitat conservation and animal welfare organizations around the world.Inquire in-person about volunteer needs near youStopping by an organization in person can often be the most direct way to get information about different volunteer positions. Staff or volunteer coordinators may even be able to give prospective volunteers more detailed information in person. Consider asking about opportunities by visiting a variety of places within your community, including:Animal sheltersWildlife sanctuaries and refugesVeterinary officesConservation organizationsFarm sanctuariesAnimal rehabilitation centersLocal fish and wildlife department or parks and recreation departmentHospitalsAnimal Volunteering ChecklistVolunteering with animals can be exciting and you may be eager to get started, but volunteers typically have to do some prep work before they can lend a hand. Specific procedures vary by organization, but these steps can help potential volunteers get ready to work with animals in need.Research the volunteer requirements and responsibilitiesBefore settling on an opportunity, prospective volunteers need to make sure they meet the position’s requirements and can fulfill all responsibilities. Volunteer coordinators can help potential volunteers find positions at their organizations that may be a good fit.Fill out a volunteer applicationVolunteer applications may be available online or at the volunteer organization. Applications often include requirements, codes of conduct and liability waivers, so be sure to carefully fill out and read through the form.Pay volunteer feesDepending on the organization, volunteers may have to pay a fee. For local organizations, this may cover training and supplies. International volunteering fees may be greater but can cover room, board, and extracurricular activities.Complete a background check, if requiredSome organizations require background checks. Background checks can take a while to process and may require an additional fee, so be sure to inquire about this when researching volunteer requirements.Attend any required volunteer trainingMost organizations require volunteers to attend training sessions before letting them help out. These training sessions are essential in preparing volunteers to provide the best help they can.Get ready to volunteer!Depending on how you volunteer, this can be as simple as putting on animal-friendly clothes or considerably more involved. Fosters, for instance, need to prepare their house for their new animals. International volunteers may need to get passports and vaccines squared away. Careful research and planning can make for a smooth and rewarding volunteer experience.IAdditional Resources and Reading for Volunteering with AnimalsVeterinary Volunteer: 4 Great Ways to Start Volunteering with Animals TodayHumane Society of the United States: What to Know Before You VolunteerWhy We Need More Animal VolunteersSo You Want to Be a Photographer in an Animal Shelter?How to Get Your Dream Job Working in Animal ConservationHow Animal Rescue Volunteers Create Happily Ever AftersAfter that… read through all these articles that I wrote on related subjects. You should find some helpful info in at least a few of these.Stefan Pociask's answer to How can I learn more about nature?Stefan Pociask's answer to Would volunteering at wildlife/nature centers improve my chances of getting a job working with birds?Stefan Pociask's answer to How hard is it to get a job in wildlife conservation? (US)Stefan Pociask's answer to How do you start a career in wildlife conservation?Stefan Pociask's answer to Where can I interact with animals in the wild, and contribute to their well-being?Stefan Pociask's answer to What is it like to be a birds-of-prey rehabilitation specialist?Take any job you can find, even the dirty ones that aren’t as popular… like cleaning trash from a river or riparian area. You will get a good reputation that way, and more and better things will come your way. Good luck!EDIT: ARRGH! I just checked google maps, and this is what has become of my beautiful wilderness full of Bald Eagles and endangered Gopher Tortoises and Indigo Snakes:Ah, well… we gave them a couple of extra decades I guess : (Some final excellent suggestions for you:Wildlife Rehabs. Do some research in your area, and I’m sure you can find at least one of several types of Rehabilitation Centers. Near me I have a Waterfowl Rescue, a Raptor Center and several Wildlife Rehab Centers. There are all sorts of Rehabs specializing in many different things, depending on where you live. You will get to interact with wild animals when they need you most, and when the time comes for them to be set free, you will interact with them when you go to release them into the wild. It’s very satisfying.BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Contact your local office and ask what types of field work opportunities they might have that you can volunteer your time to.Your State Wildlife agency. Same as above. Ask about volunteer opportunities.USFWS. Again, ask for volunteer opportunities.Local Universities. There are often grad students looking for volunteers to help them with projects. Check Natural Resources departments, or Wildlife Biology departments.Call these places and put your name on all their lists. Someone will eventually call you. Enjoy!Now… all you have to do is stop just reading about it, follow up on these websites… … contact them until you find one in your area that needs you… get up off your quarantined butt… and DO something!SO… THOSE ARE A FEW THAT SHOULD GET YOU STARTED!! GOOD LUCK!

Having moved to New Hampshire almost a year ago — after a six year courtship with the Free State Project — let me tell you what I would do were I just now thinking about the Free State Project and whether I wanted to join it, help it out, and/or move here.So, consider this my suggested steps. What you do and the order you take them are entirely up to you and will very likely be different, but I wanted you to benefit from what I would do now that I’ve experienced the process. :)Here are the steps that I would follow:Connect virtuallyUnderstand its Historical ContextAttend a Big EventChoose a NH RegionSign Your Pledge to MoveVisit/Vacation in NHSchedule Your MoveAfter Your MoveHelp Out: Assist the FSP from your state.Step 1: Connect VirtuallyLet’s get you connected online with the core Free State Project sites. This way, you can get a sense of what is happening today and that will help you envision what you might want to do were you to live in a free state.These four sites will start your journey. [Footnote 1]Free State Project WebSiteRead the tabs for the Mission, the NHAdvantage, and the Community,Do not yet sign the Pledge to Move, unless you are ready to commit to move here . We will be disappointed if you don’t move, so hold off until you are sure.But do sign up to be informed about future Free State stuff. (And then check your Spam folder for whether your less-than-libertarian email filter is throwing your FSP info away in the hope you won’t see it.)And then spend the majority of your time reading the blog contributions of various Porcupines — the personal stories of people, like you.The most pertinent to you will be the “New Mover stories”: how people like you first heard about the FSP, learned more about it, came up to visit, decided to move here, made their move, and what they’ve learned about freedom, about NH, about the FSP, and about themselves since they’ve been here. (There are also stories about events and projects porcupines are undertaking, and various porcupines’ reflections. )Scroll back about a year or so, and then see if you’re up for more.Free State Project Facebook Page This official FSP Facebook page will give you the most curated view of what’s happening today. Click “See notifications first” so that you get this baseline information.Free State Project Facebook Closed GroupThe FSP closed group allows you to read questions from other potential movers. A group of knowledgable Free Staters (“FSers” or “porcupines”) volunteer information and links and suggestions. Look back on prior questions, and then ask your own specific questions and get help (e.g., Plan a visit {Step 6}.).Step 2: Understand its Historical ContextNow that I have you connected, take a step back for some historical context.2a) VideosDedicate a couple of evenings to watch some videos:Who best to introduce you to the Free State Project than Jason Sorens himself:In this interview, Jason reflects on the fifteen years since he first proposed creating a free state.In 2014, we Free Staters crowdfunded a glossy video about why you should move to New Hampshire and join the project: “101 Reasons: Liberty Lives in New Hampshire” Famous libertarians and early movers share the advantages of moving to NH to grow freedom.in 2016, the migration was triggered. In this video, the then leaders of the FSP reflected on our transition from convincing people to pledge to move, to porcupines actually moving to New Hampshire.In 2010, a (nonlibertarian) documentarian featured the Free State Project. It is very sweet.Look in the Comments below for additional links. In the meantime, you can mine the FSP channel:Free State Project YouTube Channel2b) Historical DocumentsThese document the origin of the Free State Project.2001: Jason Sorens: Announcement: The Free State ProjectThis is the 2001 announcement of Jason Soren’s brainchild. Of course, it evolved, but it is alway nice to know the root.2001: Jason Sorens: Update: Free State ProjectJason received a lot of comments on his original announcement. Here he responds. The most important change is he took secession (his area of research) off the table as core for the FSP.2003: Escape to New Hampshire (Report)Michelle Dumas reflects on what turned out to be the first PorcFest, something called at the time “Escape to New Hampshire”, which was an attempt to encourage libertarians to choose New Hampshire for the Free State Project.2003: Choosing NH (Report)Joseph Spear outlines the process by which the FSP selected NH.Look in the Comments for additional documents.2c) PodcastsOf course, the Free State Project has been talked about in detail on a variety of liberty podcasts. A selection:Brian Nichols: Ep86: Carla Gericke and the Free State ProjectTom Woods: Ep1168 Libertarian Victories Do Exist: Here's Exhibit AFree Man Beyond the Wall: EP114: Rodger Paxton on The Free State ProjectLiberty Entrepreneurs: EP86: What is the Free State Project? from Liberty EntrepreneursSurvival Podcast: Ep888- Carla Gericke from the Free State ProjectWe Are Libertarians: EP34: The Free State Project and LBRY with Jeremy KauffmanPart of the Problem (Dave Smith):Libertarian Institute: EP165: Smashing the Myths of the 'Free State Project'2c) Notable ArticlesA few articles written by mainstream sources have been positive, but most media are anti-liberty, so, they eye-roll and fear-monger. Here is a cross-section. (We’ll add more in the Comments section.)2003: Guardian: 'Free staters' pick New Hampshire to liberate for sex, guns and drugsThe Guardian explains to its readers how we, who according to them promote prostitution, have selected New Hampshire to create “an autocratic territory”.2003: NYT: Libertarians Pursue New Political Goal: State of Their OwnA shoulder shrug.2003: Boston Globe: Free State Project pushes limits of liberty in N.H.The Boston Globe warns how government services will be stretched to the limit if Free Staters move to New Hampshire.2011: Slate: Libertarians Pursue New Political Goal: State of Their OwnThis leftist article focuses on those civilly disobedient street activists in Keene NH. (This was a massive focus of early press about the FSP, but only a small part of the FSP community.)2015: Reason: New Hampshire Democrat: 'Free Staters are the single biggest threat the state is facing today'Reason reports on a Democratic representative who calls the Free State Project the biggest threat to New Hampshire.2016: Mother Jones: Why libertarians are (still) plotting to take over New HampshireProgressive/socialist magazine covers us more neutrally than one would think.2d) Media MiningOf course, there’s a lot more (mostly negative) MSM press about the FSP. Here are a few sources to see their concerns, their curiosity, their dismissals, and sometimes their interest.Reason Magazine Articles on the FSPThese will be more positive, although the early ones cover the Keene civil disobedience era more negatively.NH Public Radio Negative and positive coverage from NHPR.The New Hampshire Union Leader articles on FSP The main state paper covers the grittier side of FSP.Free State Project WatchThe main authoritarian opposition to the Free State Projects. It considers bringing freedom-oriented people to NH a bad thing, and emphasizes past bad behaviors of some Free Staters as determinative of all Free Staters. You know you’re over the target when you get directed flak..Step 3: Attend a Big EventThe Free State Project puts on two major events a year. This is an excellent time to visit, to meet porcupines, and to plan on coming back.You have two choices:Option 1: PorcFest - The Porcupine Freedom Festival: June in Lancaster, NHPorcFest is held at the end of June in northern New Hampshire. It’s a pain to get there, but once you’re there, you’ll be happy you have escaped authoritarianism and are now in the beautiful mountains.This event is great if you like parties. There are many official speakers, but most of the fun activities take place in the campgrounds. The costs are dirt-cheap, especially if you camp and get your tickets early. (I usually spring for a room in one of the nearby motels, cause my days of sleeping in tents are over.)Over years it has tried to appeal more to families. I took my pre-teen up there twice and she loved it. <1230> <1230>PorcFest is probably your best chance to talk to a wide array of porcupines about what creating a free state is about.The PorcFest website becomes live with information on the next upcoming PorcFest usually around January, but you can visit it year-round to see the previous event.I recommend the VIP package if you want to rub shoulders with the in-crowd and if you like drinking during a festival.I’ve written a couple of Quora answers using my experiences at the 2019 PorcFest, which should give you a flavor of the festival:1230: What is the Porcupine Freedom Festival (PorcFest) in New Hampshire like?1230: What is the Porcupine Freedom Festival (PorcFest) in New Hampshire like?1246: My Review of PorcFest 20191273: I feel safest amongst libertarians1273: I feel safest amongst libertariansOption 2: Liberty Forum: February in Manchester NHLiberty Forum is held in the beginning of February in the dead of winter in an attempt to prove to non-porcupines that one does not literally die in the cold. It is a conference, held at a hotel and featuring speakers, in the largest “city” in NH. It is much easier to get to, and is much more staid and conventional (at least for more free-form of the libertarians). The informal interactions are primarily around the hotel bar, and your joining folks to eat at one of the many restaurants.Do sign up for the tours, where you can talk to folks informally as you get to see NH outside of the conference. Spend time in the Exhibit Hall talking to the porcupines there. Especially go to the Quill party, which is usually the last night.I do not recommend the VIP package (at least, not from my experiences last year!)When you attend these events, introduce yourself to everyone and tell them your intentions.Collect names and phone numbers. You’ll need them for later steps..Step 4: Choose a NH RegionSo, by now, you have a pretty good sense of what we’re trying to do up here, and if you do have freedom in your bones, you’re itching to shrug off your chains and participate.Select one of the six regions in New Hampshire as your most likely landing place. You can always change your mind, but this will help you focus discussions and visits. :)If you don’t know which region to temporarily select, chat with the people whom you’ve met so far (e.g., on the virtual sites, or at PorcFest or at Liberty Forum). You should have also gotten clues about which is best for you from the big events (e.g., PorcFest features a well-produced event on the last day that introduces all the regions and gives you access to scores of people to talk about their region.)Just so you know, each region has sections that are “great for families” or “picturesque”. My characterizations below are gross exaggerations of tendency. (For example, my town Dover is fairly anti-freedom relative to the rest of NH (but not relative to where we were escaping from — Massachusetts), so you might not want to move to Dover if you might run for office.)Which Region Is Right for You?We porcupines break New Hampshire into six geographical regions, which have some general, different tempos and themes. Decide which you want to explore. (My description is below, but I link to other porcupines’ descriptions so you can get a range of perceptions.)Once you’ve tentatively chosen a region, sign up for the internet group for your region, and introduce yourself to them.Merrimack Valley: Urban, central, tech employment, singles, night activities, political, lots of porcs.Cities: Concord, Nashua, ManchesterMajor Towns: WeareManchester PorcupinesNashua LibertySeaCoast: Borders the Atlantic beach. High priced housing, historic, Bohemian, leftist, entrepreneurial, dining, arts & music.Major Towns: Portsmouth, Dover, ExeterSWELL Website: Upcoming Events - S.W.E.L.L.SWELL - Seacoast Welcomes Every Liberty Lover : The FB pageLive Free Before You Die Group : Social group for folks with more time on their hands (e.g., retired, self-employed)Lakes Region: 273 lakes and ponds, all surrounding the grand Lake Winnipesaukee, beauty, hiking.Major Towns: Laconia, Wolfeboro, and MeredithLakes Region Porcupines GroupNorth Country: Lots of space, quiet, affordable in the beautiful northern mountains.Major Towns: Littleton, Berlin{Additional description, }North Country PorcupinesUpper Valley: Farming. Affordable. Private.Major Towns: Hanover, Sunappee, and ClaremontUpper Valley Liberty CommunityMonadnock: More activism, younger, hiking.Major Towns: Keene, Greenfield, Jaffrey{Additional description, }Live Free MonadnockOnce you link up with your regional virtual group, chat with folks there via the group. Add folks to your list of contacts. (You’ll need them in Step 6…).Step 5: Sign Your Pledge to MoveYou’ve talked to lots of porcupines, heard and read their personal New Mover stories, and have thought about what type of contribution you want to leave the world around human freedom.If you haven’t already, you certainly should be ready now:Pledge to migrate to NH to create liberty in your lifetime:Sign the Pledge to MoveYou’re on your way home… :)..Step 6: Visit/Vacation in NHSo, you’ve attended a big event, you’ve monitored our discussions, you’ve read pro and con pieces about us, you’ve asked questions and met us porcupines, and yet your drive to create human freedom is strong enough that you remain undaunted and actually pledged to move!!?You may well be a porcupine!It’s time to visit us more informally but more purposefully — to explore housing, work, leisure, and connections.6a) Serious Virtual GroupsLet’s get you connected with three more groups. (You should have Signed the Pledge to join these.)FSP Welcome WagonThis FaceBook closed group is for liberty people who are serious about exploring moving. The porcupines on it are very knowledgable and very dedicated to helping you. Post that you are thinking about visiting, and ask for recommendationsFSP Housing Search This FaceBook closed group posts houses and rentals as they come up. This will give you a sense of the market.FSP Job Alert While professional work is not posted here (here will be mostly lower salary postings), this will connect you with others seeking employment. You’ll still have to network to find your professional job. (Or, maybe, start a business yourself.) But use this group to talk about the job scene in NH.6b) RealtorsWe have Free Staters who sell/rent 100s of homes to new porcupines like you. They know about everyone and every place and they can answer your questions and steer you to places that you are more likely to enjoy. There are names, but …<Note: Sorry, but because anti-libertarian trolls are employing Quora’s “Spam” rules to prevent you from getting any of this information, I am not able to list on Quora the names of Free Staters whom you can contact to get advice about living accommodations. But I do have a good list of folks. Feel free to PM me….>6c) Schedule a Date to VisitI recommend that you schedule your visit on dates that give you the most opportunity to meet other porcupines in your selected region, but don’t restrict yourself to just one region:The FSP Calendar of Liberty Events This amazing calendar contains most of the public liberty events that are occurring around the state. There is something happening almost every day!! I wish I had seen this before I moved, so, I’m telling you about it now. Check out this calendar and schedule your trip to attend as many of these events as you can, and introduce yourself to all the Free Staters there. Don’t be a weeny — drive and meet porcupines.Each region has regular events — schedule your visit accordingly. (Events within each region listed in my recommended order.)Merrimack Valley Regular EventsNew Movers Potluck: First Tuesday of every monthMerrimack Valley Porcupines: First Saturday of every month with speakers, in Manchester.Nashua Liberty Social: Every Sunday night for dinnerTaproom Tuesday: Dinner and drinks at a Free Stater’s bar every Tuesday at 5PTGIF Lunch: Lunch on Fridays at a caféCrypto Meetup: Learn about and use crypto, every Sunday night in ManchesterManchester Liberty Market & Mingle: Every third Saturday, in Manchester.Freedom Film Festival: Movie and discussion every Friday night in Weare.New Hampshire Libertarian Party: Dinner on first monday, in ManchesterTwos-Day Liberty Meetup: Every second Tuesday at a liberty bar in ConcordSeaCoast Regular EventsNew Movers Potluck: Third Sunday of the month for brunchLiberty Outreach Meetups: Every Thursday night. Location moves from Dover, Exeter, Rochester, to Seabrook, alphabetically by week of month (e.g., “D” Dover is first week; “E” Exeter is second week)FreeCoast Liberty Market & Mingle: Second Saturday of the month in DoverPortsmouth Dash Meetup: Every other week on Wednesday night. Learn to use crypto at local businesses to buy food and drink.(Most weekends: events at a clubhouse)Lakes Region Regular Events:Liberty Lunch Meetup: Every third Saturday, in BelmontNorth Country Regular Events:Porcupine Potluck: Third Sunday, in various locations, but often Berlin.Carroll County Liberty Meetup: Second Saturday of every month, in MadisonNorth Country Crypto Meetup: Irregular schedule, in various locations (Link)Upper Valley Regular Events:Liberty Tuesday: Last Tue of the month in West LebanonBardo Potluck Dinner at the Farm: First Saturday in CroydonFarm Friday with Friends: Kids event every fourth Friday lunchtime, in CroydonConversations in Crypto: Third Saturday, in ClaremontMonadnock Regular EventsLiberty Thursday: Every last Thursday in AlsteadUMLV (Upper Monadnock Liberty Meetup): Every third Tuesday, in HillsboroSocial Sundays: Have dinner at longest running liberty meetup in NH, in Keene.Breakfast Buffet: Every Wednesday morning in KeeneKeene Crypto Network: Learn about and use crypto in local businesses every six days (different day, different location) in KeeneBTW, I highly recommend that you visit at a time that you can attend one of the New Movers’ Potluck Parties (Manchester on first Tuesday (night) or SeaCoast on third Sunday (Brunch)) These are regular gatherings whose nominal purpose is to welcome people like you. (Service to you is also a great excuse for the community to gather. ) Check the FSP Calendar. (BTW, the name is a bit of a misnomer: as a new mover, you don’t take food to the “New Mover’s Potluck”: we take food for you.) ;)6d) Get a RoomNow, if you attended one of the Big Events (See Step 3), and you’ve been chatting it up on the boards (See Step 1 and Step 6A), you should have plenty of names of porcupines in your region of interest. Give ’em a poke and see if they’ll put you up. At the very least, have them recommend places to stay, things to see, food to eat, etc.Carol and I rented apartments via AirBnB three times in our region, taking three full weeks of vacation across three different years, but we’re a bit anal about our decisions, and I know of no other porcupine who did as much due diligence.Airbnb | New HampshireVrbo | New Hampshire6e) Tell us of your planned visit.Inform the FSP of your visit:Visit Us in New HampshireThis will probably get you in touch with the FSP Mover Coordinator, Chris Lopez. If you don’t hear from her, call her (603-263-0308) as you finalize your plans. She will make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything obvious and she’ll send out a note on FSP Welcome Wagon about your visit, to which I recommend you post the particulars you want to check out on your visit. We got great advice before we came for our last week long vacation.And then contact everyone you’ve collected on your list — from PorcFest, from Liberty Forum, from Porcupines FB page, from the FSP Welcome Wagon, from your regional FB page, etc. And post in your regional groups.Tell us which week you’re coming and where you’ll be staying. Schedule some meet and greets with folks. (For example, we threw a wine and cheese party at our AirBnB in the middle of our first vacation here. About 20 porcupines came.)NH boasts the highest concentration of liberty podcasters, of liberty bloggers, and of liberty Quorans. If you’re a follower (e.g., of me on Quora), send a PM!!!6f) Plan NonFSP ActivitiesSure, you’re moving here because it’s our best chance to experiment with human freedom at this moment of human history. But man does not live by freedom alone!Carol and I used TripAdvisor and friends and FaceBook events (look at the listed Events on the pages I’ve given you) to find a whole bunch of things to try out, given our interests. Let me share what we checked out. (Of course, your activities and adventures will differ by your region and by your interests.)My wife loves to paint and play her viola and sing. So, we visited art galleries, we attended chamber music and we talked to the lead violist of the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra. We went to chorals. She brought her paints with intentions to paint, but we were so busy going to restaurants and dancing in bars that instead she snapped pictures for future paintings. (She’s working on one as I write.)I love more robust activities, so we hiked, and walked, and kayaked, and skied, and sailed, and swam. (A good group to talk outdoor activities is:PORC (porcupine outdoor recreation club)And we both love to dance to rock & roll music all night long, so, I found a different rock & roll music bar every night and we danced to live music.And we did touristy things and went to touristy spots and listened to historical docents. We ate at the Top Restaurants and breakfasted at the Top Breakfast Nooks.And we asked porcupines as well as NH natives we met (the AirBnB hosts are great sources) about what was fun and what was good and what we should definitely not miss out on.And I don’t think we missed out on much! :)Now, in our last visit we spent most of our week doing the touristy things and investigating nonlibertarian opportunities; we only met with Free Staters at one meetup. But we had had two other visits, and I had attended several PorcFests and Liberty Forums, so I had met a lot of folks. (Remembering everyone’s name was another matter. Write the names down!).7: Schedule Your MoveYou have an idea where to live, where you might work, whom to hang with, what to do when you’re here.Now come home to liberty.Welcome Wagon/Move-In Party: Besides all the regular things that one does to move to a new state, the one thing you want to do for sure is call Chris Lopez [email protected] to schedule a Move-In Party for you. Porcupines will greet your U-Haul and help you unload. (You supply the pizza and beer.) It’s is a great way to meet your neighbors, hear the inside scoop, and realize that you are now amongst friends.Inform the FSP/Be Counted: Let [email protected] at the FSP office know that you have made your move. You will then get an official mover number. :) (Mine is 1990, and Carol’s is 1991.)New Movers’ Potlucks: As of Oct 2019, there are two of them. One every first Tuesday in Manchester. The other less regularly on the third Wednesday in Dover. You just must come to these. Both of them!! And often!!And write down everyone’s name and tell them what you love to do and schedule things to do. This is your “Coming Home” party, and we’ll cheer ya, and listen to your stories, and give you goodies and pointers and introduce you to folks and connect you up with your interests. Check the FSP Calendar. (BTW, the name is a bit of a misnomer: as a new mover, you don’t bring food; we bring food for you.).8: After Your MoveYou’re moved in, you have assured your income and safety, and you are all ready to help create freedom.Here are my first recommendations:The FSP Calendar of Liberty Events: Go to as many liberty events as you can fit in every week. There’s something happening almost every day. Introduce yourself. Find out what other folks are working on. Try a few things on for size. (The first few things I tried, did not fit me!!) Put some miles on your car.I made a dedicated effort to go to at least two events a week, and I drove all around the southern part of the state.Porcupines Facebook Closed GroupThis is a raucous site. This is the central discussion board for we who have already moved, so, you can connect with what porcupines are thinking and debating right now. There will be dirty laundry here, but if you’re this whole liberty thing, you should be comfortable with a bit of spontaneous orderp. ;)New Hampshire Liberty Alliance: Join the NHLA (preferably, as a full paying member, but you can become a nonpaying member or (like me) a lifetime member). Volunteer to help out (e.g., read bills and make recommendations). They have regular trainings: after two hours you will be reviewing proposed New Hampshire legislation for its impact on human freedom. Visit a few subcommittee meetings and try your hand at testifying. NH is a small state, and you can have a big impact.Liberty Clubhouses: Visit the current liberty clubhouses (Two as of this date: in Manchester and in Dover) They will be different animals. If you believe that you fit in with either clubhouse, tell them that you would like to be considered for membership. (It might take a year or more!) But remember: You’re a libertarian. You can always start another liberty clubhouse or liberty group. There are plenty of liberty people here. :)New Hampshire - Americans for Prosperity: Join the Americans for Prosperity in New Hampshire. It’s the most libertarian branch, and they have great activities and good trainings. I came from the left, and I have not been uncomfortable with AFP so far.Volunteer: The fastest way to meet an assortment of people is to volunteer to help at one of the two big events (PorcFest, Liberty Forum). (See Step 3.) But if you’re meeting people you’ll hear of other events and shows and activities — jump in!Create: So, here’s the thing: We are starting up. If you have an idea, don’t whine to someone else about making it happen. Create it! Tell everyone about it and ask whether it excites others. But don't bitch; do. <1262>A few porcupines wrote another document about what to do once you’ve moved with some additional ideas.I wrote about the activities I saw in NH after just a few months in NH; it might give you a sense of what else you might want to explore:1153: How is the Free State Project impacting New Hampshire politics?And here’s a reminder of what we have all migrated here to do:1262: What objections do people have to the Free State Project?.Step 0: Help the Free State ProjectLet me end this by reminding you that regardless of whether you’re moving today, next year, or never, you can — and should — help create liberty in your lifetime in the Free State.Join the Free State ProjectSend some of your stored labor (i.e., Donate) to the Free State Project(Check whether your employer matches charitable donations.)Talk to your liberty friends about the FSP.Mention the Free State Project (e.g., friends, family, Reddit, FB, Twitter, radio talk shows, letters to editor)Suggest media interviews the FSP (e.g., newspapers, radio, blogs, TV, podcast, youtube channels)Amazon Smile: Make the FSP your destination for Amazon’s charity contributions when you shop at “Amazon Sign-In”Contribute to advertise the Free State Project on you favorite liberty media..See Related:1262: What objections do people have to the Free State Project?1230: What is the Porcupine Freedom Festival (PorcFest) in New Hampshire like?1153: How is the Free State Project impacting New Hampshire politics?1277: What advice would you give to someone who is moving to New Hampshire?1246: Review of PorcFest1176: Should I move to New Hampshire to build a local libertarian community?1229: How will the Free State Project attract 20,000 pro-liberty people to New Hampshire?0861: Do you plan to participate in the Free State Project?0539: Why live in authoritarian Boston rather than free state New Hampshire?0534: What is the intent of the Free State Project?1273: What do you think about libertarians?1158: Which state offers its citizens the most freedom?0995: I’m Moving To Free State New Hampshire1325: In what should a libertarian invest?1312: Could the US ever become a true free market economy?1244: What economies should economists study?1166: Q: Where’s Dennis? (A: Creating Freedom In NH)1003: How can we get rid of libertarians?→ Essays on <The Free State Project (FSP)> by Dennis→ Return to the <Table of Contents> for Dennis’ Libertarian Essays<, FSP,>

Two disclaimers:1 - Despite my following reasoning, I don’t even believe ‘democracy’ is a fundamental end-all and be-all of what it means to be an optimal social primate. And as an American, I am looking at the word as representing the current Multi-national, neo-liberal, zero-sum trends.2 - Despite having American citizenship, I have lived over half my life in Japan … 36 years and counting, and with a permanent visa, this is probably a terminal relationship.On my answer —Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time — Winston ChurchillQuite a catchy tune … but I have no idea whether democracy is the worst, or better, or just another experiment in how to manage social primates that have bred to populations of herding / swarming size.I just see democracy as one of many tools for sustainability of the species … and if lucky, perhaps even a higher quality of life.But as any other tool, democracy can be used and misused, depending on one’s inclination and perspective. For example, anyone who has been marginalized as a minority will likely be aware of the dangers of tyranny of the majority.I don’t have the time or scope for exploring the implications of John Rawls’ original position on morality here. It leads down one heck of a rabbit hole. But I would like to make a plug for Michael J. Sandel’s definition of ‘corruption’ as — any time ‘lower level’ values displace ‘higher level’ ideals.Certainly this is a provisional social construct. But I think most of us would agree that ‘everyone has their price’ is an easy to understand euphemism for how Michael Sandel is defining corruption.For my short answer … Yes.Just follow the money — https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jul/27/fake-news-inquiry-data-misuse-deomcracy-at-risk-mps-conclude?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+main+NEW+H+categories&utm_term=282232&subid=10308016&CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2It is not just democracy that is under threat.Family values and its institutions … adoption, weddings, birthdays, or funerals … are all under threat of being devoured by capitalism. It doesn’t take much triangulating to see the relationship between the misuse of corporate human capital in Japan Inc.’s ‘democracy’ to see the devastating effects on demographics … a falling population, but gutting the countryside for further concentration of power and opportunity in the Tokyo area.In pre-reformation Europe, the Catholic church similarly grew rich and therefore corrupt, partially due to selling special dispensations (those express train prayers to heaven) to the robber barons of that era.But here, in present day Japan, depending on the amount of donation offered to a priest performing burial rituals お布施, the deceased is given a new ‘spiritual’ name (kaimyou - Dharma name) that is ranked and correlated with the amount of money donated.I’d call that culturally sanctioned blackmail, but I guess we Americans do the same with weddings and funerals … the more money one has, the more lavish the ceremony is expected to be. I guess it comes with the package of what it means to be a social primate.But how much is ‘enough’? Where does one draw the line if it comes at the expense of others?This jives well with Sandel’s home run definition of corruption.Capitalism is devouring science.Common sense determines that neither scientific fact nor theory have been subject to the values of democracy, though lord knows it is not through lack of trying.I will leave it to the likes of Neil DeGrasse Tyson to point out the incompatibly of democracy with science in many of his excellent documentaries …or an even more scientifically capable contemporary, Steven Pinker …… but the good professors (institutionally sanctioned) are NOT making similar documentaries about how capitalism is devouring science.‘Publish or Perish’ — is NOT a scientific heuristics.It is an economic model, and an ultimately self-destructive one at that.In fact, they, among others (yeah, you too Michio) are making a tidy little sum riding off those gigs. It’s just too bad that the likes of Karl Popper or Thomas Kuhn are not so photogenic. Karl had much to say about what happens when science becomes subservient to capitalistic agendas in the Nazi form of Nationalism.And I think there is quite a bit much more than being ‘politically correct’ at stake when the whole scientific domain is being questioned as gender influenced … How Masculine and Feminine Traits Influence Science.For some examples of how capitalism is devouring of science, I modestly suggest reading Naomi Klein regarding Project MKUltra. Or Noam Chomsky on the M.I.T. - D.A.R.P.A. connection. Or for that matter Google’s true origin partly lies in CIA and NSA research grants for mass surveillance, Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Agra.As I am making this edit, today’s news alone (Thursday, July 24, 2018 spells it out … Monsanto-on-trial … again.And to bring it closer to home (in Japan) … a copy of July 27-28th news … https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/07/27/national/crime-legal/japanese-prosecutors-raid-jaxa-facilities-connection-second-education-ministry-bribes-case/#.W1xSNygVSHoAnd to make sure the article is not ‘lost’ … another source, JapanToday.Prosecutors raid space agency over bureaucrat's bribery caseJuly 28 — 06:55 am JST TOKYOProsecutors on Friday raided locations linked to the space agency after they arrested a senior education ministry official earlier on a bribery charge in the second graft scandal to hit the ministry in a month.Kazuaki Kawabata, 57-year-old former director general for international affairs at the education ministry, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of receiving bribes in the form of being wined and dined by a consulting firm executive in return for providing a favor to his firm.Prosecutors suspect former consulting firm executive Koji Taniguchi, 47, already arrested and indicted for alleged complicity in another bribery scandal involving a different senior education ministry official, provided 1.4 million yen ($12,600) worth of meals and drinks to Kawabata between 2015 and 2017.Kawabata was on loan at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency at the time and was in a position to evaluate the agency's business contracts.Kawabata allegedly helped Taniguchi invite astronaut Satoshi Furukawa to an event at Tokyo Medical University in November 2016 among other favors he offered him, according to sources close to the matter.Furukawa was allegedly asked by the former chairman of the university's board of regents, Masahiko Usui, about whether the astronaut could take part in the event, they said.Taniguchi bribed Kawabata by wining and dining him more than 10 times, the sources said, adding that Kawabata and Taniguchi have denied the allegations.Other sources said the education ministry bureaucrat is also suspected of receiving taxi vouchers from the consulting firm executive.Earlier in the month, another education ministry bureaucrat, Futoshi Sano, 59, and the former official of Tokyo Medical University were indicted for bribery.Sano, former director general of the ministry's science and technology bureau, allegedly helped the university get selected for the ministry's funding program in return for securing the enrollment of his son at the school.Taniguchi is suspected of bringing Sano and Usui together.The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology was preparing to set up a third-party committee to investigate the suspected bribery involving Sano, but the minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said the plan will be postponed in the wake of Kawabata's arrest.© KYODONo mistake, ‘greed-is-good’ capitalism is devouring science, not driving it.Education, since the dawn of the industrial revolution, has been in danger of being devoured.For one semester, even while I was an Associate Professor at Jissen Women’s College, I took a leave of absence and attended open-classes as a student at a rival institution, Showa Women’s College. Among the courses I took, one was taught by a professor and employee of the central Ministry of Education (For about 7 years, I also used to be one of 2 or 3 native English speaking informants as textbook proofreaders and cultural advisors for the Ministry 平成17年4月文部科学省教科用図書検定調査審議会専門委員（平成23年3月迄). His course was about the history of Public Education in Japan.The Japanese public education system is based on England’s Victorian era education, which in turn was based on the structure and heuristics of two other institutions at that time … the penal system and the military. A liberal arts education was largely reserved for the elite ruling class.That’s a pretty grim hint as to the traditional ways in which large populations are ‘managed’ through capitalist values.Tied up with education, racial equality is in danger of being devoured … DeVos Doesn’t Believe that Promoting Racial Diversity in Schools Is a Worthwhile Cause.That military thing of ‘corruption’ through replacing one value with a lower value can be found in the outsourcing of the U.S. government’s accountability in warfare. Blackwater Protection was and still is, a convenient excuse for the U.S. government’s plausible deniability. But I guess the ancient Roman army did the same thing with ‘barbarian’ mercenaries long before capitalism was a gleam in Adam Smith’s eye.And as hinted earlier, the penal system — in private, for-profit hands?For the CEOs … the more inmates, the merrier. And throw away the keys. There is no financial incentive for rehabilitation.As for U.S. Public Health policy? Outside of the U.S., the laughing stock of the ‘developed’ world. Inside, a crying shame.That alone is enough to make me question the distinction between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ as an arrogant conceit. A more accurate distinction between countries might better be found along a sliding scale of institutionally sanctioned, legalized corruption.Personal health care costs account for the single greatest cause of family bankruptcy in the U.S. On the the other hand, a cozy little group of insurance company executives and Big-Pharma CEOs can afford another private jet or island retreat.For the personally ambitious, there is big money to be made off of sickness, infirmity, and death.And those ‘closed-door’ international trade talks are closed for good reason.For example, one of the conditions of the TPP was that medical products banned in the U.S. could be used in countries with less economic leverage, and any claims from citizens of those countries regarding health or environmental degradation will not be subject to that country’s laws or judicial system. The multi-national corporation will have the right to regulate, judge, and penalize themselves … as they wish, or not, and citizens of those economically marginalized countries, democratic or not, will have no say in the matter.Even elected politicians are not privy to all of the information in those closed-door trade talks.Anyone here old enough to remember Perestroika or Glasnost?Evidently, ‘what’s good for the goose is good for the gander’ does not apply to Capitalist management.It just goes on and on.One. Horror. Show. After. Another.I would say the loss of ‘democracy’ to the corruption of money should be among the least of our worries.Yanis is brilliant, full stop.Spot-on analysis.And compared to reading Piketty’s massive tome, a lot easier to listen to.Besides, I think his barber is doing a great job.I am just weighing in because of his observations from about 1:10 of the YouTube video above — when he explains how the Chinese economic system may be more humane than the U.S. counterparts. The local governments may allow somewhat more freedom than the national government, and individuals may be arguably just as free to follow, ignore, or game the system as their American counterparts.This is the same in Japan, For now.But as we are seeing in the U.S. now, the authoritarian dynamics could change overnight, and I assume the same could be said for China.Japanese scientists are worried about the same thing — Japanese scientists call for boycott of military research. But that is already old news. Japan is well under way in following the U.S.’s model of tax funded research at M.I.T. being funneled into Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.I think it was only three or four years ago, that Tokyo University was bringing out damage control PR in denying they were involved in military related research. Things have changed in a very short time. … Scientists and defense research | The Japan Times——————————————In any country, the socially progressive left will always be less united than the right. It's like trying to herd cats ... or order a jazz musician to follow a note for note transcription of a military marching band score.IMHO, the above observation points to something fundamentally contradictory about human nature.As a social primate, we do pretty well in small communities with empathy-driven morality. Of course even small groups can be led by bullies, and many a spouse has suffered at the hand of their 'beloved'.But when we become herding primates, probably anything larger than Dunbar’s Number, and guided by a rule-driven morality (or algorithm), it is just a matter of time before we become self-destructive swarming primates ... that 'Tower of Babel' thingy.I guess part of it is because large populations necessarily become hierarchically institutionalized, and therefore dependent on a rule-driven (legal/logical based - not empathy based) morality.But when empathy is no longer the basis for morality, the 'Dark Triad' personality types are most able to take advantage of the inevitable gap between empathy and rules ... the narcissists, machiavellian opportunists, and psychopaths among us.You know … your boss.(kudos to Alan Louis)Altruists become relegated to fools ... Diogenes carrying a lantern in the daylight, looking for an honest man.Diogenes … my hero, the template for ‘pro-social trolling’ … and the capitalist in me is wondering if I can get a copyright on that phrasing ;-)Compared to more egalitarian communities which are small enough for us to acknowledge and recognize each other as unique individuals, large populations and accompanying institutions simply provide too many niche opportunities for those dark-triad types to rise to the top.It might be useful to think of the ratio of dark-triads to altruists in a hierarchy as similar to the increase of surface area to volume of any structure as it increases in size.This surface area to volume ration, as biologists understand, is a salient variable which limits the size of living things.Surface Area to Volume Ratio - OBEN Science 7EAnd to extend the metaphor, as the surface area of hierarchies expand in proportion to the volume of its limited natural resources (can’t outsource costs and losses forever ya know), those dark-triad vampires, also proportionally increase to the point that those behavior traits become the dominant culture of the institution.Hmmm … the capitalist in me wondering if I should coin the above observation in the domain of social sciences as ‘Martin’s Law’. Or in the spirit of open source … ‘more like guidelines’.No matter what 'fool-proof' system is in place, those dark-triad types will suck the human capital dry, siphoning all resources into their own gated communities, until inevitably, 'too big to fail', fails, like a dinosaur collapsing under its own weight.'Housing loan crisis', 'Lehman Shock', the Great Wall Street crash of the ‘20’s ... a stinkweed by any other name would smell as rank. Alas, were it just restricted to smell.2012, what we ‘learned’ — Fukushima reactor meltdown was a man-made disaster, says official report.As a former Comparative Culture teacher, I should say a bit about how Japan Inc. parses ‘human error’ and ‘man-made’ disasters. Imagine a wide range of meanings ranging from an ‘honest mistake’ at one extreme, and getting caught doing what hierarchical social primates are primed to do … ‘gaming the system for personal advantage’ at the other extreme.Those two terms conveniently cover the gamut.Well hey, it’s the Fourth of July, 2018, and following good pedagogic practice, let’s see if, indeed we ‘learned’ anything.Just 3 stories today is enough to say it all …1 — Nuclear watchdog OKs restart of aging Ibaraki nuclear plant hit by tsunamiPhoto: REUTERS file(Read it while it’s ‘hot’ folks, to aid our short collective memories, Japan Today will typically delete the article from its archives in a week or so, so I have it copy-pasted for any future readers interested, assuming there is a future.)Yours truly, as an English teacher at the Tokai Mura nuclear power plant - before.And after?Can’t really say. Like the weather and earthquakes, that will be up to the Watchdog Committee’s official stamp of approval.2 — Japan oks ambitious nuke energy target plutonium reuse plan — Japan on Tuesday approved an energy plan that sets ambitious targets for nuclear energy use and sustains a struggling program for spent-fuel recycling despite setbacks after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.(But praise the lord we have government officials and Watchdog Committees!)3 — Senior education ministry official arrested over bribery — Tokyo prosecutors on Wednesday arrested a high-ranking Japan education ministry official on a bribery charge, suspecting he granted a research subsidy to a medical school in exchange for admitting his child as a student.Oops.Might as well add another few for good measure …(edit July 7, point 4, because of the relevance to points 1 and 2)4 — 5.9-magnitude quake felt in Tokyo, no tsunami warning. I felt that one. ALL of Tokyo felt it … and for close to 30 seconds.Mother nature couldn’t give a f.f. for the government’s official approval of where and when the next temblor will be permitted. But money-driven authoritarianism and mother nature have never been on good speaking terms, much less happily wedded.5 — Fukuoka's 'guest teachers' of English outstay their welcome. — After 36 year years of studying and teaching here, I found out the hard way that Japanese work contracts are not worth the paper they are written on. And this is not restricted to lay-teachers … Cautionary tale: Bern on how no protections against harassment in Japan’s universities targets NJ regardless of Japan savviness and skill levelHaving worked in American and Japanese Universities, high schools, and volunteered at kindergartens, I know a little bit about education. Now, having resigned in protest from a tenured Associate Professor position (qualifications here … Steven Martin, I am forced to pick up odd jobs at universities, but not as a professor — though still desperately trying to hang on to my identity as an educator, following its best, subversive to authority, liberal arts tradition. Now working for a subcontractor, likely similar to those mentioned above in the Fukuoka article.I have a contract here before me, that I will not sign. It makes no mention of accountability to the students who educators should be serving.Educational content and pedagogy have been boiled down to little more than economic constraints and opportunities. Just like any other business, everything is based on the bottom-line.Now with falling demographics and numbers of Japanese students to draw on, the overabundance of ‘educational institutes’ are forced to accept anyone who can breathe, and now an increasing number of the young and restless from China and Southeast Asia. This makes for some interesting cross-cultural possibilities.But it is an extra pedagogical burden on those who speak only Japanese and English, and these outsourcing companies are choosing teachers whose main qualification is ‘they look foreign, speak English, and are desperate enough for money to just sign on the dotted line and follow orders’.I try to make do.Here is a sketch done in my English class last week, by a speaker who maybe can say ‘Hello, how are you today?’ — yet she could visualize and understand Plato’s Allegory of the Cave better than most American counterparts. Bright girl.The ‘most recent comment’ under the following YouTube link describes how I got their attention last week, kept it, built on it .., and enjoyed a blast from the past.As bad as my situation is, still can’t pay the rent, it could be worse.6 — Japan’s open to foreign workers. Just don’t call them immigrants … The latest LDP plan is to open the door to 500,000 low-skilled, kkk workers (no not Jeff Sessions and company), the 3k jobs are kienai, kitsui, and kikken (dirty, hard, and dangerous) — jobs that anyone tries to avoid, but dirt-poor immigrants see as opportunity. There are just two teensy-weensy conditions to the special 5 year visas (10 years if language skills are up to snuff).• There is no legal path beyond the expiration date of that visa allowing for immigration or naturalization. When that visa expires, the worker has no choice. They MUST return to their native country.• If the 5 year or 10 year worker has a spouse or kids, even those immediate family members will not be allowed into Japan. All human needs will be taken care of by the Japanese company they work for.‘Special work visas’? I would call that a legal euphemism for ‘human trafficking’.It appears that Japan Inc. is hell bent on using hidden labor to build the infrastructure catering to the wealthy visitors who come to ‘do’ Japan. Not so different from Qatar, the UAE, and other oil rich sultanates.(edit) Today’s morning headline in Japan Today … https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan-firms-used-foreign-trainees-at-fukushima-cleanup-reportsI have saved the above to hard disc because as per policy, that website typically deletes its articles a week or two after posting it. No wonder we fail to learn from history … we are not allowed to even make a collective memory. So for anyone who wants the details of the article above (which are few — even the guilty companies were not named), I have saved the article to hard disc. And again, that title …4 firms made foreign trainees do Fukushima decontamination workYokoso (welcome to) Japan … tourists and ‘trainees’ alike.Japan’s 4th of July headlines is one for the record books … to hell in a hand basket. A big one.————————————So class, what have we learned since that 2012 official government report?Hmm. Something about a dead parrot?More like a whole menagerie — George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' in a nutshell.Credit: Carl Glover via FlickrJust a guess, but those 'dark triad' types probably make up between 1 and 5 percent of any population.But even among the remaining, more typical, members of ours species, Hannah Arendt .... and then later the behavioral psychologists Solomon Asch (conformity experiment), Stanley Milgram (experiment in obedience), and Philip Zimbardo (the malleability of identity in the Stanford Prison experiment) pointed out how easily even the average Joe Blow's behavior can be manipulated with relatively light touches of authoritarianism.Noam Chomsky in 'Manufacturing Consent', and later later Naomi Klein in 'The Shock Doctrine', shows us some blueprints. Antony Loewenstein is showing how this is playing out down under with Disaster Capitalism: Making a Killing Out of Catastrophe.And William Blum shows us some of the gut-ugly details in Killing Hope.A couple of yeas ago, Stephen Hawking wrote an editorial for The Guardian saying This is the most dangerous time for our planet ... implying we will either make it to Mars and exploit its resources, or destroy ourselves in a final malthusian meltdown over the remaining resources on earth.An increasing number of STEM specialists believe we may have already passed a species-ending tipping point.Chomsky, in his 2010 Chapel Hill speech, 'Human intelligence and the environment’ began that speech with a couple of paragraphs referring to the debate between Carl Sagan and Ernst Mayr regarding the probability of intelligent life elsewhere in the cosmos. Predictably, and sensibly, Sagan argued for the probability, on statistical chance alone.But Mayr gave a surprisingly sensible counter-argument from an evolutionary biologist's point of view. The biological record indicates an average of about 100,000 years for the shelf life of an apex (dominant) species ... and we are at about that point.Mayr said that while there is probably life out there, it is not likely to have a human-like intelligence. He went on to further imply that human intelligence is not the apex of evolution — it is merely one of many tools for the survival of a social primate.But worse, he suspects human intelligence is more likely a fatal mutation. An evolutionary spandrel at best.The more I observe of our swarming, self-destructive nature, the more I tend to agree with Mayr.