THE Alternative
Green Living Campaign Directory

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Your pdf downloads are unreadable. Why don't you improve the presentation? I can't be bothered to read a single line.
A: To make the A4 pages perfectly readable increase the magnification. I have done all these pages on my own, without any help and it took blood, sweat and tears to get this information together. I created the design drawings (Project it) in 1990 using what was state-of-the-art software for a PC (whilst I was at college). I have since spent every penny I have on this. PC technology has advanced but I cannot afford to buy more sophisticated software. I do not have the energy, time, skill or budget to re-do the pages.

Q: What is the book about?
A: It follows-on from the 1989 battle re: A vision for Britain, and the Architects debate - it's really very good news-'it' concerns a way we could update & upgrade housing to make affordable homes, that are prefabricated, easy to deliver and assemble quickly EG. to provide instant, live-in emergency shelters for the survivors of disasters, and the book explains how modular housings can be varied to alleviate current struggles EG. in education, health-care and transport.

Q: How much will one of these affordable homes cost?
A: As little as possible! Please read the complete research journal 'Happy Days Are Here Again?'

Q: Has this been produced or has a prototype been built?
A: Similar buildings have passed exhaustive tests, but it needs someone to pick up on the missed possibilities this project offers to make it successful. To get a better picture, see: Toy campervans / Mobile Homes. (I'd bring designers of these on board...) There are many really cool ideas for maximising space...Just looking at one of these for a few minutes can spark new ideas EG. To Stop Whiplash: A padded (covered in fake fur?) forehead rest extends from the vehicle's roof...is positioned an inch or 2 away...has a bit of give...

Q: 'it' is not Environment Friendly-it is derived from fossil fuel.
A: Ideally, 'it' should NOT derived from fossil fuel. Read 'Modern Architecture' (in Chapter 3) (The Complete journal has more information).

Q: What is 'it' made from?
A: Please see the Designs: Project it, and 'Modern Architecture' (& search for the answer).

Q: How do you know 'it' will work?
A: Precognition? EG. The new boat design: Check this out: Re: A trendy new design of lunch box: "...the inner ball moves...place the heaviest items at the bottom..." www.lunchpod.co.uk (I don't know when these were launched. I found these for sale in ToysRUs in late August 2007). The idea is there and working- though not being used for the same purpose...If I have not provided enough information-perhaps your knowledge could fill in gaps?

Q: Are you saying all existing buildings should be knocked down - that all of us have to live in these new shelters?
A: No. I am advocating greater choice - blending the new with the old, thereby ending the current housing / building monopoly (cartel?) that unfairly inflicts risky, unaffordable, Dark-Age conditions ...severely limiting human potential.

Q: Do you believe there is a conspiracy against 'it'?
A: 75% of me thinks that is the current behind-the-scenes. Please search for 'Conspiracy' in the Complete book (there are many references), and decide for yourself. (If I am murdered, that might indicate... For the record, I am not suicidal).

Q: The homeless are the dregs in society - they're all drunks, druggies, spongers and prostitutes. Why should they be helped?
A: I was homeless for 15 years (cumulatively) and during that time I met many homeless people-not one of them was as you describe. The comparatively few homeless people who turn to drink and drugs due to despair and an overwhelming desire to escape the misery, just need a decent protective shelter for rehabilitation. The homeless should be helped because none of us can be truly happy whilst there is suffering.

Q: We've had Communism. Capitalism is the only way society can function. So why do you believe in socialism?
A: We now have a society which believes it is normal for people to be unloved and unwanted with no-one caring if they live or die because money is considered more important. Because of the failings of government we have many charities but "life" is still very cruel. When you are suffering the first thing that you want to say is "please help me." True socialism is all about helping people...To make society kind in future, we need to move away from rampant capitalism (i.e. the accumulation of wealth & hoarding of money i.e. greed) and find a satisfying middle-ground (i.e. a compromise) (EG. the super-rich have less, the poor have more).

Q: Do you want to see villages sprung up with no money? Do you want experimental societies?
A: I'd like people to get together, with investors, government etc., to make where they live much nicer (greener...), with many more community facilities to help children and adults.

Q: You are naive. You are in a dream world. You are a hippy. Those concepts are obsolete. We have to move on-chop chop
A: The message will get through to you, one day...

Q: What are you trying to do?
A: Make it clear to people that we need decent emergency shelters. Explain we don't have to head into wars due to Oil Peak...there is a good / better i.e. viable / feasible option.

Q: Does 'it' spell trouble?
A: No, it should ease troubles.

Q: How will it affect house prices?
A: Please ask Price Waterhouse that question ( Price WaterHouse Coopers )

Q: Could 'it' help the Palestinians?
A: Yes, and the long-suffering Israeli people. Flexible partitions are, I believe, part of the answer to effect peaceful integration of communities. Please read the Design project and 'The Holy Land' in the Complete journal (Chapter 15).

Q: Could 'it' help ease the dreadful problems in Iraq?
A: Each person in Iraq should be given the opportunity to decide if they want rebuilding of traditional infrastructure using stone, wood, bricks, concrete - or low-cost, modular homes capable of swiftly ending the suffering of citizens

Q: Could 'it' help to ease tensions between the West and Iran?
A: Hopefully, yes. Please read (in the Complete journal): Chapters 4, 6, 7, 10 , 13 & Chapter 14: Iran, and search for 'Mud bricks.'

Q: Are you saying you are the Second-Coming?
A: Certainly not! I am a mere mortal. In my heart and soul I believe in God and Christ, but I do not attend church or adhere to any religion.

Q: Wont 'it' lead to traffic jams in the sky?
A: For safety, the small run-arounds hover just above the ground, & designated routes are needed. Larger modules that people live in, could be mobile for emergency evacuation purposes & trans-global / inter-planetary travel. These are details requiring the input of a lot of other people-this is an INTER-ACTIVE Design Project after all - I don't know all the answers.

Q: What would be a favourable outcome?
A: People all over the world hear / learn about 'it' and the idea is adopted, thereby strengthening communities. (The UN could oversee its development, and / or new groups of enterprises could be established).

Q: Why haven't you presented the e-Book with more pictures and active links?
A: I didn't set out to design an e-Book. (I have always wanted this to be a printed directory). Although I have a library of pictures, I have not included most of these to keep the number of pages down. I have not had the time to add more links - sorry.

Q: How much money do you need to get the complete book printed?
A: Due to the number of pages, lightweight / newsprint paper is required- print on demand is therefore not an option. Therefore, a print-run is required using traditional presses. The figure quoted is £12,000-£14,000.

Q: Are you a registered charity?
A: No.

Q: Are you doing this for the money?
A: For the past 18 years I have spent nearly every penny I have working on this- never expecting this project to "go live" (I tend to complete design projects, file them and almost forget them) (that's because I am self-taught and lacking the confidence to progress the ideas). That means I did this project never expecting to be recompensed. If I was doing this to get rich, I would be charging a fee for each download.

Q: I can't afford to donate money - what else can I do to help?
A: Spread the word EG. tell your friends. Send emails to pressure world leaders, councils...Organise Grass-Roots groups. Involve the media. Seek support for the ideas, and sponsorship. Share your news re: advancements etc., on this website's forum.

Q: Don't you feel guilty? You knew all this time what needs to be done but you kept quiet.
A: This has been a tough learning process. Since 1989, I have written letters to officials, businesses, charities, & Royalty- to no avail. I gave up writing letters hoping somebody somewhere would produce 'it' - and I continued tracking events just in case it failed to appear. I have felt guilt every day for my part in its failure, and deeply appalled and shocked every time disaster struck and more poor unfortunates became homeless.

Q: Do you wish you could have done things differently?
A: Yes, every day.

Q: Why don't you shut-up, stop going on about your problems, and stop involving other people
A:I feel a bit like the Ancient Mariner - compelled to do this and tell other people about 'it.' I am sorry if this inconveniences anyone, or increases the existing burden already felt by people - it isn't meant to. Too many people pretend there are no problems and not enough is said about the possible solutions - that is why I am doing this - the solutions do need to be implemented by other people...

Q: Are you homeless now?
A: No, since 1995, I have had to do-up dilapidated houses whilst "living" in them. (Derelict houses and derelict people- there's surely a link there!)

Q: Are you related to John Hanning Speke - the African explorer who wrote 'Journal of the Discovery of the True source of the Nile'?
A: I believe I am the last-born direct descendent.