Hi, I’m working on a page for the /c/writing worldbuilding resource wiki on “High Context Living” and I’m hoping some of you might have good examples/stories!
My working definition at the moment is “the sort of custom, DIY systems favored by offgrid homesteaders and people without other options, which trade user-facing complexity and unique quirks/challenges for significant efficiency and lower cost in parts and materials.”
It’s probably easier just to share the zine that named the concept (included below with permission of the creator (who wished to remain anonymous)).
That describes my life living on a sailboat full time pretty well haha
I love my systems. It’s like I have my own spaceship that is built in a way that sustains me well but it easily becomes unsustainable once you have someone join you unless they know all the intricacies.
Even things like keeping an eye on the forecast and switching to my propane stove instead of the induction ome because I won’t be generating much power from few rainy days.
It’s definitely something for people that actively love the significant challenges it brings.
Feel free to ask any followup questions!
I’m not sure I even know where to begin but I’d love to hear about any of the warnings you have to give people when they’re staying with you!
Well, if you want to use the bidet you must first set the water saving aerator on the sink faucet to “mist” then turn the handle to a medium temp setting before then using the bidet controls. (Bidet is connected through the cold line of the sink faucet). And then There’s the whole composting toilet talk and instructions lol
The obvious “save water as if it was gold” cause I have 200L in tanks and running the desalination unit uses a loooot of power. (I.e. power expensive)
The zine does cover power things pretty well tbh. Essentially, converting energy between states is wasteful. You have losses from solar into the batteries then out of the battery to 12V and then again from 12v to 120v so taking all that into consideration is always happening in my brain.
Also, pointing out what items are structural and can be used as handles and what would break if leaned on.
If you can’t puke outside, please puke in the kitchen or bathroom sinks.
There’s probably a lot more that I’m not thinking about.
Good point on the structural items, something I don’t even think about in my self-built environment!