Honest answer - nicaragua is turning more away.
It does inspire thought and hopefully more action.

Somewhat off the grid is interesting. Tropical would be amazing. Location could be, because of comparative costs, remarkably doable. Yet it is very large leap to make, an unclearness certainly surrounds it for me (title search and other issues with the country's pick).

You noted most of the others so I won't repeat them. Many will not be able to do this because it is in a far away island - that's neither good or bad - I do think it holds downsides with being able to continue to work unless one is already telecommuting or earning significant money to be put aside for the venture.

Trae:

America concerns me for two big reasons.

First of all, I think that having a place which "inspires the imagination" isn't something that we can compromise on It's a very subtle thing, but an amazing environment, will encourage people to be creative, and we need that or else we might just head towards being like any other commune. Head out to the playa sometime when no one else is around. It is a truly incredible place (somewhat diminished when it's full of people). I think that the playa itself is largely what made Burningman such a huge success. And I think that we do need a new inspiring environment for our project to succeed.

Secondly, the insanely conservative legal restrictions in America will undoubtedly effect any project in the states. I'm not just talking about criminal activity, but building and health codes. Even in rural Nevada, on the playa, you now need a permits from the health department to serve food to anyone beyond your friends. In Oakland, kitchens now have to have hardwired florescent lights, and bathrooms need to have lights which turn off by a timer. These requirement vary from place to place, but they'll surely effect us much more in America than somewhere in the developing world.

I think that our problem is largely one of false perceptions.

* It very far.
* It dangerous.
* You have to have a trust fund to be able to travel overseas.

These things are wrong, or just grossly exaggerated in people's thoughts about Nicaragua.

I think that the solution is going to be to fix these incorrect perceptions. And I think that the right way to do it is the week long burn/adventure down there.

If people are scared of Nicaragua, or if they feel that committing to being down there for a chunk of every year is too big of a step, tell them to come down for a week. They may find that they love the country (and the rum).

And to further dispel mistaken preconceptions, whomever does join us, will be able to share their stories with others. This seems like the best approach to me.

i am going to bring another personal lesson to make my point. .... i forgot what i was going to say. it's Saturday night, i am home watching sports and waiting for a friend. blissfully loaded. i mean, i am.

so, let's remember the point. footall. softball. my rockies being destroyed. did i say softball?

ok, back to the point. i don't really remember my personal lesson. sorry.

but what was i going to suggest is: is it possible to stay focused and -- at the same time, not pick a final destination at this point? at this point of the project.

OK. i remember my personal lesson. i have started many companies. in my only big success, our company had a mission statement that guided everything. and because i like stories, i really tried to abide by that mission statement. and we really created something magical. and i think to the most part, it had to do with the mission statement. not only the mission statement. the fact that we followed it and made decisions based on it. in very day-to-day, real situations.

so, i know this project has a mission statement. can we not pick a final destination but, while building the community which could be a more important goal, be open about the place based on our mission statement?

this project has defined some parameters for the place. and everyone agrees to them. agrees with the parameters? everyone? i think Adam has come up with them. but i am not sure. Adam? anyways, i like them.

and, since Adam is the initial energy behind this project. OK. i know that it has taken a while to pick this place and ,it is an evolution but Adam has seen the process and he is now at the point of suggesting the Nica island. i think we should stick to the island until we collectively decide to move on.

the pros and cons are too vague and too far off. and what I AM REALLY TRYING TO SAY is that it is not that high in priority.

imagine 17 people are part of this project. if we are going to consider opinions of everyone (and at the same time remember our mission statement), you can be sure this discussion is going to come up over and over and over and over again.

OK. good night!!

This should open a good debate about the Free State Project concept www.freestateproject.org in Hew Hampshire.
Many Burners in the forums boast and theorize about how to be "Radically Self Reliant" 24/7. There are some who are standing together supporting each other for smaller government, personal freedoms and not to use force against another, all the while living closer to being self reliant each day. Many of these FSP members left their lives to come to New Hampshire to live what they believe.
New Hampshire is bucking the trend by living in no zoning areas, being self reliant and as soon as the weather breaks the home building will continue, wooden and rammed earthen structures along with the stick frame homes that are the norm.


So just letting you know, the rest of this post is just my advertising the FSP and Porcfest 2008. If you can't make it to NH, I'll be at Burning Man with the Rangers/Medical/ESD after Porcfest 2008 and Burning Porcupine to let you know how teh events went......

Here's my invite those who believe action means more than words and come visit us and see what is happening at PorcFest 2008 the liberty event of the Free State Project (FSP) www.freestateproject.org June 9th – 15th Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, New Hampshire. The details are online at www.PorcFest.com
PorcFest 2008 is to showcase New Hampshire and the FSP community through parties, tours, BBQs, hikes, informal discussions, concerts, shooting, trips, camping, and activities that suit the needs of families, singles, and kids alike. The liberties enjoyed by New Hampshire citizens of shall-issue concealed-carry permits, the constitutionally protected right of revolution, no income or sales tax, their interactions with local and state legislators and 101 other pro-liberty reasons.
PorcFest 2008 is an event you will remember. If you ever missed a burn before you know how it is afterwards! Don’t let PorcFest 2008 and the FSP be another "Missed Burn"! (Porcfest is the FSP.org sanstioned event ... there is also the "Burning Porcupine" like the '80's BM for those that know those that know which is by invite only).

If you believe in Liberty, Freedom, the quest for smaller government, “Bill of Rights”, support the Constitution, the 2nd amendment where open and concealed carry is the norm and are looking to achieve personal responsibility you definitely need to check this out. The quality and quantity of successful liberty activists, the community they enjoy in NH with The Free State Project and their legislators are amazing.

There’s a good and short video from PorcFest 2007 produced by Free Minds TV (one of two libertarian TV shows in NH….how many of these are there where you live ?) discussing the FSP and the festival at www.youtube.com/watch .

There's an FAQ page at www.freestateproject.org/festival/faq for any questions or information about the event or the FSP. Post as well to the PorcFest forum at forum.freestateproject.org/index.php

Friends that have made the move to New Hampshire are more self reliant than ever having their own TV and radio programs, documentaries, newspapers, homes and websites. Search the sites of what the Free State Project and its participants are about and have accomplished in the first 4 years since New Hampshire was chosen as the Free State. View the videos such as Rep. Dan Itse’s, who instructs New Hampshire citizens on their Constitution www.nhliberty.org/nh_constitution_class and trains citizens how to give testimony to state committee on legislation youtube.com/watch ( where other than New Hampshire can you find state representatives that will teach you your rights and how to challenge bills?).

There are all types of FSP members from Democrat to Anarcists working towards the common goal of Freedom and Liberty helping with the passing of:
The amendment to New Hampshire's Constitution limiting eminent domain, which passed New Hampshire's legislature on March 24, 2006
"No part of a person's property shall be taken by eminent domain and transferred, directly or indirectly, to another person if the taking is for the purpose of private development or other private use of the property"
and
HB685 No Real ID in NH
I. The general court finds that the public policy established by Congress in the Real ID Act of 2005, Public Law 109-13, is contrary and repugnant to Articles 1 through 10 of the New Hampshire constitution as well as Amendments 4 though 10 of the Constitution for the United States of America. Therefore, the state of New Hampshire shall not participate in any driver’s license program pursuant to the Real ID Act of 2005 or in any national identification card system that may follow therefrom.

The New Hampshire Legislature had overwhelming passed the bill this past spring, Gov. Lynch signed it on June 27, 2006

There are people working towards Liberty and Freedom, Now at this minute! Are you Interested in meeting people working for smaller government? It's happening in New Hampshire along with many other bills that are being fought and they need you in NH to help. There is support for a "Floating Porcupine" here in NH along with the infastructure to make it happen with help of others as by myself, a scientist and life long EMT.


www.youtube.com/watch - FTL Radio's Ian www.freetalklive.com
www.youtube.com/watch -Dale

I want to say also that by far the most important thing, over where you build and all that, is to form a strong community of people who know and like each other and want to live together. That takes time, and it's HARD, and made no easier by everyone living all over the place at present.

Who should be surprised if someone goes off to start a utopian community somewhere and nobody jumps in? Money? Volcanoes? Scary Central American country? The people you want will happily ignore these impediments if you give them what they want. You could have no stated tenets or values whatsoever. People will join you if they feel, "here is a group of people I could live with," and "here is an established group of people who interact in healthy ways," and can see some opportunity to realize their heroic instincts and creative goals within that community. If you have those things, the right people will join you in due course of time.

How can you, or we, form such a community?

I think of cooperative houses. Even people who have been friends for years shift around trying to make households where people match up by temperament, by values, by how they like to live. People come, people go, people learn more about what they want and who they are, they go off to take jobs in places, whatever. This is hard stuff, and you'll be dealing with these same issues and more at Floating Man.

My intuition is that you have to start with a small group of people who are already fairly tight-nit, and make ample space for more people to come as they may. Many will move on after a while, but hopefully some of them will come back. I expect the majority of people invested in Floating Man will lead lives elsewhere the majority of the year. Is this what you envision? Or would people be giving up their lives where they are now?