Off Grid Primer - Part 1

Off Grid Primer - Part 1

Definitions, What We Are and What We're Not

The term 'Off grid' means different things to different people. Very different things. I once wrote an innocent comment on a Facebook Off the Grid page, adding a picture of our amazing place, all excited to be a part of this growing movement. And some smart alec snarkily replied to my comment, "So, dude, if you're 'Off The Grid' then how come you're using a computer? Hunhhh?" This surprised me (and hurt my feelings a little bit) because I thought I knew what off grid meant. Apparently I didn't. I then tried to explain my comment but the FB page people wouldn't let me. They kept deleting my very nice explanation. Tsk. Guess they didn't want people 'getting into it'. Which again surprised me. Who knew this whole subject was so fraught with emotion and snarkiness? So, in the interest of keeping the peace, avoiding further snarky comments, being as politically correct as I care to be and to steer clear of misunderstandings, here are some boring definitions. And what we are and what we're NOT. I know, it's tedious but let's just slog through it so we can all be on the same page, so to speak. Ok?  Ready? Let's go.

1. Off Grid - "The term 'off grid' refers to not being connected to a grid, mainly used in terms of not being connected to the main or national electrical grid. The term 'Off The Grid' or 'OTG' can refer to living in a self-sufficient manner without reliance on one or more public utilities. Off the grid homes are autonomous; they do not rely on municipal water supply, sewer, natural gas, electrical power grid or similar utility services. A true OTG house is able to operate completely independently of all traditional public utility services."

"Going off grid can be done for altruistic reasons or to lower environmental impact. Other persons choose to live in OTG houses when the cost of outside utilities is prohibitive or such a distance away as to be impractical."

"Some people go OTG because they are turning their backs on consumerism."

"Off grid can also mean 'unrecorded, untraceable through normal means'. Or can define a person who is not on a social networking site like Facebook or Twitter, etc..." And lastly can also be described as 'one who disdains all recordable common forms of commerce'."

2. Going Green - "A popular term used to describe the process of changing one's lifestyle for the safety and benefit of the environment." Can mean:

-environmentalism
-sustainable living
-eco-friendly
-reducing, reusing, recycling
-limiting your use of natural resources
-increasing self-sufficiency
-energy conservation
-buying local products
-buying organic or growing your own
-Fair Trade products
-renewable, sustainable energy
-reducing the imprint you leave on your environment


So. Those are the definitions. Now for who we are:

-- Off the grid  - in the way of not depending on any public utilities. We have our own power, water, sewer, etc... We are off grid because we wanted cheap land and the only way to get it was to buy land that had no electricity on it already. So we're the ones who are in the situation where 'public utilities are such a distance away as to be impractical' (and expensive as crap to put in. Ahem.) This was not altruistic, environmental, philosophical, against consumerism (for heaven's sake) nor do we disdain 'recordable common forms of commerce, or social networking' (I mean, obviously). This was, "We want land in a pretty place where we can spread out and have some flippin' peace and quiet, ok?"

-- Going Green - Completely by accident, cannot take credit for this, love the environment but again, a by-product of living up here, this way. We are Greener than most folks but it's part and parcel of living off grid. I shamefully admit that if I lived in town I would probably still be a water and energy waster. So in many ways we have indeed 'gone green' but mostly, not on purpose. I admire and applaud those of you who have though!  

Who we're not:

-- Preppers - Nothing against Preppers of course, that's just not why we're up here. We do not have a stockpile of ammunition or food to last five years. We do however live in a pretty great place if things go to hell in a hand basket. Enough said.

-- Off THE Grid - in the way of hiding away from society, being hermits or trying to be 'untraceable'. Sheesh. I LOVE Facebook! I love consumerism! I LOVE my computer and my phone and my peeps and spending money and society in general and America! NOT. Hiding. Out.

That's enough for now. Check out 'Off Grid Primer - Part 2' for more about who we are, what we do, what it's like up here and how I stand it. Haw