Introduction

Sustainable. Ecological. Environmental. Green. What do these words mean? In the tempest of this capitolist economy, in what place do these words reside? And how do people respond to nature's strongest weapon - entropy? Do you fight back kicking and screaming? Do you build a fortress to shield yourself from dangers? Do you examine its effects, and gain from such knowledge? What can you do? Creativity is mankind's most valuable skill ranging in capabilities from problem solving to divine expressionism. To create -- to utilize materials you find beside you -- to change the conventional definition of an object -- to follow in any tradition of craftsmanship -- to imagine a new way of living and following through with it -- these are the ways we combat and embrace entropy.

But what about limitations? Through all the soaring visions and dreams, what are the attempts defined by? Skill level. Quantity of material. Social barriers. Economic constraints. Who has the means?

Confronted by this apparent inequity of means, what are we left with but shadows of hopes and ideals? And how, with a strong maintenance of motivation, can one supercede her lot and move beyond the naive imprints of heroic desire?