Was watching some playthroughs of Manor Lords and it's so adictive to just WATCH playthroughs it's cutting on my productivity, I can't imagine how it will be to play it yet. Anyways.

Thinking about "cozy" farming sims and the like. Manor Lords isn't aimed at that kind of stuff at least not explictly, you ARE a feudal lord (you can even walk in first person as one) and those people ARE your serfs. I guess there will be some people who interpret it as that, and let's be honest, the game is so pretty and intuitive, it's just so relaxing to see the forests change seasons, the houses being built, the flowers swaying on the wind. Working like a serf all day, not so much. No doubt peasants in the Middle Ages and all over the world had their moments of rest and respite and joy, but it was (and still is) a hardworking, exploited existence like we are not usually used to.

I think Manor Lords really GETS what a subsistence farming economy was like, at least at the very beginning. and this is really important in my opinion because it was the lifestyle of no less than 90% of the world's population until very recently. And it wasn't like in Stardew Valley where one farmer had a variety of crops all growing in the same tiny farm. In Manor Lords you usually build a small hamlet or village, every home with its own little backyard plot with vegetables, chickens, but it is actual fields what truly feeds and clothes people. The distribution and managing of these fields, and how big they are, is something that changes from society to society, but it's not like there is a single household that is able to feed itself and is able to do everything that a human needs to eat, to get clothed, to be warm in winter and more. They need to have big open fields (or pastures) to do that, where the community puts most of its time and effort maintaining.

So when you think about subsistence farming, you shouldn't think about it as peasants (wherever in the world where they are, as they still exist, why do you think we Latin Americans talk so much about the campesino struggle) owning one small plot of land and feeding their household with it. You should think of them as communities where the main and sometimes only activity is farming, and they do not farm to sell it to a market (though campesino communities can and do produce excess they can sell) but to sustain themselves and their family. They do not especialize in a single crop or industry, nor they have the time or ability to. They plant whatever helps them feed and clothe their family, that is, subsist.

In Manor Lords, you can also "cheat" a bit and get goods by trade, or survive by gathering berries (EXCESSIVELY OP) or hunting. The first was impossible in very remote areas, and the second was impossible in high-density areas. Which means that you can't sustain a community by just gathering berries or having home gardens. Vegetables and fruit CAN and do supplement the diet of people and they make life infinitely more enjoyable (some places like tropical and subtropical America are very blessed in that respect and their crops are very diverse), and indeed most people have those, but it isn't enough to feed you every day. You have to farm to it. And it's a way of life tied to the land and the seasons. You gotta have enough food and firewood before winter (Manor Lords is tied to the European temperate seasons of course, but every region in the world has its own), you gotta prepare the fields, mill the grain and bake the bread, it's all work, work, work, neverending work. There is a reason why some have said agriculture is kind of a "trap" to humanity, it allows you to feed yourself and your family at the cost of being tied to your land forever, and this didn't change until very recently. And again, while of course it's also a life that has its moments of rest (harvest festivals! and all those church days in Europe, but again, every region has its own traditions), it's still work, work, and work more.

I think this is an interesting contrast with other "cozy farming sims" of which are there are a ton, with a single character being able to produce the whole spectrum of human food and a bit more. Manor Lords to me is very interesting because by having its resource and city building in such a small scale as individual families, it captures in a rather realistic (if not completely so) way how subsistence agriculture is, which is the way virtually most of our ancestors (no matter where you are from) lived. To me that's way more interesting than the combat system.

(yes, I've said I didn't play it yet, but I've watched and analyzed so much of it I might as well have 120 hours logged on it)

My (recently wealthy) older sister and her husband bought some land and got ducks and they have this big plan to grow crops and sell produce and she keeps talking about "homesteading" 🤢 and since she lives in an overwhelmingly white community it's unlikely any of her farm friends are gonna call it out, so I keep meaning to like. Look up some books to gift her for xmas that offer better terminology and an At Minimum Less Colonial perspective and introduction to the concept of a voluntary land tax/land acknowledgement before she gets into this stuff too deep and starts making money off it (bc I know she won't take it on my authority) and I keep forgetting to google resources. So this is both an accountability post for me to not forget to do this but also a request for recommendations if any of y'all have some tyyyyy

strong feelings this evening

“Gaspe Fishermen Face Starvation,” Montreal Star. November 11, 1932. Page 21. --- Failure of Catch and Potato Crop Causes Serious Situation ---- QUEBEC, Nov 11— (Star Special) —A number of fishing settlements in the Gaspe region are facing starvation during the coming winter, due to the failure of the fishing season and ruin of the potato crop through rain. 

Things are worse than has been stated up to now, and in one village alone, it is reported a family of nine existed on nothing but three loaves of bread for an entire week. 

Potatoes have always been one of the staple foods for fishermen during the winter months and in former years the harvest has been abundant but now fishing villages, such as Paspebiac, are importing potatoes from Prince Edward Island, a thing unheard of in the past. As there la very little money, fisherman are wondering what they are going to do when it has gone and they cannot purchase anything.

“Inhabitant of  cities and towns do not know what privation and hardship is," it was stated this morning by Hon.John Hall Kelley, Legislative Counselor who recently returned from the Gaspe region. "Why, only this summer I saw a man doing a hard day work whose only food for luncheon was' raw cucumber. And yet they never complain." r

PULPWOOD SITUATION The only thing that can save a number of the villages from being practically wiped out is the possibility of disposing of pulpwood and ‘umber that is lying idle on the land, and to that end, negotiations are under way between the interested parties.

 Another thing that will help the fisherfolk to a certain extent is the operation by limit holders during the coming winter of their holdings and thus enabling a certain number of men to get employment and earn a few dollars. If the limits are operated, it will mean that some thousands of men will be engaged. Limit-holders will wait upon the Government In the near future to ask for a reduction In ground-rents and stumpage dues.

perilously confident fandom url: “fun fact! suffering is actually a recent invention. prior to capitalism, everyone basically only did about 4 hours of work per day because CEOs hadn’t been discovered yet ❤️”

Subsistence Farming: An Essential Practice for Livelihood and Food Security

Introduction:

Subsistence farming, also known as subsistence agriculture, is a farming system primarily focused on producing enough food and resources to meet the immediate needs of the farmer and their family. It is a form of agriculture where the primary objective is not commercial gain but rather sustenance and survival. In this blog, we will explore the definition, characteristics, and significance of subsistence farming.

Definition of Subsistence Farming:

Subsistence farming can be defined as a farming practice in which farmers produce crops, raise livestock, or engage in both activities to meet their family's basic food and material needs. The primary aim is to secure enough sustenance for the household, rather than generating surplus produce for sale in the market.

Characteristics of Subsistence Farming:

i. Small Scale: Subsistence farming is typically practiced on a small scale, often on family-owned or rented plots of land. The size of the farm is limited to what the farmer and their family can manage using traditional or basic agricultural tools and techniques.

ii. Limited Resources: Subsistence farmers usually have limited access to modern technology, machinery, and external inputs such as fertilizers or pesticides. They rely on traditional and low-cost farming methods, utilizing organic fertilizers, crop rotation, and natural pest control methods.

iii. Diverse Crops and Livestock: Subsistence farmers often cultivate a variety of crops suited to their local climate and soil conditions. This diversification minimizes risks associated with crop failure and provides a balanced diet for the household. Livestock, such as cows, goats, or chickens, may also be raised for milk, meat, eggs, or as draught animals.

iv. Self-Sufficiency: The primary goal of subsistence farming is self-sufficiency. The farmer aims to produce enough food to meet the nutritional needs of their family, minimizing dependence on external food sources. Surplus produce, if any, may be traded locally or used for bartering.

v. Low Market Orientation: Subsistence farming is mainly focused on meeting immediate household needs rather than commercial gain. Farmers typically have limited involvement in formal markets and may rely on local exchanges, informal trade, or subsistence-based economies within their communities.

Importance of Subsistence Farming:

i. Food Security: Subsistence farming plays a crucial role in ensuring food security for rural communities. By producing their own food, farmers have a direct and reliable source of nourishment, reducing the risk of hunger and malnutrition.

ii. Livelihood and Economic Stability: Subsistence farming serves as a primary livelihood strategy for many rural families, providing them with a means of sustenance and economic stability. It offers employment opportunities within the household and reinforces the local economy by reducing dependence on external food sources.

iii. Preserving Traditional Knowledge: Subsistence farming practices often incorporate traditional knowledge, passed down through generations. This knowledge includes understanding local climates, crop varieties, soil management techniques, and natural pest control methods. Subsistence farming helps preserve these traditional practices, maintaining cultural heritage and fostering community resilience.

iv. Environmental Stewardship: Subsistence farming practices are typically more sustainable and environmentally friendly compared to intensive commercial farming methods. Farmers often rely on organic fertilizers, practice crop rotation, and preserve local biodiversity. This approach minimizes the use of synthetic inputs, protects soil health, and promotes ecological balance.

v. Rural Development: Subsistence farming can contribute to the overall development of rural areas by providing employment, generating income within the local economy, and reducing rural-urban migration. It helps maintain vibrant rural communities and preserves the social fabric of traditional farming regions.

Conclusion:

Subsistence farming serves as a vital lifeline for millions of people worldwide, ensuring food security, economic stability, and cultural preservation. By focusing on self-sufficiency, subsistence farmers contribute to local food systems, environmental sustainability, and rural development. Recognizing the significance of subsistence farming is crucial for promoting inclusive agricultural policies and supporting the resilience of rural communities.

I know they get a lot of grief both in-universe and out but replicators would be so goddamn convenient. No more coming home, crashing, then having to set up a full meal while checking to make sure you got all your micronutrients. You just program all that shit on your day off and come home to a full hot meal at any time.

You get all these characters whining about how “Awwwwwww but it’s not a REAL meal with REAL cooking and people taking REAL time to make these things” hon you want that you can take the time to MAKE IT YOURSELF while the rest of us enjoy meals on demand cause we actually know what it’s like to not have that option. Young people are so ungrateful these days.

imagining a world where geto managed to pull off his cataclysmic new-world-birthed-through-fire type plans—only to have the vague collection of curse users he has managed to convince instantly revolt under him because guess what? plague and famine and the collapse of civilization sucks for everyone and cursed energy means jack in a starvation situation. it’s called cursed energy for a reason, it’s only good for hurting people. you can’t evil energy beam your way into healthy crops when you’ve killed off all the agricultural technicians! japan’s food supply is reliant on global supply chains, and do you know what flounders first under pressure? his baby girls are crepeless and they hate the internet collapsing. none of his evil wizards in his glorious curseless world want to go to trade school or get an engineering degree.

Coming to the long awaited realization that, indeed, truly, I don't care about the qsmp at all

I just like Charlie Slimecicle

My plant breeding blorbo is going to be at a seed swap in February... I MUST GO

some of us need to learn the difference between subsistence farming and for-profit farm management fr.

So in addition to being pointy would fae ears be more sensitive than normal ears?

Like better at hearing? Mmmm. Maybe slightly? But it's mostly just aesthetic.

To really be better at hearing they would need to be able to move their ears. In general and independently. Or bigger ears in general (the base of the ear I mean)

So the point would improve their hearing a little bit but realistically they'd need a lot of other stuff going on to make a significant difference.

Or I could just say it's magic but tbh I don't really see the Fae as needing to hunt prey down? (Which is what the hearing would be for) I see them more as 'lure prey in' kinda hunters.

perhaps i am just a hater but i find "defending small businesses and homesteading is BAD LEFTISM and you're NOT A REAL COMMIE IF YOU DO" is like.... stupid especially for USAmerican type leftists. our system is borked and exploitative and dependent on keeping YOU dependent on the exploitative system so it can continue to wring you dry of all your money and all your life. in an ideal world yes nobody would need to run a business just to survive and not be exploited and nobody would have to grow food just to get proper nutrition that doesn't rely on slave labor but consider this: we are not in an ideal world. so supporting the businesses that aren't exploitative mega-millions corporate slave drivers and supporting yourself with your own labor ("from each according to his ability," anybody?) to avoid fueling the exploitation of the disenfranchised is actually quite the very leftist thing to do

I don’t know if anyones asked about them yet but what can you tell us about the monks some MCs were born into if that isn’t big spoiler info & if it is what about just monks in general I’m guessing they’re not the Punches You, Punches You kind

the monastic community that some mcs can choose as an origin is indeed not a d&d monk class type monastic community; not to say that those kinds of people don't exist in Damnation's world or anything but just purely from a practical perspective it seemed fairer not to give one of the origins a distinct advantage in something like self-defence. then again it's not like fighting is really going to be a Huge factor but it still seemed best to keep everyone's mcs on a roughly even starting playing field.

the monastic community that mc grew up in is more in the "religious scholar" kind of vein, with lots of strict customs designed to help the people who live there achieve a higher level of spiritual enlightenment. in particular, the monastery where the mc grew up was dedicated to an extremely strict lawful good deity of agriculture and industry who demands high levels of diligence and conscientiousness from his followers.

mostly what they did was tending crops and other plants, working various farming machines and making lots of things like clothing and household items that they didn't get to keep but gave away to others in between prayers and scripture readings. there wasn't a whole lot of time pencilled in anybody's schedules for fun or relaxation... their god would have disapproved lmao.

i hope this helps answer your question!