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Bigs Quote by Bill Mollison

“If you let people loose in a landscape and tell them to choose a house site, half of them will go sit on the ridges where they'll die in the next fire, or where you can't get water to them. Or they'll sit in all the dam sites. Or they'll sit in all the places that will perish in the next big wind.” quote by Bill Mollison
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“If you let people loose in a landscape and tell them to choose a house site, half of them will go sit on the ridges where they'll die in the next fire, or where you can't get water to them. Or they'll sit in all the dam sites. Or they'll sit in all the places that will perish in the next big wind.”

Bill Mollison

About This Quote

Source Book: Permaculture: A Designers' Manual, Bill Mollison, 1978

People often choose risky or unsuitable locations when left to decide without guidance, leading to disaster.

In simple terms: Choosing without knowledge can be dangerous.

Key Takeaway

Plan and evaluate sites before settling.

Themes

risk decision-making environment permaculture planning

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

advisory educational

When to use this quote

  • urban development
  • home building
  • resource management
  • disaster preparedness

Key Concepts

probability ecosystem resilience human behavior

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we guide choices toward safer options?
  • What incentives reduce risky site selection?
A Different Perspective

People may ignore long‑term risks despite short‑term appeal.

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