Why does partial self-sufficiency cure the degradation of mental capacities?
By linking people vertically to land, physical space, and living objects, such a structure (i.e., a spacious eco-neighborhood) stimulates the development of their physical and mental capacities in an automatic and regular way. After all, there is constant ongoing exposure to environmental variables.
Exposure to large (in terms of bandwidth) streams of sensory impressions is the key to human viability. Exposure involves intensive direct contact, that is, contact where something is at stake, where decision-making actions are actually implemented, where decisiveness and care are required. This forced opening of mind and body is crucial because it is through these holes that the elementary raw materials of thought and feeling can flow. This determines the subsequent capacity for recalling and is therefore decisive for the ability to get to know and to give meaning and value to things. In this way, direction and orientation are developed.
This will counteract the post-modern distancing of young people (and adults) caused by their excessive and passive interaction with virtual (programmed) realities, and their tendency to sink into lethargy and indifference due to their excessive reliance on 'turnkey' solutions provided by specialists, experts and technicians.