endlessness wrote:I wouldnt go as far as saying "without money it would be better" because that relies on the assumption that money is the cause of the problems, and not a secondary part of the process.
I agree that there are some major flaws in the way our society operates today. Money might not be the root cause of the problem, but it is definitely one of the more predominant issues that needs to be addressed.
When I said that without money it would be better, I had the vision of the starving kids in Africa...
With today's technology there is no reason for ANYONE on this planet to go hungry. With hydroponics we can grow an abundance of food anywhere in the world.
If money were a non-issue, we could supply these starving 3rd world countries with everything they need to become self sustainable. Instead with the current system, we go in and strip them of whatever resources they have and make them slaves in the name of profit. It's really sad.
Enoon wrote:I wonder though if in world where everyone was free - why would people want to do any work at all? Why would there be doctors and scientists and people that do construction work? How would you motivate people to do anything? Sure you could say that ideally people would be interested in one or the other thing and find a profession... but really - if you didn't have to, would you really do construction work or something like that?
We have been brought up to believe people are inspired by rewards or money. All of the people we have admired in the past, Michael Angelo, da Vinci, Bell, the Wright Brothers, Darwin, and many others worked because they were interested in problem solving, not financial gain. Just like us here at the Nexus. We learn all of this because we're passionate about it. In a free world, you are encouraged to seek out your life's passions.
We've almost reached 7 billion people on the planet. It seems like there would be enough people willing to do their part to keep everything going.
As far as construction work goes, Jacque Fresco has designed buildings that do not require any construction workers at all. 100% Fully automated. I highly recommend checking out
Designing the Future. He explains things way better than I can.
And from The Venus Project FAQ:
TVP-FAQ:#70 wrote:In a system where everything is available without a price tag, would this eliminate incentive?
We do advocate that all people have access to all goods and services, medical care, education, shelter, food and so forth.
It is not enough to provide the necessities of life alone. We feel that our proposals will generate a new incentive system. Human beings need challenges in order to evolve intellectually and maintain a high level of curiosity and a need to overcome shortages. The type of education that we advocate is the intelligent use of existing resources and the protection of the environment.
The shameful thing about the free enterprise system is the wasted lives of many people - young girls standing behind counters in department stores waiting for a sale, men and woman working in industrial plants using a small part of their mental capabilities. In the schools of tomorrow people will learn how to relate to others intelligently, cooperate and share ideas to help make the world a far better place, and not to squander resources in wars and military expenditures.
Enoon wrote:Would enough people get higher education?
If education was free and there weren't so many self-imposed budget deficits for schools world wide, I believe that we would see a huge increase in people seeking higher education.
Here are a couple of more entries from the TVP FAQ that apply to education.
TVP-FAQ:#92 wrote:What can you tell us about The Venus Project's approach to education?
A high emphasis would be placed on education. The better informed children are, the richer everyone's life could be. Every child shooting up drugs today is a wasted life that you and I will ultimately pay for. Although books, videos, computers, and virtual reality would be used, most of the educational processes would be of a participatory nature in which students could interact directly with the physical environment. They would become aware of the symbiotic interrelationships between plant and animal life. They would learn by doing in a hands-on approach in which education and the communicative sciences would be brought into sharp focus, enabling the student actually to grasp the significance of physical phenomena in a much more concrete way. Above all, they would learn how to interact effectively with others, to share experiences, examine alternative approaches to problems, and accept ethnic and cultural differences, replacing intolerance with understanding.
A comprehensive overview of the history of all civilizations would be essential to understanding other cultures, values, and the forces that shape them. The generalist education, as proposed by The Venus Project, will enable students to gain a better understanding of cultures that differ from their own, leading to a better understanding of the advantage of all nations joining together for the preservation of life on planet Earth. With emphasis on a world viewpoint, it would be more difficult to persuade anyone to engage in aggressive, offensive, or belligerent behavior toward individuals and other nations. With this broader education, children would come to see that the Earth is a fantastic and bountiful place where all nations can share and prosper.
And
TVP-FAQ:#93 wrote:What would the education be like?
Education should be more than the presentation of many facts to be memorized by students. The first aspects of an innovative education should have an emphasis on communication and the ability to resolve and avoid conflicts. This can be accomplished though an exposure to general semantics.
Although books and computers will be used in the future of education, an exposure to basic science is an absolute necessity. This would include an exposure to the scientific method and how it applies to everyday living. But most of all, science and technology must be applied with environmental and human concern, without which technological development in itself would be meaningless.
Another portion of education that should be emphasized is the contributions of many different nations to the arts and sciences that are used in the world today. The tendency to use education to enshrine a particular nation is more of a propaganda approach than the presentation of genuine information. It is not possible for people to understand other cultures without an overview of many of different cultural practices. No civilized culture today has lifted itself by it's own bootstraps. Instead all nations evolved as a result of many creative people throughout the world that have contributed to the arts and sciences.
Enoon wrote:Also our resources are limited and if everything is free, who decides how goods are distributed? How can you stop someone from collecting more goods than he needs?
Sorry for all of the quotes to TVP FAQ, but they explain it way better than I can. <3
TVP-FAQ:#48 wrote:How are Resources Distributed Equitably?
Distribution of goods and services without the use of money or tokens would be accomplished by establishing distribution centers. These centers would be similar to expositions, where the advantages of new products are explained and demonstrated. Exhibition centers will display what is new and available and will constantly be updated. If you visited Yellowstone National Park, you could check out a camera or camcorder, use it, and then return it to another distribution center or drop-off, eliminating storage and maintenance.
Besides computerized centers throughout the communities where products would eventually be displayed, there will be 3-D, flat-screen imaging in each home. If you desire an item, an order can be placed and the item automatically delivered directly to your place of residence without a price tag, servitude, or debt of any kind. This includes whatever people need such as housing, clothing, education, health care, entertainment, etc.
Raw materials for products can be transported directly to manufacturing facilities by automated transportation "sequences" using boats, monorails, mag-lev trains, pipelines, and pneumatic tubes. An automated, computerized inventory system would integrate the distribution centers and manufacturing facilities, coordinating production to meet demand. In this way, a balanced-load economy can be maintained. Shortages, over-runs, and waste could be eliminated. Eventually goods and services will be mass-produced in such abundance as to be too cheap to monitor.
Today there is more than 75% waste in the production of material goods. In a resource-based economy, all waste would be recycled. A priority would be designing things of the highest quality so that products would last longer and require little or no service. Many electronic parts will use plug-in components for convenient repair. There would be no planned obsolescence just to sell the latest designs or fashions. This would eliminate considerable waste.
Energy can also be conserved in the loading and unloading of materials in transport systems. For instance, instead of unloading separate containers, an entire freight section will be disengaged from a cargo ship and replaced with another so that the ship does not waste time at the dock during loading and unloading. The same method can be applied to trains and planes. There will be one compartment for passengers and baggage, which can be disengaged from the plane or train as a new section is loaded, so that the vehicle is more effective and conserves time and energy. All transportation will be operated electrically.
In a cybernated society, people will have more time for individual interests such as going back to school, working in the arts and sciences, traveling, etc. There will be many choices for exploring, studying, enjoying, and participation.
Professions that are non contributing, such as banking, insurance, advertising, marketing, sales, the military, lawyers, stockbrokers, etc., will evolve into activities that are more useful.
Enoon wrote:Just the initial questions that bubble up for me. generally I like the idea though. would be nice if people could get it to work. The problem with a lot of these systems is that they rely on the common sense of all participating individuals. It only takes a few people that don't have this common sense to disrupt the harmony; at least that's my initial feeling about it. would be nice to be proven wrong.
Yeah, I know whatcha mean. We've got a long way to go, but I like to think that anything is possible.
Aegle wrote:Melodic Catastrophe
Thank you for the interesting post though i agree taking money out of the equation of our society may help i think... Though the root of our global issues seem to run far deeper than the way in which our economic system is structured. We have been so far removed from what makes us human for so long i think that we not only need to look at the economic system within our society we need to assess the state of our entire society's consciousness. I have been noticing a shift and change in the energy radiating from our earth for a while now, i have observed the presence of Autumn and Winter becoming shorter and shorter each year. I feel there is a monumental shift of consciousness just on the horizon...
Though i see many are waking up so many aren't even slightly aware of whats going on in the world around them sadly. These are interesting times of great change and extreme adversity but i am greatly honoured to be alive at this pinnacle moment as the greater the difficulty i guess the more opportunity we have to learn and grow. Again thank you for this post, i can only hope and wish that this transition will be as peaceful as possible and done in the most mindful and compassionate way.
Much Peace and Compassion
No problemo Aegle, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
You're right, our root problems do lie far deeper than money, but I feel that a level playing field would be a huge plus for the human race. I too hope that the transition is as peaceful as possible.
I really want to start being more of an activist and help the global awakening along. I'm just really not sure where to get started. I've thought about buying a megaphone and just saying whatever comes to mind.
This is a monumental time to be alive and we need to let everyone else know it too. <3
Convert a melodic element into a rhythmic element...