There is this one book which says “the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things” (1 Ti 6:10). It points the problem to be in the hearts of men, not in money itself - it even says that “money is for a protection” (Ec 7:12). The world would be a much better place if people were following even the tenth command, which goes to the root of this problem: “You must not desire your fellowman’s house. You must not desire your fellowman’s wife, nor his slave man nor his slave girl nor his bull nor his ass nor anything that belongs to your fellowman.” (Ex 20:17)
Right, it is not man’s fault that they get greedy. But our society is all about shopping. All commercials on tv are about making you feel like what you have sucks. So you go out and shop for the latest and greatest, so you don’t get laughed at by society. Then you have to go back to work and make more money, to spend on stuff that is completely unnecessary.
Money is the root of all evil. Not because its man’s fault, its because it was designed that way. If we don’t spend our money, then the economy collapses. So the system thrives on people’s greed.
Please watch this flash video and you will see what I mean: http://www.storyofstuff.com/
I listened to the part 3. I see the Venus Project as a system that suggest some social progress and some precise elements that directly comes from the communism but mixed with other elements that can lead to an oligarchy. I agree a bit with Alric and I don’t want a new order, I want no order at all. Peter Joseph has a vision centered on America and very influenced by the political situation of the USA where two political parties that have almost the same program govern the country successively, in turns. The political situation in other countries is not completely different but it is more complicated even in the western world.
I agree that the transition from any system to this Resource Based Economy would need some sort of political direction. But the ultimate goal would be to break away from any human political system. And just focus on advancing our species with technology, while computers handle meaningless tasks like figuring out how does this resource get to that person that needs it…
This system would have no order, except for the technology that decides how to get you your morning coffee.
You guys should read the sci-fi novel The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin, which is the best novel I have ever read and just so happens to address this exact topic.
One thing that’s great about the book is that it doesn’t mindlessly promote anarchism as government, but it presents a very realistic and interesting fictional society that is run without government. The problems and benefits of such a society are well addressed, and perhaps the most valuable part of it is the visualization of what an anarchic society, coupled with greed and human fallibility, would have to become.
If you’re looking for a good book, pick it up.
Realism in politics doesn’t exist because realism refers to the reality, something that anybody can objectively observe whereas politics refers to ideology, something that is subjective. Speaking about political realism is often a way of “depolitizing” a vision to impose it easily. There is obviously no subjective objectivity. Therefore, any science-fiction novel that deals with any political system should always be considered as a subjective work and its conclusions are then always questionable (and there is a huge difference between “realistic” and “real”). Maybe the book Demonpants suggested is interesting but don’t interpret as an history book, the history has to be written, now. Human greed is an argument often used by right-wing people to “bury” any suggestion of another political system to replace the capitalism.
Uh, I wasn’t suggesting it as any sort of history novel. Merely thought-provoking and full of good ideas. An intelligent interpretation of what a functioning anarchic government might be like, as well as solid comparisons between that culture and a capitalistic one.
But you used the term “realistic”, that’s why I disagreed.
I finally got around to watching the end of the movie.
I personally dont have anything against this movie, but its just a socialist video, instead of “capatalism” its “The moneytary system” and instead of a socialist society as the solution its a “resource system”.
Its got alot of interesting ideas for change, and also alot of observations about problems in the current system, but if someone were really commited to “change” for the better, they would first accel using the current system (eg. obtain money/power) then force there ideals, but ideas like this will never come about unless someone/something forces it. It only takes 1: hitler, lennon, starlin, julias, napolian. Ideals arn’t enough, you need an iron fist. This lesson is best shown in Mortal Kombat 3/quakeworld/Mum(Mom for you Americans).
the movie makes me think of animal farm. Just so you know I cried when the horse got sent off to the glue factory.
Folks, I know it’s an off topic section, but this is straying really far into the political realm. There are more appropriate places on the web for this kind of discussion, so I am locking this thread.
Thanks for your understanding.