I am doing a little poll here.
It would be very interesting to see how many of you would do the work/study you do today even if you didn’t earn any money on it . Maybe you would do exactly the same job. Maybe you would do it with some modifications. Or maybe you wouldn’t do it at all.
I would like you to write a comment below and tell us the following:
- Write YES or NO or MAYBE to whether you would do your job/work without money.
- Describe your job and explain your answer.
- More elaboration if you like. Like, what would you do instead if you wouldn’t do the job you have today.
The premise for the above is of course that we have a resource based economy with no money, trading, barter or ownership, but with access to everything you need to live a good life. Society needs to go around, and some jobs would still be needed. Thus, the jobs we do must preferably be liked by the ones who do them.
Many jobs will be phased out by either it’s own nature (like banking) or by automation. In any case it would be enlightening to see if you have a job you hate or you love, or something in between. And whether your job is really contributing to society or if it can be phased out in a resource based economy, and what you would do instead.
Please share this with your friends also, so they can comment too.
PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AS THEY ARE NUMBERED. THANK YOU.
by Costas Mavroyiorkas
22 Feb 2012 at 23:14
I am a video editor / photographer and i taking pictures. shooting video and post production (editing) however with the money insensitive in the picture my work has gone from great to boring as hell.
My company works by meeting deadlines and the main reason behind it its because we should not waste too much time in a project because we will cost more per day as employees.
Hiring more people will still cost a lot so still the insensitive for profit that the monetary system is the main reason why i hate my job as it is.
by George
20 Feb 2012 at 00:34
1. Yes
2. I am a PC hardware and software problem solver. I’ll do my job for free, because I like my job, I want to help people, I love to help people, and I love people.
3. If there will be some free time, I would like to travel all over the world, learn to grow up vegetables, be engaged in sports.
by AMR
12 Feb 2012 at 23:06
NO! And Hell No!
I work in a Local Government Public Works position.
I can assure you it is 100% waste, fraud and abuse.
I would work in a similar field if the political Bull $hit and politicians were removed from the process. But honestly I would not even chose to associate with these people if I were not getting paid. Government in the US is Complete Shit! does not work now, never has worked, and never will work. Lets take a crap on them and move on.
by AMR
12 Feb 2012 at 23:02
I thin the USSR is not a good model of a how to get to a Resource Based Economy. The reason being that reality is the Russian Revolution was largely a ethnic based revolution. Namely Jews, and Peasants against the Ruling elites. Once the Ruling elites were defeated the Bolsheviks became the new Oligarchy and continued to spout BS in the name of “Equality” sort of like the American Democratic Party. Just as the US is a Corporate based Oligarchy. We need to move beyond Oligarchy.
by Catfish Rivers
29 Jan 2012 at 07:01
Yes.
I have worked as a paper boy, groundskeeper, store clerk, library clerk, security guard, behavioral health counselor, teacher, property manager, office manager, and free lance web developer, musician/artist, and dog trainer.
I would lovingly work any combination of any of all of those skills I have learned, and any new ones I might be graced to learn as well in a resource based economy.
Some sort of social media site built around this idea could help kickstart collaborative efforts faster.
by matthew
26 Jan 2012 at 02:32
1. Yes, absolutely!
2. I am an English Teacher, and I have the liberty of teaching the youth wonderful concepts, get them to think critically, and share my love of the English language! It’s just so very rewarding!
by Jack__Zone
25 Jan 2012 at 16:44
1) Maybe
2) Aircraft Mechanic specializing in sheet metal and advanced composites
3) in a RBE, I would hope for alternatives of the dangerous airline business. Such as electro magnetic trains spanning continents and connecting them as well. I believe it would require less maintenance, and i would volunteer to help in that area. If airplanes stuck around for a bit, I would volunteer, at lower hours then 60+ a week right now <– not required IMO. Follow me on twitter and lets talk @Jack__Zone (talk hemp as well)
by Stuart Porteous
25 Jan 2012 at 15:32
1. No
2. Kitchen porter, cleaning dishes for the military officers, over in merry old England.
3. Right know i would like to work on a farm & help grow fresh organic produce for local communities. I’ve read some stuff on Open Source Ecology, this would be extremely useful for farmers who haven’t yet heard of Open Source Ecology.
by Adrian
23 Jan 2012 at 11:40
1.YES!
2. High-school teacher, i believe education will still be needed even after the ‘change’. And i enjoy my work – not for the paper i receive ( that’s just needed to survive right now ) but for the experience.
3. I’d probably do a lot of travelling – i enjoy the outdoors.
by Janice
19 Jan 2012 at 19:46
1. Yes and No
2. I would like to stay in my area of employment and help figure out how to automate it. Then I would leave.
3. I transport medical oxygen to the homes of the sick and dying. Sometimes I am the only person these people see on any regular bases. The actual transporting is easy to automate. The personal involvement is not. If we ever get to a point of transition to an RBE, I want to help figure out how to support these people. How to help them feel less isolated and rejected from our current medical, and social system. Often these people were teachers and care givers their whole lives, just to be outcast in the end. I would hope that our new society would help all the sick, the destitute and the hungry FIRST!
If those issues were solved, I would be a painter and a poet.
by techdork
13 Jan 2012 at 19:51
1. Hell No!
2. I do tech support for automated products. I hate dealing with the caliber of people that work with these products. All production oriented.
3. If I had my choice I would design individual products for specific problems for people. Or, be a live sound engineer or audio specialist of some kind.
by DesoloSubHumus
13 Jan 2012 at 22:57
In an RBE, you’d run the chance of hearing a knock at the door and my voice-
“Hi, I heard you like working with audio.”
Good times…
by conceptdestiny
10 Jan 2012 at 11:15
1. YES
2. I’m an online games developer
3. I’d love to continue my work in a resource-based economy, however only for a fraction of the time I usually work. My job is so very sedentary.
by James
06 Jan 2012 at 03:08
1) YES
2) Software Engineer
3) I would most definitely change the type of software that I write. Now I work for whomever can afford to pay me. Sometimes it’s a project that I believe in (in a this-is-good-for-the-world kind of way) and sometimes it’s not. Given a choice I would only work on the former.
by Rob
04 Jan 2012 at 18:01
Happy New Years to all!
2012 “end of the world.. ehmm I mean the monetary system”
Im a musician so yes I would continue making music with or without money.. my dayjob is not that great so I wouldnt continue it, Im a car mechanic, but if we had a RBE I would luv to contribute a few hours a day with something similair or help out in a factory or what needs to be done for it all to go around.. I would “pitch in” a small part of my day if needed even though I didnt enjoy that job very much, why? well because I wouldnt want the RBE to collapse, it would give me soo much, so why wouldnt I wanna give back and help make it run smoothly
btw – no new article?? :*( I would luv to read more, I have read all articles so far and I cant wait for more words of wisdom.. amazing site! Thanks again!
by admin
04 Jan 2012 at 19:54
Thank you for praise!
I have more on my mind, and others also promised to post articles. I’ll remind them…
Right now, though, I am very busy in making a feature film about a new positive future for humanity: http://www.wakingupmovie.com/
It’s open source, and you can contribute if you want.
by gamestop101
03 Jan 2012 at 19:21
I have no job I’m going to college soon for psychology and I’m looking forward to some insight in me personal issues and those of my family but I would love to be a blacksmith.
by Artur
02 Jan 2012 at 19:51
1. Yes.
2. I love my work, I’m a graphic designer and plastic artist. My work does not exist just to make money it exists for culture, personal satisfaction, creative output.
But without money, the branding, commercial side of my job would seize do existe has there would be no need to seel a product or company. Luckily there is more to it than just that side. There is the entire communication and aesthetics.
by Orson
02 Jan 2012 at 13:37
No.
Because I’m kinda forced into it. I’m a media designer. So i work for advertisment and things alike.
Though some of the aspects are cool, and interesting. But i’d much rather have the time for other things.
Like my band, or other projects I’m working on but cannot keep on doing because i lack time, money and resources.
But I’m not gonna lie, I also would play a lot of video games and just hang out with friends instead.
Because in the end i do this job because i need some money…
by ALEJANDRO PUEL
30 Dec 2011 at 00:24
1. YES.
2. I am a telecommunications engineer. I am good at designing electronic hardware. I have much experience on the wireless as well as on the test equipment industry.
Regarding the RBE approach, I have been following it for almost a year since I found Jacque and realized it is time now for the BIG change.
I don’t want a world with money, well maybe some money will be needed to expose at museums to remember what it used to be….
3. I also love other stuff like playing the trombone. I have wanted a world like what RBE can offer since I was a child.
A totally cooperative world without divisions of any kind!
I love my work and I know I would be able to contribute to the world on a RBE.
by THG
27 Dec 2011 at 23:24
I am a software developer and I love what I do. As for my current job, admittedly, I would not accept it if it was not for money. I can see how my profession can contribute to saving the resources and saving the planet for our children. The consumption-driven civilization will self-destruct. If we focus on creating happiness instead of creating material goods, world will be a better place and we, software people, could be in the forefront.
by Helen
23 Dec 2011 at 00:27
Yes: I’m a medical herbalist and I love my work because I am helping both people and the planet to regain and sustain full health. Currently some of my herbs are wild crafted or grown in my smallish garden but most are bought from organic wholesale suppliers. So I would need maybe a couple of acres of land to be able to grow enough medicine for my dispensary and food for my family. I am working towards this goal but land is expensive so I’m not there yet!
by admin
23 Dec 2011 at 00:48
Thanks for your comment! Instead of acres, maybe you could try this?
https://www.omegagarden.com/index.php?content_id=175&product_id=1
by Lazaro
24 Dec 2011 at 09:58
The reason Russia and others fail is because in order for this to work the wealth of resources must be share globally.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Create an intelligent system that can determine what would be the best course of action in utilizing all of the planet’s resources.
2. We would put education at the top of the list. This means that if your dream is to be a doctor or an engineer the doors of education will always be open.
3. Everyone needs to work. Picking tomatoes or in a lab. Since everyone is working you only need to do this for a few hours a day. The rest of your time can be spent with your family or school.
4. Drugs will be eliminated from the face of the planet. You don’t need this. This include all the hardcore drugs. I don’t know about alcohol because people like beers, wine, etc. Maybe just the hardcore drugs.
5. Everyone should be encourage to exercise and eat well. No more quoter ponders.
6. We should manufacture the best cars and toss the rest. The means Mercedes, BMW or better.
7. Create new energy technologies like solar, wind, geo or better.
Imagine waking up one day you hop into your BMW and drive to work. You put in a few hours picking tomatoes, fixing an ac unit or working on a cure for cancer. Whatever god giving talent you are suited for. Your wife calls to remind you to pick up a food on your way home. You stop by the whole food store grab whatever your family is eating that week. You go up to a machine and flash a card or finger print scan and walk away with a bunch of food. The you go to your new modest home loaded with gadgets or whatever your into.
Everything will be free and you have to do is pitch in your grain of rice and help make your world the best it can be in your lifetime.
What about who gets the house in the beach you ask.
How about for vacation those locations are reserved for the working class and you and your family or girlfriend can spend say two weeks at the best places on the planet.
Everyone must work unless you have a condition and if you refuse to work and want to go against the grain then we could put you and your family on a quota and toss you a bone and feed you. But where is the dignity in that. For this reason I trust most people will work.
by DesoloSubHumus
29 Dec 2011 at 03:08
@Lazaro
‘Your BMW; store; flash a card; your new modest home; working class’
Aside from your reply being completely unrelated to the comments above it, I think the biggest issue with what you’ve said are that you are still trying to fit an RBE into a monetary system, complete with ownership.
The point is not to find ways to collect a bunch of stuff and avoid sharing it with anyone. The point is, you may use things, but you do not own them; all resources belong to everyone. It’s about sharing, not hoarding.
by Lazaro
31 Dec 2011 at 04:57
Hi Desolo,
I agree and take back what I commented here. I guess I missed the point all together. We should all work together to achieve this goal. I own my own home and run an online store and would give all that in a heartbeat for a system like this. No more stress about money, taxes, etc. I personally would do any kind of work needed and would help others in a rbe.
by Greg
22 Dec 2011 at 15:13
NO (I’m a full time student, and would change my path of study)
I don’t currently have a job, I’m an IT student. Last year, I was studying physics, chemistry, biology and maths, and hoped to then go on to university to pursue a degree in a field of physics – probably Astrophysics. Unfortunately I spent too much time in my part-time job to concentrate on my college work, and soon got behind. I then dropped out, and couldn’t then study these subjects again (it’s how the local colleges work).
So, I’m now studying IT without a job, because I wouldn’t want to hinder my education again.
In a resource based economy, I would study Astrophysics, for science, not for money. If somebody is interested in something to a certain level, they’ll not just sit around doing nothing, they’ll actually make something of themselves. With access to all academic studies and information, people would be able to be truly happy, without having to worry about the stress or debt involved with studying as we know it.
What I’m saying is that I’d do something different, rather than just doing nothing. I think many people would do the same.
I always hear people say “I wanted to be a…” and then claim they didn’t reach their potential was because they didn’t try hard enough at school. However, with much more time at hand, people would be able to study what they like, how they like, when they like. Technology would play a huge part in implementing this system.
I wonder if it will happen though. I’m sure the most influential individuals in the monetary system have some form of plan, or plans for what will happen in the future when technology removes the needs for most jobs. Most of the so called ’1%’ wouldn’t just give up the power money gives them, it would have to be taken from them.
If people love their job enough, they’ll still do it in a resource based economy. I spent 7 months after dropping out of college simply living the lazy life, while still doing all the ‘fun’ things. It got boring, and after a couple of months, I couldn’t wait to go back to full-time education.
by Never
17 Dec 2011 at 08:34
“You are somewhat misinformed. The truth is that automation can replace most human labour today if we want it to. That is absolutely no problem.”
Can we automate unblocking of blocked toilet? Why do we still need garbage men? How about construction workers? How about the nurse who change diapers for the seniors in the nursing home? Japan is the most automated nations. Yet they still have millions of jobs they can’t automate. Also, it’s a misconception that Automation means self-maintenance. The most easily optimized systems in the world-computer software, needs maintenance and fixes. The automation in the physical world is worst. Someone still has to climb down the sewage pipeline if a robot is stuck. When a nuclear power plant blow up (as in Japan), they still send human to fix it.
“When it comes to Soviet and China, they didn’t try to get rid of the monetary system.” It was the ultimate goal in both China and USSR. At the beginning, Lenin tried to abolish money as a mean of exchange. By a decree of 1920, all wages were to be paid in goods, by 1921, taxation in money was abolished. It was a disaster and they finally gave up . The leaderships weren’t hierarchical, not at the beginning, that’s why they call each other “comrades”. Later, as expected, evolved into an oligarchy.
We can affect human behavior, only to a certain degree. To expect a human not to cheat or error is like to expect a software not to have bug. Small society, maybe. Small software, maybe. To attempt it in any major city, it will be a disaster. People are dictate by emotion more than rationality (we are worst than computer software), bugged by many biases. They are many good in humans too, no doubt. That’s why most countries have a hybrid trust system. A lot of stuff is done by volunteer services, but not majority of the things, e.g. no country has yet adopted the “income tax by donation policy”.
Yes I have read the comments, many people will volunteer themselves in interesting jobs, like checking photos from Mars, but how about fixing a congested toilet on earth?
Open source projects… Linux: 75% was done by paid developers nowadays. As for Wikipedia and Firefox, Google (a for profit company) is a major backer. People do produce excellent service and works for free (e.g. the contributors of Wikipedia and many volunteer services). There’s no problem for volunteers for desirable jobs, but how can we convince anyone to do the mundane and tedious jobs? Saying robots will do it is avoiding the question.
As for the million dollar banker, he may not deserve his salary. But many scientist, researchers or engineers are also pretty well paid, maybe not bankers-ly well, but better than you and me (e.g. the Google guys, some medical researchers were very well paid). I think it’s fully justified to pay those researchers and scientists such salary.
The current system is problematic and is not self-sustainable, but I think that can be fixed by a progressive re-balancing of our rewarding system. e.g. pay more for science research, spend less money in weapons, but not the complete banishment of money.
We need evolution, not revolution.
by admin
17 Dec 2011 at 13:32
About technology and automation. The point here is not to fix your eyes on a blocked toilet. Just to get that out of the way; have you heard about high pressure water? If that doesn’t work, there are other solutions that are not hard to use at all. The technology has come much much further that you think.
In any case, in the world I’m talking about we will develop solutions that work all over. There are many ways to design toilets that don’t block. Besides, the way toilets are designed today is totally wasteful, and a huge problem. Today lots and lots of energy is wasted in cleaning the sewage, because chemicals are mixed in from washing machines, dishwashers and such. Not to speak of the huge waste of water this system is. The whole system have to be redesigned from the ground up, so that the ‘waste’ can be recycled with less water use. Vacuum toilets like those on airplanes and trains can be used with very little water, and the ‘waste’ can go to recycling that make both energy and usable compost. And why isn’t that done? Too expensive. No profit.
Sure, systems need maintenance, and I guarantee you, there will be people around to do those jobs. Mind you, most people in disaster areas are……..drumroll…….volunteers! And why do they do it? Why do they risk their lives in rescuing other people? Why do they clean beaches and birds contaminated with oil? Why do doctors and nurses volunteer in poor countries and disaster areas, cleaning bloody wounds, wiping up puke? Why? I’ll give you the answer, because you don’t seem to get that yourself: They care. People care about this earth, about the plant life, about the animal life, and about each other.
This is a personal choice for very person, not something that can be thread over our heads. But this choice has to be understood. When this choice, the choice of being of service, is the norm, that is when this world will change.
About Soviet and China. I haven’t heard that they tried a moneyless system. All honor for trying. Still, it is a HUGE difference with the world I am talking about and Soviet and China. The old communism was a top down system where people were forced to oblige. In the world I am talking about, people have chosen this themselves. I am not talking about any force of any kind. This is wholly up to the population on this planet. Still, the population has to be aware of the possibilities, understand it, see that it can work, and go for it. This is a worldwide grassroots movement, not some despots trying to conquer a country and introduce their own system. A resource based economy has to be chosen by the people. If the people doesn’t choose it, fine. Then we go on with the dysfunctional system we have.
‘We can affect human behavior, only to a certain degree.’ If that’s what the powers that be thought we wouldn’t have the world we have today. Why do you think the world is as it is? Because human behavior have been hugely affected through the system that is in place. Through advertising, through religion and through the belief in money, trading, ownership, property and borders. When people wake up to the truth that all borders between countries are economically and politically drawn, not culturally, that the notions of ownership and trading is a means for the rich to control this world, and when they see that non of these are needed, a different behavior will arise. Already, this behavior is eminent all over the planet. People care, are helping each other, share and give with love and compassion. If anything, THIS is the true human nature, not the violent one media wants us to believe.
‘People are dictate by emotion more than rationality.’ Exactly. That’s why advertising works, and that’s why they have managed to brainwash the good part of the earth’s population. But the egoistic behavior you find is as much a product of our exiting system than it is any ‘human nature’.
I see you are brainwashed my friend, so I won’t go on arguing. I was brainwashed too, until I got this: It is much simpler to simply share and give than to trade and hoard. No money, no taxes, no trade regulations, no wars, no banks, non of all the shit today’s system has brought with it. What I’m talking about is nothing BUT evolution. But it takes opening eyes and minds to get there. Just think about it. And take a look at http://www.thevenusproject.com to get a picture.
by Mark
16 Dec 2011 at 19:57
I am a IT Systems Engineer, from Virginia, United States. I would definitely NOT do this job if there were no need for money. If money were out of the picture, I would go back to college and continue a masters degree in Physics, that is my true love. I have a family right now, so I don’t have the luxury of stop working and go back to school.
I really love the idea of a resource based economy. I feel the same way that if people did what they really loved then humanity would naturally benefit from the collective efforts of its people.
However, I have no idea how a resource based economy would begin. Wouldn’t many many MANY people have to agree at the same time that trading resources is the way to go? Surely if I quit my job today, and try to buy a house, then I couldn’t do so by offering a service or a resource instead of money. I am not saying that this is “right,” I am just saying that it would be hard to accomplish because of the fact that you need everyone around you to agree on it before you move forward.
That doesn’t negate the fact that I do love the idea of the resource based economy and the ending of the profit motive. Humanity would be able to achieve so much more because their efforts are rooted in something with much more substance than money. Technology, art, music, sciences, literature; all field that actually better humanity, I believe, would thrive.
At least with this website and other media about this idea, the seeds are being planted in human consciousness. Maybe not in our generation but in a future one where humans become more conscious, this idea will be taken seriously. At any rate, to the admin, keep the idea alive!
by admin
16 Dec 2011 at 22:04
Thank’s for your comment. Just a little correction. A resource based economy is not about TRADING resources. RBE is about GIVING, not trading. And it is about managing resources in the best manner possible.
Now, how will RBE start? As I have mentioned before, it has already started. RBE is here. Now. The world is already in many ways managing resources. And millions of people are doing things for others for no monetary reward. Examples are Wikipedia, free software, voluntarism, etc. etc.
And the resources? Yes, they are managed today. Badly, yes, but they are managed.
To get RBE to penetrate society what we need to do is to start GIVING. Of course, in many instances, that can be difficult, since people are blinded by the need to have a job to earn money.
But get this. Many people are giving a lot already. There are soup kitchens, benefactors, volunteer doctors, you name it. People have to wake up to the possibility that THIS CAN BE THE WAY WE LIVE.
GIVING and RECEIVING.
It is very easy. All we need is resources to give. Sun and rain comes for free from the sky, and food comes for free from the earth. One plant gives a multitude of seeds that gives more plants. Our own efforts comes for free from our selves. We give them in service to the community, to each other.
We can start this small with no changes to the system we have today. We can start to give and receive right away. And the more we give to each other, the more we will receive, and in the end, everything will be free. We will get more and more people on this ‘team’, till the point where whole businesses comes on board and understands the concept.
We can do this today. We can start it now, and gradually we will get there.
by DesoloSubHumus
19 Dec 2011 at 04:52
“One plant gives a multitude of seeds that gives more plants.”
Just a slight correction…
For most of the past this has been true. Unfortunately, as a product of the profit motive, a small handful of corporations found a way to trademark and copyright plant and animal DNA. Most seeds on the market will grow a genetically modified plant that is more disease resistance and produces more food by volume, but is no longer able to produce seeds or is no longer able to produce fertile seeds. Most food grown today is genetically modified in this way. This is already well into the works for animal DNA as well. Add to that, the new genetically modified corn that is meant to sterilize humans to reduce the number of ‘unwanted births’. But who is it that does not want those births? Corporations that wish to shrink the labor pool not by moving towards an RBE, but by riding themselves of the (human) tax burden placed on them that goes towards welfare, unemployment, health benefits, etc.)
Seeds that produce plants, which in turn produce seeds that produce plants are going the way of the dodo if we allow it. If I could afford to eat organic, I would, not just for my health, but to keep the organic farmers in business. If the world switched over entirely to an RBE tomorrow, it would not be too soon.
by admin
19 Dec 2011 at 11:23
I know about that, and it is disturbing. Still, it is yet a focus on the negative. Over all, the world does not want this as I see it. One ‘proof’ of this is the Norwegian seed bank, built on Svalbard, aiming to store all kinds of seeds from all over the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault
http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/20110722/hungary-destroys-all-monsanto-gmo-maize-fields.htm
http://www.croptrust.org/main/
Many farmers use GMO seeds, but many also don’t. And the GMO is of course a true product of the marked and profot based monetary system, which again makes RBE seem like a much better way to go. No profit, no problem… By the way, when I check prices on organic food here in Sweden, it doesn’t seem to bad anymore compared to the ‘normal food’. But of course, there is still a long way to go.
by DesoloSubHumus
21 Dec 2011 at 01:26
My point is that the world cannot sustain this dependance on the profit motive much longer. Perhaps if things continue down a monetary based economy, I need to move to Norway…not that I could afford the plane ticket.
That’s the beauty of the RBE; no need to worry about being able to afford the price of a plane trip and no need to worry about how you have to use credit just to buy food.
Here in the US, organic food costs quite a bit more than GMO- corporate grown food, and GMO-corporate grown food cost a good bit more than the garbage formulated in a chemistry lab. Sadly, I’ve been to so-called third world countries and $.50/hr there still gets you healthier food and a better quality of life than minimum wage (in my area, $8.25 without health benefits or $7.25 with health benefits) does here.
The profit motive has screwed the whole country up. Trust me, RBE is a positive thing…an RBE would end a whole lot of suffering in the world.
From the UK’s Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2005550/Americas-pay-gap-Inequality-rich-poor-worse-revolutionary-Egypt.html
“The gap between America’s rich and poor is so extreme levels of inequality are worse in the land of the free than they are in many developing countries.
The U.S. ranks way behind the European Union and the United Kingdom in terms of inequality of pay, figures show.
In fact, the situation is so extreme the land of the free falls behind countries such as Cameroon, the Ivory Coast and revolutionary Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen – and only just in front of Uganda and Jamaica.”
The US is certainly no Sweden. It’s blogs like this one that give me hope. And hope for a better world is certainly positive. After all, it’s this sort of communication that is needed to bring about the necessary change in mindset.
by Andy
16 Dec 2011 at 16:12
Like Nevar, no. I am also an extremely well paid software engineer. The work I do in my spare time is not the work that has productive value in the economy.
Commercial software development is an interesting profession in that it requires extremely high intellect and talent to do well (even for many seemingly mundane tasks), but many of these tasks are boring to those skilled in the profession. Much of my day is spent writing necessary but boring code and if I weren’t being paid to do it I wouldn’t do it at all.
by admin
16 Dec 2011 at 16:31
Well then, what about Linux/GNU, WordPress, OpenOffice, Cyberduck, Thunderbird, VLC, Audacity, to mention but some very few free programs.
How do you explain all those people who make new software and apps for free?
Wouldn’t you also spare an hour or two a week to write and better some code in an open source software project that is useful for humanity is some way?
The point is that when we remove the monetary system and the never ending need for profit, we won’t need to spend a fraction of the time to do what is REALLY needed.
The monetary system makes us work our asses of only to make some corporation rich. And the work we do in this regard IS NOT NEEDED.
In the resource based economy on the other hand, meaningless work is simply abandoned, and what we are left with in terms of NEEDED work, including programming, is so little that if the workforce of the planet work in total ONE DAY A WEEK, it would be more than enough.
Why?
Firstly, because when money, ownership and the insane profit motive is gone, so will also 70% or so of all jobs be gone. Just think about it. Bankers, insurance, advertising, clerks, military, police, tax people, etc. etc. will not be needed and can be used for other, truly needed tasks.
Secondly, we can automate most of all the jobs that are needed as well. There can be automated food production, waste management, transportation, distribution, etc. etc. If you think that this can not be automated, you haven’t been awake in class the last decade. Even computers programming themselves and learning by themselves is developed.
Please, broaden your minds. Please. Unless you want to keep this drudgery.
by admin
16 Dec 2011 at 16:33
By the way, what DO you do in your spare time? You say it is does not have ‘productive value in the economy’. Are you talking about today’s economy or a resource based economy? There’s a huge difference there, you know.
by Never
16 Dec 2011 at 12:09
No.
I’m a software programmer and I do love to program. But if there is no monetary motivation, I will only be interested in working on projects I like to do, and no one will work on projects that is necessary but not interesting.
We have tried to get rid of the monetary system before and failed, many times. Small experiment like Sointula in Vancouver Island, big experiments like China and Soviet Union, all failed miserably.
It is because we all over-estimate ourselves. Part of human nature is jealousy and selfishness, like the gods we created. We always consider ourselves to have above average intelligence, to be more moral than average, we always think we contribute more than others… Money is blind, it keeps the score, unfairly sometimes. Like democracy, it’s not the best political system but is still better than anarchy or dictatorship.
At the current and the near future, automation cannot replace manual labors.
by admin
16 Dec 2011 at 12:32
You are somewhat misinformed. The truth is that automation can replace most human labour today if we want it to. That is absolutely no problem.
When it comes to Soviet and China, they didn’t try to get rid of the monetary system. Far from it. They still used money as a means for exchange and for payment for labour. They also still used a hierarchical system with top leaders, police and military. A resource based economy will have non of that.
That our human nature can be jealous and selfish, I don’t disagree with. Still, also these traits are influenced by the community and society at large, and will be changed together with the changed ruling values.
You say money keeps score, ‘unfairly sometimes’. Now, that’s an understatement. And it is not money itself that is the problem. It is the notion of ownership and the profit motive itself. Can you give me one good reason why bank executives shall earn millions for not contribution one single thing to humanity??? There is absolutely no reason for that. The only ‘reason’ that justifies it is the profit motive, which is no ‘reason’ in and of itself, but rather a dysfunctional norm in your brainwashed mind.
You claim out of hand that ‘no one will work on projects that is necessary but not interesting’. Haven’t you read any of the other comments? Can’t you look around you and see people do tons of necessary work every day without pay? Look at Wikipedia for instance. Or the volunteer activity in the US, which equals over 200 Billion dollars each year. People doing necessary work for NO PAY. You are dead wrong my friend.
Yes, money forces people to take on jobs they might not like, but how necessary are those jobs? Most of the time, these jobs does not bring any necessary value to society. At the same time, there are hoards of people who will GLADLY do what IS necessary, even though the tasks are not their favorite ones. If I take my self as an example, I would gladly ‘work my ass off’, as long as it is in a community where it is needed. In this kind of world, we would also go towards meaningfulness, doing tasks that we can see have a direct impact on our society, rather than only building up fake ‘wealth’ for the owners of a company.
Lighten up, I looks like you need it.
by DesoloSubHumus
19 Dec 2011 at 04:34
What software programming is necessary but not interesting? Honestly, I can’t think of one software program that wouldn’t be interesting. Perhaps you chose the wrong profession…
China and Russia-yes, I’m going to second our fearless admin on that one. Communism and capitalism are just two different forms of a monetary system. In true communism, funds are simply redistributed in a way that reduces inequality, in other words, there are no rich and no poor, theoretically. Note that funds, i.e. money, is redistributed in that system. How can you redistribute money when there is no money? You can’t. Communism is not an RBE. Communism is money based, not resource based.
As far as automation, you can’t really just say a job can’t be automated simply because YOU do not keep up on current advancements. I haven’t read the Twilight series, nor do I intend to; does that mean the books simply vanished from existence? I think not. If a software program running in one of the new 3D printers (already developed, just not priced low enough for the average person to buy) can print any object using any material, then even manufacturing is fading into the past.
Have you ever done anything for anyone without earning a paycheck for it? If you have, then keep in mind, that is essentially the concept of an RBE. You do not get paid for anything, and you do not have to pay for anything. For each, his or her own needs are met, and their wants may or may not be satisfied.
by Aman Basu
16 Dec 2011 at 08:42
I am a physics student from Santiniketan, India.
yes, i will do my job more gleefully if i see this system helping this word to be more productive.Yes i want to see an end to this leanerly functioning world.
by Marcia
16 Dec 2011 at 02:19
I am an organic farmer,old enough to know better. I can’t think of a better job than growing good food and sharing with appreciative palates. If only I could trade for coffee and toilet paper I would be a happy girl.Money is just a method of exchange.If it had no value beyond that what would be the problem
by shane
15 Dec 2011 at 00:50
I think it’s great some people feel they would do the same work and I feel that’s because they like it. However, we are not used to actually being able to choose what we do with the support and encouragement of our communities. However good of a job we have it is probably still not our passion and we should realize that. Have we really asked ourselves what we would love to do to contribute to the world if money was not an issue?
by Albin
14 Dec 2011 at 12:59
I am a student in Engineering Physics. YES I would continue on this path even if there were no money
by Ken Rivas
13 Dec 2011 at 14:51
I’m a fashion video/photographer…
I do it cuz I love it but sure money changes it so much… most of the time the final product it is not my view anymore cuz it needs to sell…
yes i will love to live my life without have to work for money.
by Jan
13 Dec 2011 at 13:46
Partially. I’m a software developer because I like to create algorithms and because I can earn some money with it.
I’ve been also working with children for some years in the “out-of-school” education what has always been very fulfilling but couldn’t do it lately because I have to earn money.
I’m also an engineer in some areas and an artist.
I would like to do so much if I had not to work for money!
by Stefan
13 Dec 2011 at 13:23
Yes, because I’m programming 3D graphics and I just love it.
by Tegan
11 Dec 2011 at 20:40
YES I would continue to do my current job in a resource based economy.
My job involves going to a disabled lady’s house and doing her housework, cooking and shopping.
I like my job because I feel I am having a positive effect on somebody’s life, and I get on really well with this lady.
by Arvind Narayanan
08 Dec 2011 at 19:13
I’m a student from Bangalore, India
I want to bring in a revolution on the present economy and monetary system.
Its not the way to live. Life is so damn beautiful and we kill the beauty..
Lets all live the way we want. lets all share this world peacefully