Thanks for this very thoughtful project of exploring how a workable future might be built. I would only suggest that it could only succeed with a commensurate revolution in human behavior. This is the way all systems of social organization eventually fail. I have wondered what would happen if somehow the current massive gap in wealth where corrected by redistribution, most likely not voluntarily. I doubt if anyone would be satisfied, though certainly it would provide a lifeline for many. There is no real way to teach people contentment.
Our behaviors are conditioned by the societies in which we live. A society which values cooperation is going to generate a different set of behaviors from one which promotes competition. It’s kind of a feedback loop. Our society with its marketing and advertising machines promotes discontentment. A different society that is more community-based can foster contentment based on helping others and contributing to overall community betterment. Arguably, in our long existence as tribal human beings this was more the pattern. One which is still present in human society in many forms. Arriving there is a matter of planting seeds and growing community in specific places, then spreading out. That is the revolution, I think.
My only problem with this is there seems to be an assumtpton that people will continue to live mostly in cities. I think this is unrealistic, for reasons wel lspelled out in Chris Smaje's Small Farm Future.
As we have debated before, Mary. I haven’t read Smaje’s book, but what I have read of his work indicates that he has a visceral loathing of cities. In any event, if the city is not transformed, it will devour the rural landscape.
Thanks for this very thoughtful project of exploring how a workable future might be built. I would only suggest that it could only succeed with a commensurate revolution in human behavior. This is the way all systems of social organization eventually fail. I have wondered what would happen if somehow the current massive gap in wealth where corrected by redistribution, most likely not voluntarily. I doubt if anyone would be satisfied, though certainly it would provide a lifeline for many. There is no real way to teach people contentment.
Our behaviors are conditioned by the societies in which we live. A society which values cooperation is going to generate a different set of behaviors from one which promotes competition. It’s kind of a feedback loop. Our society with its marketing and advertising machines promotes discontentment. A different society that is more community-based can foster contentment based on helping others and contributing to overall community betterment. Arguably, in our long existence as tribal human beings this was more the pattern. One which is still present in human society in many forms. Arriving there is a matter of planting seeds and growing community in specific places, then spreading out. That is the revolution, I think.
I suggest viewing this short chat about worker controlled companies.
https://youtu.be/yb2h0qPWp2Q?si=fHjA3qjdLMfbROrV
And I suggest this one also: "Will your co-op extend your life span?"
https://www.ztangi.org/will-your-co-op-extend-your-life-span/
Keep paddling against the current,
-bernard
My only problem with this is there seems to be an assumtpton that people will continue to live mostly in cities. I think this is unrealistic, for reasons wel lspelled out in Chris Smaje's Small Farm Future.
As we have debated before, Mary. I haven’t read Smaje’s book, but what I have read of his work indicates that he has a visceral loathing of cities. In any event, if the city is not transformed, it will devour the rural landscape.