A New World is Possible: An Introduction to Resource-Based Economies
As each year passes, our planet edges closer and closer toward a cataclysmic tipping point. Climate change ravages our environment, whilst famine, war and poverty show no real signs of slowing.
Meanwhile, over 80% of the world’s wealth continues to be controlled by the richest 1% of the global population, as regular families struggle amid a constant cycle of boom and bust economics.
It’s a frustrating and disheartening situation we find ourselves in, and all of our modern socio-political systems have failed at bringing about meaningful change.
It seems, then, that our global community is desperately in need of a radical overhaul. A complete paradigm shift that would usher in a fairer, human-centric model for living, a system that eliminates the trappings of money and debt, whilst simultaneously caring for our fragile planet.
There is one such model that’s currently growing in popularity: It’s called “The Resource-Based Economy”, and it might just be the answer to all of our problems.
The Venus Project
Jacque Fresco was a self-taught industrial engineer. He’s the man credited with developing the idea of a Resource-Based Economy, and to that end, he created the Venus Project, a long-term research and development organization based on a 21-acre rural site in central Florida.
“A Resource-Based Economy is a system in which all goods and services are available without the use of any system of debt or servitude like money, credits or barter. All resources become the common heritage of all people, not just a select few. The premise upon which this system is based is that the Earth is abundant with plentiful resource; our practice of rationing resources through monetary methods is irrelevant and counter productive to our survival.” — Jacque Fresco
At this point, many people struggle with the concept of shared resources and zero currency. But as Fresco goes on to explain, money has zero intrinsic value of its own.
“Money is only important in a society when certain resources for survival must be rationed, and the people accept money as an exchange medium for the scarce resources. Money is a social convention, an agreement if you will. It is neither a natural resource nor does it represent one. It is not necessary for survival unless we have been conditioned to accept it as such.”
Delving Deeper into the Theory
When we consider the phenomenal speed at which the USA ramped up industrial production during the Second World War, or the efficiency with which developed nations are able to respond to natural disasters, we see that notions of “money” and “the economy” quickly fall by the wayside.
If only we allocated the same amount of resources and effort into the health of our global community!
It’s a well established fact that modern societies with advanced levels of technology could easily provide all the resources required for their citizens to live in ample comfort and safety, without having to resort to money, credit, bartering or worst of all, debt.
With shared responsibility and co-owned resources, humanity would quickly overcome the artificial boundaries that currently separate us, leaving us free to pursue a better way of living whilst caring for our shared environment.
Leveraging Modern Computing Power
One of Jacque Fresco’s primary interests was the leveraging of computational power and artificial intelligence to make his Resource-Based Economy a reality.
Fresco envisaged “Smart Cities” that would conserve energy, whilst being highly efficient and heavily automated.
Fresco’s plans weren’t authoritarian in nature. The use of computers for tasks like waste management, recycling, food distribution and heating would mean that citizens would be unshackled from antiquated notions like politics and bureaucracy, and would be free to concentrate on education, research and leisure.
Systems of Distribution
In a Resource Based Economy, the removal of money or “tokens of credit” would see society’s needs met by distribution centers that would be part Amazon warehouse, and part public library.
The same could be said of food production, where shortages, waste and over supply could be efficiently balanced to feed entire cities with relative ease.
Humans, Upgraded
With food, shelter and energy needs taken care of, the concept of “work” becomes largely irrelevant.
Removing debt and the threats of homelessness and starvation would allow our societies to tap into a vast resource of human intelligence and ingenuity, as physical and mental stresses are relieved, and people are left free to explore their own unique abilities.
The End of Corruption
A Global Resource-Based Economy removes the concept of “vested interest” and helps to break down the social hierarchies that encourage one-up-manship and greed.
Without a need to acquire status or basic resources, corruption is rendered completely pointless, whilst Orwellian surveillance and data gathering would quickly become counterproductive.
In Conclusion…
As technology improves and environmental concerns come to the fore, a Global Resource-Based Economy may begin to develop naturally. If the basic principles of the Global Resource Based Economy were put into practice, we could live richer, safer and more abundant lives in a world driven not by money or greed, but by constant improvement and innovation.
Agnieszka K. Wielgosz serves as a vocal sustainability/ regenerative wellness advocate. She is the woman behind CEI Collective, serving the creative needs of wellness professionals, regenerative & green living brands to grow and make a dynamic impact.
Through documentaries, visual storytelling and media content creation she searches for those big ideas, and the individuals behind them, that create a lasting change — ideas that address a gap or an opportunity that changes the way things are done, the way society views regenerative wellbeing of people and the planet.
You might be curious what the CEI acronym stands for; it stands for CONNECT EDUCATE INSPIRE. These are her three driving pillars to achieve societal planetary wellbeing.
Beyond her work with clients, she is well-known as an ardent mixed media artist who cultivates a mindful living approach. Agnes is passionate about creating a ripple effect and is excited to bring her skills and enthusiasm to your world.
Connect with her on IG: @ceicollective FB: @ceicollective
📧agnes@ceicollective.com
WRITTEN BY
Agnieszka K. Wielgosz
Let’s restore ecosystems and learn as humans to live within the boundaries of our planet. Founder @ceicollective Inspiring change @regenerativelifeco
