Current Events — HabitableZone

Current Events » in reply to Re: Define "impossible".

Straw men, TB.
Robert — (archived)

"Identical"? Gimme a break. I'm not selling Rushkoff's idea, I'm exploring the universe of potentially more rational economic systems that will serve us better.

You might've noticed we're in a tad bit of a financial pickle right now. Are you really going to insist on the status quo as the solution to our problems? How about we consider constructive solutions instead?

There's a rational way to proceed, and it's not starting in the middle with a particular proposal or calcified dogma. Though a proposal did get the thread started. We should start by defining what we want in a resource allocation algorithm, aka "economy". Unless you believe that God handed down free-market laissez-fair capitalism on stone tablets, you have to concede that the rules of the algorithm by which we live are under our control. If you disagree with that, then why all the worry about people tinkering with the rules of an immutable system?

To business. I would assert that the values I want from an economy are sustainable abundance, subsistence security for all, and a fluid distribution of reward unimpeded and undistorted by privilege and power and tradition.

Rushkoff doesn't really propose anything specific, but describes a general system that would satisfy those requirements. Guaranteeing subsistence for all leads to a minimal amount of security that hardly risks sapping anybody's motivation, and in the estimation of many, myself included, will result in a net increase in creative and economically lucrative activity all across the board.

Who would you say is more inherently innovative and thus contributes more to the economy? A corporate employee working at tasks valued by his employer; or an entrepreneur working toward his/her own dream? People who don't have to sell themselves into indentured servitude just to survive are going to put the freedom to good use...good as both you and I define it, even if it isn't that old-time FMLFC that makes it possible.

Does my faith in the power of economic liberation seem naive? Any more naive than faith in trickle-down economics?

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