Is it Possible to Enjoy a Life of Prosperity and Abundance Without Money?
"True abundance lies not in the accumulation of wealth, but in the shared prosperity that emerges when we prioritize the well-being of both humanity and the planet in a harmonious and sustainable way."
Michael Corthell
In a world dominated by money-based economies, the idea of living a life of prosperity and abundance without relying on traditional currency may seem far-fetched. However, an emerging concept known as resourceism challenges this notion by proposing an alternative socio-economic system.
Resourceism envisions a world where the Earth's resources are shared equally among all individuals, fostering a sustainable and equitable society. In this article, we will explore the possibilities and implications of enjoying a life of prosperity and abundance without money.
Redefining Prosperity and Abundance
To embark on this exploration, it is essential to redefine what prosperity and abundance truly mean. Rather than measuring success solely by financial wealth, resourceism encourages a broader perspective that encompasses various aspects of well-being. Prosperity is redefined as encompassing not just material possessions, but also physical and mental health, fulfilling relationships, personal growth, and a sense of purpose. Abundance, in this context, refers to the availability and fair distribution of essential resources needed to meet basic needs and promote a high quality of life for all.
Resource-Based Economy
At the core of resourceism lies the concept of a resource-based economy. This economic model shifts the focus from money as the primary medium of exchange to the efficient management and distribution of resources. Technology and automation play a crucial role in optimizing resource allocation and ensuring equitable access for all members of society. By harnessing advanced systems, such as artificial intelligence and decentralized networks, resource-based economies strive to eliminate scarcity and promote abundance.
Collaborative Communities and Shared Resources
Resourceism also emphasizes the importance of collaborative communities and shared resources. In such a society, individuals recognize their interdependence and actively work together to meet common goals. The pooling of resources, skills, and knowledge fosters a sense of unity and mutual support. Rather than hoarding wealth, the focus shifts towards collective well-being, where the success of one benefits the entire community.
Sustainable Practices and Environmental Stewardship
Another key aspect of resourceism is its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Unlike the exploitative nature of many money-based economies, resource-based societies prioritize responsible resource management to ensure the longevity of the Earth's ecosystems. This includes embracing renewable energy sources, adopting circular economy principles, and minimizing waste. By aligning economic practices with ecological balance, resourceism seeks to create a prosperous future for both humanity and the planet.
Challenges and Possibilities
While the concept of living without money presents significant challenges, resourceism offers a vision of a more harmonious and equitable society. Transitioning from money-based economies to resource-based systems would require substantial changes in societal structures, values, and the way we perceive wealth. It would demand a global shift in consciousness and cooperation among nations. However, the emergence of various experiments and initiatives exploring alternative economic models gives hope that change is possible.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the question, "Is it possible to enjoy a life of prosperity and abundance without money?" resourceism offers a compelling alternative. By redefining prosperity, shifting to a resource-based economy, fostering collaborative communities, and embracing sustainable practices, resourceism envisions a future where wealth is measured not just in monetary terms, but in holistic well-being and shared abundance. While achieving such a paradigm shift may be challenging, the growing interest in alternative economic models and the desire for a more equitable and sustainable world suggest that the possibility of enjoying a prosperous life without money is not beyond reach. As we continue to explore new possibilities, resourceism inspires us to reimagine the foundations of our economic systems and strive for a future where prosperity and abundance are accessible to all.
Further Information
OVERVIEW: Can We Evolve Beyond Money?(the following concept is experimental, I personally do not endorse it but include it for reference and contrast)
What is intriguing about collaborative consumption is that the credit rating upon which so much of our access to goods and services currently depends will be replaced by a new rating — our own personal trustworthiness rating. That is to say, our access to goods becomes, in part, a function of our social capital rather than our financial one. This is an incredibly powerful concept in helping us understand personal wealth in broader terms and indeed, what we might use in place of money. Social capital accumulates over time: the more you share properly, the higher your rating rises, which in turn promotes good social conduct. This is all good in theory, provided that personal freedoms and identities aren’t compromised in the process.
This is not a transition that will happen overnight and indeed, given the interests involved, it will most likely require the growth of human consciousness towards an empathetic civilization. Basically, it argues that we are fundamentally empathetic creatures in an evolutionary process that started with blood ties, then tribes, religion, and currently nations but could extend to humans as one, then to creatures, plants, and finally our planet. Full Article
The Venus Project
It proposes a fresh, holistic approach – one that is dedicated to human and environmental concerns. It is an attainable vision of a bright and better future, one that is appropriate to the times in which we live, and both practical and feasible for a positive future for all the world’s people.
The project advocates an alternative vision, unlike any social system that has gone before. Our conclusions are based on years of study and experimental research by many people from various scientific disciplines.
It calls for a straightforward approach to the redesign of a culture, in which the age-old inadequacies of war, poverty, hunger, debt, environmental degradation and unnecessary human suffering are viewed not only as avoidable but totally unacceptable.
The Venus Project is a veritable blueprint for the genesis of a new world civilization, one that is based on human concern and environmental reclamation. One fundamental premise is that we work towards having all of the Earth’s resources as the common heritage of all the world’s people. Anything less will simply result in a continuation of the same catalog of problems inherent in the present system.
Experience tells us that human behavior can be directed, either toward constructive or destructive activity. This is what The Venus Project is all about – directing our technology and resources toward the positive, for the maximum benefit of people and planet, and seeking out new ways of thinking and living that emphasize and celebrate the vast potential of the human spirit. We have the tools at hand to design and build a future that is worthy of the human potential.
The Venus Project presents a bold, new direction for humanity that entails nothing less than the total redesign of our culture. Our proposition is not an attempt to predict what will be done, only what could be done. The responsibility for our future is in our hands and depends on the decisions that we make today. The greatest resource that is available today is our own ingenuity.
The Zeitgeist Movement
It conducts research and activism through a network of regional chapters, public events and various forms of educational media.
The focus includes recognizing that the majority of the modern world’s social problems, including mounting ecological crises and destabilizing economic inequality (oppression, poverty, conflict, corruption, etc.) is not an inevitable outcome of our civilization. Rather, TZM sees these issues as consequential symptoms of an outdated social system.
While common reforms and general community support to improve conditions are of interest to TZM, working to galvanize the population in a move to change the very nature of our social system itself is the goal.
In this, a central criticism has been in addressing the inefficient nature of market-based economics or capitalism itself. TZM concludes that without a dramatic move away from the incentives and structural dynamics of the market system, there is little hope today for further, relevant improvements in the areas of human rights, ecological sustainability and general public health.
Supporters refer to the model promoted by TZM as a “Post-Scarcity Economy”. This model is inferential, derived from modern principles of scientific, sustainable earthly management, along with contemporary findings in social and epidemiological research.
TZM’s interest in change is global.
It has no allegiance to country or traditional political platforms. It views the world as a single system and the human species as a single family. It recognizes that all countries must disarm and learn to share resources and ideas if we expect to survive in the long run. Self-interest must become social-interest and the solutions arrived at and promoted are in the interest to help every human being.
The P2P Foundation
The P2P Foundation (officially, The Foundation for P2P Alternatives) is a non-profit organization and global network dedicated to advocacy and research of commons-oriented peer to peer (P2P) dynamics in society.P2P is an abbreviation of “peer to peer”, sometimes also described as “person to person” or “people to people”. The essence of P2P is this direct relationship, and its core characteristics include:
- Creation of common goods through open, participatory production and governance processes
- Universal access is guaranteed through licenses such as Creative Commons, GPL, Peer Production Licence.
The Commons is a concept and practice that has been steadily gathering increased attention and advocates. Deeply rooted in human history, it’s difficult to settle on a single definition that covers its broad potential for social, economic, cultural and political change. The Commons is now demonstrating its power as a “key ingredient” for change in diverse locations and contexts around the world.
P2P/commons-oriented communities, values and practices are now also increasingly present in the world of physical production through open design, the sharing economy and co-working in hacker/makerspaces and Fab-labs. These movements represent a cultural shift towards new kinds of democratic and economic participation that we believe are sowing the seeds for a more sustainable, egalitarian future.
The P2P Foundation, with its particular focus on the relationship of the Commons and P2P practices, is supporting this Commons transition by helping to share knowledge and develop tools to create common value and facilitate open, participatory input across society.
How Does a Resource-Based Economy Operate at a Basic Level?
The Library of Things movement is a growing trend in public, academic, and special libraries in many countries. There are also free-standing organizations separate from libraries, such as tool libraries, toy libraries, community sharing centers, independent non-profits, and individual initiatives. The Share Shed (Totnes, UK) is developing the first mobile Library of Things. Collections are often supported by educational programming and public events. These borrowing centers and library collections are part of the sharing economy.
For more information: Library of Things 101.