Future thrills

The governing of societies is increasingly centralized, power is concentrated, there is little room for diversity of solutions, small communities no longer count, there is heavy lobbying of many kinds, there is even talk of a global government.

There is an enormous politicizing of all activity in society. The forces of power that are built are strong, and they act against the individual who will have less and less – soon nothing – to say if developments continue.

Democracy is in danger of collapsing – or has it already collapsed – and we are ruled by the professionals, the investors, the unions, the lobbyists – all the entrenched forces.

So if you have dreams of a society that is tolerant, hassle-free, moves with the times, genuinely participatory …. . Are there people you can talk to about this, is there anybody who cares what you think, what you would like to see happen? Do you feel you have a say?

The state is big and getting bigger, the companies are big and getting bigger, all activity is for profit only, the ruling vision of our society in one called tunnel vision where all you can see is business and profit. This activity is now proceeding largely unchecked. This is not beneficial to humankind, me, you, our small communities, our daily life – outside forces rule us to an alarming extent.

But symbolic participation in the system, acceptance of ever increasing rules, laws, enforcements is becoming obligatory. You start in obligatory kindergarten when you are one year old, through education, work, pension until you die. There are obligations all the way and you must do what society wants you to do. The central element is paying taxes, and when taxes are high – say over 50 % you effectively work for the state – they employ you. The big company you work for is your other employer making a profit from what you do. The lock-in is complete.

To change this into a functioning democracy we must allow all voices to be heard, and the powers that be must be dispersed. We must start to talk about system changes, to adress collective issues, to rebuild our individual independence and participation, to have our community have a say, to make your country truly independent.

The basic technique is to engage in debate, to have forums where it is possible to talk freely, to see to it that ideas are shared, that action taken benefits all. There are many ways to do this – engage adversaries, stakeholders, groups of many kinds, citizens.

We elect politicians, we build elephantine bureaucracies, lobbyists of all kind are allowed to roam, we build a web of laws and rules and regulations and the rest of us are effectively silenced.

What is the true voice of the people – can we find it again? The talking – freely – must start again.

There are increasing signs of an economic divide in the world, especially among individuals, there is a huge top and bottom problem, and the long term effects of this gross inequality is becoming clear: poverty, social disruption and breakdown, distortions of many kinds.

The economic concentrations of companies/investors and states are huge and as much as 99% of us will soon see that 1% of all people of the world will control  practically everything. They have all the property, all the resources, all the money.

This also means that a proper democracy is no longer functioning, the processes of society are definitely no longer democratic. We are ruled by other the few people of higher powers than us, they are the owners of the capital, the companies, the states requiring our money, the closed political parties. The controlled media are part of the system.

It is obvious that this system can not last, the negative factors are too obvious. We are heading for change, maybe breakdown of our economic system.

The economic system we practice has no name and it has no morals, it is unchecked in every way, it lets greed have a free rein. It is truly amazing that we have ended up like this.

The continuation of this economic system will lead to ever greater profits, increasing pressure on resources including fights and even wars, higher prices for everyone in human terms. Nations are preparing for this by building a military presence in all resource rich areas. Increasing efficiency will give fewer and fewer jobs, leading to social catastrophe.

So we must clearly say that we have gone astray – we are off course in a the development of a truly sustainable good world. The good world we want has at its roots decent individual free life  where people can live fairly, where ethical standards are such that we deeply consider the wellbeing of others.

The right way from here has to do with human ethics and strong checks on the economic activity of individuals and the companies they form. The role of an overstrong state should also be checked as there must be limits to what individuals can be told to do.

The global world of investors roaming for financial prey and profit should be stopped forthwith. Economic firewalls should be put up around each country.

The poverty of individuals should be eradicated by making a basic income for all, a society wage drawn from all sources available, and based on considerations of fair sharing in every society. The way to do this has already been drawn up.

New principles of politics must be drawn up, based on wide counselling, wide participation by independent individuals.

Production should be local and small, based on local need, local ownership, local resources.

Individuals should be taught how to live harmoniously, to consider their relation to others, how to be part of a sustainable world.

You say this is naive and will not happen. Wrong again. Thinking along these lines or similar are developing, a growing number of people see what happens, and changes are seen. An economic foundation of harmonious individuals, sharing, consideration of others, the reduction or elimination of ego, a permanent and sustainable way, respect for and adaptation to the great cosmos is surely coming.

The way there is full of trouble and hard work so let us start the work right away. The forces against such a change are powerful.

“Societies of equals” is a tall order of both understanding and practice, but that is what we must have.

The engineers and designers of the world are working hard in their weapons companies to make equipment to sell to governments so that the investors can have a nice return on their investment, a profit, communities can have jobs, and we can have economic growth.

The governments use the weapons for wars: destruction of property, killing people. To keep this system going we need to make conflicts – even to the extent of dreaming up conflicts from barely nothing.

The taxpayers are paying for these wars as they are deemed necessary by our politicians, we are defending societies, freeing societies, upholding values, even protecting our lifestyle or improving democracy.

The money could clearly be spent better – e.g. schools, health, infrastructure.

Now a new development is becoming substantial, and adding to the planes, rockets, warships we already have. The era of automated remotely controlled weapons are here – remotely controlled planes and flying “things” are used with increasing success.

They come in all sizes from big planes carrying heavy loads of bombs to tiny hightech marvels that can do smart or mostly horrible things with sensors, cameras, sprays, measuring instruments, electromagnetic pulses, laser beams etc.

The US is the driving force in this development, heartily supported by the rest of NATO. The US budget is now a tragic list of numbers that are far too big for comfort, creating doubt about the future of their society in its present form. Military expenditure is about half of taxpayers money, indicating a nation gone wonky.

We surely can develop new weaponry, use our intellect to the full and kill people efficiently and in masses. But what about using this huge intellect for some new thinking making these developments unneeded? We can choose to do that? We are not zombies, are we? What about thinking and spending the money for the good of people, ending wars, use engineers and designers to improve lives, solving conflicts by intelligent negotiation?

You have heard it all before, and it can not be done?

Wrong. Forces against this madness is building, it is just plain stupid to go on like this, it causes all sorts of suffering.

Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles is a scary practice that should end now. Let also all future weapons designs rest in peace – the financing has been withdrawn and we do not need them. We can not go on killing because it makes jobs.

Let us first withdraw from all war areas, let us empty the skies, let us fill our heads with new thinking. We must start to find the answer to the great question of why there are wars so the killing can stop. Endless human and material resources are wasted, the suffering is enormous – let us change this.

A living future for all is what we can have.

The concept of a whole or holistic human being is a daunting idea. Thinking about it and starting some positive action will do good. Factors to consider are:

• Physical body – try to keep your body fit: fitness of circulation, breath, strength, agility, coordination, touch, sight, hearing…The list is very long.
• Food – what do we eat, how do we prepare it, what does it do to us, do we know enough to eat well through all stages of our life…Present knowledge of nourishment is lacking, and obvious changes should be made to improve what we do.
• Inner work – the coordination of your brain or mind, your feelings, your physical body so that is serves you well, your sex-life is all right, you become attentive and awake, use your will positively, you are harmonious both related to your self and to others, the sacrifices and suffering in your life accounted for, self-observation as a foundation for transformation, the work needed…
• Knowledge – what do we know and how do we use it, how do we gain new knowledge, having an open, innovative mind, be logical, use our intelligence, always learn new things…. School systems, continued development of knowledge are ripe fields for changes.
• Social work –  our participation in the development of society, the work we do among others, helping, improving, being a volunteer…
• Moneymaking – paid activity is required by all, choose what you love to do, do not let moneymaking dominate your life, adequate income does it, greed is not good…
• Cosmology – how do we contribute to the maintenance of the larger system around us, the “all” that we are part of. Building new consciousness and practice in this area is sorely needed.
• Creative work by using your abilities in field of your choice, be it handicrafts, music, play, theater, art…This will stimulate your mind, help you become a whole person.
• The recreation we have and participate in, music, games, handicraft, sports…

As this short list shows – life is a challenge, and one that we should take. This is really quite an undertaking and not at all easy to pull off – developing and using your abilities, find your consciousness, be what you will be, do what you will do, contribute to turning society into what you want it to be.

So establish a wish for being – then you can become harmonious, attentive, part of a wholeness, what you want – if you work hard. Many people should try this kind of work for a thrilling future.

The ideas of personal freedom must from time to time be reconsidered and viewed in light of what is happening around us. The old books of philosophy are gradually becoming outdated, the terms used do not fit any more. But that is as it should be.

In a free society we see no random use of power or extended use of power, or surprising use of power or powers used outside the law. We know what happens and we basically consent to it. This concept of freedom is vital, the transparent and accepted role of the community or state likewise. The concept of freedom is important: no dominance, no dependencies, random use of power must not be allowed. This also goes for economic power. Among countries the same should apply: Equality, balanced treaties of all kinds.

The pressures on individual freedom are increasing: rules and regulations are growing, security is increasing, economic concentration is huge, the influence of the state seems to be growing. From time to time there are outlets of frustration, real or imagined, that also add to the tightening.

Traditionally we say that people tend to maximize their rights. We need a state for many purposes: as a check on individual activity, to handle day to day business, law and order, to deal with common practicalities like school, health, infrastructure etc.

Historically this is also a power game –  how many people can you manage to push under your rule. There are many words for this: republic, liberal, libertarian, socialist, fascist. We have also had city states, republics, kingdoms, empires.

So if we go back to basics: We need individual freedom and we need a common function. The term state should perhaps be changed altogether so as to help new thinking. We need an expression of community that is widely accepted, preferably fully accepted by all. May be we should simply call it the Commons. The state need not do it all as many functions can be set up outside a state: e.g. road administration, health, education.

In most countries now the state function is growing all the time. The number of laws are increasing, the bureaucrats and officials are everywhere, new areas of activity is added. People are starting to complain about interference with basic principles of individual freedom.

Ideally you should be able to do freely what you want. But the obvious golden rule is there – do unto others what you would want others to do unto you. We can imagine that this is possible and we can all have a good society. You restrain yourself, you know what to expect, you feel safe, and you can then do what you want. This is the principle of anarchism.

The state is historically a power instrument in local, national and international terms. We have never thought of the common function otherwise – as a handler of practicalities only. States handle the power game, the foreign policy, the wars.

Now the size, power and influence of the state is an important element in a society. Some say that a big state reduces freedom. This is not necessarily so if you like and accept what is going on. It is more about having an open society where personal freedom is more important than security. We are now in troubled waters with the perceived increase of terrorism, global coordination, increased surveillance.

If the dealings of state or community becomes contrary to what we like and think, processes of change or conflict may follow. We may lose our sense of community and develop a resistance to the state. This may be temporary or it may develop into a more critical situation. The state must not become an external agent robbing or restricting you. If many people feel an alienation, there is a problem and stability may be in danger.

We can not use the old phrases of politics forever, we need new thinking. A major challenge is how to allow for great diversity and at the same time have consensus. A modern man must balance his own needs and that of society – there is a common good that we must all help build. We must also leave out the old thinking and create a modern world based on what we deeply know to be right. New concepts and new thinking are needed, and the theories need not be detailed or rigid as we work our way to a realization of full freedom and a proper sustainable common function. And as we do at home we should also do abroad.

There will be changes and variations and people will commit shameful deeds, but the big picture of freedom must be upheld and practiced. And surely this is what we all want?

Unceasing growth must end as it will lead us all into misery. The economic theories of today are based upon various forms of growth, all exponential. The dogma is that it is necessary to have growth, unstoppable  perpetual growth. We have obviously stopped thinking about what this is and what it means. It is also important to note that the political-economic system is in trouble with more or less continous crises.

Our economic system is based upon globally roaming investors putting money into mostly large scale industries and agriculture for profit. If profit falls in one place move your money to another place. Leave everything behind when you leave, just find new ventures.

There are many theories of growth, all based on dynamic, innovative thinking, new technology and about how to increase rates of return. The real need for what is produced is only of minor interest. We have all become used to this model – this is how we run the world.

Many growth theories have been put forward. Arab, classical, neo-classical, endogenous, unified, even the Big Push. Mathematical models have also been tried with no great results.

Economic growth is usually measured in terms of a percentage change of GDP or GNP. It is also adjusted for price levels and inflation. Complexity is made enourmous by economists, and economic growth is a powerful factor that can change economies in all sorts of ways.

The real intention of production  - having enough of what you need – is not good enough, so we must expand into luxuries, put money aside for power games like war, projects.

This kind of exponential growth in ever expanding economies leads to trouble and new thinking is needed.

In a good future world population growth can not be exponential, and production systems for a stable population need not be exponential either. It should be sustainable and permanently so. Facing this challenge seems to lie far into the future, but it should not be so. This is not a global question, it is about how we run our economies where we are – it is about shared responsibility. We need to start facing this challenge now. This is a challenge we do not seem to understand at the moment.

It is about a fair world: how to produce sustainably, and permanently so, in order to provide enough for everybody in the world. The obvious solution has to do with a return to small scale production, removal of the greedy profit motive, distributed ownership, higher numbers of people being involved, reduction of investor influence, local solutions with local control in all economic matters.

Must we go through a catastrophe to change things or can we sensibly and reasonably develop a good future way for all? So far development factors have been profit, power, concentration and exclusion of others, globalism and exponential growth which clearly is not sustainable and unfair too.

The way ahead may mean less of many things for the few, and many more things for all. The powers for fair change must grow or the system is going to break down. It is easy to see which way we are heading now – it is not going to be pretty. There will be pain and anger if we do not change our ways. It is perhaps not possible to change a development direction that has been under way for hundreds of years?

Being capable of such grand thinking – a good world for all – that is the challenge.

The US has been downgraded – President Obama has been hurt. The economics of the world is in turmoil. And the hedge funds are making money out of this? Have we gone soft in our heads and lost our determination?

The information we get through the media about what is going on is severely lacking in both principles and practicalities. The news about the downgrading were stalled for many hours because there were processes going on. A publishing prohibition was put out. Now who can do that, and why should the media obey?

There is no longer any analysis to be found anywhere. The public, the voters have not a clue about what happens or why it happens. There are obviously forces at work that not able or willing to tell the story – so we are left helpless. The processes of international politics are in bad shape.

From stories in the press – they also seem to be guesswork only and from hidden places – we can ask many questions.

• Why must everybody be dependent upon everybody else? Are there no firewalls, no safe sections? When it goes, everything will go? This is truly irresponsible economic management!
• Is there really only one economic/financial system and that is controlled by crisis makers, gamblers, speculators?
• Have the politicians – including the president of the US – and regulators of the world been sidelined?
• Do we understand what rule IFRS9 about mark-to-market accounting of sovereign debt in European banks’ balance sheets means? It is about reserves, short term thinking versus long term thinking. Who does the thinking and practising here? It seems the people in charge do not understand the technicalities fully?
• Bank stress tests that have been published show exposure of individual banks and that makes it possible for speculators to start runs. Are the hedge funds doing this, making money and damaging the rest of us? When politicians and regulators make a mistake somebody should profit from it – massively – and the rest of us are left to suffer?
• How big are these hedge funds and other speculators – massive? Can they damage nations, currencies? Is Soros a saint or a crook?
• Who is in charge of the regulators requiring extreme changes in the quality of bank reserves in the middle of a crisis?
• Is raiding by speculators an acceptable practice in our economic system? High frequency raiding – maybe daily raiding? What and who will be attacked today?
• How can the US be downgraded by S&P? The US is not a company, it will not default, it can increase taxes, it can print money. What game is being played here.
• Who is Deven Sharma, S&P and of Bilderberg fame? Is he acting upon somebody’s orders? (Now the scams and hoaxes industry will gear up – is the big agenda behind it all showing itself?)

The picture now is one of confusion – the wise people are not able to make themselves heard. The regulators are seemingly not cooperating internationally, the politicians are in deep waters, their inability is obvious, the way we run things must be considered afresh.

The outcome of this is uncertain – long term stability is wanting. But the wild and greedy forces have to be tamed – ASAP.