Category: Blog

What steps would be needed to transition towards this free world now?

There’s a bit of a chicken and egg thing going on here. Some people believe changing the environment will bring change in people. Others believe changing people’s behaviour must happen first. Of course, both are right to a degree. We are shaped by our environment, but we also shape our environment with our actions.

Clearly the world is at a crossroads, with many groups claiming we need a radical system shake-up. But is a money-free world really the answer? More to the point, is it even possible? I discussed my take on these issues and tackled the tough questions in a recent interview. Here’s the full transcript…

First off, what is a ‘freeworlder’?

I get asked this so many times that I thought maybe it’s time to write an article on it.

Of course, it’s an absolutely natural response for anyone to question the motives of someone like me who wants to promote a moneyless world, and then asks for money to do it. I get that. I really do. But I would ask those who pose the question to also extend that same empathy and see it from the opposite point of view.

My mother, in all her wisdom, always told me it was rude to answer a question with a question. For the most part, she was right. (Though maybe she was just fed up with me asking ‘why?’ all the time!) What she was referring to really was answering a question such as “Where’s your bicycle?” with something as glib and smart-alecky as “Why do you want to know?” or something like that.

Many will know me as a tireless online campaigner for a more equitable and sustainable future through The Free World Charter, this site Freeworlder and a myriad of Facebook pages promoting a moneyless world. After six years of this, I have decided to reduce my online activism drastically. Why? Because online activism, in this day and age, is just not worth it.

The current top of the range model Ferrari is the F12 Berlinetta – a 12-cylinder beast which will get you up to 200kmh in 8.5 seconds (perfect for those last minute shopping trips), and which will set you back around $320,000 or so.

I’m kind of amazed that I feel I have to write this, when surrounded by so many people already in agreement with a moneyless world, yet who, for some reason, seem to think that a Universal Basic Income will somehow get us there. Personally, I can’t think of anything that would bring us further from a moneyless world – to the point where I am even having ‘conspiratorial’ suspicions as to the origins and impetus of this idea.

A few people have been asking about the difference between an Open Economy and a Resource-Based Economy, so I thought I’d make a post about it.

In a broad sense, the two concepts are the same – a more abundant, peaceful and sustainable world beyond money and borders. The difference is in the fundamental approach of arriving to this destination.

1. It’s Feasible

Because technology can – and already does – most of the hard work for us now.

Producing all of life’s necessities like food, clothing and building is already many times easier today than forty years ago, and it’s only going to get easier. Automated vertical farming, advanced cultivating techniques and 3D printed clothing and homes are already here.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This article was the essay that ultimately inspired the writing of the book Into The Open Economy which expanded on many more details than are described here. I would recommend reading the book which you can download freely as a signatory the Free World Charter or purchase online.