A new economy?

Years ago the term New Economy[1] was in and it referred to the huge possibility of change by the use of INTERNET and in fact we are seeing this effect already, accelerated by the pandemic.

However, there is a, let’s call it, a novel economy – an economy which emphasizes simplicity, less expense and a circular economy[2] (recycling, reusing, etc.).

I would like to focus on simplicity, a quality that changes the perception of consumes and production, two of the axes of a society from the economic point of view.

It changes the perspective of a flower, a plant, a loaf of bread, water and air… When you live on the basis of simplicity the minimum is often the maximum.

Even though it wouldn’t stimulate the gigantic monster created by an economy of consumerism, it would give relief to people and the environment, and probably would bring more equality in our society. Eventually, I am sure it would improve the economy in a very sustainable way.

In an individual, the effects are extremely clear: not only you don’t spend too much, but you are able to save and to have an aim in life different than buying something somewhere; there is a change in the effort you make for living and how you see your life.

Simplicity is like an earthquake that destroys anything that is extra, leaving what is really important.

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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_economy

 

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_economy

 

A better world

Everything we do is related to a better world we want to create. When we build a new building, a house or just take a child to a school, our best hopes is that will create a better world.

Of course, a better world will have economy, social structure and science operating. It is part of human civilization to have a culture, customs and ideas to share among all. That means to create a better world is to create a better economy, a better social structure, a better science, better culture, better customs and better ideas...

The implication is that it is something difficult, even impossible. As an individual I can't see how I am contributing for that, we can never forget the effect we have on each other. In a subtle and obvious way, we influence others through our behavior, reaction, gestures, ideas, thoughts, vibrations, feelings and words. In this way, we help direct others towards a better world, or to remain in this old and worse world (after all, that is the implication of creating a better world...).

I feel personally that all of us could be in heaven right now. If we share what we have, if we help each other... but then I remember the only thing I can do is to create a better me and I start doing all of that.

Yes, a better world won't be created by a coup d'état or some marvelous invention. Many better people working with that aim in mind, they will generate a better world.

So, why not starting right now? From your mind and thoughts, from your vibration and feelings, from a smile and a phone call to someone, from recycling and using resources in a better way... We can start right now. I, you, can start right now.

Let's do it.

Can democracy survive?

As a social species, we need to organize ourselves. Even when anarchy or chaos reigns, still we, as humans, organize ourselves in some way, as it is shown in the many attempts during history to establish a society without a government where everyone was equal. As some people say, these societies naturally reached a point where "everyone is equal, but some are more equal than others".

Therefore, one of the crucial questions we have to ask ourselves at this new century is: what is the best way to organize our societies?

That is a question for world scholars and those people who are engaged in these topics. "Organize" does not only mean defining the type of government, its meaning is broader than that. And it is so important that an idea comes, and very soon.

As we see, the world looks like a ship without a captain, trying to find its route on the waves of life. There is no logic in what is happening, and there shouldn't be as we are during a confluence period.

Before, we had the horrible struggle between democracy - a system that started in the past and provided an enticing way to put people on the rule of themselves - and non-democracy - varying from dictatorship to systems where a party, a small group of people, ruled over the rest.

I am saying before... I am aware this struggle still exists, but I can see it is part of a transition period.

On one hand, democracy got corrupted, sorry, there is no other word. At some places, dictators openly use democracy to justify their rule, as they are able to convince others to vote on them forever, taking one of the big benefits that came with democracy which is the variety of opinions and possibilities. At others, corruption is literal and power is split between those with more money or more influence.

On the other hand, people are awakening, and fast. They are overthrowing their own governments, demanding more participation and fighting for their own liberty. Sometimes, just as it happens when you awake after a deep sleep and you are not sure what you are doing, they make more wrongs than rights, but it is their learning process...

So, what will come then? That was the question, more focused into economics, Peter Drucker used to ask too. In fact, he predicted a time when poor would cross that invisible line and will fight the rich.

Economy is just part of the whole picture, and a small one, as we move from one world system to another.

While others probably are seeing a big hurricane coming, and very fast, where governments will be replaced either by chaos or tyrants, I am on the side of the dreamers. I think we are creating a new world, where all our learning from past mistakes will make earth into a real paradise. I do believe in that...

The art of administration (The 16 celestial arts)

During a long time, we valued food, water and all that came from earth more than anything. People were considered rich because of how much land they had, not necessarily money... Later, mass-production turned into the main stream of our economy - we started to value a watch more than potatoes, even though we can't possibly eat a watch!

Not long ago, commerce and services took over. For some time, places which didn't produce anything but who were able to sell products well became famous around the world.

But then... I still remember when Microsoft, a software company that really does not produce anything you can eat or touch, became the most powerful company in the world, showing the last part of this Historical Economic Evolution: information is the most valuable thing in the world nowadays. The example of how people in poor countries skip a meal to be able to keep their cell phone working shows what we really value nowadays...

We are all on the inflection point of History... and we still don't know what will happen next. Many people has been prophesying it and we all know it is about to happen. Signs?

• People are trying to be simpler, going back to their original way of life.
• Organic food is a must! Nature is fashionable.
• Dozens of millions of people have watched the video "I forgot my phone" showing what is undeniable: people would love to forget their phone (cell, mobile, tablet, etc.).
• And, come one, your dream vacation place is not a city full of buildings, traffic and machines all around you... which indicates the preferences in your heart.

But before the big change happens, something we didn't realize has taken place. With all the economic changes, we really didn't let go of the past things. Different than what some scholars say about paradigm, when the new paradigm came, you held on the old one too.

So, your list of possessions is, I am sure, a very long one. Add to that intangibles like time and talents and you will have a book of possessions. Question is, how to manage all that?

Keeping success in your life relies on your capacity of administrating all you have, because everyone in this world has something valuable to another person who lacks it. It can be potatoes, or the capacity of making a chair, a sweet, or selling that to others and turning into money, or the capacity of creating a webpage, where people can exchange their talents...

Administration is an art. When it comes not from the desire to earn money, respect or fame, but from a genuine need or the desire to help others, or simply because you have that beautiful thing in yourself and you want to express yourself freely and openly, that means it comes from a different awareness.

Much of the success nowadays is based on that awareness. Look at the free stuff in internet, it is simply overwhelming. In fact, if someone just has the money for connecting and some hardware, he or she should be able to have all they need in terms of software for free. Because it comes from people who have so many treasures they don't mind sharing them with others...

Administration is not cutting or avoiding expenses. It is know how to use and spend whatever you have. The key is the authenticity you have inside.

Listen to your heart before spending money.
Listen to your heart before charging someone of something you have done.
Listen to your heart, and you will be an expert of this art.

Back to the New Economy!

Hi, sorry for the absence. Sometimes, my trips take to places where using internet becomes a luxury in many senses, but I am back to my present base.

Some years ago, I've got very interested in the topic of New Economy. It seemed to me quite exciting, really, a nice alternative to the communism/capitalism antagonism the world lived for many decades.

Then, it seemed it just disappeared in thin air, just like any other fashion. So, imagine my surprise when I saw those terms again... but, after a while, they merged into my mind again. But I started to notice many things around me.

First of all the present contradictions. Yes, if you an economist you could explain to me WHY USA HAS BECOME THE PLACE WHERE INVESTORS SENT THEIR MONEY, when that country was responsbile for the last (and many other) crisis in the first place. But, beyond your explanation, the fact we are living in this kind of economic limbo of New Economy, give me a very powerful idea: WHATEVER WE HAVE LEARNT IN THE PAST IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE.

That means, we all must learn different things in a different way. In a very different way. Can you explain why one of the most horrible songs uploaded in Youtube has become one of the most watched videos? Things are foggy.

So, I invite you to learn and teach different things in different ways, so that our human brotherhood can thrive successfully through the sometimes-dark waters of change.