There Is Such A Thing Called Free Lunch!
Today, I want to investigate the root causes and solutions to this common saying.
#TANSTAAFL
Everything has a price, even a free lunch.
Here's where #TANSTAAFL first appeared in Robert Heinlein's 1966 scifi novel The Moon is a Harsh Mistress -
"Oh, 'tanstaafl', Means ~ There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. And isn't, or these drinks would cost half as much. Was reminding her that anything free costs twice as much in long run or turns out worthless."
"An interesting philosophy."
"Not philosophy, fact. One way or other, what you get, you pay for."
If something is free, what's the catch?
Such is our universal human premonition. The general consensus says that nothing should be given out for free without proof of work. Hand-outs contain hidden social costs, and that needs to be compensated. Resistance within the flow of social interactions is required to distribute wants and needs over longer periods of time.
Such abstract resistance gives rise to currency. Cash, money, and all its forms. Rulers of the old world used it to ration resources, preserving their own coffers. New world governments are no different. The #TANSTAAFL phenomenon must continue, symbolic to the century-long disputes that has been going on for capitalism, communism, socialism, anarchism.. and so many other isms.
The only real catch here is money.
Scarcity-spawned political labels, mental limitations.
Scientifically, #TANSTAAFL simply means that the universe is a closed system. Every action has a reaction, and our lunches must come from something else exhaustible. Everything comes in limited quantity.
Economically, #TANSTAAFL explains opportunity cost. You need to sacrifice something in order to get something else. You can only get something for nothing if you have previously gotten nothing for something. If somebody gets something for free, somebody else is actually going to pay for it. The abstracted social cost urges us not to give hand-outs to someone that "doesn't deserve it".
#TANSTAAFL may be a sound aphorism, but it divides us and limits our imagination. I believe that every sociopolitical ideologies are noble in its intent, but lacking technical solutions to achieve its aspirations. Like communism back in the days - how do you provide food and shelter for the masses? It was socially and technologically impossible back then.
Capitalism with all its speedy, haphazard shuffling of resources all over the world has undoubtedly brought us accelerated technological progress. Especially with all its concentrated, institutionalized efforts. With so many leaps and bounds in cost reduction, surely #TANSTAAFL is not so much of a thing anymore? But It still lingers.
Albert Einstein once said "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them". Maybe it's time to tear down the words and labels that we use to divide ourselves. Such limitations in human thought necessarily puts limitation to our human freedom.
There is no one size that fits all. And surely there is no such thing as a utopia, The kids of tomorrow would want something different. What remains is for us to start developing enabling technologies and social constructs to empower any individuals to live freely. For freedom to begin, #TANSTAAFL must be solved.
Here's the good news - the world is already moving towards eliminating the notion of #TANSTAAFL.
Because people are inherently good and awesome.
Fuck #TANSTAAFL, get free lunches.
Everyone loves free stuff. Let's not deny that. It doesn't matter which sociopolitical spectrum you fit right in. We definitely don't mind free stuff - most of us were born into this world clueless and taken care of.
Alright before you jump your gun calling me a commie bastard, allow me to expand on the idea of what is free. Below is the trivium of free stuff:-
Free calories: These are life sustaining products. Energy, food, water, shelter.
Free carats: You don't really need them, but they are essential for diversifying human activities.
Free love: Think about your friends, family, lovers. But love will only be free when a person is free.
In fact, free is the reason why you're here on Steemit. To free yourself.
So what are the market forces in the world currently on its way to consolidating the trivium of free stuff? Here's the list of socioeconomic pressures, enabled by progress in technology.
Cryptocurrencies: Governments no longer define your set of values. With cryptocurrencies, you have the choice in dealing with a web of crpytocurrencies to define your own set of values. Decentralized exchanges will mean less friction, minimizing loss in the shuffling of values across social networks.
The Sharing Economy: This goes from open source projects and DIY circles, to decentralized social constructs that enable sharing. Think about distributed manufacturing (3d-printing), in-house farming, library of goods, university cities, social networks, and timeshared properties. All without governmental coercion.
Renewables: Total abundance renders monetary value obsolete. Think about renewable energies, recyclable 3-d printing materials, and individual / communal farming. The hard problem of free calories, carats, love - to be solved or to be solved in one fell swoop. Renewables are going to change the world for the better.
Global, Decentralized Forums: Such as Steemit, mankind is beginning to consolidate humanly issues all around the world, from first world to third world problems. This will in turn the general consensus with clearer paths for progress.
Space-Ventures: We can start sending terrorists to outer space. They can be kings in their own planets. Jokes aside, a space-faring focused civilization would foster cooperation, and be inspired by the wealth of options and abundance available throughout the universe.
Lifting the human spirit out of the trenches of the #TANSTAAFL
Without worries about self-sustainability, people can begin to put more time to continuously learn and build on their many passions. We are currently at the cusp of the free lunch revolution, and I'm sure some of you have already begun to feel its effects.
Contrary to popular belief, handouts do not demotivate individuals. Being in a socially-conscious society with enabling technologies, we are now far better equipped with the insight to decide on our paths. And it's not quite like a handout on Steemit.
Subjective proof of work is vetted by the social network, compensating you for your effort. Handouts are misleading. It is better to call it personalized incentives - the product of many intertwined socioeconomic innovations, providing the net effect of basic income (true work/play paradigm).
Have free lunch, will make the world a better place.
What if I tell you that's the only work that anyone needs to do?
What about the lazy bastards?
Personally, I think everyone has their own value. If you think about the Dude from The Big Lebowski - what are his values? Does he deserve a free handout? After all, he has no part in the many human dramas and technological progress made by others around the world. So do you. The sun and planet never asks you for money, not even a single penny. Only governments and rent-seekers do that.
And here's one thing about lazy bastards. A man with ambition can be bought, corrupted. The unambitious man can never be bought. The unambitious man will be an anomaly, just like The Mule. Even Hari Seldon could never predict such a thing. The unambitious man may be the black swan of the world's power order.
And hey, who's not lazy every once in awhile?
A shared world requires decentralized governance, powered by anarchism and voluntarism
In a better world, Earth and all its resources are our common heritage. Energy-unlimited cryptocurrencies running on top of a material-limited resource-based economy will certainly be an interesting proposition. The backbone of such an implementation should not be based on coercion. But rather, a technological yardstick that runs in the background for any individuals / communities deliberation.
Everyone's mind is the real money
Money is just fiction, a global delusion that everyone shares. Remember that currency is the abstract representation of social interactions, of minds speaking to each other. That is where the real money lies. Power to change our value system comes from within.
It's not there isn't a free lunch. The fact is, there isn't such a thing called money. Only human values.
So are you going to accept freedom and free lunches?
I have upvoted you because this seems to be worth discussing.
But boy, there is, imho, some seriously muddled thinking here.
For instance: "In fact, free is the reason why you're here on Steemit."
Now, that may be the reason you are here on steemit. But how would you know why I am here on steemit?
"Because people are inherently good and awesome."
While that may be true of the small number of conscious and awake people, it is certainly not true of people in general who are little more than automatons reacting to external stimuli. When everything is going well and they have full bellies - they are "good and awesome". But let them be gripped by hunger or panic and see just how noble they then act. Have you ever been confronted by an angry mob? I have.
Angry mobs are not the norm. As a percentage, they make up a very small slice of human activity. If you read Steven Pinker's The Better Angels of our Nature you might see that, on the whole, humanity is progressing forward to a more peaceful existence and that's a view supported by empirical evidence. Our own personal experiences tend to bias us towards an anecdotal explanation of reality, which is often fundamentally flawed.
Angry mobs may make up a very small slice of human activity. Unfortunately manufactured opinions and beliefs, instilled by corporate media into the masses, are practically universal.
Too true. When people get all tin-hat about "mind control" I often respond with, "Well of course mind control exists. It's simply a matter of controlling the inputs to the system of our mental faculties based on generic world views." I think more and more people are waking up to the mind control systems in place. Main stream media is bleeding in terms of their active audience. Decentralized media and the removal of "gatekeepers" for information is having a drastic impact on humanity. We're still quite new to this Internet thing, but so far it's showing a future which I'm pretty excited about it.
Very good point !
Most often I describe those kind of reactions or beliefs as being self constructed conclusions from "Failed Logic". Such as the concept of "TANSTAAFL" to mean it doesn't cost anything (is Free) when in fact it cost someone, something to produce.
On a side note: I have a theory which is relevant (I believe) in this case. And that is the "illusion transition to delusion" system that creates personal "beliefs". Illusion is a false presentation of facts (externally produced), (such as propaganda) or even a "magic trick" to (young children) and they come to believe this as TRUTH, therefore becoming (Internal) "deluded" or delusional. Again, using what is called "failed logic".
I am sorry if I am not articulate enough to convey my intentions or concepts properly, as I am not a "writer" but I am at least trying to relay concepts and "ideas".
Read More, Reason More ... JTS
I'm sure this is supposed to remind me of a movie quote, but I can't figure it out. Was it something the Joker said in Nolans Batman movies? BTT:
No, let them be well-fed and comfortable. Only psychopaths let others be gripped by hunger and panic.
I've revised the first part :) As for people are inherently good and awesome - i always like to look like the kindness that strangers give especially if you're in foreign land. But the opposite could be happening eh? I think i'm just a tad optimistic here.
Thanks for pointing this out.. good points to consider.. i'll think about it today and see if i can make better arguments on my post. THanks for the support :D
Your 50 hours of work on this post shines through!!!
This post is full of powerful writing and ideas, thanks for sharing :-)
Thanks @anwenbaumeister - glad you enjoyed it :) Those are nice words to take into my sleep.. which i need now :). Cya in a bit!
Man, you killed it with this post. So well written. Thank you!
I see money as a ledger. That's all it is and that's how it started. It's how we keep track of who is providing value to other human beings, who owes us something and who we owe something to. The blockchain is the best ledger ever invented, so it's the best form of money ever invented.
It's true, money is a "delusion", but the ledger concept is not. If I want to interact with others in a way that rewards me for my efforts and recognizes the efforts of others, a ledger system seems to be the best way to do that accurately. Money is how we track human values. If a better system existed, I'd gladly use it. Unfortunately, money and economics in general relies on a concept of scarcity. If something isn't scarce, it isn't valued. Try going without air for 5 minutes and see how much you actually value it. Scarcity isn't the best yardstick for figuring out what we truly value. A clean environment, sustainability, travel to and sustained colonies on other planets to avoid existential risks, etc... these are things, I'm hoping, we'll come to value more as a species.
Wow nice response, yes the ledger is a mechanism! It's true that scarcity isn't the best yardstick for measuring value.. there was an interesting article before that I read about avoiding GDPs / other financial indicators when assessing the health/wealth of a nation. -
Interesting concept... "cultural psychopaths." Also
Wow. That's a very concise way to think about the role of government.
Good insight there.
So... Ireland then, yeah? Interestingly the U.S. isn't in the top ten. 21st? Not so great.
Good stuff, Kevin. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting post. Though I've got a question.
Why do you think sufficiently advanced technology (e.g. in renewables, and 3d printing) will be open to anyone other than a minority of people, and not fiercely protected with patents and force?
As an aside, this sounds like some sort of voluntary collectivism, which imo will never be widespread.
Great post, though!
IMO, history seems to show the commoditization of advanced technology over time. The phone in my hand has more computing power than super computers of old, etc.
yes, a 'Good" country would be nice ...
I missed this TED, TY !
I think the real parable to TASTAAFL, isn't to do with value but rather is to do with knowing costs.
At it's face it appears TANSTAAFL ignores that things can have different marginal values between individuals. This difference in marginal value is why trade happens at all, and people only trade if it increases the value of their world. What this means is, even if there is a future 'cost' to something taken for free, since value is subjective the cost may be nothing of value to you. But conversely it could also be something of tremendous value to you.
That is why I think the real lesson is about knowing what you are trading, and that something "free" simply means you lack knowledge of the actual cost upfront.
That's a very interesting take on tanstaafl :) thank you!
Wow that last animation was awesome. The symbol of freedom
yes i agree
i've saved that up a long time ago.. finally a good place where i can use it :)
somebody requested that kevinwong do the "ultimate blog post", and here it is
Hahah. Thanks for the support brother :) Remember watching some of your vids that you expressed the same thing about money too!
Fukn Sweet Dude... If I wasn't actually loving my job and doing everything I do on here... I'd definitely be the black swan anomaly you mentioned... Just like I responded in @the-alien post a couple days ago... I'm in my own little world right now... just lazy, CREATIVE GOOD SHXX but still lazy
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the support man :) You keep doing you!
you too bro... keep doing, you... our contributions and opinions on steemit are setting examples for everyone to follow.
keep it up
@kevinwong Ok this is a fantastic post. However you need to understand the origin of the saying, because it has become completely divorced from it's meaning.
No such thing as a free lunch, was NEVER intended to indicate that there are no free lunches or free items etc.
In fact it's meaning comes from the fact that when people are homeless and hungry they can go to soup kitchens and other public service organizations. Unfortunately there is a tendency to value "free things" as having no value.
Thus the saying is implied to mean you need to be greatful for the work and effort involved in anything. Because even if it's given to you at no charge, someone had to work to make it and you devalue them and their efforts when you lack graciousness and appreciation for that effort.
So the saying isn't message to get off your ass. It's not challenge to find free crap. It's a gentle reminder that everything, even free things, have value to those who make them and therefore they should be valued by those who are fortunate to receive them, regardless of the cost paid.
Excellent post, upvoted and of course I've been following you for awhile! Keep up the great work!
I liked your interpretation of TANSTAAFL
Actually tanstaafl (imho) was an explanation to the layman (without getting into the complexities of economics) that as Newton explains "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". Nothing is "Free" because it takes productivity to create .. (someone "HAS" to pay AND DID) for that Free lunch. It IS a concept of balance, there can be no consumption without creation, or "You can't get something for (FROM) nothing"
I would agree with your definition @jtstreetman. As I was first introduced to "TANSTAAFL" by an adamant electronics teacher in college while explaining the characteristics of energy. I like to hear all the interpretations of this idea though. And I think much of the diversity in the discussion comes from the fact that the word "free" has such a varied interpretation as well. I noticed this while reading @williambanks thoughts on this subject. A subject that interests me to a great degree!
as a basically retired electronics tech, I can relate, "conservation of energy" ... same concept ..
as a basically retired electronics tech, I can relate, "conservation of energy" ... same concept ..
HEAR ! lol I am an older guy, so I (Listen) to the concept, NOT pick apart the words that are written, I call that being "Legalistic" ... so many can't grasp the concept because they are dissecting what is written. ie, You wrote here instead of hear, but I understood what you were saying because I listen to the "concept" of what your saying .. People need to understand, the word free, in this case it means "something for nothing " the concept of TANSTAAFL means there is NO SUCH THING AS FREE ... a Dime laying on the street is NOT FREE, it cost YOU energy to reach down and pick it up ... NOTHING is free ... except sunlight .. air is NOT free .. it cost YOU energy to breath it !
I see, that's one take on it - probably true too. As I understand from the context in which the author was positioned in back in the days - there were certainly anti-communist undertones. Thanks for dropping by such a good explanation on TANSTAAFL - really interesting to see what are people's thoughts on this subject matter. Thanks for the support brother :)
It's always my hope that my commentary adds a little to each blog I comment in. So thanks for that.
You're very welcome kevinwong you're a great poster. Keep up the great work and thanks for stopping by my blog too!
@onevoluntaryist WELL SAID !!!
"...anti-communist undertones."? Read the author's works. He was a libertarian. What does Marx say about re-distribution? What do governments tell their welfare recipients? They tell the beneficiaries they have a "right" to someone else's produce. If you have it coming, do you say thank you? Or do you say, "Give me more, and make it quick."? The latter. And do you support a monster who brokers the transfer? Of course. Do you care if they get rich? Not as long as they deliver your loot. Oh, excuse me, "What you deserve". The author of TANSTAAFL was reminding the people who would like to forget they are receiving stolen goods/services that someone worked for their "free lunch". It was not "free" to produce, it took work. And in some cases, it was not freely given, it was taken by force. It is considered impolite to mention this nowadays, but it is not considered impolite to denigrate the producers, as was shown by openly hostile democratic delegates at the convention. They declared, one and all, business profits should be taken away, and if that caused bankruptcy, ah ah, too bad. That is the mental state, the insane anti-productive mentality of many people who are 3rd,4th, & 5th generation welfare/govt. worker socialists.
WELL SAID !!!
Hello ! I usually don't post my age because of the "Age Racist" these days ...
I am 55 and live in the usa, and every day I grow more and more disgusted with these so called Americans. See, I'm from another planet, I grew up pulling weeds or churning milk for butter (Infant or a young child work) or I DIDN'T eat. That was a rule, no work, no food. (lack of manners at the dinner table got you sent away from the table, NO FOOD) ... I hate these people that I see every day ... They think freedom means a way of life to get any and everything without doing ANY work at all ... I will not cry anymore, lol I plan going to Mexico soon ... These retards can have the usa and swim in their own feces ... USA = Uneducated Socialist Asylum.
The ONLY thing I can think of that is free is sunlight ... air is NOT free ... You have to use energy to breath .. TANSTAAFL is what some of us LIVE by, MY mantra anyway !
"I think, therefore I am" (MY definition of Freedom ! ) I do appreciate your attempt to educate, but my friend, Sheep do not understand even simple concepts spoken in english.
I wish you freedom !
Read More, Reason More ... JTS
I'm absolutely amazed. Thanks for combining all these words to a great piece!
Glad you enjoyed it! :D
In my country you can find lots of free lunches from colleagues and friends. That's why we are known of our hospitality.