What Kind of World Do We Want to Live In?
Building Something Fresh From Scratch
People ask me what I like to do for fun. About my job. My race. My religion. They ask me where I live, whether I have children, what kind of music I like, and what I eat for dinner.
These are all important questions. It is good to know the people around us. But each answer boxes me in.
If I tell someone I like listening to rap music or that my favorite movie is Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death, then a stereotype forms. I’m the rap guy. I like dumb movies. My intelligence is questioned (as it should be, if that’s my favorite movie). I am placed in a box in someone’s mind.
This happens with political discussions, too. People want us to put an answer in a box, choosing from imperfect solutions. I don’t want an imperfect solution; I want something better.
Recently, the Libertarian candidate for president of the United States, Gary Johnson, was asked the following question: If someone placed a gun to your head and made you choose between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, which one would you choose?
Johnson said he’d rather someone just pull the trigger. That’s a poor answer; it would have been better to grab the gun and turn it on the idiot asking the questions. Even better, turn away from violence: throw away the gun and tell the questioner to wake up. But at least Johnson thought “outside of the box” by refusing to choose Tweedle-dee or Tweedle-dummer.
We should focus on that question, not his answer. Because THAT KIND OF QUESTION is exactly what is wrong with the world today.
The world is imperfect. To address its problems, we are asked to choose between two flawed solutions. We are asked to check one box representing our view. Not only do we not have other choices, but we are forced to choose from only one system that perpetuates this crap.
Unfortunately, boxes do not solve problems.
When the government and private economy are not capable of producing positive solutions to real problems, then it’s time to face reality. The current system is ineffective because its design or behavior is flawed.
Real solutions must come from the ground up.
I want someone to ask me: “Richard, what kind of world do you want to live in?” Because when that happens, it will mean that people understand it’s time to look beyond the box. If we are going to solve the real world’s real problems, those solutions must come from the ground up, not the top down.
It begins with trust, respect, and shared values. We must trust our neighbors and the people around us. We must respect their views and allow their voices to be heard. We must search for common ground and recognize that all of us share many of the same values.
Using those values as a basis, we can begin to build consensus around ideas that make our society better. And from there, the work begins of carrying out positive change.
So the next time someone asks me what kind of world I want to live in, I will mention a few things I would like to see.
1.) No violence.
2.) Trust between individuals and trust between groups.
3.) A diversity of people involved and participating actively in solving society’s problems.
4.) A governance system that focuses on making the world better. And keeps itself out of the way the rest of the time.
5.) A real economy, based on goods and services which add tangible, practical value. No sketchy derivatives or monetary instruments that add nothing.
6.) A widespread focus on helping everybody win, providing opportunities for progress and success.
7.) Fun. Keep It Fun!
When we recognize how much we all have in common, that creates trust. Trust and common interests will foster a consensus on many of the problems we share. Together, we can discuss these issues and create meaningful solutions. It will work if we respect one another and build from the ground up.
No, wait! Not “ground up” like grinding up coffee beans. I wrote, “from the ground up”. That means…
…planting or building something from the ground up. But it’s all the same; it’s all good. It turns out that coffee grounds make a terrific garden fertilizer, too. From the remnants of the old, we can build something fresh and new.
Peace, Richard, @steemship
References:
Gary Johnson story: http://www.businessinsider.com/gary-johnson-view-aleppo-2016-9
Image 1: Creative Commons, @ jgbarah via Flickr.
Image 2: A logo of the Transition Network, which has some wonderful ideas for helping society and farms rebuild: https://transitionnetwork.org
Photos 3 and 4: Public Domain
I agree with your idea's premise, but not its efficacy. Ideally, a system could be built from the ground up, inclusive of all the basic points you list. However, some are not so do-able. We will never live in a world without violence, and even more-so, developing a fun agreeable environment for some, often leads to the opposite for others. I like your idea, and I agree that bunking outside the box, like Gary did is necessary, but that doesn't necessarily mean reinvent the wheel. In some cases, we can start with one system and iterate to something we actually like
Certainly that may be possible. But the current system places so many unnecessary restraints on progress and problem-solving. I tend to think that if society creates a more functional model that is capable of really making some positive difference, then governments will either adapt or become less relevant. The nation-state box is not the only way to look at this and I'm ready to step beyond it. Easier said than done? Perhaps, but we need to start somewhere.
I don't like this argument. Well, its really just a statement I guess. What makes you know beyond any doubt that we will never live in a world without violence? Just because it seems like we never have, doesnt mean we never will. Thats merely an opinion, albeit a common one, but to me it has not been proven that we cannot create a world without violence. I actually think it is inevetible as we learn from our mistakes and evolve over time. Why is it not possible? One of the first hurtles to overcome is this idea that it is impossible!
That's the world we all wanna live in! Excpect from the guy holding the gun ;)
I loved this one, excellent read!
This article is useful and it was pleasant to read! But my opinion: In any shape or form World it is possible to live and it would be perfectly if everywhere it was justice, kindness, honesty and Order !)
For the most part I think we all just want to have a good job which is the basis for a good life and we need to hold people accountable for the decisions they make.
I don't think it's the job. I'd rather have no job and do things i love on my own schedule. What we all really want is what we need - food, water, shelter - and a guarantee that those things won't be stolen from us.
Thay frees us up to do anything we want and freedom leads to happiness and a good life.
This is all true. People want a scape goat and an excuse for all lifes promises. They want some sort of answer but an answer they will like. Sometimes we hear the truth and dont like it. Alot of us maybe cant face or admit the truth about themselves. As for no voilence.... Thats just not going to happen. Greed and lust power is written deeply into our dna. Most technological advacements that revolutionized how we live came from times of war. As for a better world. A better world would be one without humans. The planet doesnt need us but we need it. Yes we polute and destroy, we cause global warming because of greed and we keep doing it tomthis very day. Thank goodness for bitcoin. It is making the economy bareable in difficult times. Bitcoin florishes during a time when money is rare and times are tough and i think thats just amazing. Long live bitcoin ! Its a revolution join it or be left behind. I have faith in steem. Long live steem !!
Even if there are no real "world leaders", there are for shure too many too rich people compared to the rest. These guys claim the leadership against each other and in order to gain more power they fight. The problem is that any control over someone else imbalances the power and grows the damage of a conflict. So these "fights" are calles wars an the Damage is huge... And there comes money and governments into play...
So i see the only stable solution truely is anarchy with one problem.
Unfortunalely the way to get there ist bloody. Just because people refuse to think an act for themselves, and these people have to go...
Today these people fight for the military, collect taxes, and so on. In a brighter future such people hopefully just arent raised.
It seems harsh, but i really think the only Laws that should exist are natural law (philosophical) and Physical Law for individuals which dont get the first one.
Check out Mark Passio:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTqcKb3T1QVbOHT8LIFs3xg
Really great information to straighten your worldview...