Zeigeist 2 and Scarcity

[brandondrury]

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of the Zeitgeist - The Movie

I think number is a good 101 to the universe (at least my universe) and part 2 is where it gets REALLY good. It offered solutions to problems that have plagued my thoughts for years about inherit limitations of capitalism and/or socialism.

In Zeigeist 2 they discuss that the only real thing our enonomic systems have going for them is scarcity. The only things of any monetary value are those things that are limited in quantity in one way or another. They discuss a future, for example, where clean energy, information, and food are so abundant that there is really no real need to charge for it like is done now. It takes a while to come to grips with a future like this, but the more I think about it the more I like it.

On some levels it starts to smell like communism, but I've concluded the major difference is communism still relies on the concept of scarcity. This form of ecomonics is kind of a "nothing government". It's a step closer to 100% total freedom without all the benefits of anarchy to a select few.

As I've paid attention, I've become absolutely sickened with our cultures obsession with scarcity. We go through enormous efforts to make sure that only a select few have access to what could be beneficial to everyone. I'm just as guilty as anyone else. I've spent quite a bit of cash and time making my setup secure and only giving access to people who paid me the green stuff.

This morning I sat down to start playing with Waves GTR3.5 for a future review. I'm fighting their security system as it doesn't like my Ilok. So not only have I paid $40 for an Ilok which has the sole purpose of making things scarce, I'm fighting with software that clearly has considerable energy placed into making itself scarce.

It seems that our productivity as a society will increase 30% the day we evolve to the point where we are ready to ditch this concept of scarcity. Then again, some asshole will probably screw that up too.

Brandon

[Vulconizer]

I'm going to have to watch this second one. I liked the first a lot and am now curious about the principles you have mentioned, Brandon.

I've had some thoughts about the whole "scarcity" thing as relates to music and energy, so this will probably be right up my alley. Thanks man.

[izzme]

In the feb.1971 or 70 issue of scientific american there was an article that was about the probability of the developement of the fusion reactor which woulgive us al the energy we need for as long as we need it. one of the side benefits would be a plasma hopper into which you could put all the wastestream past and present with the benifit that it would break all the chemical bonds and out the other end would come the original constituent elements thereby making our economy a circular one with no loss!!!!!!!! NO scarcity would force us to find another way to get our kicks besides war and empire!!!!!! WHAT A CONCEPT!!!!!!!!

[Vulconizer]

Empire.

Made me think of that great album by Queensryche.

[Bigduggieface]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

The only things of any monetary value are those things that are limited in quantity in one way or another.

I am of the mind that scarcity IS a measure of value. If you are starving, a packet of rice becomes extremely valuable. If packets of rice were ubiquitous, they would not be worth much. If your rice were difficult to come by, its value would increase accordingly.

As the Federal Reserve continues to arbitrarily print money, the dollar you hold in you hand becomes less scarce, and is therefore less valuable.

I think most of the Recording Review forum members are probably white guys with internet access and fancy recording studios. We don't even understand the concept of "scarcity". We buy our microphones and software on credit with our Visas and Mastercards. We eat three good meals each day. Shame on us!

Think of this in musical terms! Scarcity means rarity. One in a million! This is valuable! If you are responsible for providing your unique contribution to a musical composition, wouldn't your rare musical contribution be considered valuable? For instance, the "magic" that occurs in some improvised performances are extremely valuable. Where would Hendrix be without the scarcity of his personality?

Zeitgeist 2 is echoing the sentiments of Buckminster Fuller 30 years ago. We have the resources to sustain a healthy, sustainable mankind, but we fail to live up to our potential. Full potential might be easier than it seems with science on our side!

[Electriclight]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

They discuss a future, for example, where clean energy, information, and food are so abundant that there is really no real need to charge for it like is done now. It takes a while to come to grips with a future like this, but the more I think about it the more I like it.

We have been competely brainwashed that humans don't deserve anything for being human, they must somehow work, and slave, and fight , and die, to rate a decent home, food, whatever. That's why a person can sincerely say autoworkers with their ^%#%@ unions are greedy while the CEO making 300 times what they earn, who makes a few decisions a year, all bad, somehow "deserves" his pay.

Food is already in generous supply world wide. But industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, seed monopolies, chemical producers, etc. have driven up the price so some people eat and waste food while others can't afford it. Are the world's poor somehow to share in our abundance? I don't care what name you give it, all people deserve an existence because they are born. End of story. Any other take is greed and meaness.

[.tom]

sweet thread brandon

we could be eating the best food.. instead we're eating the worst possible food. america is living off corn-based 'food products' -the worst kind of food.

[csiscs]

Just watched Addendumb,Venus project get a fuckin grip eh,reminded me of watchin From Dusk Till Dawn

[wheatgrinder]

Brandon,
The root of all scarcity, is the scarcity of human achievement. The greater your achievement the more that you can trade the output of your production for the output of some other persons production.

If your position is that everyone who wants it should have and equal share to the vary scarce resource of "me" then, well, we got issues.

Consider corn, as previously used in an example.. It takes the mind of some human somewhere to apply his energy to the earth, to pay attention to the seasons, to determine when to plant, when to reap. His ability, his achievement in raising a good crop of corn, is traded for the achievement of the guy who plays getar real good when he buys that new wax record down at the five and ten.

No achievement is possible without human mind. Just try to build a computer using only brute labor, or even, try to simply feed yourself without using that scarcest of all creations, the human intelligence. How will you know when to plant, when to reap? How will you know how to store and keep what you do harvest?

As the physical needs of existence become cheaper and more easily attainable, then those truly rare abilities are valued more, not less. I too look forward to that startrek future, where replicators provide us all with all the material wealth we could use, and allow the individual to achieve even more greatness!


Electriclight,
Your right about a human having value, to me a humans value is in the potential for achievement. However, it is not reasonable to suggest that simply because I live, I have some claim on another persons achievement.

Let us put your belief to the test...

ready? ...

I need a new PRS guitar, and I demand that you give me one.
...


IM still waiting..


Still waiting.. huh.. I wonder where it is?

So, where is my guitar?


I guess I dont get one :-(

My being human didn't get it for me, nor did my need qualify.. why not?


You demand of my "abundance" by what right? If I refuse, what will you do? Will you take of my "abundance" by force? Will you beat me down in the street and take my shoes? "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." The realization of this sentence is the end of civilization.

Thanks
Wheatgrinder

[wheatgrinder]

Dear Bigduggieface,

Not "Shame on Us" but rather "Hurray for Us" Unless of course you achieved your wealth (little or a lot) by stealing from some one else.

Of what are you ashamed?

if you earned your wealth, then you deserve respect and should have pride. Never be ashamed to have achieved something so valuable as wealth. Your achievement did not prevent another from achieving, rather you are HELPING others, as you can buy the product of their achievement!

When you shop for a microphone, do you buy the most expensive, but lowest quality piece of crap you can find, the worst sounding one? No, you buy the best you can! You would not expect to trade the "Best" of your ability for the "worst" of another's.

Of what are you ashamed?

Do not believe the lie that there is shame in achievement!

Be wary of those wealthy people, who criticize money, very likely they have indeed gotten theirs through fraud and should be ashamed.

Thanks again..
Wheatgrinder