The basic name of this alternative is "resource-based economy". I recently discovered this alternative on the internet and the recent film based on this system entitled, "Zeitgeist: Moving Forward", a 2 hour and 41 minute film which can be viewed over the internet or purchased as a DVD.
I purchased it and viewed it yesterday. I think the film is excellent and highly recommend it. Subsequently, I started looking into other internet material on the Venus Project and the Zeitgeist Movement and was less impressed. But, these are only my initial reactions. If this movement continues to gain traction, I likely will be furnishing more material and comments on it. Having said that, I don't think that this alternative precludes the other alternatives that I've listed on the upper right hand section of this blog.
After viewing the film, I was left with the startling impression that we may be presently on the verge of a new Renaissance very similar to what began in the late 13th and 14th centuries. Then, scholars and astronomers began to use evidence-based methods to unlock the mysteries of the universe and discovered truths that were at considerable variance with the truths approved by the Catholic Church and lay authorities.
Gradually, over time as rigorous scientific methods were refined, many more discoveries were made that resulted in the application of labor saving machines powered by wind or water. With the discovery of fossil fuel energy, the industrial revolution took off under the system of private ownership (capitalism). This new powerful dynamic has brought great productive benefits, but also tremendous carnage in the forms of wars, famine, and social dislocations. Now we are facing the prospects of energy/resource exhaustion and dramatic changes in climate that will not support human life.
Once again, it appears that there is a huge gap between the knowledge that humanity possesses and those who rule over societies and prevent the beneficial applications of that knowledge. The first Renaissance took hundreds of years to break the hold of religious and aristocratic authorities. Unfortunately, today we have very little time available to break the hold of current capitalist authorities over the vitally needed scientific applications to preserve humanity and the health of the planet. (See the next article for an example of recent scientific research, the findings of which will not be applied under the current regime of capitalism.)
