What would life without money be like?

[TheUndeadPhoenix]

I want some input from the StP crowd. I'm pro giving the middle finger to money. This is how I see it

Pros: Less corruption, more people working for themselves then corporate pigs, a healthier population and open borders

CONS: Jobs like maintaining the internet, electricity and others might go to shit, unless doing so somehow gives you stuff you want in return. Also, things like gas and other fuel products (not considering bio diesel) will probably vanish. Another thing is that third world countries might end up factory breeding livestock to survive and cause outbreaks

My conclusion: Money is fucked, but there's almost no way we're gonna see the world go back to the way it was before Caesar made currency. But there are other ways to make things work, such as giving everybody equal pay for equal jobs and not allowing inflation. But that sounds like a bad idea to me... Look at Cuba. Everything is owned by them. The money spent in stores. Goes to them. Etc.

Share your thoughts!

 

[thievelandohio]

The thought of a barter system always seemed to resonate with me...to model certain first world nations. currensy isnt the real problem as I see it...capitalism is. Let's take it back to Seashells & beads yo!

 

[CardBoardBox]

It depends. Had money never existed at all? Or if our monetarial system failed in, say, our lifetime. A post-money system? I can't fathom half of the kids I know being homebums if not for the monetarial system to leech off of. The luxery of living for free simply wouldn't be a reality. I know I've made more money in an hour flying a sign than I have working minimum wage. Without a money system to leech off of, people would be forced to be more productive. How else could they provide themselves with an abundance of tobacco and alcohol? Maybe the need for these kind of dependancies wouldn't exists in a world where man feels productive having to fend for his own.
A healthier humanity for sure. Far less disease. Would we be smarter? What defines intelligence in our material world? We'd have far less of a population. I think there would be more bands of people, tribal-like. Clash of people and opinions. More small-scale fighting and mini wars. We're selfish and always looking for a way to make our lives easier. I'm not saying that living peacefully is out of the question, it's just human nature to want more than he needs, and if not that, than to want more 'just in case'.
Kind of like the people at the occupy. They all agree what the problem is, but nobody has an answer to the solution. It would take a long, tedious decline of the money system for it to become obsolete. slowly bring in the bartering system. redefine what is considered 'valuable'. Valuable knowledge, valuable skills. We live in a world where things of true value (that is to say, things nessesary for life) are squandered and taken for granted. Reality as we know it would turn topsy turvey.

 

[TheUndeadPhoenix]

I agree with both of you, actually. Ultimately I think that if people wanna be homeguards, let them. Why do I say this: Look at Hawaii. They actually have a job... CALLED BEACH BUM. Like I said, give people equal pay for equal jobs. Make the bum like a cop without a badge. Make them just watch out for people and help them if something happens to them. Places like NYC really need that. I saw a dumpster catch on fire. It burned out before the fuckin FDNY got there. And then there's that guy that tried to stop a mugging and bled to death too.

 

[Redd Capp]

We would go back to using gold and diamonds as currency. Its hard to carry around a ton of organic carrots or free range rabbits every time you wanted to buy something. We would go with whatever was the most portable.

 

[Redd Capp]

Better Yet--- Someone should start a Barter-Mart...Like a Wall-Mart but no cash accepted.

 

[TheUndeadPhoenix]

Better Yet--- Someone should start a Barter-Mart...Like a Wall-Mart but no cash accepted.

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[dolittle]

If U really want to know, try it. I read about this dude who moved deep into a remote forest up north someplace. No elct. No gas. No car. No phone. If he can't build it, grow it, catch it or barter for it he does with out it. He seemed quite healthy & happy.

 

[TheUndeadPhoenix]

If U really want to know, try it. I read about this dude who moved deep into a remote forest up north someplace. No elct. No gas. No car. No phone. If he can't build it, grow it, catch it or barter for it he does with out it. He seemed quite healthy & happy.

You don't "have to" do without electricity. If you're like that Hackett guy, you could make a working steam generator and make it power light bulbs and your TV. They have satellite dishes (BIG ONES) that pick up free channels.

 

[Earth]

Money is definately not my God, but it is the currency of today, so I am forced to accept this with the life I want to live.
My God is ATWA, AIR TREES WATER ANIMALS.

What is interesting is that recently there has been a couple of threads going on here regarding anarchist communities, etc...
and the one thing I got is that they still need some kind of foundation - rules or beliefs if you desire - and in mamny cases
to me it always seems to point towards Socialism, which interestingly enough - is something I'm in favor of, because (at least
in theory) it places emphisis on the person- the people - as being equal; and that's something I like.

Communism in theory is interesting too; where the workers hold the power...
Capitalism though I see as fatally flawed, because of human nature - that gimmie gimmie gimmie thing - GREED!!!

I remember Germany as east and west.
I remember when Germany became re-united (I've never been back there since 1981...) the folks from the east got a taste
of reality after the celebrations were over: suddenly, they were out of work.

My man Ted a while back decided to leave civilazation for a cabin in the woods.
He wanted to live on his own, and more importantly be left alone.
This was fine, until one day a road was developed in an area he particularially liked.

(we all know what happened next, and honestly - could you blame him??)

I like what dolittle said, that makes sence: If you're going to be in nature, be one with it.
I get a kick out of todays camping family: $65k camper based off an F-450; all the comforts of home...
- it's like, co'mon - why even bother??
You ain't camping!!

Unfortunately, life today is too out of balance.
Generally speaking, We could never revert back to simpler ways - unless Mother Nature suddenly forced us too

 

[CooperBoo]

comin back to this thread when i get off of work

 

[Ronin Nemesis]

I like the barter system because you can always trade your skills for goods even if there is no power ,and if not then build a generator

 

[Orzhr0n]

Money is the root of all evil and nothing more than a piece of paper that the government set a value to. Fuck capitalism!
I like this native American indian quote: "When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money"

 

[dolittle]

True, U don't HAVE to do with out. But then, U missed the point. The question was, what would it be like with NO money. If U are dependent on YOU only to provide U'r comfort & needs, no money to run to Walmart with.... Who has time for satalight tv?? Of coarse, my example was "extreme", but it's the only modern story I know of living with NO money.

 

[rezmutts]

Breakaway from any Est. is not hard. take a step back at look at our ways of life. theres essientials food,shelter,water. individual, family, clan, friends are all going realies there's no way but to work with one another, defend what's sacred and respect mother earth and father sky. Keeping the fire buring of contentions of our beliefs, help those in need.. learn and teach my brother and sisters.

 

[kurbster]

Money is a drain, for sure. Barter would be nice, a gift-economy would be even better.

 

[DisgustinDustin]

I like this native American indian quote: "When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money"[/quote]

www.western-sky-loans.com

Lol. Seems like they're still holding on to that thought.

 

[dharma bum]

i've posted this in another thread before, but this guy knows what's up...

http://www.details.com/culture-trends/career-and-money/200907/meet-the-man-who-lives-on-zero-dollars

"When I lived with money, I was always lacking," he writes. "Money represents lack. Money represents things in the past (debt) and things in the future (credit), but money never represents what is present."

^^^
great words

 

[dolittle]

I have been thinking about this all day, & have come to realise living with out money would really be quite simple. It would require a knowledge of what is & is NOT edable in the wild, plus knowledge of how to obtain & prepare it. Plus a few "starting off tools". Like a good all purpose knife. Maybe an ax or hand saw. A little cooking gear & U'r pretty much set. Oh, & a basic knowledge of wild medicenale plants & how to use them would be a good thing.
U wouldn't even need to barter. There are enough abandond buildings EVERY where that shelter wouldn't be much of an issue. Free clothing is easy enough to come by. And U'r wild-crafting can be supplemented with a raid on someones hen house or garden.
In fact, with the above items, the BIGGEST thing U would need to live without money would be a simple Chang of attatude. Yes, the more I think about it I would have to say, the most important, ( & maybe the hardest ) thing U would need to leave money behind is to mentally Move AWAY from the consumer mind set that has been breed into modern, "civale" humanity. The ability to give up so meany luxuries we think of as basic nessesatys. Electricity & all it allows us. Automobiles & the simplicity they bring. Plumbing, refrigeration. All the things we THINK make the world go round. Yet were unknown to mankind until about 300 yrs ago.
Yes, These are Extreme. But I think to be without the influence of the mighty dollar would take extreme steps. In fact, I can think of no other way to be TRULY money free.

 

[dolittle]

I read the link posted by Dharma Bum, I strongly disagree with this guy. To be self sufficent is one thing. It can be healthy, rewarding, almost a religious thing. To simplify one's life is to remove stress & anger. All this, I think, can be done while still being a productive human being. Just from what I read in the link, I would say this guy has become nothing more than a stray rat living off the trash dump. To say he lives on O dollars is not true. SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE paid at sometime for the items he scrounges. Nor can he Really say he is self sufficent. Since he lives on what others throw away. As opposed to going out & getting these things for him self. He sorta has the right idea, but needs to fine tune his method.