This is how, through collective nonpolitical action, we can in one fell swoop,
- forge bonds of trust and reciprocation in our communities
- start building resilience to economic collapse
- mitigate climate change
- transform our consciousnesses, from a scarcity mentality to an abundance mentality
- clear out a lot of junk and clutter and make space
- force the economy back into step and start it in a good direction
If we stop buying stuff and start giving away what we have. Not only our stuff, but our time, our skills and our emotions. Our fundamental measures of value, the fiat currencies, are collapsing under our very noses. The middle class faces being wiped out - the losses we face are still unimaginable to most people.
Economists and politicians are scrambling to find new ways to extend our indebtedness, to buy us time, but these debts will never be paid. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity now to redefine the measure-of-value. To stop using GDP as indicators of economic success; to put resources into productive activities, instead of into military, marketing, security, and inefficient ideologies.
This is how to throw a spanner in the works: how to emasculate those who seek to profit from your labour; how to declare "I have no part in this madness"; how to regain control over your productive energy; and how to do so with dignity, not violence or even harsh words.
Spend less time earning money, and simply stop buying stuff. You don't need it. Really.
Humans, especially the pampered ones in developed economies, will never recover, economically, from the decline which is underway . We need to look up from our meaningless obsessions and nonproductive jobs and start working with our neighbours. Either that, or compete with them when things get scarcer.
Radical giving is a transformation anyone can make at any time. It is a revolution from within which requires no violence. Nor does it require changes to the law, grant-making trusts, or mass cooperation.
Radical giving means first, giving away all the shit you don't need, to save other people the expense of buying new. This costs you nothing, and wins you a load of street cred. Spend time thinking who needs what to increase the value of your gifts.
Radical giving means second, creating instead of spending. Buying presents for money, even customised ones, is inefficient at fulfilling real needs and at building meaningful relationships. Instead put yourself and your resources at the service of others. Do things with them for any goal other than money.
Radical giving means third, turning away from private obsessions, and turning towards the humans in the immediate vicinity and asking what they might need from you. Having purged yourself of extraneous stuff, you are more likely to discover a deep reservoir of inner resources.