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Tags: self-improvement
I recently wrote a post about creating a manifesto for change. See here.
When ever I get disillusioned by the world and I feel my idealism slipping I remind myself of the words of Ghandi.
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
I remember that it's hypocritical for me to bemoan the state of the world when I am a reflection and a cause of it.
So, I thought I'd go through the points in my suggested manifesto and try and work out a way I could "Be the change".
Remove the rights of the banks to create money
The only thing I can think of here is to try to remain debt free. Every debt that I take out allows a bank to create money out of nothing. If we all remained debt free then whole banking system would fail.
Investment in renewable energy and sustainable farming
I can do this by making sure that I buy products from sustainable farms and trying my best to source my energy from providers that invest in renewable energy. I can also limit my use of dirty fuels in general.
End to artificial scarcity - sharing legal - no such thing as intellectual property - rewarded through charity
This doesn't just mean that I should download anything I want. It means that I should make sure I reward creators for anything that I use for free. I already do this. If I was to download an album and enjoy it enough to listen to it regulary then I will always find the a way of giving the band some money in the most direct way possible. There is a flip side to this one. It also means that if I was ever to create something that could be shared for free then I should share it for free. I have no problem with that. If it's good enough I will get some reward.
A switch from an economics predicated on our inate greed and self-interest to one where charity and cooperation is assumed. It's a self fulfilling prophecy.
Perhaps this is just a matter of mind set. I always do try and assume the best in people and to give my trust willingly. I must also give more money to charity.
Predominantly non-interventionist foreign policy - conquer others through aid - be so helpful to others that people will emulate us rather than seek to destroy us - residual army for defensive purposes only.
I guess this would translate into living life in a non-aggressive non-manipulative way. Something I try to do already.
A hierarchy of currencies from local towns to national
I should get involved in any local currencies near me.
Work less community/family more
As soon as I get into a position where I can afford to work less then I will. This one more than the others would be a lot easier if everybody took the same attitude. I really want to look into the economic effects of everybody working a 4 day week.
Massive disincentives for large families / incentives for fostering or not having children - encouragement of education for women around the world
The most obvious one here is to not have a large family myself. I think that having two children is acceptable since if everybody did so then the population would fall. There is also a british thinktank that is devoted to this cause which David Attenborough is a patron of called The Optimum Population Trust. I will sign up with them and become a patron.
Reestablishment of civil liberties
I should donate to Amnesty International. I should also join any protests of this theme that I can.
Decriminalisation of psychoactives
Less said on this one the better.. but lets just say I've fought the fight
Mass-deprogramming
I question everything and continually educate myself on systems of propoganda and control. I also study comparitive mythology and depth psychology in an effort to know myself and my myths.
Absolute transparency of government- and increased interaction with the populace through technology
I should make more of an effort to use the existing ways to interact with my government on the internet.
Well that should give me enough to be getting on with for now.
I have recently turned 28. I did some research about the supposed spiritual significance of my 29th year and found an interesting coincidence between western astrology and the Chinese Book of Changes the I Ching..