Course:
Money
Imagine a world where relationships and communities flourish, unshackled from the constraints of financial transactions. Picture the idea that wealth isn’t just measured by currency but by the rich tapestry of human connections—caring, sharing, and gifting. This lesson delves into the profound insights of Charles, who explores the current state of economics—a system increasingly dictated by money—and contrasts it with the foundational concepts of a gift economy. By examining these principles, we reveal why considering alternatives to traditional monetary systems is more relevant than ever, especially in the context of growing economic and environmental pressures. This exploration ties directly into the ethos of the Crypto Is FIRE (CFIRE) training program, where individuals seek to understand the interplay of crypto, personal finance, and the broader economic landscape.
In this lesson, we summarize the key arguments presented by Charles regarding the impoverished definition of economics. Traditionally equated with money, economics encompasses so much more—it signifies our collective efforts to meet needs, nurture relationships, and forge connections within our communities. Charles highlights how many essential functions in society have been monetized over time, from caregiving to entertainment, leading to an increasingly competitive, stressful lifestyle marked by financial anxiety. For him, this paradigm shift into a monetized existence overlooks elemental joys and the natural wealth derived from human interaction and community. One striking claim he makes is: “What you give is the only thing that cannot be taken.” This reflects the notion that true wealth lies beyond financial riches—in generosity, compassion, and the bonds we forge with others.
Reconceptualization of Wealth: Charles brilliantly emphasizes that wealth is not confined to monetary wealth; instead, it encompasses relationships, community strength, and ecological balance. By evoking the shared experiences of our ancestors who thrived in community-oriented settings, he establishes a compelling case for reconnecting with a more expansive understanding of wealth.
The Role of Community: The re-emphasis on community vibrancy as a source of happiness is another critical point. Charles illustrates this by contrasting communities in poverty yet rich in relationships with affluent areas segregated by economic divides. Happiness is often more abundant where people actively support and care for one another, manifesting the principle that community support offers resilience against financial adversity.
The Critique of Growth Economics: The discussion on the economic structure modeled on perpetual growth is crucial. Charles likens this system to a “musical chairs” game—artificial scarcity creates competition and anxiety, emphasizing how our current debt-driven economy results in a vicious cycle of inequality and dissatisfaction. This critique aligns with contemporary environmental challenges where perpetual growth often depletes natural resources.
Integration of Spiritual Dimensions: Charles’s call to incorporate a spiritual understanding into economics is thought-provoking. He encourages us to recognize that our values shape economic reality. By framing individual choices as powerful declarations to create a world based on love and generosity, he reframes how we make decisions about money, making ethical considerations central to economic engagement.
Idealism vs. Reality: While Charles’s vision of a gift economy is inspiring, the practicality of transitioning from a deeply entrenched capitalist framework raises questions. How do we overcome systemic inertia where monetary transactions dominate? Skeptics may argue that the abstraction of a gift economy ignores the realities many face, particularly those struggling with basic needs and survival.
Complexity of Economic Systems: The discussion tends to oversimplify the multifaceted nature of modern economic systems. While the emphasis on community healing is vital, the wide distribution of wealth and power complicates the narrative. For example, some may not have the same opportunities to engage in community-driven initiatives, raising concerns about equitable participation in this envisioned gift economy.
Systematic Resistance: Finally, one must consider the power structures that resist such a shift. Those benefiting from the current system may not readily concede to new paradigms. The transition to a gift economy might face significant obstacles that necessitate more robust systemic changes, including legislation and new organizational frameworks.
Overall, Charles’s thoughts resonate with many who seek alternatives in today’s economic landscape, pushing us to rethink our engagement with money and each other. Acknowledging the complexities and potential pushback raises critical discussions, but it does not diminish the value of his vision; rather, it provides fertile ground for future exploration.
Charles’s exploration of economics invites intriguing connections to the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. Today’s cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms seek to reduce reliance on traditional monetary systems while fostering community engagement through token economies.
Decentralized Trust Networks: Cryptocurrencies often function as peer-to-peer networks that allow users to transact without intermediaries. This mirrors the gift economy philosophy wherein direct relationships foster trust. Projects such as Ethereum emphasize smart contracts, which enable automatic execution of agreements, reinforcing principles of collaboration and cooperation—key elements harkened in Charles’s talk.
Tokenization of Generosity: Tokens can be seen as avenues for representing and incentivizing community-supported initiatives, enabling more people to contribute positively to local ecosystems. Charitable organizations can create tokens that signify participation in social enterprises, enhancing the spirit of collaboration echoed in discussions of the gift economy.
Resilience through Community-Centric Models: Emerging blockchain projects aim to foster resilience by emphasizing community engagement and support over monetary gain. Systems designed for distributed governance, like DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), invite contributions that benefit the larger community, echoing Charles’s vision that wealth is ultimately grounded in human relationships.
The Challenge of Capitalism: Even in crypto, challenges persist. The sector is not without its pitfalls—scams, speculative behavior, and environmental concerns linked to established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Bridging Charles’s vision with blockchain innovation must also tackle these systemic issues head-on, ensuring that technology serves the community rather than exacerbating financial inequalities.
In the DeFi space, potential exists to reimagine how we perceive value, paving the way for a more collaborative economy. Charles’s critique encourages individuals to question traditional frameworks, creating a cultural shift that can resonate through crypto movements.
The implications of Charles’s insights extend far beyond individual choice; they resonate with the urgent need for a systemic overhaul in our conceptualization of wealth and community. As we move into the future, several trends emerge:
A Shift Toward Ecological Economics: The growing awareness of ecological limits might redirect economic principles towards sustainability, promoting resilience through regenerative practices. Encouraging community-centered models over extractive capitalism offers hope for a balanced existence with our planet.
Growing Interest in Alternative Models: Cryptocurrencies and decentralized systems are gaining traction as people seek alternatives to traditional banking. With economic instability, the interest in community-driven projects will likely proliferate, asking us all to consider how we can contribute positively to our environments.
Social Movements and Collective Transformation: Movements advocating for social justice, eco-consciousness, and economic integrity are likely to gain momentum amidst crisis and collapse. These movements could serve as catalysts for adopting principles espoused by Charles—emphasizing generosity, connection, and community survival over individual profit.
As we navigate through the complexities of our current systems, we must remain open to envisioning innovative approaches that align with the principles of gift economies and collaborative living. The transformation requires not only personal insights but collective action derived from shared values of compassion and reciprocity.
Reflecting on Charles’s discussion, it’s clear that his holistic view encapsulates a growing sentiment across various disciplines—the yearning for a more interconnected, humane form of economics. Communities today are dealing with not only economic inequalities but also deeper societal distress stemming from isolation and disconnection. In my observations, I’ve witnessed pockets of innovation and creativity in grassroots movements where communities rally together to support one another, creating resilience and mutual support reminiscent of a gift economy.
As someone entrenched in the cryptocurrency space, I resonate deeply with his reflections on how true wealth constitutes more than just a balance sheet; it embodies the relationships we cultivate and the purpose we infuse into our lives. Our technology should further these values. Indeed, if we aspire to a thriving future—one characterized by dignity and connection—we must champion systems that embed generosity into the fabric of our engagements, be they financial or social.
In closing, Charles’s exploration into the redefinition of economics invites us to reconsider our relationship with money and value. Investing in community, redefining wealth, and nurturing relationships offers a pathway to true fulfillment beyond monetary measures. As we envision these transformations, it becomes evident that they align beautifully with the ethos of the CFIRE training program, which advocates for a thoughtful approach to finance, empowerment through cryptocurrency, and principled decision-making connected to broader values.
As we move forward, may we embrace the challenge to reshape our understanding of wealth and community; there lies transformative potential in these ideas, ready to materialize through collective action. Let’s continue this journey together as we delve deeper into our next lesson in the Crypto Is FIRE (CFIRE) training program.
Quotes:
Continue to the next lesson in the Crypto Is FIRE (CFIRE) training program, where we will explore further the interconnectedness of finance, values, and community in shaping our economic futures.
Welcome to this insightful lesson that dives into the profound relationship we share with money and economics. Today, we’ll explore how traditional economic practices have shifted towards a money-centric model and how this phenomenon relates to the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. By understanding these dynamics, newcomers will appreciate the importance of integrating community, friendship, and reciprocity within both traditional and digital economies.
Here are some essential terms that will be referenced throughout this lesson, each with pertinent meanings in both traditional finance and the crypto world:
Economics: Traditionally defined as the study of production, distribution, and consumption of goods; in the crypto context, it emphasizes decentralized economies and peer-driven transactions.
Gift Economy: A system where goods and services are given freely and without direct compensation. In crypto, we can observe similar principles in community-driven projects that prioritize contribution over profit.
Interest-Bearing Debt: A traditional method of lending where borrowed money incurs interest. In crypto, decentralized finance (DeFi) often challenges this model through lending platforms that utilize smart contracts to create more equitable systems.
Monetization: The process of turning aspects of life or community interactions into goods and services that are bought and sold. In the crypto realm, tokenization serves as a modern tool for monetizing various forms of value.
Community Resilience: This refers to a community’s ability to withstand economic changes and disasters. In the crypto world, decentralized communities help foster resilience through collective action and shared resources.
Fiat Currency: Government-issued currency with value derived from trust, as opposed to a physical commodity like gold. Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, represent a new form of currency whose value comes from consensus and utility.
Sustainability: In traditional economics, this often pertains to economic growth without environmental degradation; in the crypto context, it relates to building eco-friendly projects that prioritize sustainable practices.
Understanding these concepts will equip newcomers with the necessary tools to navigate both traditional finance and the emerging world of cryptocurrencies.
Key Points:
Detailed Explanation: The historical context emphasizes that economics was not always synonymous with money. In the past, human relationships thrived through informal networks where items and services were exchanged without the expectation of payment. As economies grew, so did the integration of money into everyday life, pushing community interactions into paid structures.
Parallels in Crypto: The rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms aims to restore some aspects of the gift economy. Projects like Ethereum allow for the collaboration between individuals without transactional intermediaries, keeping the community at the forefront.
Key Points:
Detailed Explanation: Imagine a game of musical chairs; 50 players and only 45 chairs. The outcome is not just about winning but the implications of competition for resources that lead to broader societal consequences—like losing homes and security. This analogy illustrates the precarious nature of modern economies and highlights the irrational scramble for limited resources.
Parallels in Crypto: Cryptocurrencies face similar issues with market cap and liquidity, often leading to fierce competition among investors for limited assets, which can echo the competitive, zero-sum game shown in the musical chairs analogy.
Key Points:
Detailed Explanation: The gift economy emphasizes how value can be created without monetary exchange. This results in stronger community ties and a sense of belonging, which can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. This concept challenges the current economic narrative that equates worth with wealth accumulation.
Parallels in Crypto: Many blockchain projects promote collaboration, community input, and shared rewards. For example, projects like Gitcoin raise funds through community contributions rather than traditional funding routes, thereby embodying the spirit of a gift economy.
Key Points:
Detailed Explanation: The psychological dimensions of money play a significant role in shaping our relationships and societal structures. By fostering competition and individualism, traditional monetary systems often distort values, disconnecting people from community roles and reinforcing economic hierarchies.
Parallels in Crypto: The transparency of blockchain technology offers a counterpoint to opaque financial systems. This transparency invites individuals to reconsider their roles and relationships with money, cultivating a more collaborative economy.
In understanding how traditional finance concepts apply to the crypto world, one can delineate clear paths of cooperation and community versus competition and scarcity. This adaptation highlights the evolution of economy from transactional to relational, inviting exploration of how future cryptocurrencies could mirror these communal values.
While there may not have been explicit charts or graphs referenced in this discussion, one might visualize the shift from community reliance to monetary dependency. This can be enhanced in crypto by mapping the growth of DeFi against traditional finance metrics, illustrating resilience in the crypto space amidst financial turmoil.
Historically, many societies thrived without money to meet their needs; they relied on communal support and goodwill, drawing parallels to how blockchain technology can facilitate this communal approach today. The sustained interest in community-run projects signifies a shift towards recognizing the importance of relationships over pure monetary gain.
The shift towards a debt-oriented economy inevitably leads to increased competition, resulting in social tension and disparities. In digital currencies, these same dynamics can be seen; fluctuations can lead to financial stress but also promote innovation and adaptability in micro-communities.
The challenges of integrating economic practices into a sustainable framework are abundant. In crypto, misconceptions about decentralized systems being solely unregulated or impractical abound. Yet the biodiversity within blockchain projects demonstrates that innovation fueled by community desire can lead to practical solutions.
To further explore these intricate relationships between community and economics, consider delving into his book:
As you continue your journey in the Crypto is FIRE (CFIRE) training program, remember that you hold the power to shape not just your financial future but also your community through informed choices and inspired action! Embrace the challenge as you step forward to explore the next lesson!
Transcript:
So I’m picturing this situation here as a woman who’s feeling pretty beat down, in a pretty dark place, but loves to draw, loves to do art, and when she starts doing it she comes alive for a few days or weeks or even months, but then this feeling of what’s the point encroaches upon it and she shuts down and she stops doing it.
So I think that on the one hand we have to be able to do things not always knowing what the point is because we do not know right now how to get to what I call a more beautiful world. We know that it exists and we know that we have a role to play in bringing this world into reality. But
we don’t know exactly how to get there. We don’t have a roadmap that… because a roadmap would depend on our existing concepts of how change happens and how the world evolves. But the world that we’re moving to is bigger than those concepts. It is literally new territory. So we don’t have a map to get there and therefore we can’t rely on what our mind tells us is sensible or not sensible, that what’s the point or what’s not the point.
Our mind says, well, drawing pictures and painting pretty pictures, that’s not gonna help us get to a more beautiful world. Working on your faces, your drawing technique, I mean, what good is that gonna do in the context of everything that’s happening on this planet? However, if you accept that we don’t know how this world works, that our understanding of causality is very, very limited, And in fact, comes from the story of separation that holds the world as a bunch of force-driven particles, generic masses bouncing around without intelligence.
When we accept that, that that story of how change happens might not be right, then we’re plunged into the mystery where we have to rely on some other impulse to guide us in making choices about how to spend our time and how to devote our gifts.
So one of those impulses could be what is it that makes you come alive? And to do it for no other reason than because it makes you come alive, because it gives you a feeling of life. Ultimately what we are in service to is life. The current civilizational setup is in service to death. The planet is dying around us and we are headlong, we the dominant civilization, are headlong converting all that is alive into products.
To serve the opposite direction, to serve life, means first and foremost serving life within yourself and accepting what makes you come alive as a valid source of information to guide your choices. And when what’s the point encroaches upon them, name and recognize that as a voice of the old story. And one more thing, that the pain of that, the deadening of that, that even also, it also comes from a beautiful place that so yearns to be of good service. So I see in that question, I see a sincerity that really wants to be useful,
that really wants to participate in this beautiful happening. And so I would say when the feeling of futility comes up, to go underneath it to that living spark of generosity. Really, it’s generosity. It’s, I’m here to serve. I’m here to give, I’m here to contribute. That’s what’s underneath even the… that’s what the voice of what’s the point co-opts.
That’s the energy that it co-opts and turns against yourself. So to validate that and to understand that that voice is using the intuitions and concepts of the story of separation. And then to say, yeah, it is okay to trust what makes me come alive. That’s how, that’s what I would offer to this woman to resolve her doubts and her cycle.
Money, Gift, and Society in the Age of Transition: Sacred Economics
Transcript:
Hello everyone and a heartfelt welcome to this gathering of inquisitive minds. Have you ever paused to wonder what role money truly plays in our lives? How does it shape our society, our relationships, and our individual sense of purpose? As we embark on this philosophical journey together, let’s invite our souls to dance with the notion of value, exchange, and the sacredness interwoven within the fabric of economics.
Imagine a world where our economic system breathes life into our deepest values, where money is not merely a tool for transaction, but a sacred entity fostering community and connection. Let’s step into this philosophical landscape with open hearts, ready to explore the profound tapestry of money and its potential to serve a greater good. What if the act of giving was not an anomaly but the foundation of our economic interactions? Let’s ponder this central question.
Can our economy operate on principles that nourish rather than deplete, that celebrate abundance rather than scarcity? This query beckons us to venture beyond conventional economic theories and into the realm of possibility. As we delve into the theme’s core aspects, consider the contrast between a gift and a transaction. A gift flows freely, with no explicit expectation of return, building bonds of trust and gratitude.
Now picture an economy that operates on the principles of trust, generosity, and community. Through narrative storytelling, imagine a world where every exchange nurtures our interconnectedness, a world where the market is a place of relationship and reciprocity. Echoing through time, the voices of philosophers like Plato and Aristotle remind us of the ancient debate regarding the nature of wealth and justice.
They pondered the purpose of money and wealth in achieving a good life, a virtuous life. In modern times, figures like Charles Eisenstein advocate for a return to an economy of gifts where money’s value is tied to the well-being of our planet and communities. The more beautiful world our hearts know is possible, Eisenstein muses, lies in this transformation.
History offers us countless examples where the philosophy of money and economy has shaped civilizations. Consider the medieval period, where the economy was embedded in the social and spiritual life of the community. has shaped civilizations. Consider the medieval period, where the economy was embedded in the social and spiritual life of the community.
Markets were not just places of trade, but gatherings that reinforced social bonds. In contrast, the Industrial Revolution brought a shift towards a market economy, emphasizing efficiency and growth, often at the cost of social cohesion and environmental sustainability. The ethical implications of our economic choices are vast and complex.
For instance, how do we reconcile the pursuit of profit with the need for environmental stewardship? A historical ethical dilemma, such as the enclosure of the Commons in England posed a profound question about the balance between private gain and public good, a question that remains relevant as we face global issues like climate change.
Our cultural fabric is interwoven with reflections on money and economy. Literature from Dickens to Steinbeck critiques the dehumanizing impact of wealth inequality. Films like It’s a Wonderful Life propose an economy that serves humanity. These works compel us to consider how our financial systems can reflect our deepest values and aspirations.
In contemporary discussions, debates rage over the nature of wealth distribution, the role of cryptocurrency, and the potential of universal basic income. Each viewpoint presents a different vision of the future, one where money could either bind us together or keep us apart. What would happen if we chose to prioritize people over profit? What if every person had the means to live with dignity? The relevance and importance of rethinking money in our age cannot be overstated.
As we face a world in transition, grappling with pandemic aftermaths and technological disruptions, our economic principles must evolve. disruptions, our economic principles must evolve. We must ask ourselves how future generations will judge our handling of the economic tools at our disposal. Bringing our ideas together, let’s synthesize our exploration with a powerful statement. Sacred economics is not just a vision, but a call to action.
A call to realign our financial systems with the principles of interconnectedness, sustainability, and compassion. I want to thank each one of you for walking this path of contemplation with me. Your engagement and willingness to question the status quo are the seeds from which a more beautiful world can grow. As we part ways, I leave you with a few questions to ponder.
What would a gift economy look like in your community? How can you contribute to a more equitable and sacred economic system? I invite you to share your reflections and continue this vital conversation. Finally, let us remember that the pursuit of wisdom is not an end, but a journey. As we continue to explore and question, let us do so with the hope that our collective inquiry will lead to a more just and sacred world.
Until next time, may your thoughts be as bountiful as the gifts of life itself.
Transcript:
Music Anytime you want to understand something, why is such and such happening? Why is there a biodiversity crisis? Or why are we drilling for more oil when it’s polluting the atmosphere and causing oil spills? Why? And you ask why, and down a couple levels of why, you always get to money. Yeah, I talk a lot about the story of self that every culture has, and it answers the question, what are are you what is it to be human so it says that you’re this separate being among other separate beings in a universe that is
separate from yourself as well like you’re not me that plant is not me that’s something separate and this story of self really creates our world. If you’re a separate self and there’s other separate selves out there and other species out there and the universe is fundamentally indifferent to you or even hostile, then you definitely want to control.
You want to be able to have power over other beings and over these whimsical, arbitrary forces of nature that could extinguish you at any time. This story is becoming obsolete. It’s becoming no longer true. We don’t resonate with it anymore. And it’s actually generating crises that are insoluble from the methods of control. And that’s what’s clearing space, clearing the space for us to step into a new story of self and a new story of the people. Well, money’s an agreement.
It doesn’t have value all by itself. It has value because people agree that it has value. Economists will tell you what money does. It facilitates exchange. You use it to count things and keep track of things. You write some numbers on a magical piece of paper called a check and you can cause all kinds of abundant goods to come to your house.
You can even cause misery for thousands of people if you are one of the highest initiates of the magic of money. Scarcity is built into the money system. On the most obvious level, it’s because of the way money is created, as interest-bearing debt. So anytime a bank lends money into existence or the Federal Reserve creates money, the money comes along with a corresponding amount of debt.
And the debt, because there’s interest on it, is always greater than the amount of money. So it essentially throws people into competition with each other for never enough money. Growth is another thing that’s built into our money system. If you’re a bank, you’re going to lend to the person who’s going to create new goods and services so they can profit and they can pay you back.
You’re not going to lend to somebody who doesn’t create goods and services. So money goes toward those who will create even more of it. But basically economic growth means that you have to find something that was once nature and make it into a good, or was once a gift relationship and make it into a service.
You have to find something that people once got for free or did for themselves or for each other and then take it away and sell it back to them somehow. By turning things into commodities, we get cut off from nature in the same ways we’re cut off from community. We look at nature with eyes of it’s just a bunch of stuff.
And that leaves us very lonely and leaves us with many basic human needs that go unmet. And if you have money, you might try to fulfill this hunger through purchasing, through buying things, or through accumulating money itself. And of course, now we’re nearing the end of growth. The planet can’t sustain much more growth.
And that’s why the crisis that we have today won’t go away. One of the things I talk about is the sense of wrongness that I had as a child. I think most kids have some sense of it, that it’s not supposed to be this way. You know, just, for example, that you’re not supposed to actually hate Monday and be happy when you don’t have to go to school.
Like, school should be something that you love. Life should be something that you love. School should be something that you love. Life should be something that you love. We didn’t earn any of the things that really keep us alive or that make life good. We didn’t earn air. We didn’t earn being born. We didn’t earn our conception.
We didn’t earn being able to breathe. We didn’t earn having a planet that can provide food. We didn’t earn being able to breathe. We didn’t earn having a planet that can provide food. We didn’t earn the sun. So I think that on some level, people have this inborn gratitude, because on some level we know that we didn’t earn any of this.
We know that life is a gift. Well, if you know that you’ve received a gift, then the natural response is gratitude, you know, the desire to give in turn. In a gift economy, it’s not true the way it is in our money economy that everybody’s in competition with everybody else. In a gift society, if you have more than you need, you give it to somebody who needs it. That’s how you get status.
And that’s even where security comes from. Because if you build up all that gratitude, then people are going to take care of you too. And if there are no gifts, then there’s no community. And we can see as societies become more monetized, that community has disappeared. People long for it, but you can’t just have community as an add-on to a monetized life.
You have to actually need each other. People desire to enact their gifts. And if they were free from money, they would do it. But money is so often a barrier. You know, people think, oh, I’d love to do this, but can I afford to do it? Is it practical? Money stops them.
You know, what beautiful thing would I do? What am I called to do? Would it be to set up big gardens for homeless people to take care of and reconnect them to nature? Would it be to clean up a toxic waste site? Like what would you do? What beautiful thing would you do? And why isn’t it practical to do these things? Why isn’t there money in those things? An economy that embodies the principles of the gift is an economy that is simply grounded in the truth.
The task before us is to align money with the true expression of our gifts. It requires a very different mechanism for the creation of money and the circulation of money. They include things like negative interest, which reverses the effects of usury. They include things like the internalization of costs so that you can no longer pollute and have somebody else or future generations pay the costs.
They include a social dividend, sharing in the wealth that comes from what should be the commons, the land, the aquifers, our cultural heritage. They include a relocalization of a lot of economic functions. They include all kinds of peer-to-peer finance and the peer-to-peer revolution. What will it take to shift away from the current money system? Well, the current money system just works less and less well.
Growth can only be maintained at works less and less well. Growth can only be maintained at a higher and higher cost. Even our best efforts can’t keep the economy growing as fast as it needs to for the system to work. And that creates further misery. People just can’t take it anymore. Even the people on top, even the winners of this artificially induced competition, they’re not happy either. It’s not working for them either.
So I think that we’re gonna see a series of crisis moments, each one more severe than the last. And at each crisis moment, we’ll have a collective choice. Do we give up the game and join the people, or do we hold on even tighter? It’s really up to us to determine at what point this wake-up point will happen. Was this all a big mistake? That’s a good question.
And it sure seems like it was sometimes when you look around at just the horrors that have taken place on this earth and that are ongoing right now. And some people think, I just don’t want any part of this. Civilization was a huge mistake. I came to see this whole journey of separation, not as a mistake, but as part of a larger process.
It started, I think, with the environmental movement in the 1960s. That was its first awakening into mass consciousness. And the astronauts went up and experienced the pinnacle of separation. And the photos that got beamed down, even today, it still evokes love in us. So we’re falling in love with Earth.
That’s one part of our transition into adulthood. The other part is the coming of age ordeal, when the old world falls apart and a new world is born. You know, a child plays. A child plays and develops his or her gifts but doesn’t apply them toward their true purpose yet.
And that’s what humanity’s been doing, toward their true purpose yet. And that’s what humanity’s been doing, playing with our gifts of technology and culture and developing these gifts. Now we’re coming into adulthood and it’s time to apply them to our true purpose. At the beginning, I think that’ll be to simply heal the damage that’s been done.
There’s a lot of healing that needs to be done and it’s almost impossible actually. You could say that really we’re in the business of creating a miracle here on earth. I’m saying it’s something that is impossible from an old understanding of reality, but possible from a new one. And in fact, it’s necessary. And in fact it’s necessary.
And in fact anything less than that isn’t even worth trying. Thank you.