Building a Better World: How a New Value System Can Enable Us to Achieve a Radical Transformation of Our Society

Many people across the globe are unhappy with the current state of the world.
They experience a lot of
suffering, violence, injustice, and destruction in their communities and the world at large.
They wonder why we have to tolerate such conditions when we have the capability, the knowledge, and the imagination to create a more harmonious, prosperous, and healthy world for all living beings.

If you feel this way, you are part of a growing movement of people who are calling for change.
They are not content with a system that is based on money and profit, which has created a multitude of social, economic, and environmental problems.
They are looking for alternatives that can address the root causes of these problems and create lasting solutions.
In this pamphlet, I will demonstrate to you that the underlying cause of most of our problems is the way we define and measure value and wealth in our society.
I will also introduce you to a new paradigm that can help us create a more compassionate, cooperative, and ecological society.

The current system of value and wealth is based on incentive-based monetary systems that use money as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value.
Money is supposed to facilitate trade, measure value, and preserve wealth.
However, money has also become an end in itself, rather than a means to an end.
People pursue money for its own sake, rather than for what it can buy.
Money has also become a source of power, status, and influence.
People use money to control others, to gain recognition, and to shape the world according to their interests.
This system of value and wealth has several flaws that make it unsustainable, unethical, and harmful.
First, it creates artificial scarcity and inequality.
Money is created by banks out of thin air as debt, which means that there is always more debt than money in circulation.
This creates a constant pressure to repay debts with interest, which requires more money creation, which creates more debt, and so on.
This cycle leads to inflation, deflation, debt crises, and financial instability.
It also creates a gap between the rich and the poor, as those who have access to money can accumulate more wealth, while those who lack access to money struggle to survive.

Second, it distorts value and incentives.
Money does not reflect the true value of things, but rather the subjective preferences of buyers and sellers.
Money does not account for the social and environmental costs and benefits of production and consumption.
Money does not reward activities that contribute to the common good, but rather those that generate profit. Money incentivizes people to act selfishly, competitively, and exploitatively, rather than cooperatively, collaboratively, and respectfully.

Third, it disconnects us from ourselves, each other, and nature.
Money reduces everything to numbers and symbols that can be manipulated and exchanged.
Money alienates us from the intrinsic value and quality of things.
Money dehumanizes us by making us see each other as means to an end, rather than as ends in themselves.
Money desensitizes us to the suffering and needs of others.
Money separates us from nature by making us see it as a resource to be used and abused, rather than as a living system to be cherished and protected.

The new paradigm of value and wealth is based on gift-based non-monetary systems that use gifts as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value.
Gifts are supposed to facilitate sharing, measure gratitude, and preserve relationships.
However, gifts are also an end in themselves, rather than a means to an end.
People give gifts for their own sake, rather than for what they can get.
Gifts are also a source of love, joy, and connection.
People use gifts to express themselves, to appreciate others, and to co-create the world according to their values.

This paradigm of value and wealth has several advantages that make it sustainable, ethical, and beneficial.

First, it creates abundance and equality.
Gifts are created by people out of their talents, skills, and passions, which means that there are always more gifts than needs in circulation.
This creates a constant flow of generosity, reciprocity, and gratitude, which requires more gift creation, which creates more gifts, and so on.
This cycle leads to prosperity, harmony, trust, and happiness.
It also creates a balance between the rich and the poor, as those who have access to gifts can share more wealth, while those who lack access to gifts can receive more support.

Second, it reflects value and incentives.
Gifts reflect the true value of things, but rather the objective needs and desires of givers and receivers.
Gifts account for the social and environmental costs and benefits of production and consumption.
Gifts reward activities that contribute to the common good, but rather those that generate value.
Gifts incentivize people to act altruistically, cooperatively, and respectfully, rather than selfishly, competitively, and exploitative.

Third, it connects us to ourselves, each other, and nature.
Gifts enhance everything to stories and symbols that can be appreciated and shared.
Gifts connect us to the intrinsic value and quality of things.
Gifts humanize us by making us see each other as ends in themselves, rather than as means to an end.
Gifts sensitize us to the suffering and needs of others.
Gifts unite us with nature by making us see it as a living system to be cherished and protected, rather than as a resource to be used and abused.

The Negative Effects of Money

Money is a human invention that was supposed to make trade and cooperation easier. However, over time, money has become much more than a tool. It has become a goal in itself, a way of measuring success, a source of power, and a means of control. Money has also changed the way we see reality.
We tend to value things based on how much they cost, rather than how much they are worth.
We tend to ignore or pass on the social and environmental costs of our actions to others.
We tend to focus on short-term profits rather than long-term benefits.
We tend to compete with each other rather than work together.

Money has also created a system of inequality and injustice.
The distribution of wealth and income in the world is very uneven and unfair. According to Oxfam, the richest 1% of people have more than twice as much wealth as 6.9 billion people.
The poorest half of humanity has not seen any increase in their wealth for 10 years.
Millions of people live in extreme poverty, do not have access to basic services, and suffer from hunger, disease, and violence. Money has also corrupted our institutions and our culture. Many governments are influenced by powerful corporations and wealthy individuals who lobby for their interests and weaken democracy. Many media outlets are owned by big companies that control information and shape public opinion. Many educational systems are designed to produce obedient workers and consumers rather than critical thinkers and creative innovators. Money has also separated us from ourselves and nature.
We have become addicted to buying and accumulating things, rather than finding meaning and happiness in relationships and experiences.
We have lost touch with our inner values and our spiritual essence.
We have forgotten that we are part of a living planet that supports us and that we must protect and respect. Money is not the solution to our problems, but the cause of many of them.
We need to rethink our relationship with money and create a new system of value and wealth that is based on different principles and values.
We need to create a system that is sustainable, ethical, and beneficial for all.

The Way Forward: A New Vision

To make the world a better place, we need to change how we think and how we act.
We need to redefine what we value and what we consider wealthy.
We need to create a new vision that is based on ethics in design rather than profit in motive. Ethics in design means that we create our institutions, our technologies, our policies, and our lifestyles according to ethical principles that respect human dignity, social justice, ecological integrity, and global solidarity. Ethics in design means that we put people and the planet before profit and power. Ethics in design also means that we acknowledge the importance of our choices as individuals.
We are not helpless victims or observers of the system.
We are powerful agents who can make decisions that affect ourselves and others.
We can use our abilities, skills, passions, and resources to make a difference.
We can learn and teach about the issues that matter.
We can mobilize ourselves and others to demand accountability and transparency from our leaders.
We can create alternatives and innovations that challenge the status quo. Ethics in design also means that we imagine a new world that is possible and desirable.
A world where everyone has access to basic needs such as food, water, shelter, health care, education, and security.
A world where everyone has opportunities to grow their potential and follow their dreams.
A world where everyone has rights and responsibilities as global citizens who share a common destiny.
A world where governments serve the common good rather than private interests.
A world where governments cooperate rather than compete or dominate.
A world where governments reduce their military spending and invest in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
A world where corporations are accountable for their social and environmental impacts rather than maximizing their profits at any cost.
A world where corporations adopt ethical standards and practices that respect human rights, labor rights, consumer rights, animal rights, and environmental rights.
A world where media are independent and diverse rather than monopolized and biased.
A world where media inform and educate rather than misinform and manipulate.
A world where media promote dialogue and understanding rather than division and hatred.

A world where education is holistic and transformative.

Next.

Let's explore some of the reasons why we need to change our current economic system which is based on incentives and money. This system has proven to be ineffective, unjust, and harmful in many ways. Here are some of the problems it has caused:

• It has failed to ensure economic stability, social justice, and environmental sustainability. It has led to repeated financial crises, extreme wealth inequality, and ecological degradation. It has created a world where millions of people suffer from poverty, hunger, disease, and violence, while a few enjoy immense wealth and power.

• It has corrupted human values and behavior. It has encouraged greed, selfishness, competition, and exploitation. It has eroded cooperation, compassion, solidarity, and altruism. It has created a culture of fear, distrust, resentment, and violence.

• It has limited human potential and creativity. It has reduced human beings to consumers and workers. It has stifled innovation and diversity. It has imposed artificial scarcity and artificial needs. It has prevented us from realizing our true potential and purpose as human beings.

• It is incompatible with the current challenges and opportunities of the 21st: century. It is unable to cope with the complexity and uncertainty of a globalized and interconnected world. It is unable to harness the power and potential of technology and science for the common good. It is holding us back from creating a better world for ourselves and future generations.

• It is not inevitable or natural. It is human-made and human-maintained. It is based on outdated assumptions and ideologies. It can be changed and replaced by alternative systems that are more humane, equitable, and sustainable.

These are some of the compelling reasons why we need to change our economic system. But how can we do it? What are the alternatives? How can we create a new paradigm that is based on ethics in design rather than profit in motive?

Let's find out in the next section.

Next.

If you are reading this, it means you are interested in finding a better way to live together on this planet. You are not alone. Many people around the world are unhappy with the current economic system that is based on money, profit, and inequality. You may have seen how this system has caused many problems for humanity and the environment, such as wars, poverty, corruption, pollution, and climate change. You may have also wondered why we keep repeating the same mistakes repeatedly, despite the lessons of history and the evidence of science.
The answer is as simple as the question: the system is flawed. It is not designed to serve the common good, but to benefit a few at the expense of the many. It is not based on rationality but on greed and fear. It is not sustainable, but destructive. It does not respect the dignity and diversity of life but exploits and oppresses it. We need a radical change. We need to rethink our values and priorities. We need to create a new system that is based on ethics, cooperation, and harmony. A system that recognizes the interdependence and interconnectedness of all living beings. A system that fosters creativity, innovation, and well-being for all. A system that empowers individuals to make informed and responsible choices for themselves and others.

How can we achieve this?

By using our agency as individuals. By realizing that we have the power and the responsibility to shape our destiny and influence the destiny of others. By joining forces with like-minded people who share our vision and values. By educating ourselves and others about the alternatives and possibilities that exist beyond the status quo. By taking action in our daily lives to make a positive difference in our communities and the world.
We are not utopians. We are realists. We know that change is not easy or fast.
We know that there will be challenges and resistance along the way.
We know that we are not perfect or infallible. But we also know we have a moral duty and a practical necessity to try. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

We invite you to join us in this quest for a better world. A world where money is not the measure of value or wealth, but a tool for exchange and cooperation that is fair and transparent.

A world where profit is not the motive or goal, but a means for social and environmental improvement that is ethical and sustainable. A world where inequality is not the norm or fate, but an anomaly and injustice that is challenged and corrected. A world where ethics is not an option or luxury, but a principle and practice that is universal and consistent.

We believe that such a world is possible and desirable.
We believe that such a world is worth fighting for.
We believe that such a world is within our reach.
We hope that you share our beliefs and join our movement.
Together, we can create a new paradigm that is based on ethics in design rather than profit in motive.

Together, we can build a better world for ourselves and future generations.