So the question that you may have, as I have had for the past 2 years, is how will all this will work?
You want peace, security, safety, health, food and abundance!
These are the things I think you want, because they are what I want. You might use different words, but you project what you want onto others as well! Since all of these things are not detrimental to me, or you, there is a commonality between us. We have a shared view of this world, and a common purpose. It does not include taking your stuff or you taking mine.
I call this “built-in” cooperation.
This subject is huge…and deep, but let’s just keep it on this level. I have discussed some of the deeper parts in other posts.
We all cooperate in the majority of our lives. We drive on the “correct” side of the road. We have jobs. We raise families. We have friends, and other examples.
The only time we don’t cooperate is when we don’t agree, which is only a small part of our lives.
Let’s think about ways we can cooperate more.
We could form networks where we exchange services, information, and food with each other.
Everyone has something to contribute. It would work better with people we agree with, on most things. It helps with disagreements and offense.
Offense is the greatest problem we have. We would rather disconnect than deal with the emotions and conflict. But we cooperate at work, at home, with family because we think we “must.” We have an investment in them, so we stick it out, even being offended, frustrated and angry.
If we can realize that if we don’t cooperate our lives will not be as full, and actually jeopardize our future. We need to cooperate to have a backup just in case…
We will never make it on our own. It doesn’t have to be the “end of the world.” It could be just a short term loss of food or energy.
More importantly, learning how to get along with people will benefit every area of our lives. Job promotions and success in business are many times based on our “people skills.”
You have to realize that you benefit from cooperating as much as the next person. In fact, there is no cooperation without both parties thinking they got what they wanted.
It’s that simple.
So what are you giving up? I would say it’s your right to get offended and not do anything about it. It’s also your distorted world view that everything will be OK. It’s like a dystopian, utopian delusion. You want to be left alone, but you need to be realistic, and realize interaction is necessary and that results in conflict.
So learn how to deal with Conflict!
What about more concrete things, like food. Sustainable permaculture systems with a 40 year track record are readily available,
There is technology to make potable water that work cheaply.
There are many ways to generate power locally on a small scale basis including wind, solar, biogas and hydro-turbines.
There are proven building systems that use mainly local resources and are very cost and energy efficient.
Now add in the Cooperative Network aspect. You have the help and security of other people.
You might say, “Well that will take too much time.” How about you reduce your food, energy and housing costs by participating in their production so you don’t need to spend 40 to 60 hours working?
Think about how you will feel!!!
You know how to do a few things well, or learn the things you are interested in from other people . You trade those things with other people that they do well, preferably in a like-minded community. You help each other through shared work days to build infrastructure, grow food and generate energy. The excess of your efforts can be sold to outside communities or companies that will buy the things your community cannot make or grow itself.
There are many examples of this working, from the earliest US colonies to today’s Amish communities.
Today’s cities are the epitome of cooperation. Everyone is trading their work for the things they desire.
Is it ideal? No, but it works!
