Occupy Cafe2024-03-28T12:23:09ZBen Robertshttp://www.occupycafe.org/profile/BenRobertshttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1554112341?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://www.occupycafe.org/forum/topic/listForContributor?groupUrl=alternative-economy&user=05ziaj1cb07t8&feed=yes&xn_auth=noOccupy Meets Transition (etc.) Cafe Call and Beyondtag:www.occupycafe.org,2012-05-15:6451976:Topic:250112012-05-15T14:57:18.095ZBen Robertshttp://www.occupycafe.org/profile/BenRoberts
<p>I would like to use our Monday Vital Conversation Cafe Call as a setting to explore the intersection of these two movements. We might even broaden the scope beyond Transition to include permaculture, climate and other related movements.</p>
<p>If this interests you, please contribute your thoughts here. We could start by identifying initiatives, gatherings and conversations that have already taken place or are in the works, such as the one in the UK that Anna Harris attended (or perhaps…</p>
<p>I would like to use our Monday Vital Conversation Cafe Call as a setting to explore the intersection of these two movements. We might even broaden the scope beyond Transition to include permaculture, climate and other related movements.</p>
<p>If this interests you, please contribute your thoughts here. We could start by identifying initiatives, gatherings and conversations that have already taken place or are in the works, such as the one in the UK that Anna Harris attended (or perhaps even helped to convene?). Based on a "map" of the current terrain, we can then consider what might be possible going forward, and perhaps also how the Cafe can serve to promote such synergies.</p> Occupy Gift Economies/Communestag:www.occupycafe.org,2011-12-04:6451976:Topic:153072011-12-04T23:54:50.559ZBen Robertshttp://www.occupycafe.org/profile/BenRoberts
<p>After seeing the occupy oakland commune and the occupy wall street library in action, as well as the food, medical, etc. tents that allows people to take what they need and leave while they can, I'm curious what the implications are for implementing this kind of "gift economy" on a wider scale. In San Francisco during the 60s the Digger groups set up free stores which they called "the inevitable gift society"http://www.sawfnews.com/Lifestyle/38717.aspx, and it seems like this kind of free…</p>
<p>After seeing the occupy oakland commune and the occupy wall street library in action, as well as the food, medical, etc. tents that allows people to take what they need and leave while they can, I'm curious what the implications are for implementing this kind of "gift economy" on a wider scale. In San Francisco during the 60s the Digger groups set up free stores which they called "the inevitable gift society"http://www.sawfnews.com/Lifestyle/38717.aspx, and it seems like this kind of free economy can provide the alternative to industrial capitalism many are aiming to enact.</p>
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<p>I would be curious to know how these economies are working out in the various occupations--preferably by those who run them--whether they are sustainable; where funding comes from; if there is too much demand for what can be supplied; if people are taking advantage of them without giving back, etc...</p>
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<p>Thanks so much, keep up the fight!</p> Everyone Investstag:www.occupycafe.org,2011-11-23:6451976:Topic:131052011-11-23T13:37:06.278ZBen Robertshttp://www.occupycafe.org/profile/BenRoberts
<p>[copied and pasted from the <a href="http://transitioninaction.com/group/gettingpastgettingby/forum/topics/everyone-invests" target="_blank">Transition in Action</a> site]</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Many, many people do not consider themselves investors because they live <em>hand-to-mouth</em>, or nearly so. It does not occur to many of us that when we purchase something, we validate everything from the vendor we encounter to methods by which raw materials were dislodged and removed from unknown and…</p>
<p>[copied and pasted from the <a target="_blank" href="http://transitioninaction.com/group/gettingpastgettingby/forum/topics/everyone-invests">Transition in Action</a> site]</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Many, many people do not consider themselves investors because they live <em>hand-to-mouth</em>, or nearly so. It does not occur to many of us that when we purchase something, we validate everything from the vendor we encounter to methods by which raw materials were dislodged and removed from unknown and unseen places. It does not occur to us then that we reinforce <em>get the best one you can afford, don't make the best one/alternative you can</em>. It does not occur to us that much of what's available is arbitrary, and more connected to subsidized fantasies than human needs, summarized as <em>to live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy</em>.</p>
<p>What are we thinking? Not as much as we can when we steadily reduce our criticizing, complaining, comparing, competing and contending!</p>
<p>Even when we have no surplus cash, we deploy our attention, time and energies. Let's be more and more thoughtful about them. Not necessarily mere consumers, we are co-creators, designers and investors in the making.</p>
<p> </p> Local/Regional Economies: Letting People and Places Mattertag:www.occupycafe.org,2011-11-21:6451976:Topic:122072011-11-21T01:29:11.887ZBen Robertshttp://www.occupycafe.org/profile/BenRoberts
<p>One of my frequent wishes is that more people would let go of the notion of one economy, even if it is to be very different. I believe moving toward many economies (the <em>cake</em>), with whatever links that energy availability/affordability permit (the <em>frosting</em>), is the sustainable way. By dethroning what is called economic efficiency, more people can have meaningful work and more connection with the life, including each other, of the places they inhabit. Not only that, the…</p>
<p>One of my frequent wishes is that more people would let go of the notion of one economy, even if it is to be very different. I believe moving toward many economies (the <em>cake</em>), with whatever links that energy availability/affordability permit (the <em>frosting</em>), is the sustainable way. By dethroning what is called economic efficiency, more people can have meaningful work and more connection with the life, including each other, of the places they inhabit. Not only that, the process can begin with individuals and small groups able to see past next-to-no jobs to the unmet needs and under-integrated living systems.</p> A cart ahead of the horse?tag:www.occupycafe.org,2011-11-17:6451976:Topic:102112011-11-17T14:05:16.371ZBen Robertshttp://www.occupycafe.org/profile/BenRoberts
<p>I think that your idea has merit, but how can one go door to door calling on small businesses without a clearly defined economic alternative to hold as a vision? Or did I miss something?</p>
<p>I think that your idea has merit, but how can one go door to door calling on small businesses without a clearly defined economic alternative to hold as a vision? Or did I miss something?</p> #occupy New Economytag:www.occupycafe.org,2011-11-12:6451976:Topic:75722011-11-12T17:33:10.482ZBen Robertshttp://www.occupycafe.org/profile/BenRoberts
<p>A new team for the new economy is being formed. We are based at #occupy Montreal in the green shelter. </p>
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<div><b>The plan</b><span>: </span><span>Create an </span><b>#occupy identity</b><span> umbrella, a safe space for collaboration. </span><span>In the following weeks our team we'll go door-to-door to local family-owned businesses to help those in financial/economical trouble. We'll provide them with tools for communication, coordination, sharing, collaboration, logistics, and…</span></div>
<p>A new team for the new economy is being formed. We are based at #occupy Montreal in the green shelter. </p>
<p></p>
<div><b>The plan</b><span>: </span><span>Create an </span><b>#occupy identity</b><span> umbrella, a safe space for collaboration. </span><span>In the following weeks our team we'll go door-to-door to local family-owned businesses to help those in financial/economical trouble. We'll provide them with tools for communication, coordination, sharing, collaboration, logistics, and even alternative currencies. We'll create a new business ecosystem based on the core values of the new economy. We'll use our international connections to bring in the most talented individuals specialized in this field. We'll coordinate with other #occupy camps around the world to implement this parallel new economical system. </span></div>
<div><div><font size="3"><br/></font></div>
<div><font size="3">This is NOT a long-term shot! We expect to publish positive economical results before February. </font></div>
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<p>More here <a href="http://www.occupyneweconomy.com/">http://www.occupyneweconomy.com/</a> </p>
<p>What do you think about this initiative? </p>
<p>Would you join, and why? </p>
<p> </p> Time Based Economytag:www.occupycafe.org,2011-11-03:6451976:Topic:48472011-11-03T01:54:26.308ZBen Robertshttp://www.occupycafe.org/profile/BenRoberts
<p>There is only one thing we all have in common, and that is the amount of time available each day. I am in favour of creating a system where people are treated equally and I believe using time as the basis for economy is a sound plan.</p>
<p>Lets start the discussion.</p>
<p>There is only one thing we all have in common, and that is the amount of time available each day. I am in favour of creating a system where people are treated equally and I believe using time as the basis for economy is a sound plan.</p>
<p>Lets start the discussion.</p>