Ok just finished it. SO GOOD. So many thoughts at the same time. I love how pragmatic and grounded this is. It answers so many 'getting from here to there' questions. It's an implementable map. When I next update I'd love to include this in my (growing) repository of emerging economic models (with attribution): https://jennmcrae.github.io/relational-futures/
are you following frank distefano's work on the dignity economy? I'm unclear if its just conceptual at this point, but super resonant with what we're both thinking about:
I really loved the system of solutions here both from it's clear narrative line and how close it made it feel to being possible. I also love the whole Neoliberal vs Populist dichotomy as an overlay of modern politics as it does feel like those are the options at the federal level in America most of the time. Coalition building has been difficult in this country in the face of a "citizen's united" present where corporations are people, and now AI are also fake people so our votes feel watered down even when technically they still count.
Thinking about Pillar 1 with the full economic capabilities being unleashed and pillar 3 of the community controlled economic development made me think of a conversation I had with my brother the other day. I basically told him that I thought it would be cool as fuck if all the laid off people from AI could get jobs from the government (as well as all the laid off people from technology taking mining jobs, and factory jobs and retail jobs etc) just making things better by doing all the stuff that needs doing, like fixing infrastructure, mowing lawns, painting things, etc. So much of America feels like it's falling apart, literally, i.e. bad roads, bridges, old buildings falling down, lead pipes seeping chemicals into the ground, super fund sites etc. and we're simultaneously like "we don't have any jobs for people..." To your point, we have the money, why let the richest country in the world go to shit.
Thank you so much for reading and engaging thoughtfully with this. I'm grateful for the confirmation that it made sense and seemed pragmatic and actionable - that means everything to me right now.
I loved that you used the pillars framework in your thinking. I sniffled a little just now. It reminds me of that line from "When Harry Met Sally" - "I never had me quoted back to me before." Regarding the Job Guarantee, I've been thinking about implementation for probably five years now: local control is the key to avoiding the pitfalls of the New Deal and "make work" programs. People have no idea how much and how well Federal Block Grants have worked at building America. I'm just saying let's extend that approach all the way to labor and consumers.
As an aside, from my travels around the world, I can confirm America has become a second-world country (that's actually a good title for a future post).
I acknowledge your concern about coalition building, but I absolutely want to build that coalition and maybe you can help. Bernie Sanders proved that grassroots fundraising can be effective against pure oligarch-funded marketing. Contributors start from a point of "I believe," which is cheaper, stronger and longer lasting than the work marketing has to do to "convince." I think it can be done again, but we need new framing - I believe progressivism and socialism have run their course (I don't think what's happening with the NYC Mayor's Democrat primary election is extendable anywhere out of that area). But it does demonstrate one thing to me: Economic myths are melting. Possibly the time of the Opportunity Economy and Opportunity Economics is emerging?
I've started a practical way of building an active nationwide network and caucus using, of all things, GitHub. Would you like to take a look and offer suggestions or even help out? It's free to join, navigate and contribute (a little clunky, sorry).
Ok just finished it. SO GOOD. So many thoughts at the same time. I love how pragmatic and grounded this is. It answers so many 'getting from here to there' questions. It's an implementable map. When I next update I'd love to include this in my (growing) repository of emerging economic models (with attribution): https://jennmcrae.github.io/relational-futures/
are you following frank distefano's work on the dignity economy? I'm unclear if its just conceptual at this point, but super resonant with what we're both thinking about:
https://www.renew-the-republic.com/p/the-forgotten-purpose-of-the-economy?r=5oy8bz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Jenn.
I just said this out loud: WTF (see below)
https://github.com/chevan-nanayakkara/opportunity-economy
We are the vessels of transformation right now.
I just finished reading Frank's article (and replying to all the comment). He's a great thinker and very aligned. Thank you for point me to him!
I really loved the system of solutions here both from it's clear narrative line and how close it made it feel to being possible. I also love the whole Neoliberal vs Populist dichotomy as an overlay of modern politics as it does feel like those are the options at the federal level in America most of the time. Coalition building has been difficult in this country in the face of a "citizen's united" present where corporations are people, and now AI are also fake people so our votes feel watered down even when technically they still count.
Thinking about Pillar 1 with the full economic capabilities being unleashed and pillar 3 of the community controlled economic development made me think of a conversation I had with my brother the other day. I basically told him that I thought it would be cool as fuck if all the laid off people from AI could get jobs from the government (as well as all the laid off people from technology taking mining jobs, and factory jobs and retail jobs etc) just making things better by doing all the stuff that needs doing, like fixing infrastructure, mowing lawns, painting things, etc. So much of America feels like it's falling apart, literally, i.e. bad roads, bridges, old buildings falling down, lead pipes seeping chemicals into the ground, super fund sites etc. and we're simultaneously like "we don't have any jobs for people..." To your point, we have the money, why let the richest country in the world go to shit.
Thank you so much for reading and engaging thoughtfully with this. I'm grateful for the confirmation that it made sense and seemed pragmatic and actionable - that means everything to me right now.
I loved that you used the pillars framework in your thinking. I sniffled a little just now. It reminds me of that line from "When Harry Met Sally" - "I never had me quoted back to me before." Regarding the Job Guarantee, I've been thinking about implementation for probably five years now: local control is the key to avoiding the pitfalls of the New Deal and "make work" programs. People have no idea how much and how well Federal Block Grants have worked at building America. I'm just saying let's extend that approach all the way to labor and consumers.
As an aside, from my travels around the world, I can confirm America has become a second-world country (that's actually a good title for a future post).
I acknowledge your concern about coalition building, but I absolutely want to build that coalition and maybe you can help. Bernie Sanders proved that grassroots fundraising can be effective against pure oligarch-funded marketing. Contributors start from a point of "I believe," which is cheaper, stronger and longer lasting than the work marketing has to do to "convince." I think it can be done again, but we need new framing - I believe progressivism and socialism have run their course (I don't think what's happening with the NYC Mayor's Democrat primary election is extendable anywhere out of that area). But it does demonstrate one thing to me: Economic myths are melting. Possibly the time of the Opportunity Economy and Opportunity Economics is emerging?
I've started a practical way of building an active nationwide network and caucus using, of all things, GitHub. Would you like to take a look and offer suggestions or even help out? It's free to join, navigate and contribute (a little clunky, sorry).
https://github.com/chevan-nanayakkara/opportunity-economy