Economics is the branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.
The form of exchange we have utilized since around 1,000 BC, money, was the first metal currency and was developed in China. Earlier exchange usually involved barter of goods. Our current paper money exchange began with credit notes, promissory and bank notes and transformed later into its current paper bill form. This ‘money’ was originally linked to the value of metals such as gold.
In the US, individuals could exchange their paper money for gold until 1933. Until 1972, the US government backed our money by gold with other countries. 1972 was the official end to our adherence to the gold standard. Every major international country followed suit. More and more, we have moved into electronic currency. Indeed, it is estimated that only 8% of the world’s currency exists as physical currency.(1)
You might wonder what guarantees the value of our money. The answer is nothing. Money only has value because we assign and agree upon it’s value. From this progression, we can see the shifting paradigm of our monetary system over time.
What will be our next shift?
This page will examine both our current challenges and potential ways we might shift our current paradigm.
Economics is the branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.
The form of exchange we have utilized since around 1,000 BC, money, was the first metal currency and was developed in China. Earlier exchange usually involved barter of goods. Our current paper money exchange began with credit notes, promissory and bank notes and transformed later into its current paper bill form. This ‘money’ was originally linked to the value of metals such as gold.
In the US, individuals could exchange their paper money for gold until 1933. Until 1972, the US government backed our money by gold with other countries. 1972 was the official end to our adherence to the gold standard. Every major international country followed suit. More and more, we have moved into electronic currency. Indeed, it is estimated that only 8% of the world’s currency exists as physical currency.(1)
You might wonder what guarantees the value of our money. The answer is nothing. Money only has value because we assign and agree upon it’s value. From this progression, we can see the shifting paradigm of our monetary system over time.
What will be our next shift?
This page will examine both our current challenges and potential ways we might shift our current paradigm.
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Wealth Inequality in America
“The richest 400 Americans now own more wealth than the bottom 180 million taken together.”
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Wealth Inequality in America
“The richest 400 Americans now own more wealth than the bottom 180 million taken together.”
New Paradigms in Economics
Sacred Economics
Charles Eisenstien
There’s a new (old) way to think about money. Are you Ready for it? Negative interest, internalization of costs, social dividends, relocalization, peer to peer financing.
Eco-System Awareness-
Presencing Institute
Upgrading the economic operating system from ego-system to eco-system awareness.”
New Paradigms in Economics
Eco-System Awareness-Presencing Institute
Upgrading the economic operating system from ego-system to eco-system awareness.”
Sacred Economics
Charles Eisenstien
There’s a new (old) way to think about money. Are you Ready for it? Negative interest, internalization of costs, social dividends, relocalization, peer to peer financing.
Creative Ways of Navigating the Current Paradigm
Creative Ways of Navigating the Current Paradigm
Kickstarter
is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others. Launched in 2009, over $5.5 billion has been pledged by more than 19 million people, funding more than 194,876 creative projects.
Mr Money Mustache
Retired at age 30 with his wife to pursue having a family, he claims that by focusing on happiness itself, you can lead a much better life than those who focus on convenience, luxury, and following the lead of the herd. This site has his recommendations.
Kickstarter
is a funding platform for creative projects. Everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others. Launched in 2009, over $5.5 billion has been pledged by more than 19 million people, funding more than 194,876 creative projects.
Mr Money Mustache
Retired at age 30 with his wife to pursue having a family, he claims that by focusing on happiness itself, you can lead a much better life than those who focus on convenience, luxury, and following the lead of the herd. This site has his recommendations.
Dealing with Inequity
Dealing with Inequity
Switzerland Deals with Inequality in Pay
Imposed a new rule that would limit the pay of top executives to just 12 times that of the lowest-paid employees at the same firm, preventing CEOs from earning more in one month than the lowliest shop-floor worker earns in a year. The executive pay initiative was approved by around two-thirds of voters and all cantons.
Ten Ways to Democratize Our Broken Economy
There is a lot one person working with others can do to help according to Bill Moyers.
Switzerland Deals with Inequality in Pay
Imposed a new rule that would limit the pay of top executives to just 12 times that of the lowest-paid employees at the same firm, preventing CEOs from earning more in one month than the lowliest shop-floor worker earns in a year. The executive pay initiative was approved by around two-thirds of voters and all cantons.
Ten Ways to Democratize Our Broken Economy
There is a lot one person working with others can do to help according to Bill Moyers.
New Ways of Investing
New Ways of Investing
Mosaic
Mosaic connects investors to high-quality solar projects. Their mission is to open up clean energy investing and fundamentally change the way energy is financed.
Mosaic
Mosaic connects investors to high-quality solar projects. Their mission is to open up clean energy investing and fundamentally change the way energy is financed.
More on Economics
More on Economics
Personal Finance
Your Money or Your Life
This shows readers how to gain control of their money and finally begin to make a life, rather than just make a living. by Vicky Robbin.
Energy, Economics and Politics
“Jeremy Rifkin, the American economist and president of the Foundation on Economic Trends, whose new book, “The Third Industrial Revolution,” argues that a titanic economic and political shift is under way — one driven in large part by the rise of clean, decentralized energy sources. “
Concern about overpopulation
“Population stability or decline is not an environmental panacea if it is accompanied by continued growth in consumption.”
South America-Social, Cultural, Environmental and Economic
The limits of capitalism, consuming less and developing a sense of the collective.
Personal Finance
Your Money or Your Life
This shows readers how to gain control of their money and finally begin to make a life, rather than just make a living. by Vicky Robbin.
Concern about overpopulation
“Population stability or decline is not an environmental panacea if it is accompanied by continued growth in consumption.”
Energy, Economics and Politics
“Jeremy Rifkin, the American economist and president of the Foundation on Economic Trends, whose new book, “The Third Industrial Revolution,” argues that a titanic economic and political shift is under way — one driven in large part by the rise of clean, decentralized energy sources. “
South America-Social, Cultural, Environmental and Economic
The limits of capitalism, consuming less and developing a sense of the collective.
“Some people see things that are and ask why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time.”
George Carlin
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In the United States, we it is considered normal to work 40 hours/week and retire at age 65 or beyond. Some in other parts of the world may work up to 75 years of their lives. Since, for most, working occupies such a large percentage of our time, our work environment becomes all the more important. Those who are engaged in work that is meaningful to them tend to be happier and more productive in life. Many companies are beginning to look at ways to change the culture of work environment to support this goal.
“Some people see things that are and ask why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time.”
George Carlin
.
In the United States, we it is considered normal to work 40 hours/week and retire at age 65 or beyond. Some in other parts of the world may work up to 75 years of their lives. Since, for most, working occupies such a large percentage of our time, our work environment becomes all the more important. Those who are engaged in work that is meaningful to them tend to be happier and more productive in life. Many companies are beginning to look at ways to change the culture of work environment to support this goal.
“Making money isn’t hard in itself… What’s hard is to earn it doing something worth devoting one’s life to.”
“Making money isn’t hard in itself… What’s hard is to earn it doing something worth devoting one’s life to.”
South America
Semco SA: Ricardo Semler
Brazilian CEO and majority owner is best known for his radical form of industrial democracy and corporate re-engineering. He authored the books, Maverick! : The Success Story Behind the World’s Most Unusual Workplace and The Seven-Day Weekend: Changing the Way Work Works. Ricardo developed a different brand of management allowing employees to set their own hours, design their workplace, set their own salary and their own production quotas. In addition, instead of large bonuses for senior management, profit sharing is practiced among employees.
Lifestyle Virtual Driven Teams
Nearly half of North America’s workforce are women. This has exerted pressure on companies to find ways to be more flexible with how that work is done. Combine this with the expansion and proliferation of computer and internet technology and the idea of virtual work becomes more attractive. This is a paradigm shift many are starting to enjoy. Employees enjoy flexible hours, can work from home and is family friendly. With no commute time, people are able to maximize their personal lives.
India- Barefoot College
Capitalizing on the untapped labor market could transform business and the lives of 200 million individuals. In India, Barefoot College is leading the way. About 197 million people already live without a job and the International Labor Organization (ILO) has warned that that number will only grow in coming years. A decline in job quality combined with vulnerable employment and a demand for skilled workers will push over 205 million people into unemployment by 2014. In rural Rajasthan, Barefoot College provides chances for those whose illiteracy often excludes them from the formal job market. Understanding that illiteracy is often a barrier to employment, Barefoot College trains these farmers to be teachers, doctors, and engineers by building off their local knowledge. The Barefoot model views villagers as assets, believing that knowledge can exist outside of formal education.”
Do we Really Need To Be Working So Hard?
Is it time for developed countries to transition to a 21 normal hour work week?
South America
Semco SA: Ricardo Semler
Brazilian CEO and majority owner is best known for his radical form of industrial democracy and corporate re-engineering. He authored the books, Maverick! : The Success Story Behind the World’s Most Unusual Workplace and The Seven-Day Weekend: Changing the Way Work Works. Ricardo developed a different brand of management allowing employees to set their own hours, design their workplace, set their own salary and their own production quotas. In addition, instead of large bonuses for senior management, profit sharing is practiced among employees.
Lifestyle Virtual Driven Teams
Nearly half of North America’s workforce are women. This has exerted pressure on companies to find ways to be more flexible with how that work is done. Combine this with the expansion and proliferation of computer and internet technology and the idea of virtual work becomes more attractive. This is a paradigm shift many are starting to enjoy. Employees enjoy flexible hours, can work from home and is family friendly. With no commute time, people are able to maximize their personal lives.
India- Barefoot College
Capitalizing on the untapped labor market could transform business and the lives of 200 million individuals. In India, Barefoot College is leading the way. About 197 million people already live without a job and the International Labor Organization (ILO) has warned that that number will only grow in coming years. A decline in job quality combined with vulnerable employment and a demand for skilled workers will push over 205 million people into unemployment by 2014. In rural Rajasthan, Barefoot College provides chances for those whose illiteracy often excludes them from the formal job market. Understanding that illiteracy is often a barrier to employment, Barefoot College trains these farmers to be teachers, doctors, and engineers by building off their local knowledge. The Barefoot model views villagers as assets, believing that knowledge can exist outside of formal education.”
Do we Really Need To Be Working So Hard?
Is it time for developed countries to transition to a 21 normal hour work week?
Do You Have a Dream?
Ten painful rejection letters to famous people proving you should never give up your dreams.
Do You Have a Dream?
Ten painful rejection letters to famous people proving you should never give up your dreams.