I believe that Buckminster Fuller's idea of the Trim tab is critical to understanding current stagnation of politics in Washington.
The small changes that would lead to big socially beneficial changes in Policy are not made because political people are busy making the small changes which will lead to bigger changes that are benificial to specific interests which they foster.
I am saying that unless the trim tab principal is openly discussed in government, vested interests will continue to employ it for narrow interests only.
A corrolary of this is that the public sector does have a special power which can be used to obtain leverage over social issues thru the leverage of the trim tab applied to the social rudder of a new policy applied to society..
First in a series of five.
THE CONDITION ON PLANET EARTH IS ABUNDANCE
The belief in either scarcity or abundance determines how financial, legal, political and military systems are set up or even exist at all. Scarcity and Abundance are foundational/contextual ideas. They each give rise to a distinct system of thought and a number of rules, characteristics and measures which only make sense within their own system. Only one of them can be the condition in which we exist. All current systems are based on the premise that the condition is scarcity. There is not enough for everyone, therefore I am going to earn a living for myself and my family. I am going to be loyal to my country and my country’s allies. The rest of you are on your own.
Looking at the pre-existing condition, before human beings lift a finger, we can see that nature (the universe) is extraordinarily abundant. In “Critical Path”, Buckminster Fuller states: ”The quantity of physical, cosmic energy wealth as radiation (sunlight) arriving aboard planet Earth each minute is greater than all the energy used annually by all humanity”. Oxygen for breathing has been available without effort for all human history. Plants produce plenty of seeds to expand their numbers. Human beings then observe and develop the technology of nature to produce more of certain desired results.
Right around the year 1900, there were 2 or 300 people who were the richest, most powerful people on the planet: kings, queens and heads of international businesses. Not one of them could: flip a switch to get clean, safe light; travel 3, 4, 500 miles in a single day in a vehicle sitting at their residence; speak instantaneously with their top generals and governors; fly to a place where they wanted to vacation; see events happening live in other parts of the world; process data rapidly; access large amounts of all the information known to man, from their desktop. Only 108 years later, electricity, cars, phones, airplanes, televisions, computers and the internet are everyday features to a growing portion of humanity.
As Bucky Fuller pointed out, know-how, the ability to do more with less, made this possible and in a shorter and shorter period of time for each successive item. The rate of growth of know-how is much greater than population growth. That is why the average standard of living for human beings keeps on increasing.
Since at least the 1950’s studies have been done that have compared the number of people on the planet with the amount of food produced. All of these studies have shown that we produce enough food to feed every single one of us. In the U.S. there is the Pez Museum, the Museum of Spam, the Barbed Wire Museum, the Museum of Trash and a registry where one can name a star after someone as a gift. A group of people in The Netherlands spent 8 weeks setting up 4.3 million dominos in order to break 8 world records when knocking them down. If all of these exist, then clearly the Condition is Abundance.
Applying the rules of scarcity in a condition of abundance actually causes scarcity for many people in the midst of abundance for others and undesirable side effects for everyone like pollution of the air, land and seas. There are lots of no longer financially viable, partially processed materials, that we ignorantly call trash, and then bury in landfills. Population has grown to the point where these merely undesirable side effects are now catastrophic side effects. The recognition of the True Condition (ABUNDANCE) will ease the task of making changes that will continue to result in increasing our standard of living.
William Daniels Copyright. Please distribute this freely for non-commercial purposes.
503-314-6902 I am available to speak, write on specific topics, etc.
wdinpdx@yahoo.com see: BillionsofBillionaires.blogspot.com; BFI.org; “Critical Path” by
11/21/08 R. Buckminster Fuller
Second in a series of five.
FINANCE IS NOT ECONOMICS
Webster’s defines economics as “a social science concerned chiefly with description and analysis of the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services”. Contrary to popular belief, none of these take money. Nature has never demanded money for sunshine, oxygen, crude oil, water, growing plants or ANYTHING else that humans use in our economy. Nature DOES require that we observe it’s laws, and these laws don’t change. For example, plants need a certain amount of sunlight, moisture, nutrients, space, etc., and airplanes require a specific amount of lift for each ton of cargo. There is constant and recurrent upset in financial matters because it is not science and the rules are changed and violated continuously. Humans have tried slavery, feudalism, communism, socialism and capitalism. None of them have or can work long term. They are all out of sync with nature and therefore obsolete.
The economy is composed ONLY of technology. The resources of the economy are materials, energy, time, labor and know-how. The purpose of the economy is to support life and do it to an ever increasing standard (standard of living). Buckminster Fuller looked at life support from seven aspects: Food, Shelter, Health care, Education, Communication, Transportation and Recreation. The only APPROPRIATE measure of the economy is “the sustainable increase in standard of living for ALL human beings”. Instead what we currently measure is how much money is made in various separate financial systems and what the Gross Domestic Product is in these systems and this includes life taking activities.
Money/finance is used to manage the economy, get access to it and to make it easier to trade unequal things, for example, artwork made by one person for a car made by 1000 people. Money is also used to make money and for “winning”. It is used for control. Once most everyone is convinced “it takes money to live”, those who control the money control people, on both the societal and the interpersonal level.
If the sun stopped shining or seeds stopped sprouting, the economy could not continue. Life itself would end. The reverse is not true. If money suddenly disappeared from the entire world, the economy could go on as before. There is a very revealing example that we can look at. The United States started a war with Iraq in 2003. There was no money to do it so it has never been in the budget. But this is a perfect proof that it doesn’t REALLY take money. It takes resources: Materials like guns, airplanes, tents and food; Energy like electricity, gasoline and nuclear power for ships; Time to move material and people around in order to accomplish the goal; Labor to develop all the weapons and strategies and carry them out; and Know-how to do all these things better than the enemy in order to win. Wars aren’t un-fought for lack of money, they are un-fought for lack of resources, period.
The idea that we can’t “afford” (don’t have the money) to feed everyone or provide shelter or health care is simply nonsensical when looked at in this way. There are many people and organizations that are genuinely and actively working to bring about a higher standard of living for more people. These efforts will become far more successful when the clear difference between money and economics is recognized. It has been well said that “we don’t ask for too much in life, but far too little”. Some people have fear of “spreading the wealth”. The opportunity we have before us is to “unleash the wealth”. This opportunity is truly about EVERYONE benefiting.
William Daniels Copyright. Please distribute this freely for non-commercial purposes.
503-314-6902 I am available to speak, write on specific topics, etc.
wdinpdx@yahoo.com see: BillionsofBillionaires.blogspot.com; BFI.org; “Critical Path” by
11/26/08 R. Buckminster Fuller
Third in a series of five.
YOU AND I AND EVERYONE HAVE EQUAL VALUE
The Declaration of Independence of the United States asserts: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal….”. Equal in what ways? Our understanding of the word equal has expanded since these words were written. We now understand that it means that slavery is not acceptable. We understand that equal includes women and all races, creeds and colors.
Perhaps it is time to accept that ALL human beings have equal VALUE. Perhaps it is time to accept that all human beings have equal value in all ways and in every aspect of life. This means that every human being has equal claim to all the resources and the highest quality of life support available on the planet. This is the way that Nature has set up the world. Oxygen for breathing, sunlight for energy, warmth and light, water for refreshment and for cleansing and plants that grow in the same way and produce food for everyone equally is the normal and natural way. Education is one way that we actually, already demonstrate the equal value of everyone. We give everyone, equally an education to minimum, and equal standards. AND, we have found that this is so valuable to society as a whole, that we not only give it we also require that everyone receive a specific amount of it.
Some will say that “competition” and “survival of the fittest” are inherent attributes that make this idea of equality impossible. Actually, simply redirecting these tendencies will work quite well. Lets compete with previous generations and with the “me” and the “us” of yesterday to see how much better “I” and “we” can be and produce TODAY. Can’t we see that when we don’t value others that they don’t like it and that they eventually make trouble, sometimes big trouble, terrifying trouble?
If the Universe, as vast as it is, has seen fit to have you exist, you must be valid, you must have value. Whether I see it or not, you must have value. Whether you see it or not, you must have value. The same must be true about me.
It is common to think that the bigger the group, the less I matter. That is one way of looking at it. The other way, that the bigger the group the more people I interact with and the more influence I have is far more satisfying and expresses self-respect. I matter, I make a difference, I am important, and so do You matter, so do You make a difference, so are You important. Buckminster Fuller and Mother Theresa both said it, one way or another, and lived it. Are we?
It’s very stimulating to relate to each other as winners and losers (the ecstasy of victory, the agony of defeat). There is another experience available to everyone and that is the profoundly fulfilling experience one has when genuinely caring for ALL one’s brothers and sisters. It is the experience of what it is to truly be a Humane Being.
Millions among us are intuitively recognizing the value of each and all, and the great benefits that then result for each and all. This is both a call to fully accept and implement the idea, and an acknowledgement that this is what is happening all over the world. The sooner the better.
William Daniels Copyright. Please distribute this freely for non-commercial purposes.
503-314-6902 I am available to speak, write on specific topics, etc.
wdinpdx@yahoo.com see: BillionsofBillionaires.blogspot.com; BFI.org; “Critical Path” by
1/10/09 R. Buckminster Fuller
Fourth in a series of five.
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
There is now enough interaction among people on board the planet that the fact of our interdependence and our impact on one another is obvious. We trade more products and have more peoples and cultures involved in the process. We see happenings from most everywhere on television. We experience other people and places firsthand through increased travel. Improvements in life support and life quality spread more rapidly than ever before.
The current multiple crises occurring all around our world, like climate change, financial breakdowns and corruption, food and water shortages and military buildups and their inevitable wars have consequences for all of us, also. Who among us is immune to pandemics, rising sea levels, polluted air, contaminated food or restricted freedom of movement because of security threats?
Bucky Fuller’s commitment was to developing an economic management system in which every human was better off, every human would have a higher standard of living. How could millionaires and billionaires have a higher standard of living? How about the freedom of reduced security for home, autos, businesses and loved ones? If I have all that I need, why would I even consider taking something from you or kidnapping your children and holding them for ransom?
Key to resolving all of these problems quickly and with great benefit for EVERYONE is to recognize that we are a single human family. We are a single species. We live on a relatively small planet. There is only one team. “All for one and one for all” is how teams achieve greatness. Every person has a different role and every role is important.
Why should I work for the benefit of everyone? Because when I do I have 6 ½ billion people on my team. All of you may not know it or accept it, but it’s a whole lot easier to relate with you when I know it and act accordingly. (Talk about stress relief!) Then I don’t have to placate, avoid or fight with you while I am going around caring only about my interests. I’m on your side!
It is said by some that greed and hunger for power are part of human nature, and that we will never be able to fully work together. That may or may not be accurate and is beside the point. What we have now are economic management systems (money, finance) that encourage greed and have power and control being exercised by a relative few. We are certainly capable of designing better economic management systems, in fact we have to because the financial systems are failing NOW. We may even surprise ourselves with how good we can make it and how wonderfully we can get along with each other. From cave dwelling to space traveling to democracy and human rights, that’s what we’ve been doing, one innovation after another.
William Daniels Copyright. Please distribute this freely for non-commercial purposes.
503-314-6902 I am available to speak, write on specific topics, etc.
wdinpdx@yahoo.com see: BillionsofBillionaires.blogspot.com; BFI.org; “Critical Path” by
1/13/09 R. Buckminster Fuller
Fifth in a series of five.
PRINCIPLES INTO ACTIONS AND RESULTS
Get educated: Study “Critical Path” by Buckminster Fuller.
Study any of Buckminster Fuller’s work.
Participate with Buckminster Fuller Institute (bfi.org).
The Venus Project; Jacque Fresco; Resource based economy (thevenusproject.com).
“A Steady State Economy” by Herman Daly (theoildrum.com).
The U.S. Basic Income Guarantee Network (usbig.net).
“The Future of Money” by Bernard Lietaer (blietaer@earthlink.net)
Educate others: Family, friends, co workers, churches, politicians, unions, service groups. One of the
most important points is to break the confusion between money and the economy,
between money and producing results.
Volunteer: There are hundreds, thousands of existing groups and programs available to any of us to
participate with.
Demand action of ourselves and businesses and politicians.
Start a project or organization that is consistent with the principle of: “Success for All”.
Be in touch with me to network back and forth.
William Daniels Copyright. Please distribute this freely for non-commercial purposes.
503-314-6902 I am available to speak, write on specific topics, etc.
wdinpdx@yahoo.com see: BillionsofBillionaires.blogspot.com; BFI.org; “Critical Path” by
1/13/09 R. Buckminster Fuller
OPEN LETTER TO BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN
Thank you for running and Congratulations on your election! As you stated in your acceptance speech, it is “our” victory. “Our” includes people around the world who supported your campaign with their interest, their enthusiasm and their money, if not their vote. One of those people called you a “president for the world”. No country and no leader in history has had the support of so many people spread around the world. What an opportunity! The question is: For what?
Foreign policy changes were an important and welcome part of your proposals. You have already articulated your intent to get out of Iraq, shift from oil to sustainable energy and practice diplomacy and engagement with friend and foe. All of these are important to “we the people”.
There has been talk that, for many issues, we need to “think big” and we need a “game changer”. The founding of the United States itself was such an event and opened up new possibilities for all of humanity. What new possibility is available to us today?
What if you make “the End of Hunger and Starvation Everywhere in the World” a cornerstone of US foreign policy? It is an opportunity. It is a new possibility for U.S. leadership and full international cooperation. And it is mandatory that this happen in order to have a truly safe and prosperous world community.
Buckminster Fuller’s research proved that we have the food and the capacity to deliver it. In 1977 The Hunger Project was founded, to end hunger and starvation on earth by 1997.
It said that the only thing missing was the political will.
The United States has accomplished mankind’s greatest technical challenge, that of sending humans to the moon and back, safely. Feeding everyone is not much of a technical challenge. What this requires is that we reach into our selves and stand for the highest ideal of what it is to be human, just as our founders did. Are we up to it yet? Will you be the President that declares: “No more hunger and starvation, anywhere in the world”? If not to us, if not to you, then to whom shall we look?
If you agree, copy this, share it with others, sign it yourself & send to: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/mypolicy
William Daniels Copyright. Please distribute this freely for non-commercial use.
503-314-6902
wdinpdx@yahoo.com
11/14/08
Every month or so I keep checking back to see the progress...
Great commercial posted at the Buckminister Fuller Challenge web site, created by a very talented video firm. It inspires many thoughts.
I hope others are still looking forward to examples from the 245 other entries. Will they appear on the BFI Challenge web site or will they be here?
We think that good ship society (Queen Mary) is passing by with a rudder quite ready to change the direction of the whole vessel and we hope that the coherent and comprehensive political philosophy expressed in the Standards of LIFE can be a trim tab for that change.
www.standardsofLIFE.org
Thank you for your post Burginger. Unfortunately, due to a few minor programming issues we have had to delay the launch of the Idea Index. We are working very hard to correct the site and hope to have it up and running ASAP.
We will send out an announcement via email as well as bfi.org as soon as the Idea Index is launched. Indeed there is much to learn from the entries, and we look forward to your feedback.
Thank you for your patience.
Will Elkins
BFI
The Buckminster Fuller Challenge Idea Index was scheduled to go online May 7th.
http://challenge.bfi.org/screenshots.php
So far it hasn't shown up anywhere. There is much to learn from the other collective entries.
Burginger
architect
www.RogerART.com & www.EarthBall.org & www.OneGlobalCommunity.com
EarthCitizenNEWS.com
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NEW: # 1
A New Earth, a must see...
Oprah and Eckhart’s class 1 to 10
http://www.oprah.com/obc_classic/webcast/archive/archive_watchnow.jsp
NEW: # 2
Secret Rulers of the World, his-story
Present/Past [ part 1 of 29 ]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAcxGD6-c-E
ARREST and JAIL ( the top 300 Global Gangsters / Banksters ) Please Pass (NAMEs Included in parts 27 - 29) On 2 E.Cs. around OUR Earth
NEW: # 3
ZEITGEIST, the Movie
Escape the Global Bank-Sters, See this 2 hour FILM here... http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
NEW: # 4
Prosecution of G. W. Bush 4 Murder, Hardcover - May, 2008 Release, Get Your Copy Here... http://www.buzzflash.com/store/items/1083
NEW: # 4 ...more coming soon from...
EarthCitizenNEWS.com