I am a university-trained economist and social theorist, have an adequate knowledge of history and monetary policy, and do my best to recognize watershed moments and trends in the part of human history that is 'right now'.
Is it possible, or perhaps even likely, that the wealthy few have gathered so many resources into their swollen 'baskets' of ownership, land-fealty and licensed/copyrighted domains that there is simply no real money left for the rest of us to spend?
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| "Please Sir, May I have some More?" |
History teaches us this: In a world of serfs, of abject poverty, one small potato field is a literal fortune - to a common man.
Today, automation is displacing us by the millions, soon to be billions, from productive work. Sadly, as these machines cost substantial money, only those with liquid capital can buy these mechanical slaves - and only they reap the profits.
Something must change - something must break - something must 'give'. And I do mean, literally give. Only by creating a world culture of compassion, sharing and equality will we be able to pass through this upheaval without violence, unrest, world war or a precipitous return to Colonial-era levels of social injustice and inequality.
Can just this once, this time, the human race make necessary social and economic shifts without rivers of blood in the streets?
I read a lot about the "sharing economy", but are we as a species really able to share wealth in a meaningful way?
There is hope. Each decade, fewer people are starving, more people are living a humane and decent life. Is it possible we have finally evolved further than Romans and Slaves, than Masters and Servants, than Romanoffs and Serfs?
If not, I weep for our children, and their children's children. We are either entering the darkest period of human history, or perhaps - just Maybe, the beginning of the brightest future mankind has ever known.
Ask yourself this question: Rich or poor - are you willing to Give?
