Freeconomy Blog
Mon
23 May
Big moneyless village and living news
| 115 comments |
When I began living moneyless in 2008, almost two and a half years ago to the day, I really had absolutely no idea where it would all lead. It originally all started as a very personal one year experiment, to see how it felt as a human to live without money in a world fuelled by it. I'd only just created Freeconomy a year earlier in 2007, and had been trying, rather pathetically, to raise awareness of what I believed were the inevitable and catastrophic consequences - social, ecological, mental, physical, emotional and spiritual - of this liquid tool that masquerades as an innocent medium of exchange.
But in the middle of 2008 my friend Markus rightly challenged me about the fact that I was speaking out about a tool which I was using just as much as the next person myself. So, with barely a clue about what I was doing or how I'd survive a year moneyless, I decided to take the plunge in Nov 2008. I really was just fumbling around in the dark. When people tell me they couldn't possibly manage to live without money, I laugh and respond with a "trust me, if I can do it, anyone can." There is no fake modesty there, I really am fairly average, often incompetent, at just about everything I throw my hand at.
That was two and a half years ago, and I've no idea where the time has gone. By the middle of the first year, I naturally questioned it all. For a whole range of reasons, I hadn't set myself up to keep going for life. But the thought of going back to the monetary economy felt absolutely awful (probably similar to how a recovered alcoholic feels about going back to a life of alcoholism), and the Freeconomy movement seemed to be gathering a lot of momentum, which was a trajectory I didn't want to halt. Not only that, but I was inundated with emails from people who - in theory, at least - said they now wanted to do it also.
So I began thinking about scaling the project up to a village level, where those who wanted to live moneyless - but understandably had no idea how to within this political, legal and economic model - could have a place where they could just be, somewhere to live 100% locally, which as David Fleming points out really is the only game in town, despite our delusions otherwise.
At the time I had just agreed to write a book, The Moneyless Man, about the reasons why I chose this life, and an account of my first year. Proceeds were inevitably going to arise from this (though I had no idea how much back then), and after consulting this online community about what to do with the money, in what turned out to be one of the most commented on blogposts I've written for this website, I/we decided to use the proceeds to help set up a moneyless village, where the money would go towards buying the land and infrastructure required to set the project up. Despite it being the decision of 95% of the commentators on that blog, it also received much understandable criticism. To use money to set up a moneyless village, the critics claimed, was hypocritical, and it was hard not to agree with them - the idealist in me certainly did. The realist, that guy within me whom the idealist fights with every day, compared it to a pre-nineteenth century slave, where in order to make his/her children free the slave had often to buy their freedom from their 'master'.
I felt the situation with the land was very similar. At the moment, all land is enslaved in the monetary economy, not the gift economy to which it truly belongs. So I/we decided to buy a piece of land so that from that point onwards it, like those who stewarded it, at least that piece of the Earth would be free.
To do anything else with the proceeds would, overall, just be an attempt to fight the symptoms of an incredibly unsustainable, violent and exploitative economic model (though symptoms that nonetheless need fighting by those who are passionate about each particular symptom, of which there is no shortage to choose from). It would do nothing to get to the root cause.
This village, it was decided, would not only be a place where its residents could live in harmony with Nature, it would also become a research and educational centre for moneyless living worldwide: a place where people could learn through simply doing and the free courses we'd run, where they could come and experience moneyless living for whatever length of time they needed so that, on return to their own community, they could integrate any ideas that made sense to them, their community and their landbase. And it would become a resource that others could draw on, a model that could easily be replicated and altered depending on the climatic, cultural and legal factors of any other interested group's own country. That was the rough vision back then, and that vision is becoming more refined and clearer by the day.
This vision has undergone some major developments in the last three weeks, as much to my surprise as it may be to yours. After a year of living pretty much in limbo, I've met a bunch of people, with whom I (and possibly we) would love to co-create such a project with. Their aims are so close to ours that it is uncanny. They have already bought some land, and with the proceeds of the book we will aim to buy more land around and/or put in place truly sustainable infrastructure to allow us, and future generations to live there in the same way all of the rest of life does: free.
So at the end of June I am leaving my home in Bristol and going to explore the potential for joining these two projects together, in a way that none of us actually knows how it will evolve. I really have no idea how it will turn out. But the initial signs and feeling are really, really good and I am very optimistic. I've met the people and instantly connected with them. Our philosophies are almost identical, but more importantly, we're both willing to learn as much as we can from each other and come up with the most appropriate and efficient solutions with whatever new ideas and views we co-create. They feel like my tribe, and it has really huge potential, so on both a very personal level, and a more global level, I am very excited about it!
Some of the members of the Freeconomy group who had come together last September, with a view to making the moneyless village happen, may or may not join up with this new collaboration also, though for reasons I don't want to go into yet this is all uncertain at the moment. Its an exploration, albeit a very exciting and high potential one.
The other half of this news is not-so-exciting from my perspective, and you may or may not have views on it: from next month I will re-enter the monetary economy. That doesn't mean for a moment that I'll be straight off to the shopping mall! Or that I am suddenly going to be pro-consumerism! Very little in reality will change. It just means I will use the resources available to us to make the long-term project happen much quicker. We may be looking to buy more land around the existing land that the project we are collaborating already has, restoring the land to something like it's desired state, to grow a forest garden big enough to feed a little potent hub and those who want to visit, to construct truly sustainable dwellings and infrastructure and so on. It doesn't feel brilliant I have to be honest, but the reality of the world we all find ourselves in is one where money is omnipresent, and to try to establish this whilst remaining outside the monetary economy would be a challenge greater than me I feel.
How long will I remain in the monetary economy for? I've no idea yet, that'll become clearer in a couple of months. But the one thing I can say that it will be as short a time as possible. I'm not taking a holiday. If anything, it is going to be a period in which I am going to have to roll up my sleeves another few turns.
My transition back to moneylessness will be guided by the Progression of Principles (POP) model that Shaun and the rest of the Freeconomy crew came up with, where we set time-based goals in which to make our transition to complete moneyless living. Years 1-4 may involve us using money, Years 4-6 may involve us being technically moneyless but not fully outside of the industrialised economy (like I have been living up to now). Year 7 onwards may be 100% localised living (aka Moneyless living). These are just numbers to explain the current thinking. But even the current thinking is up for discussion. It also really depends on my new tribe, my existing tribe, all their needs and the ways in which we evolve together. Don't ask me for the answers now as I just don't have them; they'll come from the new group, of which I will be a minor part.
This was always part of the plan ignited by that blogpost back in 2009, as regular readers of this blog will know. However, I still expect to get a lot of criticism over this decision, some of it which I will completely respect, understand and accept.
It's been a hell of a crazy three years, and up until a few months ago I had barely a moment to stop and reflect. Now I just want some time out, to go and explore what I hope to be the next logical stage of the journey, to put my total energy into it, and when the time is right (which I don't believe will be too long) to bring you all along for the ride if you want to come. Its an incredibly exciting opportunity that came really out of nowhere, and I intuitively feel I need to explore its potential.
This is a big risk on my part. I've got to leave this wonderful orchard that I've called home for so long now, and the beautiful land around it. I've got to leave my community, my friends and the people whom I love and have grown alongside with, people who have inspired the hell out of me since I moved to Bristol back in 2005 to start a job managing a local organic food company. And I have to move a few centimetres on the map further away from my folks, whom the older I get the more I love. But I also have to stay true to whatever I feel at any moment, weighing up all the external factors with what feels right inside. And this feels right.
As soon as I know more myself I will let you all know. In the meantime, I am going to be trying to spend as much time as I can working with the people we are looking to join forces and resources with, creating the new project, and so I will be trying to be as offline as I possibly can be for a while. Because of the way this moneyless project has developed since that first decision to just give it a go back in 2008, I've had to spend far more time in front of a screen than I had ever intended, every moment of which is a moment I am not doing the things I really love now.
This has been a source of unhappiness for me for a while, as deep inside me there is a fundamental longing to be sat around a camp-fire every evening, playing music, signing songs, telling stories, making love, forest gardening, permaculture designing and sitting-on-a-mountain-staring-at-the-ocean-ing.
I will continue to blog here, and these blogs are going to become what I think of as 'more honest' now, as I am sure you'll probably become aware. My philosophies have evolved a lot over the last year, thanks to people such as Shaun Chamberlin and Fergus Drennan, and authors such as Charles Eisenstein and Derrick Jensen. The project will continue to evolve in whatever direction that everybody involved in it evolves. I hope that involves some of you. There is no rigid, set plan here. Its just a vision open to evolution.
But I am going to drastically cut back on all other channels of communication for a while. I've so much to learn, I feel as incompetent for the next stage of things as I did back in the autumn of 2008. I need to listen again, to observe the land on which I am to dwell. I need to reflect on the last three years. And I need some time to just BE for a little while. Time with people I adore, just doing the things we love. That is what I crave now.
But above all else, I just want to thank you all for the incredible support you've shown this movement over the last few years.
Lets bring this movement forward together now, not with an unbalanced focus on one fumbling Irishman in the middle of the English countryside, but instead as a movement of people who want to show that there is another more beautiful, gentle, compassionate economic model.
One that is small, one that is 100% localised, and one that puts people, the planet and all we share it with over the desires of the 1% of the population who want to convert it all into dead, inedible notes and coins.
Much love to you all.
THE FREECONOMY BLOG is written by Mark Boyle, who has been living for two years and a half years without money, and is the founder of the Freeconomy Community. He is the author of The Moneyless Man.
Comment on this Post:
Slow comments ...
Bestest of wishes on your next part of the journey, Mark - enjoy time around the camp fire with people who are trying alternatives, away from armchair theoretical critics x
Pete comments ...
These guys at least don't pay for the land they live on: http://www.youtube.com/user/dannyallen1984#p/a/f/0/Ens4RTvu014
Ember Love comments ...
To remain open and honest and willing are the qualities essential for a shift to sustainability.. and surely this is the deepest aim; to exist in the most elegant and least costly way.. we'll see you when you come to Hay and hopefully more in the years to come.. I fully support your efforts to become whole and connected and in harmony with this beautiful world and all the humans and non-humans there upon.. the path isn't always straight.. sometimes it wiggles a bit :)
Mark Boyle comments ...
@ Pete - I've huge respect and admiration for Dom and Danny, absolutely great guys.
@ Slow - thank you.
@ Ember - it sure does! See you at Hay on the 1st, bring the poet within!
Ocean comments ...
How exciting!
Yes, you will come in for a lot of flack but who cares? Generally it comes from those who either don't have the balls to give up everything and jump the way you did, or from those that will spend a lifetime wasting energy squatting, fighting the police and being moved on and never really build anything lasting or change anything significant.
I, for one, trust your intuition and your integrity.
Spread your wings, fly, be free, know all your efforts are greatly appreciated and that you are loved and supported where ever your path takes you. xxx
Ember Love comments ...
@Mark - it's mi b'day that day so hopefully the inner poet will be on form ;) x
Alexis comments ...
Good luck, Mark. I share the feelings of most people who visit and have become a part of the freeconomy community. I really hope this will all continue to progress. Have fun and keep in mind there are many supporters :)
claire gilmour ui shuileabhain comments ...
mark...I totally get that fundamental longing you speak of...its deep within me yearning to be taken notice of. Good luck to you in following the next step that feels right for you. I honour and appreciate what you have done this far and i especially honour you taking note of your longings and following your dreams!
I'm hoping one day for a moneyless village here in Inishowen. Am feeling very stuck right now with the whole single parent of 2 very young girls but i know the time will come!
Take good care. Hope you're dropping by Ballyshannon on your way to wherever it is you're heading!
claire x
Clay comments ...
Hey I'm kind of new here, but I was wondering if you are aware of Michael Reynold's Earthships?
http://earthship.com/
They would be an excellent addition, or could be the core, of to a moneyless village. Might require money to build, but after that you are home free. Definitely worth checking out I think.
Mark Boyle comments ...
@ Clay - love Earthships, and Michael Reynolds is an incredible guy. It's on the list of things to consider using.
@ Alexis - yeah we're hoping that this will bring it to the next stage of things. Thank you.
@ Ember - apparently I get a case of cava for the talk (not sure if you drink alcohol!), so we might have to make a toast to you!
@ Claire - yes I'll be in Ballyshannon in two weeks time, maybe see you around!
Rob comments ...
A fantastic post. I'm glad the project is progressing and I think you're on the right path.
As far as accusations of "hypocrisy" go, I think it's manifestly ridiculous. The monetary system has facilitated the gradual "privatisation" and usurpation of land, and yet people expect you not to use the money tool against the system, and ultimately against itself? I guess they just prefer this kind of status quo and the sanctuary of nihilistic "honesty"... :)
Good luck, peace, love and power to the project!
Carolina Preo comments ...
great to hear about the moneyless village mark... all the best to you on this new project ... ill be looking forward to news about it and hopefully, who knows, i may join one day. peace and love.xx
Derek Dubolski comments ...
All the best Mark in the next stage of your life, and thanks for all the inspiration! Where actually are you going (I seem to have missed out on details)? GOOD LUCK>
brigit comments ...
Love, hugs and support winging their way across the ether Mark! Hope to catch you before you head off.....you still doing Sunrise?
B xxxxxx
Mick McEvoy comments ...
After reading this blog today Mark and listening to the RTE Documentary aired yesterday I am in awe of what you have achieved and for your plans for the village looking forward. I laughed a lot, a few tears fell but I was immensly inspired and happy to hear your story on radio 1 as I drove the length of the country. I am constantly perplexed as we line up at ATMs to get our paper. How having more paper than someone else allows you to have more opportunity.
I have been thinking a lot over the last few years of ordaining as a Buddhist monk as my Buddhist spirituality develops. This was a lot to do with opting out of a money driven world. Now I see there are other alternatives.
I wish you all the luck, happiness and joy in the world. May you go forward and prosper, continuing to inspire and shine.
Every Blessing to you Mark
Mick in Belfast.
frida comments ...
you are growing, just keep going and growing and everything will get it's right place sooner or later.
Apostolos comments ...
a new magnificent journey begins!we are with you wherever it goes! Love to be sharing the planet with you!
veronica comments ...
hi Mark, besta luck with the new venture. like Mick there i was listening to the radio One doc and was impressed enough to check out this site. you made some really salient points but the most poignant for me was the fuel argument (i'll bear it in mind next time im cruising the beach in the rain for driftwood) and also the fact that animals dont have healthcare packages.... also, interesting that you are from Donegal originally. we made a wee doc here in a fishing and farming village in the south-west of the county a few years ago interviewing older people in the area about their childhoods where pre-WWII they lived self-subsistently and communally and used barter for the few goods they needed to procure. if u hve means to view it can post u copy. anyways, hope next phase goes well. and fair play to ya.
Jo comments ...
As an eager follower of all you do and a proponent of freeeconomy living, I wish you all the best. I am glad my copy of your book will go towards this great aim. As a medical doctor, I am interested in how one can marry western medicine and care with moneyless living. I would be interested in getting involved in this so feel free to contact me if you would like some collaboration. I was touched by living without money for a year and a half in Antarctica as I was the doctor on an overwintering expedition. I have never quite adjusted back to the world of dead inedible coins since coming back and am seeking an outlet to not return to what you described so well as alcoholism. Thanks Mark for all the inspiration and please stay in touch.
Frederick Dsouza comments ...
Hey Mark. I love this words "Every Bit Counts". You have done way more than your bit than most of the people on this planet. Lots of people have drastically cut down spending money on luxuries with your inspiring words and deeds and a lot more people will continue towards such transition. The 1% people who are in power is the obstruction to moneyless world but i do hope the rest can overcome this obstacle if we all genuine 100% aspiring freeconomist continue cutting down our unnecessary expenditure to eventually living without money, sustainable and world without borders.
Kristi comments ...
I am so inspired by your actions and ideas! Thank you Mark for your book and blog, without it my Husband and I would feel very lost. We are trying to pay off our debts and are learning how to live more sustainably so we too can someday live free. I do wish I could just drop everything and take my kids and family and live the way nature intended, but, as I'm sure you understand, it's not so easy. Any advice you might have, I welcome. By the way have you seen the Zeitgeist movies online? I strongly recomend you do. Thank you again for pioneering such an important movement. ~Kristi
Rachel from Brisbane comments ...
Wow Mark. Very exciting. I like the 7 year plan and totally agree with the slavery analogy. Social evolution is gradual (at least until large scale disaster strikes!!) and money so deeply entrenched that you need to use it in order to and until you achieve your ultimate goal. Squatting, while free, would not lead you to this goal.
Yes, please tell us where, roughly, on the map you be moving. Is it in the UK or across the seas somewhere ??
All the best. You are a beautiful soul of a human being and will, I am sure, continue to inspire many. Please remember how your Internet and media can change lives on the other side of this great globe and don't forget us for too long!!
Hugs from Oz!!
Rach
Amy Daffodil Rainbow comments ...
Huge love and respect to you for your inspiration and determination. You go enjoy that camp fire. xx
D JoAnne Swanson comments ...
Thanks so much for putting the word out about what you are doing, Mark. I appreciate your perspective. I'm on the same page in many ways, doing complementary work. I founded a group called Creating Livable Alternatives to Wage Slavery (w...hywork.org) back in 1998, and I now maintain a blog called Rethinking the Job Culture.
I, too, find inspiration in the work of people like Derrick Jensen and Charles Eisenstein. Unfortunately, there will always be naysayers who will criticize people like you for hypocrisy because you're using money to buy land or whatever.
As I see it, the bottom line is that we who want to live this way will just have to learn how to tolerate the paradoxes and contradictions that are inherent in using centralized money while we are attempting to put sustainable systems into place that are NOT driven by money. Is there hypocrisy involved? Sure. So what? It isn't a problem if you're not striving for some unattainable goal of purity.
It's a strange place to dwell: we criticize the money system even as we are forced to depend upon it. We must live in two worlds at once. We untangle ourselves one step at a time, and accept that all 'escapes' are partial. No need to strive for purity; it's enough just to be doing your best to live this vision as best you can, and see where it leads you.
Thanks for your inspiring work, and best wishes for your upcoming move!
Pete comments ...
@JanCoulson
"Enjoy life with the tribe."
-> What do you have to say?
@Ocean
"or from those that will spend a lifetime wasting energy squatting, fighting the police and being moved on and never really build anything lasting or change anything significant"
->I did not say "Squatting" I said "Claiming or Squatting land"
You should look into claiming land in Scotland. Also there's a huge difference between squatting in urban areas and in nature; if we want to live in harmony with nature, in nature, there is nothing that can stop us "the police" can not govern humans just like they can not govern animals as long as we don't have microchips
frantasia comments ...
I just checked in here to comment on the RTÉ Radio One documentary, which I heard on Saturday, when I read of your upcoming plans. You came across well on the radio, I enjoyed it.
Good luck with your new project and all best wishes in all you do.
Rach comments ...
Hey, I first read about you back in 2008, I loved the idea and wished I could do the same, ive since moved to Bristol and stumbled upon your book, which Im just finishing now, it seems like a huge transition...but Im slowly getting into ways of living better....good luck with the new project..sounds like fun.....if you ever need a hand... :)
Kai Paulden comments ...
Mark, I salute you and all you have done. I have taken hope and inspiration from your actions. Best wishes for your continuing journey.
B. comments ...
The biggest and best changes are made when someone works from the inside. Using money keeps everything nice and calm (hek hopefully)and helps it move in the right direction to a non monetary system. It aint hypocritical. People say that to put you off a project, make you question your ideas to much.
Squating is another thing all together. It isnt really sustainable living and can be unnecessary hard work in the process to something lasting, bigger and more accessible to a wider peoples.
Use the money against itself !!! and keep it clean.
Ocean comments ...
@ Pete. Go for it! Be the change you want to see in what ever way feels right to you. Let us know how you get on. xx
Julia comments ...
Wow! This is the first blog post of yours that I have read, having only heard about you fairly recently, and I am so glad I have read it. I am currently at university and over the past year my thoughts and ideas about life have been hugely influenced by Daniel Quinn and Derrick Jensen's work and have come to realise the moneyless life is for me, although at times it seems daunting and impossible to do (especially when the rest of the world looks at you like you are crazy) it is the only thing I want to do. Thank you for being so inspiring and for showing me it can be done.
anrirua comments ...
Well sham! just want to wish u well and show appreciation for your journey and your journaling of it.. I only started following the blog so I hope you don't stop writing.. The information and awareness side of your actions and the inspiration it can give people shouldn't be underestimated. All the best and keep on keeping on!
Fergus Drennan comments ...
Reflecting on your journey thus far and your coming destination leaves me in a strange dynamic of shifting emotions at once happy and sad in equal measure. Sad in the self generated illusion that a good friend is departing, happy that his instict allows him to flow with life's gift of daily renewal and inspiration.
A short time ago I read a passage from the work of Michael Roads, words he felt the river speak. Their reference to plots of land and the flowing jouney remind me so much of you as you come and go!
"All humanity is contained in the river of life, but the slow, deep holes and fast, shallow rapids offer their deception. When you are aware and awake you may correctly interpret them; if you do not, then you are at their mercy.......
The Eel has a sense of purpose, and hunger is the motivation, but be aware of how little of the river each Eel patrols.....
It is not the purpose of mankind to stake a claim and stay forever fixed. Only fear needs to hold onto an area, naming it "home," a place of safety. There are those, however, for whom this meets their needs and their purpose, for in establishing roots they make real growth.
But man is not a tree.
Greater growth is experienced when roots are kept trimmed, never seizing hold of an area to make it "mine."
Let ownership begin when it is no longer needed. While security demands ownership, then it is stagnation in the guise of comfort which will blind you.
The river flows - on, ever on.
Let home be a base, but never a purpose, or like the Eel, your limitations will control you.
When you look into the water do you see last week's water, or yesterday's.....or is the water ever fresh, ever flowing, ever new?
[In relationship, in a relationship,] always you are each the causative factor.
Today's people seen through yesterday's eyes will swing you out of the mainstream of the river of life into an eddying swirl of stagnation.
For some unfortunate people this is called marriage. See your partner in life, all people, as totally "new" in the moment of contact.
In this way you may live confined to one area, yet flowing swiftly in the fresh current of life.
Life will seek you, rather than you being the seeker of life. Thus the paradox is revealed. To live life constantly on the move, yet viewing through "yesterday's" eyes, denies movement or change.
To live life from one home, on one tiny plot of land, viewing all life through "today's" eyes, allows you to be the aperture through which life flows, ever fresh, ever new.
However, for those who roam far and wide, ever moving, ever aware, ever open, viewing all life through "this moment's" eye's - life becomes a benediction."
Fergus x caught up in the river's eddy and swimming madly!
Ruth comments ...
Good luck Mark, after all you have done you certainly deserve some time for yourself. Ignore the critics there will always be people wanting to put a good idea down. If this is what you want/ need to do then do it. I wish you all the best.
chrissy comments ...
well not a lot I can add, I wish you well on your next stage and hope you keep us all up to date,
with metta,
Chrissy
Paul comments ...
Thanx Mark, I understand, well done, maybe we will meet sooner rather than later.
mike wilcox comments ...
"A truly moneyless man would squat or claim land" is a bold claim, but will not bring about what Mark is trying to do quickly. The best way to implement any plan is to avoid any run in with the authorities by using their own laws to gain what you want.
It's all well and good to stand on principles, but as Grandma use to say " it doesn't pay the rent". If Mark makes sure every T is crossed and there is no blockage legally to what he wants to do, buys the land outright today, the Moneyless community begins tomorrow. The other way is a pipe dream by Anarchists down at the pub.
No community will be truly moneyless, as there will always be taxes to pay. Even if it's a roundabout trading eggs for a bicycle, the bicycle for a rototiller, the rototiller for a a half dozen goats, it still has to be converted to cash to pay taxes. I don't see anything hypocritical in that, it's simply reality we all currently live in.
Margit comments ...
All the best Mark to you and your tribe! As someone who will be tied into the world of paid work, pension accumulation for many years to come due to family obligations I truly wish I could join your group. You're a beacon of light in a world gone insane.
angela comments ...
Breaks are always necessary and good to allow the mind to settle and take a break. Enjoy your love ones and have lots of fun. I am looking forward hearing about your coming project. Thanks for caring and sharing with us.
Sikh Truth comments ...
Hit the nail on the head. Sometimes you gotta make your hands a little dirty for the greater good. Noone expects you to be a saint and if you TRULY think that you're doing the right thing then forget the criticism, do what YOU gotta do. As long as you can look at yourself in the mirror, that's all that matters.
Meanwhile, if you need any help, I offer any resources and such at my disposal. I really hope this village becomes a reality and would love to be a part of it.
JK comments ...
After personally studying numerous utopian societies, we can pretty much guarantee this one will fail too. I wish it were not the case. It is starting out with the fatal flaw of desire (the desire to create a better place). I wish it were not the case, and I am not one to judge. I am not living anywhere near a Freeconomic life-style. I am merely observing how utopian societies come together and fall apart.
The only thing we can change is ourselves and the only time we can change is now. If our actions change one other human in the course of our lifetime, so be it. If no, accept it.
Ana comments ...
I've followed your journey with enthusiasm from the difficult beginins (I admired you more for that) for the courage and determination to live your moneyless way. I was one of the posters dissapointed when your book went on sale, but I'm an idealist. I would have like to know more about the difficulties you have encontered and how have you coped with them, from the material, psycological aspect to get a clear full picture of your moneyless living. But I haven't read your book, perhaps if it cross in my path I will in future... I'm going to miss your thougtful posts.
An anecdotic acount of today. My boy (the only vegetarian in his class) came from school and told they've been talking about vegetarianism (it's vegetarian week); what he learnt about it today:
Vegetarian are hippies (in a negative tone)
Vegetarian are thiny and weakly
V are farthing all the time .....
CONCLUSION: we know that none of that is true. so we have a huge long way to go. Of course there arenot vegetarian Hindus in his class, unless you're vegetarian for religion reason , you're not respected. And we live in Brighton where it supposes to be higher per centage of vegetarian people in all the country.
All the best. Ana
Hippogryph comments ...
Hi Mark and everyone! Recently I have read the book The Moneyless Man (thanks to Cygnus Review), I have not enough words to express my gratitude and happines to see such a spirit within the community! Mark, I don't want to write long now as all I wish for you is that you can this time reflect in arms of Mother Earth and just BE. The times in monetary system will be rough, but your vision is worthfit, in my eyes it is the best way how to create something for nature in return and long lasting care that is so needed. I am on similar path, but on the one which you have got through already. I have now this craving inside, the strong beat telling me 'go', 'do it' I don't know what and how, but I'm leaving London after 7 years and I wholeheartingly wish I can volunteer in your ecovillage as soon as you need the first hands on!
In a mean time I'm going to find my way how to contribute to the community and mostly just be too, learn alot.
Thank you for one of the greatest inspirations I came across!
Enjoy 'your' time
with love and care
Hippogryph
http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/hippogryph/
Heiko comments ...
Mark, I wish you all the luck in the world for that next stage. I love your honest self-assessment knowing you don't, you can's have all the answers. I wish I could join you, but our virtual money-less state means I can't even travel from Italy to see you. One day maybe I will come and see your community.
We ourselves have just gone a step further on our own path. We have been given a caravan to put onto our land. I'd love to join or set up a small community, but our land isn't big enough for that. Maybe I should write a book and liberate more land with the proceeds ;)
Janet McFall comments ...
Thankyou Mark for sharing your journey with us, it has been thought provoking and inspirational and I'm sure the future holds lots of great moneyless experiences for you!
As for having to use money to achieve your dreams, if it feels intuitively right then it probably is, follow your dreams regardless of what other people think.
Pete comments ...
@Mike Wilcox
"No community will be truly moneyless, as there will always be taxes to pay"
Yes it is possible. First of all, moneyless communities can be 100% moneyless since they can exchange labour for goods.
However, sustainable living is different from moneyless living; sustainable living means that you can create everything yourself, don't exchange labour or money. This is possible too. I would advice you to look into the history of taxes and who brought them into existance, who receives the taxes now? Nobody has to pay taxes when they live off the land, however when it comes to a lawsuit for example, we would need the masses to awake and not pay taxes, mortgages, get their money from the bank etc
@ JK
"It is starting out with the fatal flaw of desire (the desire to create a better place)"
What are you trying to say? That we should not desire? That we shouldn't do things as an individual that may inspire others and they might join?
That we should want to create a place that's better? We can not fight this system, we can only create alternatives. Why should we accept "the babylon system" as our place, as it is, from cradle to grave? We see the flaws in "the babylon system" that we can not live with, thus we don't support those flaws.
@ Janet McFall
"As for having to use money to achieve your dreams, if it feels intuitively right then it probably is"
Pete comments ...
@ Janet McFall
"As for having to use money to achieve your dreams, if it feels intuitively right then it probably is"
Maybe it isn't right, because "intuition" might be based on fear "what if they take my land" and acceptance of what is "normal" (buying land instead of claiming or camping on it)
Nobody can buy land in the real world. In the babylon system it seems possible, however you will just be able to register it, never own it forever. In most countries the government is able to take your agricultural land if they need it for ECONOMIC reasons, thus buying the land doesn't make the situation better in most cases, because you will also need a government ID to register it and possibly pay land taxes based on the registration.
However, I do understand that Mark 1) has the book money and wants to use it for a greater good 2) Wants a "safe haven" land that he bought. But I would advice him to look into the option of starting true moneyless communities in the future without buying the land in the future
JK comments ...
Yes Pete, I am saying we should be from from desire. Chapter 2 of the Tao te Ching is a one place we can find that guideline
http://www.chinapage.com/gnl.html
Numerous other references to the concept of desire-less-ness can be found in Buddhist, Yoga, Jain, and Hindu texts.
Sadly, Marks will will likely fail for this reason.
Pete comments ...
@JK
What's your alternative? Do nothing? Can you answer my questions in full instead of just answering one of them? Thank you
Mark Boyle comments ...
@ JK - ah, well I guess that's it decided then. I hadn't realised you'd spent a bit of time studying utopian societies, if you'd told me that earlier I'd not have bothered. Obviously this is guaranteed to 'fail'. :) Apologies.
On a more philosophical note, how do you define 'fail'? If you view life as an exploration, a journey, an opportunity to learn, can one ever fail, if making mistakes and learning from them is one of the things you accept before you even start? And without knowing what we/I want to achieve, how can you know if we'd 'fail' anyway?
Also, this isn't a 'utopian society'. It's just life. It's how people lived for a very long time, much longer than this dystopia we live in right now. There are still some untouched tribes left. They haven't failed, have they? Had they failed when they co-existed with the rest of Nature for thousands and thousands of years?
It's not 'utopian' (a word which now means something other than its origins) to want to live off the land under your feet. Everything else in Nature does it, apart from humans. Do you think the rest of the natural world has 'failed', however you define that?
And the bit about desire is bordering on the ridiculous. Do you have a desire to breathe air, eat food, drink water? Well, so do we, we just want to breathe fresh air, drink clean water, and eat the most alive food we can. That's not desire, it's just common sense really. Why want to eat shit, breathe fumes, and drink piss, shit and chemicals mixed in with a bit of hydrogen and oxygen?
I respect your opinions, but just thought I'd throw my twopence worth in.
smag comments ...
Good Luck Mark and all the others involved keep us posted and looking forward to my first invite to visit.
Pam Lifely comments ...
Well done Mark, listened to a radio documentary about you last Sat on RTE 1 (in Ireland) and had to sit down, leave what I was doing alone and make sure I didn't miss any of it! I think what you are doing is wonderful and wish I was young again! In saying that, you have inspired me to make some changes that will be positive and in tune with your philosophy and my young daughter, 12 yrs, is also totally taken with freeconomy... so there's the future generation! I wish you every good wish for success in your new venture and look forward to hearing how it goes Mark. Follow your heart. Best, Pam
MD comments ...
Bravo to you Mark! Hats off to your courage and ideas! I wonder if you have any thoughts about how people with disability to live moneyless like yourself as it might be quite difficult?
JK comments ...
Pete: The alternative is to do without desire in the here-and-now
Mark:
a) Your question of the defining failure is a good one. As the American Baseball player Yogi Berra used to say, "It is tough making predictions especially about the future." I predict the whole project will fall apart in about 5 years. When you go back an analyze the failure, desire will be the cause. Again, I wish I were wrong on this, but I don't think so
b) breathing air is not a desire, it is a need
Frederick Dsouza comments ...
People in power can designate land for testing nuclear bomb and testing medicine on animal . Why not testing site for The Freeconomy Community
Pete comments ...
@JK
1) "Pete: The alternative is to do without desire in the here-and-now"
That's not an anwer. I have asked you to answer multiple questions. If you want us to understand what you are trying to say, you should at least try to base it on my questions, because those are the questions that arise in me based on your answer.
And if I have to accept and asses this "answer" you are giving; it is a worthless answer.
It would be the same as me asking "why do I have to tie my shoelaces the way you do, wear the same shoes with the same colour" and your answer would be "that's the way it is, accept it, don't try to change it, just do as I do and say, just like everyone does"
2) "Again, I wish I were wrong on this, but I don't think so"
Nobody acttually cares about what you think! Something can only be prooved by trying it, not discussing "it will work" "it won't work"
The situation is very simple. Going back to basic has been proven to work for thousands of years. Why wouldn't it be possible now?
Just because "one shouldn't have desire"? Same on on this worthless comment of yours as I said in (1); it's really a worthless thing to say.
Now, what have YOU contributed to your own happiness? It seems like you are the type of person who can not live moneyless because then he would have to face himself and the state of the world he is living on and couldn't cope with this nor not having money to spend on useless crap you don't need
@Frederick Dsouza
I would have hoped you were able to figure that out by yourself?
Those people in power want us to do as they say, live in the economic system they designed and pay taxes to them, thus they probably won't gain from giving land to a moneyless community ;)
JK comments ...
Let me give it another shot Pete.
In the 2nd Noble Truth, the Buddha said that the causes of all suffering in the world are:
Desire
Delusion
Hatred
Desire is not limited to money and things. It can be an over-attachment to ideas and sex for example. Desire is a mask for ego. This blog posting of Mark, seems to be over-wrought with desire.
A good example from history may be in the Soviet Union. Leftists all over the world covered up the atrocities of Lenin and Stalin. In 1932, a New york Times reporter, Walter Duranty, won a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting on Stalin's 5-year plan. It was later discovered that Duranty covered up Stalin's man-made famine in the Ukraine that killed millions. The leftist's desire to create a "worker's paradise" on earth was a large part of that phenomenon. Go back and read some of the reports of foreign contingents who visited the USSR before WWII. The American John Reed told glowing stories of the glorious revolution to US audiences. Similar things happen in all movements seeking to create utopias.
The concept of "heaven" is similar: a desire to live forever. Yet another mask for ego.
Does that help Pete?
Pete comments ...
@JK:
Again, can you answer ALL of my questions, not just what you think about Mark's plan but also in the world view. Thank you.
Pete comments ...
@JK
Also after reading your latest message I can only conclude that you are making comparisons between someone who desires a communistic ENOMOMY vs someone who wants to live moneyless (no economy) as people used to live for ages without televisions, oil etc etc;
This comparison does not make sense at all.
I think the problem is with you; you can not separate one thing from another; lifestyle (moneyless vs in the economic system), desire (useless crap vs living in the wild).
Maybe you should read Mark's message of May 10 again (Addicted to civilisation), over and over, until you comprehend what he is saying.
I am also asking you to come up with an answer that indeed reflects the situation as a whole, by answering the questions that have arisen inside me based on your answers.
Then maybe you can show us some insight in how you see things, but for now you are just partially answering the questions you create inside us by giving answers that don't relate to what we want to achieve.
chrissy comments ...
@ JK have you let go of all your desire and ego? I would guess not as it would be the ego driving you to correct others to your own way of thinking and beliefs. I have never heard the dhali lama put down other peoples ideas and ways of thinking, and I understand he is probably one who has dealt with his ego and desire far longer and better than many people. Maybe it is time to understand your own desire to be "right" in this and how your ego has tricked you into thinking you are right to put others down in your attempt to be right.
@mark, tuppence well spent!
metta and best wishes
curbina comments ...
Dear Mark:
I'd like to go out on a limb and say that what's truly important is to get started and if that requires using money, then so be it. A 20 years transition period, while being truthfull to the principles, is the blink of an eye compared to what a wonderfull and better world will this be after that. My Best Regards!!!!
Frederick Dsouza comments ...
Mark, your concept of The Freeconomy Community and sites like this, is already a major competitor for the present money system. I propose a high level security to protect you cause the people in power will not want you to exist. I used to go to Brooklyn Free Store run by some of the Anarchist group here in new york city. One day half the store got burned but after 3 weeks the full store got burned with the building next to it where some anarchist used to live, it was confirmed that it was deliberate. Here is the link of burning store https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8An8VvPMlW0&feature=player_embedded
ga67 comments ...
The critics need to understand that moneyless living and the creation of a moneyless society is not an intellectual game,its about our loss freedom and regaining it.If we want it back then we will have to buy it back.There is no other way.Get over it.
Brian Delaney comments ...
Hi Mark
You planted seeds for many people including me. Thank you. You are now moving onto the next stage, that's natural and it doesn't matter what others think about it. You had the courage of your convictions to start this journey and if you listened to negative feedback it would never have happened.
Thanks again- and enjoy!
Lygeia comments ...
I think you are doing the right thing.
One can no longer just pick up and farm a piece of land. You have to pay for it. However, this is the best way to be free, to live off of the land using permaculture methods that help, not harm, the Earth.
You may want to look into The Farm in Tennessee in the US: http://www.thefarm.org/ to see how they have successfully set up a permaculture ecovillage that is in many ways essentially moneyless.
Gary living in France comments ...
I would say it takes more courage to take this thing to the next level. Letting everyone no that your closing this chapter of the book that is your life. Than it did to start this thing off. You have inspired so many people so far, it's not over yet, and you will continue to do so. With the momentum you have it would be almost impossible to stop. Unless of course pictures get released of you pulling up to a 5 star hotel in a Bentley.
"ALL YOU TOUCH
AND ALL YOU SEE
IS ALL YOUR LIFE
WILL EVER BE" - Roger Waters.
Is it not the case that the concrete, slum dirty world we live in is a "HUMAN UTOPIA" we designed and built the office blocks, traffic jams, and poverty is no accident it would be extremely naive to think otherwise.
Gary
gary951@gmail.com
The Warless Warrior comments ...
The critics can howl. The do-ers will quietly get on and change the world others find so easy to criticise. Receive your tribes love and respect Mark. Nothing invigorates the soul more than doing that which pleases the heart. Love and respect. MJ
Sarah Lee comments ...
Hi Mark, Thank you for writing your book which I have just finished reading and for sharing your experiences, good luck for the future and I wish you well in your venture. Sarah from Shropshire.
JK comments ...
Pete
1. I answered all the questions I thought you asked so I am not sure which other questions you would like me to ask. Please ask again
2. My remarks really have nothing at all to do with money/moneyless living but rather the inevitable failure of utopian societies in general as a result of desire.
jimmyjames comments ...
Mark, keep at it man, do what your your heart tells you:)
keep smiling
Pete comments ...
JK
Good luck man, you answered 1 out of 4 questions, that's not answering all questions.
Also you still didn't explain why it's desire if you base it on separating primal and secondary things. Anyway, I am not going to discuss this with you anymore, I have given you enough attention and time
Paula comments ...
I love the sound and feel of you (from the inside out) and I understand the "place" you find yourself in. Just to "be" is s-o-o-o important. Try not to be too hard on yourself; I will send you some slack!
Chrissy comments ...
Am with you on that one Pete, reckon life would be so much easier if we all did as Mark is doing and followed our paths without giving so much energy to our would be critics. I have given up trying to understand why people want to destroy others ideas and positive energy, I now have to learn to understand how to just leave them be an get on with my life! LOL
*Dick* comments ...
That damn refrain of "being the change you want to see in the world" - Tonight, on my way home from my sisters, I picked up a Hitch-Hiker!!! I never picked up a Hitch-Hiker before. The rain, and the kind of world I wish to see, compelled me to stop.
Mark Boyle comments ...
@ Dick - respect. Go with that feeling...
@ Chrissy - thanks. Yeah I've learned to just do what feels right, what you know deep inside you to be your course of action, and not to waste anytime responding to criticism that has no use (some criticism, given with love, is very useful, and we call that constructive feedback).
@ Pete - thanks for that. It feels like we agree on so much, and I totally understand your stance about buying land, the idealist in me says the same. I'll personally never own land, I just want to protect it from the system until the system either collapses under its own weight, is taken down, or matures to a point where it doesn't needed to be protected. Thank you for all you do.
Chrissy comments ...
YAY! Go for it Dick! You will find the good energy will always come back to you in some form. Not that it is intended for reward, but good brings about good and what is wrong with feeling good?
Mark I agree totally and have learnt a lot about myself through loving and constructive advice. I have a long way to go, and am so impressed by people like yourself who can really get out there and make those changes, may all the wonderful gods and spirits bless you.
I AGREE WITH JK comments ...
I hate to rain on anyone's parade - especially one with aims as admirable as this - but come on, you have to be realistic.
Monetisation happened as a natural extension of trading. Is the idea in your village that someone will swap vegetables for some sort of skill maybe? What about if they don't want vegetables - what about if they want something they can trade for other skills? Some from of versatile trade-able object which can used to swap for other goods or services exists in every culture that's ever existed.
What about your wider plans? Do you plan to destroy all of the buildings? De-comission the factories? Your laptop uses solar technology. If it breaks, how will you replace it?
I admire you Mark, but you've got to dry up.
Pete comments ...
@I AGREE WITH JK
Hey, it's JK's imaginary friend.
First of all it's about living the lifestyle we want to live, telling others about it and offering them the opportunity to join. That's it.
I am not planning to destroy anything - the system will fall by itself if we become independent from it by creating alternatives for buying food at the supermarket and renting a house, for example.
chrissy comments ...
JK and Pete, what do you think happened to the mayans and other "civilisations?" I'll bet there were people in those societies who coudl not imagine anything other than the one they had there.
I personally have always wondered what happens when the monetary interest cannot rise anymore...reckon we're about to find out. I also wondered where the smoke from the airplanes I gazed up to as a child went to, open your mind as a child and you will see how ridiculous this system is.
Wth metta
Pete comments ...
@Chrissy
"open your mind as a child and you will see how ridiculous this system is"
I have already done that years ago ;)
JK comments ...
Chrissy, as far as I know the Mayans were not a utopian society. My visit to Costa Maya Mexico lead me to the opinion that Mayan society was far from paradise. They were a hierarchical society with a ruling elite of priests who practiced ritualistic, sacrificial killing.
The sum total of my comments is:
a) Utopias usually fail
b) Desire is the reason they fail
Helen C comments ...
All I can say is "wow" to that Mark.... u have come so far and to achieve the dream of a village will def take more dedication and interaction with the money world but you'll do it! I have a 3 & 4yr old and everyday I'm reminded of their innocence and the fact they have such basic needs but that as they grow they'll be slowly drawn into this greedy world for all its wants and not needs.... of course I'll do my best to show them there r better alternatives and really do frequently think about packing it all in and how wonderful it would be to live in one of "your villages".... I've no doubt it would be very hard graft but it would all be for such a worthwhile way of living.... I will be watching your blog for updates (even if fewer now) because ur an amazing inspiration - I would even go so far as saying that you will be the heroic figure that everyone will talk about in 50yrs time as the man who founded the "new way of living" revolution! Best of luck!xxx
naturelia comments ...
The river is flowing hard..
All you can do is let go, body surf it and then...you will reach the ocean
Fergus... great stuff
Mark.. thank you for being a source of laughter, vision and such honest determination
...we do not fight the system from within, we create another system to make the old one obsolete
I am looking forward to a network of 'moneyless villages' full of those willing to risk everything for clean air, free water and real food
The time is now..
Emily
ps. I love how the critics turn on eachother..
comments ...
@ JK I never said or suggested, the Mayans were a utopian society, don't know if that ever was said? Sorry if it was misunderstood, my point is that all the previous societies were not based on bits of paper/plastic "money" in fact I believe I am right in saying their economy was based on cacao beans, now perhaps that does become a dream society, based on chocolate, now that is sounding even better! Mmm, yummy!
Maybe I should come back in next life as a chocolate beetle, can you imagine, just munching through cacoa beans all day and nothing else to worry about? Except maybe the cacao bean beetle bird, but then how many creatures do you see worrying about how long or rich their lives will be?
@ Pete, Great!
Liam comments ...
Arf!
1) Set up as moneyless man/guru
2)Attract publicity and give frequent radio interviews/talks/write a book about moneyless living
3)Use publicity to attract investment, funnel investment and book revenues into charity of which you are a trustee
4)Use money garnered to buy land, (possibly in a foreign country where the exchange rate benefits?)
5)Say it aint so!
John comments ...
I have a question... Is it possible to buy a piece of land so that from that point onwards it is 100% free? what about paying property tax? how does that work?
Lucille comments ...
You are an inspiration and thank god for people who dare to be different!
Holistic Nutritionist comments ...
Glad to hear you set off last week.
I was wondering about division of labor in the Moneyless Community. I'm soon to be a nutritionist - which is similar to the role of a "medicine" man in ancient (sustainable) societies. Also these societies obviously had people looking after young children while others produced food. At the same time, in your talk on Blip TV, you mentioned working an enourmous number of hours per day. But then again, you did mention that you, as an individual, are not able to eat all the food you produce... Just wondering about any possible info on the division of labor in the Moneyless Community.
Then there's almost the opposite of agriculture... Suelo mentioned on one of your old blogs, that Jared Diamond (I think in Guns, Germs and Steel) said that our downfall (i.e., the beginning of the total mess we're in) was leaving the hunter gatherer way of life for the agricultural way of life. I'm reading a short article from Iowa State University's World Food Issues, written by Jared Diamond, on this one notion. You might have read it already:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2100251/Jared-Diamond-The-Worst-Mistake-in-the-History-of-the-Human-Race
I know that while you don't do agribusiness, you do agriculture. And I also remember you saying that in order to fix all of the issues we have, that we must live wild. What do you mean by "wild"? Do you mean hunter gatherer? (which is in opposition to growing food)
Also, the above article describes the inequities between the sexes that came from the move from hunter gatherer to agriculture. I know there is a ton to still be figured out about the Moneyless Community, but I'm curious about whether it's going to be wild or agricultural or something else... (if you guys have thought about it at all ... you must be insanely busy!)
Thanks again to you and the others working on the Moneyless Community!!!
jennifer comments ...
Wow, it sounds great and exciting and scary too! I really hope I get to visit some time for inspiration.
jason palmer comments ...
all will work out, it is part of 2012...things are changing
Corby comments ...
To those of you who feel the need to criticize using money to achieve moneyless living, I would ask you to present your specific plan(s) of how you would achieve the goal without money.
Pete comments ...
@Corby
I am not criticizing using money to go moneyless, what I discussed was using money to buy the land and then live moneyless on that land.
Buying land means you have to register it in your name, abide by the planning rules and probably pay land taxes, depending on the country you are in.
In some areas you will be able to build a house for free or almost for free if there's enough wood and you let it dry for a year. In other areas you will need PE sheeting or similar to keep out the mold.
The best thing for the future, when we have a BIG group of people, at least 100.000+, is to stop paying mortgages, convert your home to a solar home, collect water from the roof and grow a vegetable garden.
Until that time, my best option is to live in the wild
Ana comments ...
Mark has been living a moneyless fasting, not a moneyless lifestyle that can be apply to the society in general, his model to go solo has demostrated it is not workable and people are not following him in droves. Like all the fasting there are only temporary and don't last, but we all know fasting have healthy benefits and hopefully a positive influence for the ones who are being following (be careful Mark when you're breaking the fasting! ; ) )
Corby, there are not quick fixes for what we have been money addicts for hundreds of years. It has to be a gradual change, first you have to convice people to gradually simplify their life to their basic needs, step by step see how things will develop... etc. I think first it's far more important for everybody in the planet has the basic needs covered, than live moneyless.
Pete in the UK, charity trusts don't pay taxes.
Peter comments ...
"Pete in the UK, charity trusts don't pay taxes"
Am am talking about going moneyless in this world, not the UK
Timmy! comments ...
GL and all the best :)
One question. If you think the current system is coming apart, as I do, and you take on board Nassim Talibs 'black swans' -random outliers that are statically unlikely, but if they occur have a huge impact e.g 9/11, the subprime crash, etc (apologies if this is not worded as well as Talib). I think whatever form change takes it will be unpredictable.
Under these circumstances IMHO change will be fast, unforeseeable and I think harsh- hopefully wrong on the last point. If you are able to setup a sustainable village, which I hope you are, what happens if the economic, transport and civil society around you collapses?
The first thing people will do is look for a place like yours and you might be overwhelmed? There will always be those who will just take by force too. (avoid setting up near military barracks, maybe)
Hopefully this is all too pessimistic and are leaders are able to realise the error of their ways and make a wholehearted push to sustainable living (O_o); not that they have really attempted anything yet, or look like they have much of a game plan, but I guess we can hope :P.
Christina Richardson comments ...
I'm glad you have decided on buying some land. I'll be interested to see how it turns out. Some of the early alternative communities from the 1920's are still going - OK perhaps not exactly your model insofar as I understand it But the point is that their models survived - well, some of them.
And I think its important to do non-standard things where there is a will and a yen.
From one of your neighbours :o)
Rachel H comments ...
Hi Mark, just found this web site and I think you're great. Me & husband often talk about the ideal world, it's certainly stifling living in these money minded times. It's good to know people are trying to make changes for the better. Would love to escape it some day but for now we've got a bring up our kids "legally" and just drag them down the allotment occasionally. Best of luck to you anyway! God bless xx
glenno comments ...
I feel for your delemma Mark. In order to remain moneyless for the longer term and assist others to reach that goal you need to be in the monetary economy for a while. It's the journey towards moneyless living that has so positively changed, informed and given your life meaning. It seems to me that in our capitalist society that even land is owned and has a price you have little option if you wish to help others in the way you poetically and passionately state. Like all the best journeys the destination is not always were happiness lies. Sometimes even the idealist has to be pragmatic to get closer to his dream. Any money spent on the next stage of your project will be saved a thousand fold by all who will benefit from visiting and taking the moneyless philosophy home to their communities. You're on the right track. Best Wishes Mark
Salmah comments ...
Moneyless Village sounds like an interesting project & would love to see how it blossoms! Don't take to heart too much of what critics say. Those who believe they can, do. Those who don't, become critics. LOL! :)
** I often wonder if the money system can work if the element of interest (usury) is removed completely.
Chris Gooch comments ...
Fantastic. All power to you and your dreams. May they be fulfilled in the blink of an eye. Miracles happen every day.
Gemstar comments ...
Mark there are no hard and fast rules. I think that it is very brave of you to allow yourself and your ideas to continue to evolve and develop at the risk of being criticised by others. The idea of creating a piece of this earth which is free for all to access and to live out the ideals and philosophies which this community represents is just amazing. It is shit that we have to buy back what should naturally be ours but 'theoretically' speaking, if everyone from this community joined forces and used their money to buy up pieces of land or to hand over the land they already owned to share with everyone then this would be how you would break the current situation.
Rob G comments ...
Hi mark,
If you need some help in setting up the village in any way whether its building/ labouring or planning I would love to be a part of this, your vision is unique and an inspiration to all
Rob
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Antje Cobbett comments ...
To "grow a forest garden big enough to feed a little potent hub", yes, that's what my husband and I are doing here in Spain as well. Basically we have bought some land in the mountains of Spain in 2002 and year after year we us the admittedly little money we have to build this valley into a moneyless place.
We feel that it's ok to learn and work towards this goal and if it needs money to achieve, well, why not? This is the society we live in and change takes time. Meanwhile we even think it's ok to supplement with supermarket food if a crop went wrong due to our endless mistakes.
But we are aware. This is the most important issue. To be aware! And I reckon we have spent the last years well to grow our forest/valley garden, to learn to recognize and eat foraged food that is free and so plentiful -
Life is Good!
Wishing you all the success possible!
Antje
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nantiagr comments ...
is it so difficult or time consuming having land donated to the community for as long as they preserve it chemically- free? and as for using money to build houses huts or anything like this I think it s too risky to go back to the easy way of doing things. .in the u.s and recently in other countries people gather and build homes voluntarily from clay wood and straw - bale .i m sure u could get the materials for volunteer work in exchange. and since you are a group by now on this project and especially one that you feel u belong to, building straw bale homes could be such a great project for teamwork. I d be happy to hear what you think about all those. greetings from greece
