Editor's Note
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RESOURCE-BASED ECONOMY
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OUR BLUEPRINT
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TOMORROW'S ECONOMICS
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CYBERNATION
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RENEWING OUR CITIES
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MOTIVATION, INCENTIVE, & CREATIVITY
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GLOBALIZATION ISSUES
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THE HUMAN ASPECT
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THE VENUS PROJECT
Like all other innovative social proposals, it starts out with a few devoted people that dedicate their time to informing others of the humane benefits of this new direction.
People are invited to participate in whatever capacity they can to help carry out the initial design phases of this new experimental city. An interdisciplinary team of systems engineers, computer programmers, architects, city planners, sociologists, psychologists, and educators and the like would also be needed.
The design of The Venus Project does not regard environmental conditions as fixed or static. We must allow for adaptation and change within the system as a continuous process. This would avoid the tendency to perpetuate temporary arrangements beyond their period of usefulness.
This circular city would be a transitional phase and could evolve from a semi-cooperative money-oriented" society to a full resource-based economy. This could be the prototype for a series of new cities to be constructed in various places throughout the world. The rate of progression will depend upon the availability of funds raised during the early stages and the people who identify, participate, and support the aims and direction of The Venus Project.
As these new communities develop and become more widely accepted, they may very well form the basis of a new civilization, preferably through the process of evolution rather than revolution.
We are well aware that no one can actually foretell the shape of the future. We can only extrapolate on present information and trends. Population growth, technological change, worldwide environmental conditions, and available resources are the primary criteria for future projections. We are also aware of the fact that there is no single philosophy or point of view- religious, political, scientific, or ideological- that someone would not take issue with.
We feel certain, however, that the only aspects of The Venus Project that may appear threatening are those that others project into it.
The Venus Project does not advocate dissolving the existing free-enterprise system. We believe it will eventually evolve towards a resource-based cybernated society in due course. All that The Venus Project offers is an alternative approach for your consideration.
We encourage you to become better informed about the proposals of this project through our books, videos, lectures and seminars. If you identify with this direction, we welcome you to join with us and work towards its realization.
The Venus Project is neither Utopian, nor Orwellian. Nor does it reflect the dreams of impractical idealists. Instead, it presents attainable goals requiring only the intelligent application of what we already know. The only limitations are those we impose upon ourselves.
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(Written by an 85-year "young" pioneer in designing eco-utopian habitats in tune with a sophisticated grasp of the social sciences, this essay stands out in its daring, creativity, scope, and promise. It models the kind of bold and fresh thinking some of our students crave, and all of our students would profit from encountering. It sets a high standard for invention and earthy insights alike, a combination that links utopian with pragmatic notions in a format well-worth emulating in course exercises).
We believe it possible to work now to achieve a society where people would be able to eventually live longer, more meaningful, and healthier and productive lives. In such a society, the measure of success would be based on the fulfillment of one's individual pursuits rather than the acquisition of wealth, property, and power. Although many of the concepts presented hereafter may now appear as unattainable goals, all of our ideas are based upon known scientific principles.
The social direction being proposed has no parallel in history with any other previous political ideology or economic strategy. Establishing the parameters of this new civilization will require transcending many of the traditions, values, and methods of our past.
Our future will evolve its own new paradigms, appropriate to each successive phase of human development. It does not depend on our present-day beliefs or social customs, but it will continue to evolve a set of values unique to its own time.
There are no "Utopias." The very notion of "Utopia" is static. However, the survival of any social system ultimately depends upon its ability to allow for appropriate change to improve society as a whole. The paths that we choose will ultimately determine whether or not there is intelligent life on earth.
The social direction being proposed has no parallel in history with any other previous political ideology or economic strategy. Establishing the parameters of this new civilization will require transcending many of the traditions, values, and methods of our past.
Our future will evolve its own new paradigms, appropriate to each successive phase of human development. It does not depend on our present-day beliefs or social customs, but it will continue to evolve a set of values unique to its own time.
There are no "Utopias." The very notion of "Utopia" is static. However, the survival of any social system ultimately depends upon its ability to allow for appropriate change to improve society as a whole. The paths that we choose will ultimately determine whether or not there is intelligent life on earth.
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RESOURCE-BASED ECONOMY
Presented hereafter is a straightforward approach to the redesign of our culture, in which the age-old inadequacies of war, poverty, hunger, debt, and unnecessary human suffering are viewed not only as avoidable, but as totally unacceptable. This new social design works towards eliminating the underlying causes that are responsible for many of our problems.
They cannot be eliminated within the framework of the present monetary and political establishment. Human behavior is subject to the same laws that govern all other physical phenomena. Our customs, behaviors, and values are byproducts of our culture. No one is born with greed, prejudice, bigotry and hatred – they are learned. If the environment is unaltered, similar problems will reoccur.
These neo-Utopian aspirations cannot be accomplished in a monetary based society of waste and human exploitation. With its planned obsolescence, neglect of the environment, outrageous military expenditures, and the outworn methods of attempting to solve problems through the enactment of laws and international treatise without addressing the underlining causes, these methods are bound to fail.
The Earth, however, is still abundant with resources. Today our practice of rationing resources through monetary methods is Irrelevant and counter-productive to the well-being of people. Today's society has access to highly advanced technologies and can easily provide more than enough for a very high standard of living for all the earth's people. This is possible through the implementation of a resource-based economy.
They cannot be eliminated within the framework of the present monetary and political establishment. Human behavior is subject to the same laws that govern all other physical phenomena. Our customs, behaviors, and values are byproducts of our culture. No one is born with greed, prejudice, bigotry and hatred – they are learned. If the environment is unaltered, similar problems will reoccur.
These neo-Utopian aspirations cannot be accomplished in a monetary based society of waste and human exploitation. With its planned obsolescence, neglect of the environment, outrageous military expenditures, and the outworn methods of attempting to solve problems through the enactment of laws and international treatise without addressing the underlining causes, these methods are bound to fail.
The Earth, however, is still abundant with resources. Today our practice of rationing resources through monetary methods is Irrelevant and counter-productive to the well-being of people. Today's society has access to highly advanced technologies and can easily provide more than enough for a very high standard of living for all the earth's people. This is possible through the implementation of a resource-based economy.
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OUR BLUEPRINT
Simply stated, a resource-based economy utilizes existing resources rather than money, and provides an equitable method of distribution in the most humane and efficient manner for the entire population. It is a system in which all natural, man-made, machine-made, and synthetic resources would be available without the use of money, credits, barter, or any other form of symbolic exchange.
A resource-based economy would utilize existing resources from the land and sea, and the means of production, such as physical equipment and industrial plants, to enhance the lives of the total population. In an economy based on resources rather than money, we could easily produce all of the necessities of life and provide a high standard of living for all.
It is only when resources are scarce that money can be used to control their distribution. One could not, for example, sell the air we breathe, the sand on the beach, or the salt water in the ocean to someone else on the island who has equal access to all these things. In a resource-based economy all of the world's resources would be held as the common heritage of all of the earth 's people, thus eventually outgrowing the need for the artificial boundaries that separate people – this is the unifying imperative.
A resource-based economy would utilize existing resources from the land and sea, and the means of production, such as physical equipment and industrial plants, to enhance the lives of the total population. In an economy based on resources rather than money, we could easily produce all of the necessities of life and provide a high standard of living for all.
It is only when resources are scarce that money can be used to control their distribution. One could not, for example, sell the air we breathe, the sand on the beach, or the salt water in the ocean to someone else on the island who has equal access to all these things. In a resource-based economy all of the world's resources would be held as the common heritage of all of the earth 's people, thus eventually outgrowing the need for the artificial boundaries that separate people – this is the unifying imperative.
To better understand the meaning of a resource-based economy consider this: If all the money in the world were to suddenly disappear, as long as topsoil, factories, and other resources were left intact, we could build anything we chose to build and fulfill any human need. It is not money that people need, but rather it is freedom of access to most of their necessities without ever having to appeal to a government bureaucracy or any other agency. In a resource based economy money would become irrelevant. All that would be required are the resources, manufacturing, and distribution of the products.
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TOMORROW'S ECONOMICS
In the society of the future, in which the monetary system of scarcity has been surpassed by a resource based economy, and most physical and creative needs are met, private ownership as we know it would cease to be a necessity to protect one's access to goods and services. The concept of ownership would be of no advantage whatsoever in a society of abundance.
Although this is difficult for many to imagine, even the wealthiest person today would be immensely better off in the highly productive resource-based society. Today in developed countries the middle class live far better than kings oftimes past. In a resource based economy everyone would live far better than the powerful and wealthy of today.
A resource-based economy would use technology to overcome scarce resources by utilizing renewable sources of energy; computerizing and automating manufacturing, inventory and distribution; designing safe, energy-efficient cities; providing universal health care and relevant education; and most of all, by generating a new incentive system based on human and environmental concern.
In a resource-based economy, the human aspect would be of prime concern, and technology would be subordinate to this. This would result in a considerable increase in leisure time. In an economy in which production is accomplished primarily by machines, and products and services are available to all, the concepts of "work" and "earning a living" would become irrelevant.
The utilization of today's high speed and large capacity computer systems, otherwise known as the "Information Superhighway" or Internet, will assist us in defining the variables and parameters required for the operation of a resource-based economy that conforms to environmental needs. Over-exploitation of resources would be unnecessary and surpassed.
Although this is difficult for many to imagine, even the wealthiest person today would be immensely better off in the highly productive resource-based society. Today in developed countries the middle class live far better than kings oftimes past. In a resource based economy everyone would live far better than the powerful and wealthy of today.
A resource-based economy would use technology to overcome scarce resources by utilizing renewable sources of energy; computerizing and automating manufacturing, inventory and distribution; designing safe, energy-efficient cities; providing universal health care and relevant education; and most of all, by generating a new incentive system based on human and environmental concern.
In a resource-based economy, the human aspect would be of prime concern, and technology would be subordinate to this. This would result in a considerable increase in leisure time. In an economy in which production is accomplished primarily by machines, and products and services are available to all, the concepts of "work" and "earning a living" would become irrelevant.
The utilization of today's high speed and large capacity computer systems, otherwise known as the "Information Superhighway" or Internet, will assist us in defining the variables and parameters required for the operation of a resource-based economy that conforms to environmental needs. Over-exploitation of resources would be unnecessary and surpassed.
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CYBERNATION
Many people believe that there is too much technology in the world today, and that technology is the major cause of our environmental pollution. This is not the case. Rather, it is the abuse and misuse of technology that should be our major concern.
Cybernation, or the application of computers and automation to the social system, could be regarded as an emancipation proclamation for humankind if used humanely and intelligently. Its thorough application could eventually enable people to have the highest conceivable standard of living with practically no labor.
It could free people for the first time in human history from a highly structured and outwardly imposed routine of repetitive and mundane activity. It could enable one to return to the Greek concept of leisure, where slaves did most of the work and men had time to cultivate their minds.
The essential difference is that in the future, each of us will command more than a million slaves - but they will be mechanical and electrical slaves, not fellow human beings. This will end forever the degrading exploitation of any human being by another so that he or she Jives an abundant, productive, and less stressful life.
Perhaps the greatest aid in enhancing the survival of the human race is the introduction of cybernation, the electronic computer, and artificial intelligence, which may very well save the human race from its own inadequacies.
Cybernation, or the application of computers and automation to the social system, could be regarded as an emancipation proclamation for humankind if used humanely and intelligently. Its thorough application could eventually enable people to have the highest conceivable standard of living with practically no labor.
It could free people for the first time in human history from a highly structured and outwardly imposed routine of repetitive and mundane activity. It could enable one to return to the Greek concept of leisure, where slaves did most of the work and men had time to cultivate their minds.
The essential difference is that in the future, each of us will command more than a million slaves - but they will be mechanical and electrical slaves, not fellow human beings. This will end forever the degrading exploitation of any human being by another so that he or she Jives an abundant, productive, and less stressful life.
Perhaps the greatest aid in enhancing the survival of the human race is the introduction of cybernation, the electronic computer, and artificial intelligence, which may very well save the human race from its own inadequacies.
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RENEWING OUR CITIES
A resource-based economy calls for the redesign of our cities, transportation systems, and industrial plants so that they are energy efficient, clean, and conveniently provide the needs of all people both materially and spiritually.
These new cybernated cities would have their electrical sensors' autonomic nervous system extended into all areas of the social .complex. Their function would be to coordinate a balance between production and distribution and to operate a balance-load economy. Decisions would be arrived at on the basis of feedback from the environment.
For example, in the agricultural belt the electronic probes imbedded in the soil would automatically keep a constant inventory of the water table, soil conditions, nutrients, etc. and act appropriately without the need for human intervention. This method of industrial electronic feedback could be applied to the entire social management.
Despite today's mania for national security, and subsequent intrusions into everyone's personal affairs, in a worldwide resource-based economy where no one need take from another, it will be considered socially offensive and counterproductive for machines to monitor the activities of individuals. In fact, such intrusion would serve no useful purpose.
The method for the distribution of goods and services in a resource-based economy without the use of money or tokens would be accomplished through the establishment of distribution centers. These distribution centers would be similar to a public library or an exposition, where the advantages of new products can be explained and demonstrated.
For example, if one were to visit Yellowstone National Park, one could check out a still or video camera on-site, use the camera, and if they do not want to keep it, return it to another readily accessible distribution center or drop-off point, thus eliminating the individual's need to store and maintain the equipment.
In addition to computerized centers, which would be located throughout the various communities there would be 3-D, flat-screen televised imaging capabilities right in the convenience of one's own home. If an item is desired, an order would be placed, and the item could be automatically delivered directly to a person's place of residence.
With the infusion of a resource-based world economy and an all-out effort to develop new, clean, renewable sources of energy, (such as geothermal, controlled fusion, solar heat concentrators, photovoltaics, wind, wave, tidal power, and fuel from the oceans), we will eventually be able to have energy in unlimited quantity that could serve civilization for thousands of years.
As we outgrow the need for professions that are based on the monetary system, such as lawyers, accountants, bankers, insurance companies, advertising, sales personnel, and stockbrokers, a considerable amount of waste will be eliminated. At a time when commercial institutions no longer exist, the necessity for prisons, lawyers, banks and the stock exchange will serve no useful purpose.
Enormous amounts of time and energy would also be saved by eliminating the duplication of competing products. Instead of having hundreds of different manufacturing plants and all the paperwork and personnel that are required to tum out similar products, only very few of the highest quality would be needed to serve the entire population. In a resource-base economy planned obsolescence would not exist.
These new cybernated cities would have their electrical sensors' autonomic nervous system extended into all areas of the social .complex. Their function would be to coordinate a balance between production and distribution and to operate a balance-load economy. Decisions would be arrived at on the basis of feedback from the environment.
For example, in the agricultural belt the electronic probes imbedded in the soil would automatically keep a constant inventory of the water table, soil conditions, nutrients, etc. and act appropriately without the need for human intervention. This method of industrial electronic feedback could be applied to the entire social management.
Despite today's mania for national security, and subsequent intrusions into everyone's personal affairs, in a worldwide resource-based economy where no one need take from another, it will be considered socially offensive and counterproductive for machines to monitor the activities of individuals. In fact, such intrusion would serve no useful purpose.
The method for the distribution of goods and services in a resource-based economy without the use of money or tokens would be accomplished through the establishment of distribution centers. These distribution centers would be similar to a public library or an exposition, where the advantages of new products can be explained and demonstrated.
For example, if one were to visit Yellowstone National Park, one could check out a still or video camera on-site, use the camera, and if they do not want to keep it, return it to another readily accessible distribution center or drop-off point, thus eliminating the individual's need to store and maintain the equipment.
In addition to computerized centers, which would be located throughout the various communities there would be 3-D, flat-screen televised imaging capabilities right in the convenience of one's own home. If an item is desired, an order would be placed, and the item could be automatically delivered directly to a person's place of residence.
With the infusion of a resource-based world economy and an all-out effort to develop new, clean, renewable sources of energy, (such as geothermal, controlled fusion, solar heat concentrators, photovoltaics, wind, wave, tidal power, and fuel from the oceans), we will eventually be able to have energy in unlimited quantity that could serve civilization for thousands of years.
As we outgrow the need for professions that are based on the monetary system, such as lawyers, accountants, bankers, insurance companies, advertising, sales personnel, and stockbrokers, a considerable amount of waste will be eliminated. At a time when commercial institutions no longer exist, the necessity for prisons, lawyers, banks and the stock exchange will serve no useful purpose.
Enormous amounts of time and energy would also be saved by eliminating the duplication of competing products. Instead of having hundreds of different manufacturing plants and all the paperwork and personnel that are required to tum out similar products, only very few of the highest quality would be needed to serve the entire population. In a resource-base economy planned obsolescence would not exist.
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MOTIVATION, INCENTIVE, & CREATIVITY
If the basic necessities are accessible to all people, what will motivate them? The aim of this new social design is to encourage and develop a new incentive system, one no longer directed toward the shallow and self-centered goals of wealth, property, and power.
New incentives would encourage people to pursue different goals, such as self-fulfillment and creativity, the elimination of scarcity, the protection of the environment, and the alleviation of suffering in their fellow human beings. There would be such a wealth of new wonders to experience, explore, and invent that the notion of boredom and apathy would be absurd.
A saner society would be able to create a more constructive incentive system if our knowledge of the conditions that shape human motivation were applied. Many experimental psychologists have shown that the effects of environment play a major role in shaping our behavior and values. If constructive behavior is appropriately rewarded during early childhood, the child becomes motivated to repeat the rewarded behavior, provided that the reinforcement meets the individual needs of the child.
In this new social arrangement of a resource-based economy, motivation and incentive will be encouraged through recognition of, and concern for, the needs of the individual. This means providing the necessary environment, educational facilities, nutrition, health care, compassion, love, and security that all people need.
New incentives would encourage people to pursue different goals, such as self-fulfillment and creativity, the elimination of scarcity, the protection of the environment, and the alleviation of suffering in their fellow human beings. There would be such a wealth of new wonders to experience, explore, and invent that the notion of boredom and apathy would be absurd.
A saner society would be able to create a more constructive incentive system if our knowledge of the conditions that shape human motivation were applied. Many experimental psychologists have shown that the effects of environment play a major role in shaping our behavior and values. If constructive behavior is appropriately rewarded during early childhood, the child becomes motivated to repeat the rewarded behavior, provided that the reinforcement meets the individual needs of the child.
In this new social arrangement of a resource-based economy, motivation and incentive will be encouraged through recognition of, and concern for, the needs of the individual. This means providing the necessary environment, educational facilities, nutrition, health care, compassion, love, and security that all people need.
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GLOBALIZATION ISSUES
In a society without vested interest it would be impossible to harness the talents of scientists and technicians to engage in weapons research or any other socially hostile endeavor. We call this approach "functional morality." This newer, more humane, and more productive approach would advocate applying non-military solutions to international differences such as common heritage of resources.
This approach to global governance has nothing whatever in common with the present aims of a corporate elite to form a world government with themselves and large corporations in control, and the vast majority of the world's population subservient to them.
Globalization in a resource-based economy empowers each and every person on the planet to be the very best they can be, not to live in abject subjugation to a corporate governing body.
This approach to global governance has nothing whatever in common with the present aims of a corporate elite to form a world government with themselves and large corporations in control, and the vast majority of the world's population subservient to them.
Globalization in a resource-based economy empowers each and every person on the planet to be the very best they can be, not to live in abject subjugation to a corporate governing body.
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THE HUMAN ASPECT
Finally, there is much concern today about the dissolution of the conventional core family structure, and the societal values associated with it. It is in this area that one of the most profound benefits of thts new civilization could be realized.
The proposed shorter workdays would provide more time for family relationship. Free access to goods and services would make the home a much more pleasant place, with the removal of economic stress that causes so much family turmoil. The rearing and development of children would become the responsibility of both the family and the community at large.
With the elimination of debt, the fear of losing one's job will no longer be a threat; this assurance, combined with education on how to relate to one another in a much more meaningful way, could considerably reduce conflict and stress both mentally and physically.
When education and resources are available to all without a price tag, there would be no limit to the human potential. The main objective is the access of information and the availability of goods and services to all people. This would enable all people to be prepared to participate in the exciting challenges of this new society
The fear of uniform behavior in a cybernated resource-based economy of the future is unfounded. This would be a culture designed for a constant process of growth and improvement The only uniformity would be a concern for the environment and the importance of extending maximum courtesy to all nations and to one another. All would likewise share an intense curiosity for all that is new and challenging.
The proposed shorter workdays would provide more time for family relationship. Free access to goods and services would make the home a much more pleasant place, with the removal of economic stress that causes so much family turmoil. The rearing and development of children would become the responsibility of both the family and the community at large.
With the elimination of debt, the fear of losing one's job will no longer be a threat; this assurance, combined with education on how to relate to one another in a much more meaningful way, could considerably reduce conflict and stress both mentally and physically.
When education and resources are available to all without a price tag, there would be no limit to the human potential. The main objective is the access of information and the availability of goods and services to all people. This would enable all people to be prepared to participate in the exciting challenges of this new society
The fear of uniform behavior in a cybernated resource-based economy of the future is unfounded. This would be a culture designed for a constant process of growth and improvement The only uniformity would be a concern for the environment and the importance of extending maximum courtesy to all nations and to one another. All would likewise share an intense curiosity for all that is new and challenging.
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THE VENUS PROJECT
Our organization is founded on the ideas, designs, and direction presented above. It represents many years of research and dedication on the part of its originator and Project Director, Jacque Fresco, and his associate, Roxanne Meadows. Its 25-acre research and design center is located in Venus, Florida, where the future is taking shape today.
The function of The Venus Project is to design, develop, and prepare plans for the construction of an experimental city based on the -principles outlined above. Here we have constructed nine experimental buildings, and are developing alternative energy systems, city designs, transportation, manufacturing systems, and more. In support of this research we are creating blueprints, renderings, and models, holding seminars, producing books, videos, and other written material to introduce people to the aims of The Venus Project.
The Venus Project is in the process of introducing a set of values and procedures that may enable us to achieve social transformation. The Venus Project will provide the designs and blueprints for a prototype community to test the validity of its social proposals along with a relevant orientation for people to be able to adapt intellectually and emotionally to our new technological age. Anything short of overall social design would be inappropriate and far less effective.
Our proposals will be submitted to the general public and all educational institutions, and we invite their participation. If enough people find the proposals acceptable and choose to join with us in this new advocacy, this could help to form the nucleus of an organization to further the aims of The Venus Project.
The Venus Project proposes the building of a new, experimental city whose purpose is to be a laboratory to test the validity of The Venus Project's designs and proposals, and to establish a permanent planning center that could be used for future short-term and long-term project planning.
The circular configurations of the new cities as proposed by The Venus Project are not merely stylized architectural conceptualizations, but are the results of years of research to provide an environment that would best serve the needs if the occupants in an efficient and economical manner. Without sufficient knowledge of the symbiotic interrelationship between humanity and the environment, it would be extremely difficult to develop workable solutions to our many problems. In the planning of this new city The Venus Project has taken this and many other factors into careful consideration and study.
This new experimental city would be devoted to working towards the aims and goals of The Venus Project, which are:
The function of The Venus Project is to design, develop, and prepare plans for the construction of an experimental city based on the -principles outlined above. Here we have constructed nine experimental buildings, and are developing alternative energy systems, city designs, transportation, manufacturing systems, and more. In support of this research we are creating blueprints, renderings, and models, holding seminars, producing books, videos, and other written material to introduce people to the aims of The Venus Project.
The Venus Project is in the process of introducing a set of values and procedures that may enable us to achieve social transformation. The Venus Project will provide the designs and blueprints for a prototype community to test the validity of its social proposals along with a relevant orientation for people to be able to adapt intellectually and emotionally to our new technological age. Anything short of overall social design would be inappropriate and far less effective.
Our proposals will be submitted to the general public and all educational institutions, and we invite their participation. If enough people find the proposals acceptable and choose to join with us in this new advocacy, this could help to form the nucleus of an organization to further the aims of The Venus Project.
The Venus Project proposes the building of a new, experimental city whose purpose is to be a laboratory to test the validity of The Venus Project's designs and proposals, and to establish a permanent planning center that could be used for future short-term and long-term project planning.
The circular configurations of the new cities as proposed by The Venus Project are not merely stylized architectural conceptualizations, but are the results of years of research to provide an environment that would best serve the needs if the occupants in an efficient and economical manner. Without sufficient knowledge of the symbiotic interrelationship between humanity and the environment, it would be extremely difficult to develop workable solutions to our many problems. In the planning of this new city The Venus Project has taken this and many other factors into careful consideration and study.
This new experimental city would be devoted to working towards the aims and goals of The Venus Project, which are:
- Conserving and utilizing all the world's resources as the common heritage of all of the Earth's people.
- Transcending all of the artificial boundaries that separate people.
- Evolving from a monetary-based economy to a resource-based world economy.
- Reclaiming and restoring the natural environment to the best of our ability.
- Redesigning our cities, transportation systems, and agricultural and industrial plants so that they are energy efficient, clean, and conveniently serve the needs of all people.
- Evolving towards a cybernated society that can gradually outgrow the need for all political local, national, and supra-national governments as a means of social management.
- Sharing and applying all of the new technologies for the benefit of all nations.
- Using clean, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and tidal power.
- Ultimately utilizing the highest quality products for the benefit of all the world's people.
- Requiring environmental impact studies prior to construction of any mega-projects.
- Encouraging the widest range of creativity and incentive toward constructive endeavor.
- Assisting in stabilizing the world's population through education and voluntary birth-control to conform to the carrying capacity of the earth.
- Outgrowing nationalism, bigotry and prejudice through education.
- Eliminating any type of elitism, technical or otherwise.
- Arriving at methodologies by careful research rather than random opinions.
- Enhancing communication in the new schools so that our language is relevant to the physical conditions of the world around us.
- Providing not only the necessities of life but also offering challenges that stimulate the mind, emphasizing individuality rather than uniformity.
- Finally, preparing people intellectually and emotionally for the possible changes that lie ahead.
Like all other innovative social proposals, it starts out with a few devoted people that dedicate their time to informing others of the humane benefits of this new direction.
People are invited to participate in whatever capacity they can to help carry out the initial design phases of this new experimental city. An interdisciplinary team of systems engineers, computer programmers, architects, city planners, sociologists, psychologists, and educators and the like would also be needed.
The design of The Venus Project does not regard environmental conditions as fixed or static. We must allow for adaptation and change within the system as a continuous process. This would avoid the tendency to perpetuate temporary arrangements beyond their period of usefulness.
This circular city would be a transitional phase and could evolve from a semi-cooperative money-oriented" society to a full resource-based economy. This could be the prototype for a series of new cities to be constructed in various places throughout the world. The rate of progression will depend upon the availability of funds raised during the early stages and the people who identify, participate, and support the aims and direction of The Venus Project.
As these new communities develop and become more widely accepted, they may very well form the basis of a new civilization, preferably through the process of evolution rather than revolution.
We are well aware that no one can actually foretell the shape of the future. We can only extrapolate on present information and trends. Population growth, technological change, worldwide environmental conditions, and available resources are the primary criteria for future projections. We are also aware of the fact that there is no single philosophy or point of view- religious, political, scientific, or ideological- that someone would not take issue with.
We feel certain, however, that the only aspects of The Venus Project that may appear threatening are those that others project into it.
The Venus Project does not advocate dissolving the existing free-enterprise system. We believe it will eventually evolve towards a resource-based cybernated society in due course. All that The Venus Project offers is an alternative approach for your consideration.
We encourage you to become better informed about the proposals of this project through our books, videos, lectures and seminars. If you identify with this direction, we welcome you to join with us and work towards its realization.
The Venus Project is neither Utopian, nor Orwellian. Nor does it reflect the dreams of impractical idealists. Instead, it presents attainable goals requiring only the intelligent application of what we already know. The only limitations are those we impose upon ourselves.
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