FROM TRANSFORMING THE GLOBAL BIOSPHERE: TWELVE FUTURISTIC STRATEGIES METASTRATEGY VII (excerpt) Jacque Fresco's Brilliant Vision for the Future of the Human Race by Elliot Maynard Visionary Engineer, Inventor, Architect, Philosopher, and Futurist, Jacque Fresco, has devoted most of his life energies to creating a Conceptual Future World, where the resources of Planet Earth would eventually become the common heritage of every member of the Human Race. He and his professional associate, Roxanne Meadows, envision a New, Enlightened Version of Global Civilization, where Science and Technology would seamlessly integrate Human and Environmental Concerns, providing social justice and equal opportunities for everyone. Jacque Fresco's Brilliant Futuristic Paradigms provide a Set of Future Scenarios, where Global Society transcends the endless cycles of Economic Boom or Bust, and eliminates the Specters of Disease, Poverty, Hunger, as well as the Bloody Conflicts that have retarded the progress of Human Evolution. Fresco is convinced that the Major Problems facing Society today are mainly of our own creation. . .The Reflective Ghosts of our own Past Actions, which have returned to haunt us with a vengeance! His Basic Thesis rests on applying the Knowledge and Technologies we already possess to enhance the quality of Human Life on Earth. . .while recognizing the necessity for achieving Symbiotic Iterrelationships with all Living Systems, and the critical importance of Protecting and Enhancing the Natural Environment. In order to accomplish these objectives, he suggests we must work to intelligently re-arrange Human Affairs until they are "in compliance" with Earth's Natural Systems and Resources. In the introduction to his most recent book, The Best That Money Can't But: Beyond Politics, Poverty, and War, Fresco states, "We call for a straightforward 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 also as totally unacceptable. Anything less simply results in a continuation of the same catalog of problems inherent in the present system." Jacque Fresco's brilliant series of books and videos make full use of Architectural Modeling and Visual Media Technologies to demonstrate how Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resource Conservation, Modular Construction Systems, Clean Energy, Efficient Mass-Transit Systems, Advanced Food-Production Technologies, Futuristic Waste-Processing Systems, and Nanotechnology can all be integrated into a New TechnoSocial Architecture, which operates synergistically with the Laws of Nature and in harmony with the Global Ecosystems. His enlightened vision of "Globalization" serves to empower every person on the planet, providing them with the opportunity to rise above traditional Barriers of Oppression, and to reach their full potential. . .Physically, Intellectually, and Spiritually. In his book, The Venus Project: The Redesign of a Culture, Jacque Fresco presents a World of Virtually Limitless Possibilities and an Adventurous New Social Direction for the Human Race. In the Futuristic Scenario he has created, the current value of Individual Purchasing Power (based on a trade-off of Human Effort for Monetary Wages) would become a Historical Anachronism, since Human Labor would be replaced by Artificially Intelligent Machines. This, in light of the fact that people everywhere are losing confidence in the ability of their political leaders to provide workable solutions for their social, economic, and environmental concerns. The Venus Project proposes a Fresh New Vision for Global Society. . .a Vision dedicated to both Human and Environmental Concerns. Fresco envisions a Future where his Advanced Technologies are established in ways that are both Practical and Feasible. . .so that they can be applied to benefit everyone. Fresco feels that Society as a whole has so far been unable to make the necessary adjustments to properly master the technologies they have developed. Too often they have used these technologies for purposes of Mass Destruction. This failure of the Human Integrity, which he refers to as "Neural Lag," has caused the General Public Consciousness to remain enmeshed in Antiquated Thought Patterns, which remain dominated by the concepts of "Conquest," "Scarcity," and "Greed." He points out, that if the same energies that went into the Manhattan Project could have been re-channeled into improving Human Society on a Global Scale, and in anticipating the Needs for the Future, we would presently exist within a much more symbiotic relationship with other Nations, Cultures, and the Natural World. Jacque Fresco also highlights the fact that the outmoded political and economic systems that presently dominate the Contemporary Global Scene are woefully inadequate for applying the Positive Benefits of Technology in ways that will achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people. He envisions a new form of Participatory Democracy," where each individual would contribute according to his or her unique talents and level of competency. Such a Major Shift in Consciousness could be accomplished only within the kind of Positive Learning Environment that would eventually enable everyone on Earth to access the educational and cultural amenities that only a Prosperous, Enlightened, and Innovative Society can provide. Through Computers, Telecommunications, and Virtual Reality Systems, Information Resources would be shifted from their historical position of being concentrated within the Universities, Churches, and Libraries, toward a state of Decentralization .. . where vast Digital Information Resources and Virtual Reality Experiences would be within the reach of everyone, even in the remotest comers of the Earth.159 Fresco proposes a Major Paradigm Shift, which would begin to move the Human Social Consciousness away from its present Capitalistic Theme, which promotes "Survival of the Fittest," the "Conquest of Nature," and encourages the 4'Plundering of Earth's Natural Resources" ... without regard for Ecological Justice, or the consequences of such actions for Future Generations. He also feels that our present monetary system evolved over time, as a device for controlling human behavior. Instead, he proposes we work to establish a "Resource-Based Economy," which would incorporate the free exchange of clean, environmentally appropriate technologies, and simplify Commerce and Technology by adopting Global Standards for all aspects of Life. This New Economy would also encourage creative and intellectual exchange between all Cultures and Religions. He goes on to state that all Social Systems, regardless of their political, religious or social beliefs, ultimately depend on Natural Resources (i.e. Clean Air and Water, Fertile Soil, Appropriate Technologies~ and Human Brain Power) to maintain a reasonable and comfortable Standard of Living. ln Jacque Fresco's words, "The real wealth of any nation lies in its developed and potential resources, and the people who are working toward the elimination of scarcity, and toward the creation of a more humane life-style. This can be accomplished through the intelligent applications of Science and Technology."160 In its quintessential form, a Resource-Based Economy uses Existing Resources instead of Money and establishes an effective system for distributing these resources in the most efficient and equitable manner possible, and for the entire population of Earth. In Jacque Fresco's Vision for the Future, Computers and Intelligent Machines would be the primary "Agents of Change." These AI's would employ sophisticated sensor arrays to monitor and manage Resources. Complex Cybernetic Systems and Intelligent Machines would monitor environmental parameters continuously, and on a global scale, providing protection from the unauthorized "pirating" of Natural Resources ... especially in Protected Forests, Coral Reef Preserves, and Endangered Marine Ecosystems. Abundant, non-polluting, cheap Energy could be provided by upgrading our existing Solar, Geothermal, and Wind Power Technologies. Other New Technologies could be developed to tap the Vast Resources of Tidal and Ocean-Currents. The Oceans of the World could also yield a nearly inexhaustible wealth of Fresh Water and Mineral Resources, which could be "mined" directly from Seawater. 161 A particularly fascinating aspect of Fresco's Futuristic Paradigm for Human Society involves the creation of "Integrated Cities,'' which apply new and innovative applications of Architectural Design to build cities which would constitute Synergistically Functional Units. These "Intelligent Cities" would be tastefully blended into the Natural Environment. The City Ecosystems are Circular or Star-Shaped in Design. A Central Domed Area would enclose shopping areas, theaters, sports arenas, entertainment venues, health facilities, and commercial centers, as well as centers for communications, education and childcare. The Central Dome would also contain facilities for control and distribution of electrical power, transportation, and communications services. Outside the Central Dome, a Ring of Smaller Domes would house art, music, science, research, exhibition, and entertainment centers. The Next Outer Perimeter would contain a circular ring of Residential Towers, set like jewels into a complex of parks, lakes, streams, forest preserves, and recreational facilities. Outer Ring Sections would contain areas for Power Generation, Water Storage, Food Production, Waste Processing, and Sewage Treatment The Transportation Network would consist of a system of horizontal, vertical, radial, and circular conveyors that would move passengers and goods efficiently and safely from one area of the city to another. This Integrated Transportation System would completely eliminate automobiles, roadways, garages, and parking areas from the city complex. 162 Fresco applies his Creative Architectural Concepts to conserve energy. and to create minimal ecological footprints for all his Cities and Buildings. To this end he envisions creating Colossal Intelligent Machines which could drill tunnels through the earth for Transportation, and dig canals for purposes of Irrigation and Water Transportation. Similar Giant Machines would assemble Huge Residential and Industrial Complexes from mass-produced Modular Components. Other "Intelligent Structures" are designed to be Self-Erecting. Fresco's Futuristic Skyscrapers, made from pre-stressed concrete, reinforced with carbon fibers, would take the form of huge Tripod-Like Structures, consisting of three massive elongated tapered columns, 100 feet wide and nearly a mile high. These Artistic Residential Towers would eliminate unsightly and inefficient Urban Sprawl, thus insuring that. land would be available for Parks, Wilderness-Recreation Areas, and Intensive Food-Production Facilities.163 Jacque Fresco's Vision for the Future foresees a time when the Patriotism and National Pride (which presently obscures the contributions of less dominant nations) would no longer be relevant to the New, Emerging Culture. His Educational System for the Future employs "Cooperation" and "Hands-On Experience" to develop Confidence and improve Social Skills. Learning Centers would stress the importance of Communications Skills and Human Values. This New Educational System would be free from the restrictions of the moribw1d educational institutions of the past. as well as from indoctrination by special interests. According to Fresco, "Children would understand that each individual can take an idea only so far....Each contribution motivates and encourages others. Ideas grow and expand like crystals into varied and complex patterns. With this better realization of our interdependence with one another, self-centeredness gradually disappears.'' Education would thus become a ''Continuous Lifelong Adventure," with residents of globally networked communities, being educated from birth to become "Giobal Citizens," without sacrificing either their Individuality or their Personal Freedom. Fresco encourages us all to envision a Future where thousands of individuals can live and prosper...while thinking and creating to their fullest potential. In such a Future World, the majority of Humans would actively participate in improving the conditions on Earth, instead of simply toiling to make a living.164 Basic Strategies for Developing Sustainable Human Ecologies:
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