A Resource based Economy. The Zeitgeist Way.

Love the new picture, Oryx and yes, something being illegal implies that there are "laws" being broken. Please elucidate OP. TIA

/me wades through the thread, mildly amused at the off topic responses, as well as the OPs persistence....OOHHH!!! "paid slavery" :: ears up :: Tell me more!

Huh. There goes your credibility, right out the window.

Look...Desmond Shang is an SL success story. He's built up a mini-nation of over 40 regions, with people clamoring to get in and willing to pay higher-than-normal rent to live there. He makes a Real Life living from a video game, one of the very few people who have managed that trick.

He's a man of keen insight. He knows how people work, how money works, how the world works, and how Second Life works. He's worth listening to.

On top of all that, he is simply a super nice guy. Friendly and unpretentious. He cares about people, and his exalted position as one of SL's elite "land barons" has never gotten in the way of that.

"Little twist", my sweet Aunt Martha.

When you've got 40 regions of your own, you might have earned the right to an opinion. Sheesh.

Good question. I don`t mean illegal in the sense of `Law` as we know it. Oil and Gas has been plundered since it was discovered. We had enough of it to keep the world going for thousands of years but as we are all aware, there is not much left. Why is that? I`m sure you can work out why. And sooo much of it has been wasted. Do we really need the gas guzzlers we drive around in? Do we really need to waste so much energy in producing electricity? Even the majority of electricity produced is wasted. We are only just starting to use alternative methods to produce power and electricity. These methods were invented years ago but the oil and gas companies and all their power (made from our money) prevented these alternative methods getting off the ground. But It`s the persistence of people (minority, and people inclined to join such movements as ZG) who have fought on against these giants of power to bring about change.

Would you say that the amount of deforestation around the world at the moment is legal? I certainly would`nt. I don`t care if they have the piece of paper that says what they are doing is legal. I had to get the trees in because I`m a Greenpeace activist as well.
There`s more to say, but I need my diner now.

Glad to help.

Full disclosure: there are those known as 'land barons' on the grid.

There are a few different sorts of these. From the simple 'land speculator' leveraging scarce high quality land resources for top dollar, to those who create micronations, thereby providing a less anarchic existence. Both can be profitable. I am one of the latter.

Looking at our respective viewpoints, it may be that I'm your philosophic archenemy, at least in theory.

But that doesn't mean we can't get along famously!

* * * * *

I think even you would agree that I am not enslaved, though. Not here; not in first life either. If anything there is an incredible sense of freedom ~ having worked for corporations before, I remember it well.

We both have recoiled in horror from such human condition, yet seem to have taken opposite paths to resolve the problem. I do agree, it was awful!

Pop by the Guvnah's Mansion in Caledon Victoria City, and I can deliver a pretty good evil monologue, as needed. The front gates are open.

Just ah... don't stand *smack* in the middle of the floor at ground level, in the rotunda. That's only for when conversations become uncivil!

grin

Another thing I could offer: in the spirit of Our age in Caledon, I can offer you the floor of the Caledon Gaiety Theatre in Caledon Penzance, where you can do a talk to our citizenry, with a question and answer series thereafter.

One national group notice in Caledon, some posters splashed up, and I'm sure you would draw dozens. It would be a *fiery* question and answer session, but I am confident in you!

After which I have no doubt that you would cut quite a dashing figure on the lecture circuit! Do you have anyone willing to debate you, and/or perhaps moderate?

* * * * *

Ah, and if I can make it, I might be at the Robber Baron's Ball in New Babbage, on the 23rd. How could I stay away?

Noncomformist,

I spent 2 years of my free time in SL. And I have seen the Zeitgeist movies. I can see both sides of the coin to a certain extent.

I think you are wasting your time here. SL contains, mostly, the following types of people :

- Socialisers, who just want to chat; mostly mindless, self-important blither.

- Fashionistas, who want to play 3D Barbie, and then have pixel sex with a 3D animated Ken (or vice versa)

- Perverts

- Capitalists

People who really want to "change the system" would generally not be spending time on SL. As it is, SL perpetuates "the system".

Technically, there is the possibility in SL to create a virtual representation of what you want to create in Real Life. But, I think you are going to have to bring people who are already motivated in that way, rather than trying to find it in the current SL population.

"These are not the droids you are looking for. Move on."

OK, I understood your ideas about gas/oil/petroleum (and trees) but what about elemental resources, like metals and soft minerals like gypsum? According to Zeitgeist, we are supposed to use technology to free up our bodies and minds from wage-slavehood; to do that, we need the stuff that machines are made of. Are you suggesting that we stop mining?

quote -You don`t have to over through anyone. You just get out of the system.

At the end of the movie it states- The revolution is now. which definition of revolution is it?

–noun 1. an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed.
2. Sociology. a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure, esp. one made suddenly and often accompanied by violence. Compare social evolution.
3. a sudden, complete or marked change in something: the present revolution in church architecture.
4. a procedure or course, as if in a circuit, back to a starting point.
5. a single turn of this kind.
6. Mechanics. a. a turning round or rotating, as on an axis.
b. a moving in a circular or curving course, as about a central point.
c. a single cycle in such a course.

7. Astronomy. a. (not in technical use) rotation (def. 2).
b. the orbiting of one heavenly body around another.
c. a single course of such movement.

8. a round or cycle of events in time or a recurring period of time.
9. Geology. a time of worldwide orogeny and mountain-building.

- Hackers and other artists.

ANOTHER survey?!

All of the above.

You don't have 40 sims ... your vote is unimportant.

But I talk an AWFUL lot (choice #1). Doesn't that count for SOMETHING?

OK guys and gals. I get the picture.
Most of the replies are against me attempting to get my points across on SL. I came here following the advice of a ZG forum member. It seems I have been misinformed. I`m glad I posted my question here on the forum first before spending a couple of weeks trying to get to grips with SL and discovering what I`m discovering now.

Thanks for the offers from a couple or three of you, but I must decline. After closer inspection, I`ve come to the conclusion that I`ll be wasting too much time in pursuing this further.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my initial OP and your interest in the Zeitgeist Movement.

Peace, Love, Freedom and Equality to all.

First and foremost, good luck with whatever you do.

While respecting your decision, I certainly don't agree with it.

I came to Second life about two years ago. I was in a wheelchair after a nearly fatal car accident. I looked like I had just been in a prize fight. I knew nothing of virtual worlds, other than from a class in High School. And yet ... here, I could walk, I could run, I could even fly. I didn't look like Frankenstein's sister here on Second Life.

I got into building here on Second Life. While artistic offline, if I tried to hammer two boards together, I would smash my thumb and probably drive a nail into my leg ... but here, I can build almost anything, and people tell me it looks really good.

I can hit a golf ball on here. The closest I have come offline, is hitting the ball off the edge of the club and smacking my Dad in the leg ... but here, I can hit it long and far, just like Tiger Woods.

Point ... ANYTHING is possible on Second Life.

Again though ... good luck in whatever you do.

No, you DON'T get the picture. We're not against you trying to get your message across in SL. We are telling you we don't think you will GET very far, but that's our opinion. SL is all about individual freedom. If this is something you want to do, please...be our guest.

What you are seeing here in some of the replies is a sort of preview of the reception you're likely to get in world to your philosophy and the way in which you present it. Think of it as a test marketing attempt. You can
1) Give up
2) Try elsewhere (but the whole WORLD is full of capitalists and money-lovers, you have an uphill battle everywhere.)
3) Learn more about SL (and about real world economics) before trying to change them. It gives your arguments much more weight.
4) Improve your presentation skills. If it's in a shiny package with ribbons, more people will be inclined to take it.

It's always entertaining when someone draws a conclusion about Second Life without spending any significant amount of time in-world.

Hey, what about the Flavorade?

Spend some time in world before drawing conclusions about SL.

Potential ownership of forty regions is an embarrassing argument to use in the dismissal of another's opinion.

However disagreeable the OP's opinion may seem, it is SL that is under discussion and money is not the sine qua non for enjoyment thereof. This despite the fact that a number of current threads on these forums are borderline hysterical on the issue of income and money making within SL.

Just an FYI...there are many groups in world focused on educating folks about things like peak oil, cohousing, transition towns, sustainability and on and on. In fact, Williamthewise Goodman founded the Etopia sims in order to model sustainable communities and educate. This has been wildly successful. We have classes, discussions, a real community that has developed with many world renouned content experts in a variety of areas.

SL is in fact a wonderful place to do just what you are looking for. But i would suggest doing what William did....get into SL and function for a year. Understand the technical, social, commercial, artist and other aspects so that you can best use this medium for your mission. I personally would not make my decision based on a some snarky posts on a msg board. Get in world and it will open your eyes to this amazing thing called SL and the absolutely astounding ability to reach people globally in a way that has no comparison.

Just my two cents....and please feel free to come see us on etopia...we like helping new people get their bearings lol

OK, I will state it more plainly.

When the OP can show that he is as knowledgeable as Desmond has done by creating and sustaining Caledon, then I'll give his opinions equal weight.

Better?

Viciously Llewellyn said it well...I think you will find interested people that have your level of understanding, but I think you will find a lot more, like me, that have really only a small taste, and would be interested in learning more.

But, you need to be prepared to answer the hard questions if you want to persuade people. Did I come off "snarky?" Maybe so as few of my questions were addressed. But please assume good intent.

You might also note my date- it's not much for four years considering I do read and post several times a day. The real world, sir, exists all around us and this is as much a part of it as an Amish horse drawn wagon. The world has evolved and we with it- one hopes, as has our culture. My reality may differ from yours as yours from a cattle herder in Swahililand - thanks to the internet, I for one would be able to greet him or her having picked up a couple words sufing round the net -Jambo! U hali gani? There is nothign wrong with your version of reality nor the realit your trying to expand - but coming in here and telling us where we are wrong or right is not the best way to go about it.

Nonetheless, welcome- carve your own niche-

~~~

As an addendum, on the subject of odd conspiracies and mind control - recently I saw Videodrome - http://www.criterion.com/films/240.

Oh for Pete's sake- another version of socialism with a fresh coat- sit down and wait - its growing like a fetid mold all over us as it is-

Well, no it isn't. The OP is seeking to experiment with something quite antithetical to what Desmond does. However clumsily he or she may have dealt with subsequent posts there is no reason why they should have to prove themselves against the benchmark you are setting.

Making money certainly isn't my idea of doing well in SL: I subscribe to a thing called RL for that.

Frankly, I'm happy with any opinion that shows the individual in question is seeking to get *something* out of this virtual world. If it's the same old, same old issues of money, status and relationship mindgames then they can keep it to themselves and I will look the other away. They are nevertheless welcome to it all the same.

If it is something genuinely different and new then they have my attention.