The Venus Project has given us a peak into a world of Sustainable Hi-Tech Cities, taking care of all mankind’s needs with little-to-no-work. However, many ask the question, how do we take control of the world’s resources and distribute them properly without the same hostile take-over perpetrated by every Communist regime of the past? In light of the Natural Law Party gaining political control, steps should be taken to ensure that Government compliance is not necessary for the guidance of society to a peaceful, shared coexistence. It is not required for all of the world’s population to agree with the Venus Projects’ goals to make them happen, nor is it required to take control of all the world’s resources to provide the basics, and luxuries, of life to those who are in agreement of the new Zeitgeist. Lastly, it is most important that there is no attempt to force these changes onto any group of people, or onto any nation. At any rate, the Venus Project’s funding should show us that a world wide movement is not on tomorrow’s, or next year’s, agenda.
The Venus Project has stated that their immediate goal is to build a single city, somewhere in the world, that will demonstrate, with an actual physical example, the prospects that this new form of resource management has to offer the world. From there Nations can observe, and decide to take on these policies as their own. However, the Venus Project also emphasizes a timely imperative and a need for government help. This is troubling, as government’s have historically taken genuine enlightened movements and turned them into power grabs, especially when hidden under the guise of the “greater-good.” So, in absence of government assistance, how does this writer suggest we achieve the dream of visionaries such as Gene Roddenberry and Jacque Fresco? Aside from helping fund the Venus Project to build their own version of this dream, it will be the actual realization of every participants version of this dream that will create the network of resource managers and future-cities that will make government involvement unnecessary.
The process of a “peaceful revolution” is scaled and implemented in a way as to not stir violence. The goal is to “revolt” in a way that does not incite a dramatic reaction from people with guns and authority. It must not include the taking or destroying of other persons’ property, it must not immediately threaten the current power structure or status quo. It must be a revolution of habit, of how we manage our personal resources to the degree that we are freed from necessity and can begin to share resources and help others build the infrastructure of a sustainable, peaceful and prosperous society. The true revolution is self-management first, community and resource management second. Self motivation and personal resource management are the only things you have sole authority over and can begin making a change now, or tomorrow. Next; helping others that are motivated in the same direction is even easier, and increases production to the end exponentially. If the goal is a society and infrastructure that provides the needs of every human being with only the work of the already altruistic society, then if the currently altruistic begin working on such a society it will come into fruition.
Here are a list of projects, and principles, that individuals and groups can take on on their own, around the world, to create the infrastructure necessary to move our culture to the next level of existence:
1. Gardens of Eden – Permaculture
It is no secret that this writer, and The Free Independent-Sun, holds high regard to the practices and principles of Permaculture, and for good reason. Permaculture has the potential of reducing the world’s need of energy and water in the production of food and terraforming otherwise barren landscapes, in the process, feeding the world and its ever growing population.
The creation of Permaculture farms around the world is a huge step towards easing reliance on governments and corporations for our needs, and thus, alleviating the need for money, and bringing health to our land and our selves. To start as individuals, learning and practice Permaculture and Gardening in general, will help build confidence in the science, and spread the energy and knowledge of the idea. If we were in a true Class system, it would be suggested that a Permaculturalist Class be created, perhaps Guilds around the world, City Permaculture Alliances, Backyard collectives, whatever form feels right for each iteration.
2. Breaking the Matrix – Linux and Open-Source
Computers, machine operating software, and the Internet are all critical components of our emerging world culture. The cities rendered by the Venus Project will no doubt be dependent on software to run their many machines providing transportation, resource management, medical procedures and the like. It is naive to think that Microsoft or even Apple will be contributing the software for free, nor would it be sustainable.
The Linux community, in absence of profits, has in the last 30 years built networks, operating systems, and software that parallels that created for profit by Microsoft, Apple and the various software companies operating within their confines. As we begin to help develop the Third-World, it is also presumptuous to think that these people will be able to afford Windows 7, or Microsoft Office without some sort of assistance. By building the numbers of contributors and users of the Linux and Open-Source software out there, we can help ensure that the computers of the future will be ran on free software that is created and maintained by an altruistic global community.
3. Manage Resources – Balance YOUR Budget and Buy Land!
If the goal is to manage all of the world’s resources for the free access of all mankind, we should start by managing the resources we have. This would begin with the balancing of your personal budget as to free up funds for either donating to the Venus Project or like minded group to buy property, or saving up and buying property as an individual. Once any property is bought, a permanent garden and food production system can be set up, piece by piece adding to the collective community food source. If there is housing people can live there, WWOOFing residencies can be set up and other production can begin. A Garage can be used to fix bikes and work on cars to convert to biofuels (which can be produced locally, by like minded property owners), or do all sorts of carpentry and metal work.
Organizing some sort of movement similar to the Free State Project (perhaps dubbed the Green State Project) in order to move and organize like minded people into a single state in order to buy land and work with the State government to build a model city (or a network of model cities, farms, and factories) all ran in sustainable fashions guided toward making the Venus Project reality. Iowa would be a good state to work with; it is a socially-progressive state, the land is cheap (in comparison to the rest of the U.S.), and the U.S. Peace Government actually exists in Iowa.
http://www.freestateproject.org/
http://www.uspeacegovernment.org/
4. Weening off Money – Bartering
Bartering is a great transitional step to beginning to see a altruistic community at work. While there is still an exchange of property, it is usually done on a more personal level and often with more generosity on both sides than if the transaction had been done with an exchange of money. It is much easier to barter when you are your own boss, but even exchanging home brewed beer for food from a friend’s garden is a great way to make the concept habit, and thus, reality.
Bartering is more common than most people think, and many businesses will work out deals for services. There are even Bartering Groups in some cities. Websites like Craigslist also provide a way to post and respond to bartering requests.
http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites
5. Organize Politically – The Natural Law Party
The Natural Law Party was a political organization led by a number of Scientists and Yogis in order to create a political platform focusing on the Laws of Nature and the necessities of life. The National Party disbanded and formed the U.S. Peace Government which has headquarters in Vedic City, Iowa.
Register to vote with the Natural Law Party; there are many state chapters left with members, most likely you will have to write-in the party name on your voter registration card; it will still count toward the total number of voters registered as Natural Law. If there is not already an organized chapter in your area, form one and begin endorsing candidates from other third-parties (Greens, Peace and Freedom, Libertarian, etc). Run candidates for city offices targeting on sustainable city management and the prevention of crime.
6. If you know – Teach.
If you know how, teach others how as well. Spread as much knowledge as possible, so that we will be capable as a society to meet the needs of the future.
Start a website teaching something useful to a sustainable life and society. Create a directory of other sites. Contribute to the spreading of knowledge! Teach classes or workshops at your local community center.
7. Provide for the Masses – Begin the System – Donate, Start or work for a non-profit.
More importantly, assist, volunteer or donate to non-profits that build resource providing structures or provide resources to people. Charity:Water builds wells in communities without access to clean water, One Laptop Per Child gives open-source laptops to classrooms in impoverished communities allowing them access to the Internet and the knowledge of the world. Start a community garden, do it in a poor country. Or donate a portion of your income now to groups that are providing food, water, energy and resources to people who are without it.
A Drop in the Bucket – A Bucket Half-Full – The Bucket Overflowing
The Venus Project wants to build a model city then lobby Governments to apply the architecture and organization principles in the building of their own cities. Eventually that will be an important step toward a future world dreamed of by so many of us, in order to progress toward that step we must begin to use what we have now to begin the ground work for the larger model cities. We can begin to ease the tension of the world, allowing Government leaders to even entertain the idea, and organize the groups of people who will need to fund and build the first true model city.
In the mean-time, we can begin to make our current cities more sustainable. It would be unfortunate if we were to leave our current cities and town all together; there is so much character and culture locked away in the small towns and big cities of the world. But as we progress into the future, a smarter, more thought-out design will be beneficial for new cities.
[thumbnail image taken from: http://www.thevenusproject.com]
Jack Wagner is the Editor of The Free Independent-Sun. Born in Sonoma, California and currently residing in San Francisco, Jack set up The Free Independent-Sun on July 4th, 2009, after sleeping in and not making his usual trip up north for his hometown festivities. He figured he'd do something revolutionary to make up for it. In the Summer of 2010 Jack registered Seraf Media with the City and County of San Francisco as a Sole-Proprietorship. He is dedicated to articulating the finer points of the Revolution in order to bring about a Global Renaissance and Abundant World Economy. He also isn't afraid to get his hands dirty transplanting succulents. 
Speaking as a hippy ‘from the olden days’, I want to help any way I can. Repurpose, recycle, re-use. There is so much ‘trash’ in this country that would represent riches in other countries. It’s a terrible waste!