Tag: innovation

We Need to Live Differently – And This Time, It Needs to Work

On this site I have been reflecting deeply on the way we live – not merely as individuals but as communities and as a species. It is difficult not to feel overwhelmed by the numerous challenges we face: #ClimateChange, #Inequality, and #Loneliness, the last 20 years of #techshit to name a few. Yet, a simple but profound idea continues to resurface: What if we chose to live differently? What if we focused on building paths, like the #OMN project, that works harmoniously for people and the planet, rather than the normal path of attempting to repair what is broken?

This is not a new, humanity has long dreamed of utopias and alternative ways of living. Numerous communities have attempted to bring these visions to life, and admittedly, many have failed or faded away. However, these past efforts have left us with invaluable lessons, which is why, with the current #openweb reboot, I believe this time can be different.

The key lies in the technological and social path we collectively take. We are not striving for perfection because perfection is unattainable. Instead, we aim to create something real and adaptable. This is not about rejecting modernity or pretending the world’s issues will vanish if everyone adopts ethical consumption or #DIY self-sufficiency. It is about establishing spaces where people can collaboratively create, grow and adapt—striking a balance between #Innovation and #Simplicity, as well as between #IndividualFreedom and #CommunityCare.

This path is not simply my own. It is shaped by countless conversations with people from diverse backgrounds: #Developers, #Activists, #Educators, both online and offline. What stands out is the shared sentiment that our current way of life no longer makes sense. There is a collective yearning for something better—not to escape the world, but to build a way of living that reconnects us with each other, with nature, and with ourselves.

The path we can take, what makes this feel achievable, is that it does not require starting from scratch. It involves building on existing foundations—acknowledging both successes and failures—and asking critical questions: “What has worked in the past, what is currently working? What is not? How can we approach this differently?” This willingness to experiment, learn, and grow together is what sets this path apart from the normal #deathcult worshipping mess.

Yes, this might sound idealistic, and in some ways, it is. However, bold ideas are often the catalyst for meaningful change. If this resonates with you, I encourage you to share your thoughts. What changes would you like to see in how we live? What would it take for you to feel like you are contributing to something greater than yourself? These questions hold potential—not necessarily in the answers, but in the act of asking them. If you feel inspired to engage with this path, feel free to add to this thread. #openweb #collectivechange

Would Socialism Work?

There are meany, messy paths, but let’s look at ideas. Whenever #socialism is discussed, there’s a flurry of objections, claiming it’s unworkable and impractical. Many of these objections stem from misconceptions or simple falsehoods. One common misconception is that socialism lacks the capacity for #innovation. Let’s walk this path to see what we find.

Socioeconomic Systems and Innovation:

Firstly, let’s clarify something: capitalism, socialism, or any other “-ism” don’t inherently produce anything. Workers are the ones who create products and innovations. These “-isms” shape who gets paid and how resources are distributed. Under capitalism, the driving force for “innovation” is profit. If something isn’t profitable, in the end it won’t get funded, even if it is need to save lives or benefit wider society.

Socialism’s Driving Factors for Innovation:

In contrast, socialism builds for human need and creativity over profit. While some social surplus must be accounted for, it can be done without the profit-seeking motive. In a socialist system, innovation is driven by the #humanist desire to build social meaning and to meet simple social needs to improve the quality of life in general, rather than lining the pockets of a few exploitative shareholders.

Public Sector and Innovation:

Not surprisingly, many of the innovations we rely on today came from government-funded projects, not the private sector. From touch screens to the internet, satellites to vaccines, much of the foundational research and development is done with public funding. This demonstrates that innovation isn’t something exclusive to capitalism; in fact, it happens in spite of it in the current mess.

Education, Innovation, and Profit:

Education is a crucial factor in fostering innovation, yet under capitalism, access to quality education is limited by financial barriers. In contrast, socialist policies prioritize free education at all levels, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to develop their creative potential and shared #humanism.

Automation and Capitalism:

#Automation, while promising greater productivity, poses a threat under capitalism. As machines replace human labour, workers are laid off, made poor, to cut costs and maximize profits. This leads to a paradox where increased productivity doesn’t benefit the people, as they lose their jobs and thus the purchasing power that drives capitalism in the first place, a mess.

Automation and Socialism:

In a socialist system, automation is used to reduce the need for human labour without displacing workers. Instead of working long hours, people enjoy shorter workdays while automation picks up the productivity slack. With human needs prioritized over profit, automation serve to benefit society as a whole.

Conclusion:

Socialism offers a historical, viable alternative to capitalism’s shortcomings. By prioritizing human needs, innovation through social investment, and horizontal access to education and resources, socialism lays the groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous future. Rather than succumbing to the limitations of capitalism, let’s explore the possibilities of a different world and work towards a society where innovation serves humanistic ends, not only profit for a few exploitative assholes.

To be a part of building this different world https://opencollective.com/open-media-network