Comments on: Zeitgeist: Addendum and The Venus Project hoax

By: Silena Heine

Silena Heine — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:30:38 +0000

I’m just going to say that I could not even get past your second paragraph. I hate to sound cliche and quote something but “money is the root of all evil”. You say the banks will go out of business, that is the point. Did you even bother to watch the movie?! Also, Mr. Fresco stated that “this is not a perfect solution. We as humans can never reach perfection, just make things better. The Venus Project is not perfect, just a lot better”. Also, I agree with you when you say that it is impossible for 6 billion people to live in one building in Florida, but as more and more people gather to this location it will expand, as all things do. It common sense. For example, lets say I get married and live in a one bedroom apartment. 10 years from now, lets assume I have a few children. Likely, I will have to buy a bigger place to live so those children are not cramped into a tiny space. Mr. Fresco has a beautiful idea and it is ignorance from people like you that is keeping this world corrupt and unfair. Here in the states all we have to do is turn a knob and we get clean water, whereas in 3rd world countries they have to venture long distances to get water and even after a long journey the water is not guaranteed. We do not do anything now because “it costs too much”. If there were no money, we would do it out of the kindness of our hearts. All human life has value sir, and money diminishes that value. If I had an identical twin, but she was rich and educated and I was poor and ignorant, yet we grew up exactly the same, whose to say her life has more value than mine? Money is corruption, and corruption leads to greed. Nature vs Nurture, remove money, you remove most contempt (not all obviously). People would no longer need to sneak into a store and steal what they need to survive. All we would have to do is ask and we will receive. Think like a proper, kind human being before you run your mouth about money. Money is not needed to make the world work. “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know true peace” – Jimi Hendrix

By: Justin

Justin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:39:30 +0000

As with the comment above… usually I would read an article in its entirety but the author simply doesn’t understand the ZM’s understandings. Let us forget the details of ZM and The Venus Project. These are the realities:

1. Humankind needed a system that created order in scarcity… however savage or unfair that system was. Hence barter then commerce. It seemed to work for a while, until we became so abundant that we risk smashing the balance of OUR natural system.

2. Ownership. Only now do I understand what a ridiculous concept this is. Surely everything belongs to everyone? Certainly, every person needs use of resources/ technology but do we need to state claim over these things… ownership it what has created the unbelievable waste and selfishness we see around us.

3. Need. It’s vital for us to know what is truly needed. Right now most of our need is created by commerce. this promotes consumption. If society believed that our only needs are: health (physical, emotional and psychological) and sustainability then our use of resources would decrease considerably. If comfort was advanced with these two principles in mind we would achieve luxury without such damage.

4. Greed is learned. It is derived from scarcity. Our brains have shown us that we can eradicate scarcity but now scarcity (or creating imagined need) is required to increase profit which is the basis of the whole current system.

5. Power. What if we believed we attained power through contribution instead of control and consumption? Power by the ability to make things easier/quicker/sustainably abundant/safer/balanced as a contribution to the whole. Would that fulfill a person?

6. Spirituality. Scientifically conducted research is showing that spirituality comes from a sense of connection. Connection to the world, people, our work as purpose proving further that life is validated by community and interaction.

that’s all.

By: Achim

Achim — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:25:05 +0000

An even more important read and very relevant is: “Sponateous Evolution” by Lipton and Bhaerman. It explains scientifically elegant why altruistic motives win over egoistic ones, why Darmin was wrong (the notion of “survival of the fittest” is outdated) and society as we know it is at a cross road with 2 possible directions: extinction or evolution. Take your pick!

By: Goz

Goz — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:27:40 +0000

i agree, any system can be cheated, abused the internet and its abundance of viruses and other negative thinngs should be enough proof not to put all that responcibility in the hands of a machine that will never be more perfect than the floored human’s that made it

By: Goz

Goz — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:22:13 +0000

if people get an even footing at 18 all you are doing is starting the same system again as the “materially” minded individuals will collect and save and become progressively better off it is the standard of living in its self the need to always better the way in which you live that is the problem. and at the moment the only solution to the environmental crisis is to simply lower the global living standard. greed is the only real problem with today’s way of living and that is what i really like about this idea(an idea is all it will ever be) it shows us that we can find alternatives to the this corrupt system we live in today.

YOUR TV AND CAR ETC ONLY NEEDS TO DO AND BE SO MUCH WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE YUPPIE RAT RACE. i blame the “rich kids” that rule the worlds through the banks.

By: brady

brady — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:43:27 +0000

Normally I read the whole article even if I am not able to see their point of view, however just from reading the first paragraph I feel as if the time was not spent understanding the project and what it has to offer and why it is being suggested. No one said the project assumes there needs to be an “abundance of everything” .In fact anyone that knows the project will disagree with that statement. When using today’s thought processes and ideas to compare what the project has to offer you’re not going to get far. There isn’t an abundance of everything which is exactly why we need to start looking for potential solutions. Once we figure out what is availably on this earth we can find out how many people it can support and educate them as to its importance and what could happen if we don’t pay attention to our earth carrying capacity. Living on the Florida coast in a huge mansion only seems impossible because it has been made inaccessible to most people by use of the monetary system. Not everyone wants to live there; some might prefer the city or country. In the transition phase there might be more people wanting to live out there but once they find everyone can go there it won’t be as much of a big deal. As far as comparing it to communism you obviously either don’t know enough about communism or the Venus Project. While I’m no scholar on either I do know that there is a fundamental difference between the two and it has to do with the use of money. I will finish the article but will hold my tongue so to speak as the comments posted here have said more about my thoughts than I could in a single comment.

By: Sarah Osborn

Sarah Osborn — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:45:10 +0000

Seriously? I would say “Shill” lest you dub me as the norm “Conspiracy theorist”. Have you done ANY research on the fractional reserve monatary system that we are currently tied to before you posted such a non sensical post?! I mean, I haven’t even fully researched the zeitgeist project but I can tell that you my dear, are full of hot air due to your lack of coommon knowledge on many of the issues discussed within the zeitgeist film itself.

I have found a flaw personally (i.e. Thomas Jefferson quote) yet that doesn’t make it completely false! You have the common misunderstanding of most. That this is simply an econmic, political, social, etc. medium. When will you and others like you, understand that you must know at least SOME about all of these factors such as science, theories that science has relied on for YEARS, etc. before you understand that maybe, just possibly , their ideas are better than ANY of yours or the failed two party system?! Should you choose to reply to me, please do so at my hotmail address which I’ve provided you. I will have my own independent site up and running within the next few months and I challenge you and any liek you, to debate me on theories as well as facts. You obviously cannot tell the difference between the two.

By: Muhjesbud Maharish

Muhjesbud Maharish — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:26:27 +0000

Hey Beej,
Unlike much of the ‘keyjerk’ input, looks like you’ve gone the extra mile on the wonderful journey to escape the statu quo. Now you’re on the true path to universal higher consciousness. The first necessary ingredient of true Alchemy to turn dirt into gold and save humanity. And you’ve also read enough of the fifty or so foundational studies i mentioned to begin to evolve your insight into visionary potential, and ultimately higher enlightenment.
By your profession must have read Greg Braden?
If you feel like it, drop us an email and tell us more of what you think, and we’ll send you good thoughts, as well? Sanctuaryofintegratedconsciousness.com

By: Muhjesbud Maharish

Muhjesbud Maharish — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:18:09 +0000

Higgins!
Indeed You are a worthy intellectual proponent. As a senior student of social anthropology as well, I see that you are almost close to the truth. Except for your analysis of the individual’s potential within the collective paradigm. Certainly we should give the VP and similar social experiments a chance. How else does the flawed bicameral individual ‘learn’ to escape the deterioration of consciousnees through mental intransigence other than by pushing new ideas to the limits and reprogramming one’s thoughts through trial and error? At least thats what Julian Janes alludes to. And what Old Albert E. said about nothing happens until something moves? So, as you said, suffering the slings and arrows of pc moutholutionaries and keystroke warriors will not impede the juggernaut of Jac or VN. I would suggest to the Blog brigade that superior firepower comes with superior knowledge. Most of the above CyberScholars need to read perhaps fifty or so additional books before they can hit closer to the mark. One immediately comes to mind that would not replace but substitute in a general overview for several works on the subject
in terms of ‘extreme’ social revalations in an interesting presetnation is ‘The God Secret’ coming out next month on Amazon. I know this because I have already read it, being the publisher and all. Alright, Higgy, wot say next time I’m up in the U.K. I spot up at the local Pub and we’ll arse this topic around over a mug o’Ale, knock about a bit of ‘illuminating’
subject matter, and god, not withstanding, save the Queen?

By: beej

beej — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:25:24 +0000

Hi All,
I’ve found this debate , fascinating and frustrating at the same time.Each side has valid points ,
working with what they know , and what history has shown us. But i think a major point is missing for us to really see a true alternative to our current western society.
I think the film has not looked deeper into it either, but maybe its purpose is to educate the uneducated( and reinforce the feeling that most of us have always had) about the real way the world is.
Now I’m no philosopher. actually I’m a molecular biologist, so I have some understanding as to the science of life, but my main point is that for us to exist in these other societies like that of VP then it is WE that have to change first.
Now this may seem obvious, but let me explain.
A lot of what I’ve read against change is :
-it wont work , been done before ( communism , socialist etc.)
-i dont want anyone telling me how much or what i can have in this life
- those with the knowledge will have the society at randsom etc.

But these all are based on the thinking about life the same way it has ever been.
how can we accept something outside the box when were are still thinking about it from inside the box?
We need to accept that we need to change the way we look at life ,our beliefs and work through our fears.
I think alot of people are doing this right now , from sorting theirs lives out to raising their children with
positive and informed ideas about the world and life. Not from media or business industries or even governments with their agenda’s,
not from fear of punishment or damning of their souls , but from love and compasion with their fellow man.
Some might say that , the kids will have to wake up pretty soon , cos the world is cruel and they will get hurt.
But i for one ,want them to be part of a different world . Not wholesome, and naive concepts but true deeper love of life

Now I dont believe the VP is the only solution to our dilemma, but i do believe its a move in the right direction.
A direction which takes us toward a different goal , maybe our true purpose as to why we are here!?

Now these are my personal opinions, my true beliefs.

I dont think man has evolved much at all from the time of the cave man, we have become smarter , but are still really cave
men with technology.

So now we have technology to provide us with basic things , to provide for our basic instincts,
but we still fight for more , we still kill each other for something , we aquire power , wealth and fame to feed our egos.
Why ?

I think we still live satisfying our primal urges, our animal instincts , our basic needs.
The society we live in is based on satisfing these needs. it keeps us happy( in short bursts) , its keeps us in place
, its keeps us controlled. Without us it cannot function.

So to have these things provided by the alternative society, is not the only answer.

There are a privliged 1% that have everything, but they still consume more, and aquire more, why ?
because they live and think like a cave man.

Humans are meant for more , I truely believe so.
Some have reached this place of enlightment, and I believe they do so not for selfish reasons,
but to keep the balance on this planet in favour of love and peace, but even though that power of few
is strong , imagine what the power of 6 billion beings conscious thought for love and peace can do.

Some posts have talked about how many bananas I could have and who would be telling me how many my portion is in the VP
The answer – me . because I would take what I need, with limited waste, to allow abundance for all
If i provided the technology for breathing under water or enviro domes for desert living, would I not become the famous scientist and
with a seat on the presidents dinner table, rewards a plenty, in the form of admiration and goods .
No – because i wouldn’t want them. I would get enough satisfaction from knowing I’m helping my fellow man, my family , my species.

This may sound idealistic and even ridiculous to some. But think of the feeling you get from helping someone in need.
Simple things like giving up you seat to an old person on a crowded bus , or helping a mother with her pram down some stairs.
or any volunteer work.

Its this feeling of purpose , and love and pride you have for yourself and those you help that no money or objects can provide.

try telling a 1-2 year old about sharing , all you’ll get is mine , mine , no thats mine !
why? beacuse its instincts , behaviour for survival. But they learn to share , their food and objects .
So we too can learn not to hate , hurt and take because there is no need, for the reward of love is greater than any.
Just when you hug your child or any loved one and they say they love you .

The ego’s purpose is for survival, mental and physical. Remove the need for it and you have true love, unconditional.

So when people say thier nationality or religon is who they are, I disagree and say you were born with none of it.
You only have your physical and spiritual being and we are all the same , only carbon for the physical and something else for the other.
Some may be smarter in ways than others, but still the same DNA , only differences is in expression of the genes.

I feel that the end of the mayan calender and all other aspect of coming change , is the awakening of the human species into a new era.
Our evolution to more than the materialistic , maybe even more than this physical world
Gone is the old basic desires and we step into a new free consciousness with all life.

If removing the monetary system removes our old shackles and paves the way for our evolution ( and I’m sure it will ).
Then bring it on .

just my 2 cents

ps. please excuse my poor spelling. I was never good at english grammer