An appropriate alternative to the Gulch

I can envision a world where there is no money.

Really, it's not that far away... When was the last time you actually used cash? And really, the bank notes that we call cash has only the value assigned to it based on a psychological measure that is at times very arbitrary... I get paid via direct deposit and never see my money. It's given and used electronically. The only time I actually even write a check is to pay tithing or pay random people (piano lessons, for example). Other than that, it's all debit card and direct deposit. Money is a surreal thing, an electronic transfer...

What capitalists fail to recognize is that it is not the accumulation of wealth that perpetuates our society - it's the distribution and flow of wealth. Thus, having more people with greater amounts of discretionary income allows for a stronger base for the economy - more people buying more, creating jobs and demand for goods. One person with all the money can only buy so much before it becomes impossible and impractical. It is this way with so many things in life - the more you give away the more you find flowing back to you... And the more you hoard the less powerful and influential you find yourself (the richest man in the graveyard, unmourned, unknown, and unremembered). Greed is inherently anti-social.

But I digress...

I imagine a world without cash registers. Stores, warehouses, shops, etc, are stocked with everything you need and want. You simply go and get what you need or want. You go to work and do your job to the best of your ability, doctors, gardeners, rocket scientists, baseball players, plumbers, architects, artists, everyone. Just like now. You do your job. The difference is you don't get a paycheck. Instead, you go to the store and get what you need. Everyone works hard, knowing that their place in the world is safe.

What would motivate someone under such a system?

That question reveals the amount of greed that has crept into our society. People cannot envision a world where people are motivated by anything but financial reward. This really plays to the lowest and basest aspects of humanity.

I suggest that there is a higher motivation: love. I know it sounds trite, but hear me out...

Imagine, just imagine, a world where you go to work because you love it. You know that what you are doing helps people all over the world. Maybe you make Christmas ornaments. Or you make bolts that fasten seatbelts to cars. Or you help design homes and buildings. Or you build them. Or you clean bathrooms, providing a clean and safe place for people to take care of that need. And in return, you benefit from the labors of others similarly motivated - your children need shoes? No problem - just go and get them. You get sick? No problem. You have a doctor who is motivated to treat you to the best of his ability not because of the huge paycheck but because he loves you. And you doctor's needs are being met by millions all similarly motivated.

No greed or poverty. Everyone has access to whatever they need.

No theft or crime. Why steal from another if you can get anything you want or need just by going to get it?

What about those who do not produce?

Well, what about them? There are many reasons why someone would not want to participate in production. Such reasons may include things like disability or age. But that's not a problem because people love each other and recognize the worth of each soul, regardless of ability.

But what about those who refuse to work at all?

Again, what is YOUR motivation? Why are you so worried about what someone else does or doesn't do?

But I think that in this kind of circumstance people will want to work. I have a (perhaps naive) belief in the goodness of people. I believe that people want to work. There is a pride and satisfaction that comes at the end of the day of hard working... That feeling cannot be found in other places.

I don't know how it would all work. I don't know how I would distribute the labor, but I imagine that people will be able to find jobs that they like and feel comfortable doing. I could never be a doctor (too gross), for example. And I know that many people couldn't do what I do (too tedious). But my job is just as important and meaningful as the plumber or doctor or scientist. We're all in this together...

Like I said earlier, we're not that far from this point anyway. It's a complete paradigm shift in our motivation, though.

I try to teach my son the difference between a slave, a servant, and a friend. A slave does things because he is motivated by fear - fear of punishment or other retribution. A servant does things in expectation of some reward - financial or otherwise. But a friend is motivated out of love to do things for others. The task is the same. The receiver is the same. The difference is in the attitude and the motivation.

Maybe I am a dreamer. But it's a happy place where I am...