Someone asked me to give examples of how someone can create significant change without voting. This was my response:
The government is a series of monopolies
monopoly on currency, on roads, on education, on police etc...and where they don't have monopolies they create cartels through over regulating certain industries, as we see with media and the medical industry, for example.
I dont see these monopolies being decentralized through the political process. There are no candidates that will even address this underlying truth of government, and even if one did, there is very little chance that they would be able to do something about it while getting into office.
On the other hand, if we compete with these monopolies by creating our own businesses or charities that can provide services better and more efficiently, we can make each aspect of government obsolete piece by piece.
I think there are a few real life examples to point to.
One example I often point to is the media. Years ago, government had a tight control of the media through their regulations, and corporations also played a role by controlling the message through advertising revenue.
However, over the past few decades people in the alternative media have worked to break that monopoly, and i think they are on their way to doing so successfully...and will eventually make the mainstream media obsolete.
There is also the example of bitcoin, which is now the most valuable currency in the world. central banks, and the federal reserve have released papers suggesting that their institutions would fall apart if cryptocurrencies continue to reach the mainstream and come into widespread use
We can also look to what Nexus has been doing with attempting to free people from internet service providers.
For those who are not familiar with the term “agorism,” it is a strategy of noncompliance that uses counter-economics and underground markets as a way of keeping power in the hands of the average people, thus slowly diminishing the power and relevance of the control structure.
Growing food, starting mutual aid or charity groups, using bitcoin, homeschooling, running a small business without licenses, bartering and starting community currencies are all examples of agorist activities. Some agorists are even so bold as to create businesses that will challenge existing state monopolies like we are seeing in New York with alternative protection agencies and arbitration services.
It is as simple as finding a need in your community for a particular good or service, and attempting to provide that value without any sort of interaction with the government or any other unchosen 3rd parties. In other words, the basic idea is to try solving the problem yourself, with your community instead of waiting around for a politician to promise to fix it and, in turn, making the problem worse.
THIS WAS A STEEMIT EXCLUSIVE!!
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY:
My name is John Vibes and I am an author and researcher who organizes a number of large events including the Free Your Mind Conference. I write for numerous alternative media websites, including The Free Thought Project @tftproject and The Mind Unleashed. In addition to my first book, Alchemy of the Timeless Renaissance, I have also co-authored three books with Derrick Broze @dbroze : The Conscious Resistance: Reflections on Anarchy and Spirituality, Finding Freedom in an Age of Confusion and Manifesto of the Free Humans
I just won a 3-year-long battle with cancer, and will be working to help others through my experience, if you wish to contribute to my medical bills, consider subscribing to my podcast on Patreon.
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Great post! This is the only way forward for anyone with volunteerist ideals. There is no way to "vote the problem away" and revolutions are destined to fail without addressing the root cause. Building our own independent, community based systems and institutions is the only long-term solution.
Good, short and simple, to the point. Like Buckminster Fuller said, don't work and put energy at destroying the old to create change for the better, but create the new and it will replace the old. Resteemed.
you neoHippies were born in the wrong generation. LOL
http://lifestylogy.com/woodstock-1969-vintage-photos-you-never-saw/49/
Agorism is absolutely amazing. Stop waiting for politicians and take matters into your own hands. It forces you to take personal responsibility but at the same time frees you from learned political helplessness.
Right goal: empower people; eliminate concentrations of power. But wrong approach. Do not break laws. Instead, change them. That requires voting, which requires organizing and educating. Do not underestimate or MISUNDERSTAND the forces that oppose you.
Great post and wonderful to see this ethos growing an growing. We are getting closer to the hundredth monkey and I fill my with joy. NICE 💯🐒
Be the change that u want to c in the nation(Gandhi).
Agorism is a nice idea that u tried to highlight , i think for it to be succesful , one has to be patient, persistant, and consistent for the fruitful reaults to arrive.
Good post.
Sadly, until Cryptocurrency "grows up" and can be relied upon to maintain a stable value, the govt. monopoly on money will continue.
The average person cannot afford to put their eggs in a basket that changes in value plus or minus 5-10% a day.
Well I learned something new today! I didn't know the term "agorist."
These monopolies control the fiat money supply. Trying to institute anything that renders that ineffective or reduces the $$ in the pocket books for these that support it will bring harsh opposition. Sign me up!
I love the way you termed it: "strategy of non-compliance" and that is exactly what it is.
People forget they have a choice. Yep, someone may come along and say "That's illegal!!" even though it's a God-given inalienable right. I like to simply think of it as, "I'm choosing to your services as little as possible and taking my business elsewhere."
This was a great write up!
Does anyone have a resource list of local barter, etc., or a big list of things you can do, such as buying local food or other products.
I do look in craigslist to find people who can do simple services, but there is often not much there. I recently looked for hair cuts and portrait photographers on craigslist and did not find anything that worked for me. I do buy items from craigslist and even thrift stores (no tax!) often. that is the easiest thing for me to do, but i'd like to be able to buy groceries that way.
Try looking for local farms, farmers markets, etc. Some small farms have farm stands where you can get real food without dealing with grocery stores.
Yes, everything is becoming decentralized. It seems to me that the macro-trend right now is the taking back of individual power. For thousands of years, people have been outsourcing their power to external authorities (government, religion...etc.). Now we're going back to a more egalitarian way of doing things, just in a more technological way.
Spot on!! Keep up the great work. :)
I think we will be seeing major changes in the USA during the 2020's. The timing is perfect for crypto to go mainstream then.
Excellent!!!!
Where can one find such a community?
AnarchoForko. ...as it can expand from one week to 52.
While I will agree (especially after political activism since 1976), with the first part of your proclamation, the second part can be righteously challenged. Please watch this 7 min vid by Andy "petition" Jacobs of the Libertarian Revolution YT channel.
Now, to prevent the sheriff from garnering a monopoly over a WELL REGULATED MILITIA, the Oath Keepers have an interesting idea which would incorporate the structure offered by Volunteer Fire Departments, via the Search and Rescue division.
https://www.oathkeepers.org/cpt-community-preparedness-teams/security/
JV: What do you think about expanding AnarchoForko to America... one Agora in each state, running at first, simultaneously with the one in Anarchopulco, and then expanding to once a month at the same location, then to Wed-Sun each week; same place?
that sounds like a cool ideas :-)
Please pass the concept on to Derrick Broze. I'm curious to hear his take on it. ...and his opinion on what would be the best strategy to organize it.
I think Derrick will think it would be a great idea also, but as far as strategizing to organize it, we have our hands a bit full to be jumping into other projects like that
allthough when you do get it organized we would be happy to speak :-)
AnarchoForko is about creating Agora. Actions more then words. We don't need anyone to speak... we need men to DO. Anyway, please pass the info on to him. Thanks.
I must be misunderstanding what you are saying. Derrick has a tour planned for the summer, and he did the same thing last year. It sounds like you would like to do your own tour, or something similar. That sounds great, go for it, I am not sure what we can do other than speak at it, or maybe help you find a venue in are local area or something? I am not really sure what you are seeking.
If you want to speak to derrick directly he can be found here at @dbroze
no. I don't need to do any touring. This concept can be manifested via the internet... especially Steemit. If you give Derrick a heads up, the 3 of us can email out some details. LCharles14@yahoo.com This forum is a bit difficult when things get lengthy. It will be worth pursuing, believe me, my good man.
I love this idea. This is how it should be. I wish there were more like-minded people in our actual communities. It seems we find most of them online, in far-flung locations.