Let’s have a little fun and put the stretch on our imaginations. Try to visualize a world without money or even the concept of money. Imagine if there were no more money, no word for it, and no physical or emotional reference to it. The whole idea of money simply doesn’t exist.
Why are we thinking like this? Because so many people spend the majority of their life in the pursuit of this bizarre, manmade invention. For the most part money is a necessary yet insidious detour away from everything that really matters.
Like a bottomless pothole on the road of life, there’s money smack dab in the middle of almost everything meaningful you want to do. You can’t ignore it and it’s almost impossible to get anything done without it, so you are forced to deal with it.
Money calls the shots
In the name of money and career we may invest years of our life on specialized education and training. Why? So we can spend another 30-40 years earning a living. What’s at the end of the rainbow? The hope of being able to retire with enough money to enjoy whatever time and health we have left.
It becomes especially challenging to maintain a balanced view of money when we are confronted by economic hardship. Lack of legal tender can threaten our sense of security and even corrupt our sense of self-worth. No inanimate object is more emotionally charged. That’s a tremendous amount of leverage for an artificial commodity, don’t you think?
Can we really imagine no more money?
It’s difficult to wrap our minds around the concept of no more money because it is outside the realm of our experience. How would society be structured if there were no such thing as money? What would we focus on and how would we make value comparisons?
We don’t really know because it’s never been tried on a large scale. One thing is for sure; most people’s lives would probably be a lot more realistic. Maybe we should just abolish the stuff and start focusing on things of real value.
What’s your take on money?
Were you able to imagine no more money?
The lines are open!
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Currency in one form or another has always, probably will be the catalyst of economic societies. Currency based societies have never lasted . To change this, there would be a need to change the human condition. Those that are in power would want to keep that power making everyone the same or asking them to give up that power would probably leave you in the drink. If you ask me though, I would do what was needed of me to see that everyone else had food, housing, clothing, medical care etc. It would definitely be a interesting journey.
Hi Tim, while imagining a world without money I contemplated things like the currency of honesty, compassion, generosity, appreciation, loyalty and other truly valuable assets that currently take a back seat to the legal tender in society. It painted a nice picture!
I could imagine a bartering system where skills would be exchanged.
Hi Bunny, I’m not sure but it is likely that money was developed to make bartering easier. But what if we could remove even the idea of even exchange and create a mindset where generosity and compassion caused a natural equalizing so that everyone had plenty without anybody living in extreme poverty or obscene wealth. Of course, that would require that greed be abolished right along with money. As you can tell I really let my imagination run with this whole concept.
I think that a local “money” based on exchange of goods and services would bring the results of our actions into the immediate, accountable face-to-face. Sneaking in an extra income tax deduction would feel a lot different from sneaking an extra loaf of bread out of a neighbor’s kitchen.
Removing debt-related power from a local “currency” would do a lot to create a buffer between economic ups and downs and individual hardship (or greed.) Imagine a local “money” with regulations that prohibit interest-bearing loans, debt servicing, or debt-related ways to manipulate power – no “market volatility.” That would still leave questions of how to pay for FEMA and public highways, etc. Imagine if funding basic public services was removed from the same system that funds the greed of our most successful businesspeople… and set aside the question of if that would be Socialism or not. I’m interested in looking at the philosophical possibilities of not enmeshing greed in the same system we use to put food on the table. It’s not a money-free idea, but it would be a start.
Elizabeth Able recently posted..The soul of man is larger than the sky- deeper than ocean
Hi Elizabeth, you put some real thought into your comment. I love to hear thinking people kick around lofty ideas. I am afraid the only way such an idea could ever work is in the complete absence of greed. If you think about it, almost every sad consequence of the human condition is the result of greed. What I was really imagining here was a world where compassion replaced greed. Sadly, even a little greed is enough to ruin the whole landscape.
Jonathan: Really interesting question. I think you are so right that what we focused on and prioritized would completely change if there was no money. I think we have to question why that would be the case and then understand how we should probably be living and what we should be focusing on in the world where money does exist. Loved this post and message. Thanks for sharing it.
Sibyl – alternaview recently posted..How Do You Approach Each Day To Live Your Best Life
Hi Sibyl, that’s exactly the kind of thinking I was hoping to stimulate here, a complete divergence from our established social value system. Thank you for those thoughts!
Dear Jonathan, I LOVE this post. It thrills me no end, because I can easily imagine living in a world without money.
What you wrote in your comment is exactly what what we need to move toward and I believe somewhere in us are capable.
You said: “…if we could remove even the idea of even exchange and create a mindset where generosity and compassion caused a natural equalizing so that everyone had plenty without anybody living in extreme poverty or obscene wealth.”
To me THAT is not only the core response to this post, but it core of what we need to focus on to change the world and our current crazy global situation. It says it all and resonates deep inside me as an essential truth. Bless you, J.
I just love your thinking and insight. This post gives me hope and matches my own bottom-line perspective.
Thank you SO MUCH, my friend.
Hugs,
R
Hi Robin, here’s a reference we can both relate to:
“Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one.”
I could almost hear John Lennon in the background while I was writing this!
This has made me think more than anything I have read in a while.
I think while the ideal is amazing would it stifle progress?
Of course a lot of people persue knowledge, improvements etc for the goal of accomplishment, but many do it for reward………would Richard Branson/Donald Trump/any other entrepreneur have been so motivated to build an empire without some sort of reward? And undoubtedly these people have improved the lives of many people and changed the world (admittedly all those changes might not have been for the better)
We all have something inside us that wants to do better…..how would we measure this? On how much we had helped others? On how much we had learnt? Or would we end up with the classic, all people are equal but some are more equal than others? There is no money but I get the freshest veg, while you get the ones which have been there for a few days……is there an in built greed in all of us? That is cynical and maybe a lack of money would eliminate this…..
I could go round in circles with this, brilliant post, thank-you!
Kate.
Hi Kate, I love that this post stimulated so many thoughts and questions. I wish I had the answers to those meaningful questions. If it could happen, it would be a brand new reality and we only know how to project questions based on our current point of reference. Still, it’s fun to speculate, don’t you think?
Absolutely, I think the idea of living in a society completely based around compassion, caring and altruism would be amazing…..difficult to quite comrehend…..I need to work on my imagination!!
Kate recently posted..How a BMW driver changed my beliefs!
It is hard to comprehend, but it sure is fun to think about (and to talk about). Makes me smile every time I go there!
I can’t imagine no more money as we all doing almost everything to earn more and more money. I think life without money become interest less and there will no more hush-hush. No one will try to become superior from other to get some additional salary or benefit.
Priya @ Goa Carnival recently posted..Goa Carnival Date 2011 5th to 8th March
Hi Priya, it’s fascinating all the different traits and actions that we attribute (in part anyway) to the existence of a monetary based system.
I’m with you on the money concept – it is a necessary evil and life would be so much less stressful without it….
I will vote for you if you ever run for office!
Nancy
Hi Nancy, now I’m wondering this: if it wasn’t for money and power would anyone actually be interested in running for office? Sorry, for me it was a the next natural extension of the no more money scenario. This is fun stuff.
Great question Jonathan. In reading the Bible it does try to teach us how to handle money. People just need to look at it has a tool, just like you would a hammer. Only problem is how many hammers do you have. For myself I only need one, but most people need more for different types of work. Some people may collect dolls, tools, etc. and I feel that money is something people like to collect rather then use it just as a tool for what they really need to have food, shelter and clothing. These are the things it was meant for.
Thanks for making me think, love it when that happens.
I do believe however that people would learn to enjoy more of nature if they didn’t have there mind on money all the time. Money is a good thing just like other useful things, like a nice drink once in a while LOL, but people over due the importance of it.
Like they say the more money you have the more things you think you need. Very sad.
Anyway that is my story.
Debbie
Hi Debbie, it all come down to balance is everything, money is a very useful tool in the right hands. For this discussion I was more interested in painting a brand new picture of reality to stimulate thinking and conversation. Sometimes, a little exploration into the unfamiliar will free up our thinking enough to have a carryover influence in real world.
You are very right Jonathan. Sorry I blew the @#$% out of that one. Ok let us look at it from this angle. Everyone stops spending the money that they have, so the rich people can’t make anymore off of us normal people. lol Live in the house you have and stop needing a bigger on, drive that little car and only us money (not plastic) for what we do need. Food, Some clothing and the roof over our heads. only use heat when really needed and go back to candles for lights. No TV or electronics, etc. That would sure change things fast.
But then I wouldn’t be able to comment on this post. LOL
Am I doing better?
Debbie
Now you are letting those creative juices flow Debbie. But lets kick it up a notch. What if we don’t even understand the concept of money or power companies (ones that charge for their services anyway). I was imagining a social structure where compassion replaced greed and even the idea that there needs to be an even exchange for goods didn’t exist. Instead, we would all have a mindset where generosity and compassion caused a natural equalizing so that everyone had plenty without anybody living in extreme poverty or obscene wealth. Admittedly, I have a very active imagination, but it sure was a nice place to visit.
Actually Jonathan look back in history and things were this way more. You needed a house built, everyone pitched in to build it. If you needed food, someone was there to share with you. That is where I think we could really bring things back into perspective if you stopped getting stuff we don’t need and just live on what we do REALLY need.
You do have a very active imagination, but this is a good thing, so keep it coming.
Debbie
I’m glad I thought to visit. Thanks for your words here Jonathan. Money won’t be around forever, that’s for sure. But it’s probably useful for a little while yet…
What gives me fresh courage and happiness every day is the sense I have when I’m still of the presence of what doesn’t pass away. The truth at the core of my existence. Worth CONSIDERABLY more attention than money in my experience, tho a bit more money would be very good mind you:)
Christopher Foster recently posted..Are we really alone
Well said Christopher, I am with you on both counts. Long as money it part of the scenery it’s a lot more comfortable to have it than to do without.
You remind me of a scene from STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT…
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: The economics of the future is somewhat different. You see, money doesn’t exist in the 24th century.
Lily Sloane: No money? You mean, you don’t get paid?
Captain Jean-Luc Picard: We work to better ourselves.
Ari Herzog @ Social Media Marketing recently posted..Why Blogging is Still Not Dying
Hey Ari, never saw it but the premise sounds close. So, are you saying my imagination is running about 300 years ahead? No wonder this was a hard concept for some to sink their teeth into.
Are you saying you are imagining?
As far as I know it’s all in my imagination!
In my opinion, a world without money would not work. I believe that if there were not money in the world, people would just use other things (knowledge, goods, services, etc.) as money. Plus, greed is innate in humans and if there were no money, some humans would hog resources in exchange for other things from others. Money is something that will always be around in one form or another. I do believe that there is enough money in the world for everyone to earn a living doing something that they enjoy. Also Jonathan, you’re right, money is an insidious detour away from everything that really matters, which is why money is a mere tool (even though most people treat money as if it’s the meaning of life).