The concept of pooling commitment as described as protocol by Grassroots Economics Foundation is holonic in nature. A holon, as a term coined by Arthur Koestler, is something that is simultaneously a whole and a part. In other words, each holon is complete in itself while also being an integral part of a larger system.
1. Holistic Nature of Commitments
Commitment pooling embodies this holonic structure by treating each commitment (or pooled resource) as both a complete entity (pool(s) of commitments) in itself as well as a part of a larger collective pool(s). Each individual commitment contributes to the overall value and function of the pool, yet it retains its own unique identity and value. This reflects the essence of the holonic model where individual autonomy coexists with collective coherence. Ultimately a form of infinitely scalable structure for consensus / trust building networks.
2. Community and Individual Interdependence
In commitment pooling, each entities’/participant’s individual commitment is essential for the collective pool's effectiveness, and yet the pool’s value enhances each individual’s capacity to share and achieve personal and communal objectives. This interdependence mirrors the holonic principle where the health and success of the whole depend on the health and success of its parts, and vice versa.
3. Decentralized yet Coordinated Structure
Holons operate on a principle of self-regulation, self-reliance, and cooperation with other holons. Similarly, commitment pooling (while tech agnostic) can leverage decentralized ledger technology to manage commitments and connect through pools in a way that is both autonomous for individual participants and coordinated through the technology’s infrastructure, ensuring a harmonious balance between personal agency and collective benefit.
4. Scalability and Nested Structure
The holonic model is inherently scalable, consisting of nested structures (networks of pools and commitments) where each holon (commitments/pools) can be part of a larger holon (commitments/pools). Commitment pooling can expand by linking with other pools or by integrating additional commitments, forming a network of economic systems that operate efficiently on small or large scales. Each pool can function independently but can also connect with others to form a larger, more robust system.
5. Adaptability and Resilience
Holons adapt to changing conditions while maintaining their integrity, similar to how commitment pools can dynamically adjust to meet the needs of their participants. This adaptability enhances the resilience of the economic system, allowing it to withstand and evolve through economic fluctuations or societal changes.
#CommitmentPooling as practiced by the Grassroots Economics Foundation is a vivid example of a holonic system in the field of ancestral wisdom based economics. It represents a blend of autonomy and unity, showcasing how individual actions and commitments can collectively create a resilient, adaptable, and thriving economic system that benefits all participants. This holonic approach to economics is a powerful model for sustainable development, emphasizing cooperation and mutual benefit over competition
You are not a drop in the ocean you are the entire ocean in a drop - Rumi
You are not a signal person in the matrix you are the entire matrix in a signal person. – The Oracle
You are not a commitment in a pool, you are the entire pool in a commitment - NLR
The concept that man is a "small world" in the "big world" was commonplace in the Middle Ages. As a "holon within a holon", it conceptually points to the fractal nature of the world, but not "by exact shape" (Mandelbrot set) but by "similitudine".
this resonates so deeply Will with the One living System - thank you for highlighting and explaining it again here