In our fast-evolving world, there's a growing need to formalize these traditional systems to safeguard their values, ensure their sustainability, and extend their benefits on a global scale.
Amazing article, this represents a true historical pivot, and I am very happy you formulate it so cogently, and that it is matched by real practice. I have a section of the wiki dedicated to similar efforts, under the general heading of 'Neotraditionalism', see https://wiki.p2pfoundation.net/Category:Neotraditional
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing the Neotraditionalism section of the P2P Foundation wiki; it's heartening to see these conversations happening in more spaces.
I'm noticing a common concerns regarding the commodification and appropriation of traditional practices. Indeed, these are real risks when cultural practices are exposed to broader, potentially commercial interests. However, Commitment Pooling is designed as a countermeasure to these threats. By enabling communities to curate and manage their own resources and practices, it fosters a system of exchange that is inherently resistant to commodification. This model promotes local stewardship (and curation) and ensures that the control and benefits of the traditional remain within the community of pool stewards, reinforcing authenticity and agency rather than exploitation. https://grassecon.org/commitment-pooling
Exactly, incorporating national currencies into commitment pools can serve as a bridge between conventional monetary systems and more localized, community-driven economic models. This method aligns with the divestment from reliance on fluctuating national currencies and also promotes the cultivation of local economies based on shared values and needs. The inherent flexibility of commitment pool networks, underlined by their evolving nature and adjustable relative value indexes, ensures that they can remain robust and responsive to both local and global economic shifts. By minimizing dependence on traditional financial systems, such as the USD, these pools empower communities, fostering economic systems that are more insulated from external shocks and attuned to local sustainability and resilience.
Will, thanks for adding to the discussion of (a) trying to protect land use, (b) preserving/sustaining traditional knowledge and (c) learning from traditional practices. I live on a large Canadian island in Lake Ontario (a.k.a. Prince Edward County) where we are using Land Trusts, Conservation Areas, Provencal Parks and other means to preserve farm land and prevent the over urbanization of rural area.
You write: “the formalization of Commitment Pooling requires establishing clear guidelines and legal frameworks. This formalization doesn't mean stripping away the essence of these traditions but rather protecting and strengthening them.”
I have long pondered aspects of the following question regarding traditional knowledge and traditional practices. It sounds simple but it is not. Question: In the absence of formal training or codified knowledge and rules, what is the internal social dynamic around how knowledge and practices are passed on from generation to generation?
I worry that as attractive and seemingly logical as it might appear, accumulating traditional knowledge (as a product”), and established guidelines and legal frameworks may both miss the role of the internal social dynamic (may even stifle it), and leave us with traditional knowledge residing out of context.
Thank you for your insightful reflection on preserving land use and traditional knowledge, particularly within the context of Prince Edward County. Your concerns are valid; indeed, the process of formalizing practices like Commitment Pooling ( https://grassecon.org/commitment-pooling ) does raise questions about maintaining the integrity and context of traditional knowledge. The essence of passing knowledge from generation to generation lies not just in the practices themselves but in the relationships and communal engagements that give them life. The goal of formalization, in this context, is not to commodify or extract traditional knowledge but to provide a structure that can coexist with, support, and protect these dynamic social fabrics. This approach aims to create a balance where legal and formal structures serve as a shield, ensuring these practices are not eroded by external pressures while still respecting and fostering the organic, community-driven means of knowledge transmission. It's a delicate balance, striving to safeguard traditions in a way that honors their inherent social dynamics and context.
AGPL Copyleft and Knowledge Commons are core elements of Grassroots Economics Foundation (a Kenyan Non-Profit). We aim to ensure that generalized (globally applicable) traditional practices, once formalized, remain in the knowledge commons, accessible and modifiable by all, thus preserving their community-driven essence and preventing privatization.
Finally in response to your concerns, I understand and respect the importance of preserving the integrity and sovereignty of traditional knowledge systems. The practices I refer to, such as commitment pooling, are examples of systems deeply rooted in various cultures worldwide, particularly those on the brink of being forgotten or overlooked. My intention is not to appropriate, but to understand, respect, and revive these practices in collaboration with the communities themselves. Dismissing efforts to revitalize nearly lost traditions can hinder the preservation and appreciation of cultural heritage. I am open to learning and discussing specific traditions or practices you have in mind to ensure respectful and appropriate engagement. Would love your thoughts on the paper linked at the bottom https://grassecon.org/commitment-pooling
Thanks Will, we are pretty much on the same page when it comes to the concerns here. One additional concern of mine is with regard to A.I. Much of traditional and modern knowledge (and wisdom) has relevance only in context and depending on perspective and goals. Those (context, perspective and goals) are dynamic elements of societal processes and do not lend themselves to using AI for problem solving and policy making. The issue there is not good A.I. vs bad A.I., but contexts where the societal dynamic is integral to movement toward consensus solutions. Two people working with each on a problem is not like two A.I.s working with each other on a problem.
The lack of understanding and documentation surrounding the ancient practice that I'm calling Commitment Pooling for lack of a better term is amazing. It's troubling that a system so widely practiced across various cultures is underrepresented in academic and practical discourse, leading to a significant knowledge gap. This scarcity of research and discussion contributes to a 'loss frame' around the practice, where the potential benefits and insights derived from these communal economic systems are overlooked or undervalued in the broader context of societal development and sustainability. This underrepresentation not only diminishes our understanding of diverse cultural practices but also limits our ability to learn from and apply these principles in contemporary settings, where such community-based systems could offer viable alternatives or supplements to prevailing economic models.
yes, the context-dependent nature of traditional and modern knowledge, and how it intertwines with societal processes, is crucial. Indeed, this dynamic is something AI, as it currently stands, cannot fully comprehend or replicate. This is where Commitment Pooling plays a significant role. By anchoring decision-making and resource coordination in community-driven processes, Commitment Pooling ( https://grassecon.org/commitment-pooling ) inherently values the human elements of context, curation, perspective, vision and goals.
Note that it supports a framework where various tech like AI could be used as a tool for specific tasks within larger community-led processes, ensuring that technology serves the community and not the other way around. This approach maintains the integrity of societal dynamics, making technology a facilitator of community interaction rather than a replacement, thus nurturing rather than bypassing the move towards consensus solutions.
One area where most of the U.S. public is unaware it the extent to which the founding Constitution of the United States drew upon the traditional knowledge of America’s native peoples.
Quote: “Much has been said about the inspiration of the ancient Iroquois “Great League of Peace” in planting the seeds that led to the formation of the United States of America and its representative democracy.
The Iroquois Confederacy, founded by the Great Peacemaker in 1142, is the oldest living participatory democracy on earth. In 1988, the U.S. Senate paid tribute with a resolution that said, "The confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles which were incorporated into the constitution itself."
Incorporating ancient useful practices into modern systems and protocols like Commitment Pooling is not only a way of giving attribution to the wisdom of past and present cultures but also a method for developing innovative and sustainable structures for today's societal challenges. Learning from the governance, accountability, and social harmony mechanisms inherent in traditional societies, such as those of the MANY communities on every continent, provides valuable insights into resource coordination, collective decision-making, and equitable power distribution.
By appreciating ancient and contemporary practices, we can derive principles that are tested by time and adaptable to contemporary economic protocols like Commitment Pooling. This approach allows us to craft economic and social systems that are not only effective and resilient but also rooted in the ethos of mutual service, collective well-being, and sustainability. It is through this fusion of ancestral wisdom and modern technology that we can create frameworks capable of addressing modern economic disparities and fostering community-centric development.
Amazing article, this represents a true historical pivot, and I am very happy you formulate it so cogently, and that it is matched by real practice. I have a section of the wiki dedicated to similar efforts, under the general heading of 'Neotraditionalism', see https://wiki.p2pfoundation.net/Category:Neotraditional
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing the Neotraditionalism section of the P2P Foundation wiki; it's heartening to see these conversations happening in more spaces.
I'm noticing a common concerns regarding the commodification and appropriation of traditional practices. Indeed, these are real risks when cultural practices are exposed to broader, potentially commercial interests. However, Commitment Pooling is designed as a countermeasure to these threats. By enabling communities to curate and manage their own resources and practices, it fosters a system of exchange that is inherently resistant to commodification. This model promotes local stewardship (and curation) and ensures that the control and benefits of the traditional remain within the community of pool stewards, reinforcing authenticity and agency rather than exploitation. https://grassecon.org/commitment-pooling
thank you. Have you given any thought, or experimented with, methods for reverse cooptation, i.e. using outside capital but domesticating it ?
Exactly, incorporating national currencies into commitment pools can serve as a bridge between conventional monetary systems and more localized, community-driven economic models. This method aligns with the divestment from reliance on fluctuating national currencies and also promotes the cultivation of local economies based on shared values and needs. The inherent flexibility of commitment pool networks, underlined by their evolving nature and adjustable relative value indexes, ensures that they can remain robust and responsive to both local and global economic shifts. By minimizing dependence on traditional financial systems, such as the USD, these pools empower communities, fostering economic systems that are more insulated from external shocks and attuned to local sustainability and resilience.
Thanks Will, I appreciate your efforts and those of the communities you work with. This is a pivot in my estimation. Something of historical import.
Will, thanks for adding to the discussion of (a) trying to protect land use, (b) preserving/sustaining traditional knowledge and (c) learning from traditional practices. I live on a large Canadian island in Lake Ontario (a.k.a. Prince Edward County) where we are using Land Trusts, Conservation Areas, Provencal Parks and other means to preserve farm land and prevent the over urbanization of rural area.
You write: “the formalization of Commitment Pooling requires establishing clear guidelines and legal frameworks. This formalization doesn't mean stripping away the essence of these traditions but rather protecting and strengthening them.”
I have long pondered aspects of the following question regarding traditional knowledge and traditional practices. It sounds simple but it is not. Question: In the absence of formal training or codified knowledge and rules, what is the internal social dynamic around how knowledge and practices are passed on from generation to generation?
I worry that as attractive and seemingly logical as it might appear, accumulating traditional knowledge (as a product”), and established guidelines and legal frameworks may both miss the role of the internal social dynamic (may even stifle it), and leave us with traditional knowledge residing out of context.
Thank you for your insightful reflection on preserving land use and traditional knowledge, particularly within the context of Prince Edward County. Your concerns are valid; indeed, the process of formalizing practices like Commitment Pooling ( https://grassecon.org/commitment-pooling ) does raise questions about maintaining the integrity and context of traditional knowledge. The essence of passing knowledge from generation to generation lies not just in the practices themselves but in the relationships and communal engagements that give them life. The goal of formalization, in this context, is not to commodify or extract traditional knowledge but to provide a structure that can coexist with, support, and protect these dynamic social fabrics. This approach aims to create a balance where legal and formal structures serve as a shield, ensuring these practices are not eroded by external pressures while still respecting and fostering the organic, community-driven means of knowledge transmission. It's a delicate balance, striving to safeguard traditions in a way that honors their inherent social dynamics and context.
AGPL Copyleft and Knowledge Commons are core elements of Grassroots Economics Foundation (a Kenyan Non-Profit). We aim to ensure that generalized (globally applicable) traditional practices, once formalized, remain in the knowledge commons, accessible and modifiable by all, thus preserving their community-driven essence and preventing privatization.
Finally in response to your concerns, I understand and respect the importance of preserving the integrity and sovereignty of traditional knowledge systems. The practices I refer to, such as commitment pooling, are examples of systems deeply rooted in various cultures worldwide, particularly those on the brink of being forgotten or overlooked. My intention is not to appropriate, but to understand, respect, and revive these practices in collaboration with the communities themselves. Dismissing efforts to revitalize nearly lost traditions can hinder the preservation and appreciation of cultural heritage. I am open to learning and discussing specific traditions or practices you have in mind to ensure respectful and appropriate engagement. Would love your thoughts on the paper linked at the bottom https://grassecon.org/commitment-pooling
Thanks Will, we are pretty much on the same page when it comes to the concerns here. One additional concern of mine is with regard to A.I. Much of traditional and modern knowledge (and wisdom) has relevance only in context and depending on perspective and goals. Those (context, perspective and goals) are dynamic elements of societal processes and do not lend themselves to using AI for problem solving and policy making. The issue there is not good A.I. vs bad A.I., but contexts where the societal dynamic is integral to movement toward consensus solutions. Two people working with each on a problem is not like two A.I.s working with each other on a problem.
The lack of understanding and documentation surrounding the ancient practice that I'm calling Commitment Pooling for lack of a better term is amazing. It's troubling that a system so widely practiced across various cultures is underrepresented in academic and practical discourse, leading to a significant knowledge gap. This scarcity of research and discussion contributes to a 'loss frame' around the practice, where the potential benefits and insights derived from these communal economic systems are overlooked or undervalued in the broader context of societal development and sustainability. This underrepresentation not only diminishes our understanding of diverse cultural practices but also limits our ability to learn from and apply these principles in contemporary settings, where such community-based systems could offer viable alternatives or supplements to prevailing economic models.
yes, the context-dependent nature of traditional and modern knowledge, and how it intertwines with societal processes, is crucial. Indeed, this dynamic is something AI, as it currently stands, cannot fully comprehend or replicate. This is where Commitment Pooling plays a significant role. By anchoring decision-making and resource coordination in community-driven processes, Commitment Pooling ( https://grassecon.org/commitment-pooling ) inherently values the human elements of context, curation, perspective, vision and goals.
Note that it supports a framework where various tech like AI could be used as a tool for specific tasks within larger community-led processes, ensuring that technology serves the community and not the other way around. This approach maintains the integrity of societal dynamics, making technology a facilitator of community interaction rather than a replacement, thus nurturing rather than bypassing the move towards consensus solutions.
One area where most of the U.S. public is unaware it the extent to which the founding Constitution of the United States drew upon the traditional knowledge of America’s native peoples.
See: https://www.pbs.org/native-america/blog/how-the-iroquois-great-law-of-peace-shaped-us-democracy
Quote: “Much has been said about the inspiration of the ancient Iroquois “Great League of Peace” in planting the seeds that led to the formation of the United States of America and its representative democracy.
The Iroquois Confederacy, founded by the Great Peacemaker in 1142, is the oldest living participatory democracy on earth. In 1988, the U.S. Senate paid tribute with a resolution that said, "The confederation of the original 13 colonies into one republic was influenced by the political system developed by the Iroquois Confederacy, as were many of the democratic principles which were incorporated into the constitution itself."
Incorporating ancient useful practices into modern systems and protocols like Commitment Pooling is not only a way of giving attribution to the wisdom of past and present cultures but also a method for developing innovative and sustainable structures for today's societal challenges. Learning from the governance, accountability, and social harmony mechanisms inherent in traditional societies, such as those of the MANY communities on every continent, provides valuable insights into resource coordination, collective decision-making, and equitable power distribution.
By appreciating ancient and contemporary practices, we can derive principles that are tested by time and adaptable to contemporary economic protocols like Commitment Pooling. This approach allows us to craft economic and social systems that are not only effective and resilient but also rooted in the ethos of mutual service, collective well-being, and sustainability. It is through this fusion of ancestral wisdom and modern technology that we can create frameworks capable of addressing modern economic disparities and fostering community-centric development.