Grassroots Rebellion: A New Hope for Our Galaxy
(Warning: I’ve been watching Andor as I visit the US)
(Warning: I’ve been watching Andor as I visit the US)
In a galaxy not so far away, where the Empire casts a long shadow, there’s a new hope. Technology, our very own lightsaber, might just make the dark side of monetary dominance obsolete. Picture this: a world where the Force of technology and ancestral wisdom empowers us to band together, hold our resources in common, and stand tall against the Sith Lords of suppression. We might just be on the brink of a grassroots rebellion.
The Inevitability
If we believe, like Jedi Masters, that a return to grassroots economics is our destiny, then our quest becomes clear: how do we transition without succumbing to the dark side? As Master Yoda once said, “Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side are they.” Abrupt revolutions might feel like a hyperdrive jump, but they can lead to more loss than gain. Let’s navigate two potential routes:
The Peaceful Transition: Here, the galaxy’s elite, perhaps having a change of heart after a visit from Force ghosts, divest their wealth into networks of blockchain-based vouchers. These vouchers, much like the fleeting twin suns of Tatooine, have a limited lifespan(expiration / demurrage). Their value doesn’t grow in the dark vaults of the Death Star but shines when used in the light. As these vouchers circulate, the once-oppressed Wookiees and Jawas of our world rise, embodying the empowered proletariat Marx only dreamt of.
The Abrupt Transition: Rebel alliances of mutual aid networks become so powerful that they survive and thrive outside the Empire’s currency. A galactic revolt ensues. National Currencies crumble like the walls of the trash compactor on the Death Star. The masses rise, overthrowing the Sith Lords and Imperial elites. The future pivots towards mutual service and aid, but the transition is as tumultuous as the Hoth system’s asteroid fields.
While the allure of a quick rebellion, like a surprise attack on Imperial Base, is tempting, history shows that peaceful transitions endure.
Rebels vs. Mercenaries: A Tale as Old as the Kessel Run
Mercenaries (/consultants), whether they’re bounty hunters like Boba Fett or traders like Lando, seek survival, even if it means dealing with the Empire. They yearn for those shiny imperial credits. Rebels, on the other hand, yearn for purpose and meaning beyond material wealth and security.
Yet, a just transition might be the very thing that unites both. Rebels, with the financial support of rogue Imperial officers, could incentivize mercenaries to champion the transition. Imagine a galaxy where bounty hunters, mercenaries, market traders and consultants create their own vouchers representing their own value, on a decentralized censor-proof ledger like Celo. These vouchers can still be sold to the Empire but they can also be interconnected on decentralized exchanges; they could span the galaxy, laying the foundation (mycelia) of a grassroots economics era where the Empire’s currency or any single currency becomes obsolete.
The Empire’s Last Stand?
There’s also the grim possibility that the Empire, with its Star Destroyers and legions of storm troopers, tightens its grip. But remember, the legends of the Rebel Alliance, empires eventually crumble. As technology decentralizes and becomes our ally, the chains of the Empire weaken.
I remain hopeful for a peaceful and enduring transition. But the urgency is palpable. The horrors of poverty, the daily struggles of countless souls, demand immediate action.
If you’re insulated from the struggles, I implore you to watch series or movies like Andor, Parasite, The Platform, and Triangle of Sadness. They offer a glimpse into the chasm of class disparities. And if you want to dive in — come for a visit @ grassecon.org
Speaking as a mercenary that yearns to be a rebel, bound by the Empire’s currency to provide for my family, I see hope. The vouchers I help to produce at Grassroots Economics Foundation, redeemable for training and nurturing the rebellion into a mutual aid network, represent a peaceful transition. They’re the seeds of a new world, a world where children grow healthy and elders find solace.
Many ‘experts’ claim the technology we need is light-years away. They await a polished product or seek monetary gains. But perhaps the rebellion is closer than we think, right here in our galaxy. May the Force will be with you, always.