The Rio Grande Valley Zeitgeist Movement will hold its 20th scheduled meeting on Wednesday, October 5th at 6:00PM on the UTPA campus. We will gather at the University Center Circle at the Southwest corner of the campus in front of the cafeteria.
Our general agenda will be reviewing our awareness activism at the UTPA HESTEC event, plan for future awareness activism events such as Second Saturday here in Edinburg, discussing the ongoing #OccupyWallStreet movement and explore how we can assist or participate in this rapidly growing movement. Personally, I see this as an opportunity to bring the message of a sustainable and abundant social design for the benefit of all people to an group desperately trying to develop a solution to the general problem of the monetary system. Thanks for your time and attention, and I hope to see you there!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The Zeitgeist Movement and Venus Project Parodied on Rap News
The very enlightened and funny people at The Juice Media have produced their latest Rap News video, reviewing the recent global economic turmoil and exploring some possible solutions. Peter Joseph, the Zeitgeist Movement, Jacque Fresco and the Venus Project are heavily featured and parodied to some extent. It must be pointed out that the depiction of advanced technology becoming tyrannical or genocidal is an extension of the Hollywood obsession with the fear of robots and artificial intelligence and the absurd notion of its resistance or overthrow of their human creators. I feel that this is a good sign of the penetration of the Zeitgeist Movement message into the mainstream conscious and will likely generate a great deal more interest and awareness!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Zeitgeist Movement Response to Occupy Wall Street
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE ZEITGEIST MOVEMENT: RESPONSE TO "OCCUPY WALL STREET"
As the world awakens to a failing financial system with growing civil unrest emerging without the bias of sovereignty, religion or political loyalty, a new, unifying perspective is slowly taking hold which transcends the framework many of us falsely assume as empirical to our way of life.
With the slow grind down of the global workforce as machine automation continues to replace human labor for the benefit of corporate cost efficiency, simultaneously reducing purchasing power and hence inevitably stifling so called “Economic Growth”; with the ever expanding Debt Crisis born out of the Fractional Reserve Lending System and the simple reality that money is created out of debt and sold as a commodity in exchange for Interest - Interest that can only again come onto existence through more loan sales; with the looming military programs growing in virtually all major powers as the financial crisis, coupled with a pending hydrocarbon energy crisis, begins to suggest a stage of global conflict possibly never before seen; along with the market psychology of Infinite Growth Consumption that continues to pervade and distort our values and what it means to live in harmony with nature on a finite planet...
...it might be time we begin to see that the social problems at hand are not specific to any general policy, administration, or even so called "corporate greed". The real problem at hand is actually systematic via the very core foundation of what defines our Economic System and the psychology that is supported and rewarded.
The historical illusion that continues to this day is that someone or some group is explicitly to "blame". Rather than focus on the 400 people who have more wealth than 150 million in America or the fact that globally 1% of the world's population has more wealth than 40%, let's instead ask ourselves how such a manifestation is even possible and, more critically, why we would expect anything less? Think about it.
After all, it's the "Free-Market", isn't it? Contrary to the statistically void efficiency assumptions made by most Market Economists, the Free-Market simply means anyone can do whatever they want and maximize however they want within the confines of legal legislation; legal legislation which, make no mistake, is also for sale in the Free-Market as well; as are political officials, regulatory institutions and whatever social entity you wish to consider.
Nothing but maximizing monetary gain is sacred and anytime a person or group brings some detrimental social or environmental consequence of this system to the forefront, pejorative distinctions are usually branded upon their forehead to stifle such concern and frighten other detractors – such as being called a Socialist” or “Communist”.
Furthermore, while people in protest today across the world continue to condemn monetary influence in social dealings such as the legal reality of Corporate Lobbying, even using such colorful terms as "Corporatism", “Crony-Capitalism” and even “Fascism”, they seem to misunderstand what this system is and always has been.
The Free-Market model of Economics is a haphazard, unscientific anarchy of organization which assumes that any person or group with enough money and hence power will be “responsible” in their actions both socially and environmentally. The problem is that the very definition of being "financially responsible” actually means to be socially and environmentally exploitative, manipulative and negligent, for the main driver of this system is Inefficiency. The more problems in society in general, the more jobs are created and the more rich the upper 1% become. There is an empirical decoupling from what actually supports life and no alteration of the core configuration of the monetary-market Incentive will likely change that.
On a different level, this system, as an historical evolution, is actually based on a culturally hegemonic pretense. Once economic advantage is obtained, it will likely be kept. This is why everything in the system favors the wealthy by its general structure and inherent logic. While the public might complain about the fact that top Hedge Fund Managers bring in over 300 million dollars per year, they often do not find objection with an Interest system that rewards those with high deposits and essentially taxes those using credit. While you may buy your home with a loan, paying thousands in interest a year, a person of wealth can make a CD Investment and gain free interest income simply because they have the money to spare.
Class separation and perpetuation and the growing wealth divide is not a byproduct. It is inevitable. In the Free-Market, one is actually “free” to take away the liberty of others through the mere economic pressures generated from the game. You are only as free as the size of your wallet. The term “Institution Racism” was coined by civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael in the 1960s referring to how often unnoticed underlying policies and structures within the social system undermined African-American prosperity and equality. What we have today is a mere variation: “Institutional Classism”.
Wall Street itself, which is the ultimate manifestation of the pursuit of money as a commodity rather than any form of true creation or social contribution, is naturally a ripe entity for symbolic objection for, at a minimum, it shouldn't exist at all and most certainly not have the grand effect it does on the stability of the global economy today, regardless of the inherent shortcomings denoted.
THE ZEITGEIST MOVEMENT: RESPONSE TO "OCCUPY WALL STREET"
www.occupywallst.org
On Sept 17th 2011, a grassroots expression of contempt was launched in the heart of the world's financial center in lower Manhattan of New York City, also commonly known to the world as the institution of "Wall Street". As of Sept 26th, there have been over 80 arrests and many recorded instances of what appears to be violence and abuse coming from the police and security forces there. However, the protesters remain vigilant in what could very well be a landmark event that will resonate for some time to come.
The Zeitgeist Movement would like to extend its public support to this basic expression.
On Sept 17th 2011, a grassroots expression of contempt was launched in the heart of the world's financial center in lower Manhattan of New York City, also commonly known to the world as the institution of "Wall Street". As of Sept 26th, there have been over 80 arrests and many recorded instances of what appears to be violence and abuse coming from the police and security forces there. However, the protesters remain vigilant in what could very well be a landmark event that will resonate for some time to come.
The Zeitgeist Movement would like to extend its public support to this basic expression.
As the world awakens to a failing financial system with growing civil unrest emerging without the bias of sovereignty, religion or political loyalty, a new, unifying perspective is slowly taking hold which transcends the framework many of us falsely assume as empirical to our way of life.
With the slow grind down of the global workforce as machine automation continues to replace human labor for the benefit of corporate cost efficiency, simultaneously reducing purchasing power and hence inevitably stifling so called “Economic Growth”; with the ever expanding Debt Crisis born out of the Fractional Reserve Lending System and the simple reality that money is created out of debt and sold as a commodity in exchange for Interest - Interest that can only again come onto existence through more loan sales; with the looming military programs growing in virtually all major powers as the financial crisis, coupled with a pending hydrocarbon energy crisis, begins to suggest a stage of global conflict possibly never before seen; along with the market psychology of Infinite Growth Consumption that continues to pervade and distort our values and what it means to live in harmony with nature on a finite planet...
...it might be time we begin to see that the social problems at hand are not specific to any general policy, administration, or even so called "corporate greed". The real problem at hand is actually systematic via the very core foundation of what defines our Economic System and the psychology that is supported and rewarded.
The historical illusion that continues to this day is that someone or some group is explicitly to "blame". Rather than focus on the 400 people who have more wealth than 150 million in America or the fact that globally 1% of the world's population has more wealth than 40%, let's instead ask ourselves how such a manifestation is even possible and, more critically, why we would expect anything less? Think about it.
After all, it's the "Free-Market", isn't it? Contrary to the statistically void efficiency assumptions made by most Market Economists, the Free-Market simply means anyone can do whatever they want and maximize however they want within the confines of legal legislation; legal legislation which, make no mistake, is also for sale in the Free-Market as well; as are political officials, regulatory institutions and whatever social entity you wish to consider.
Nothing but maximizing monetary gain is sacred and anytime a person or group brings some detrimental social or environmental consequence of this system to the forefront, pejorative distinctions are usually branded upon their forehead to stifle such concern and frighten other detractors – such as being called a Socialist” or “Communist”.
Furthermore, while people in protest today across the world continue to condemn monetary influence in social dealings such as the legal reality of Corporate Lobbying, even using such colorful terms as "Corporatism", “Crony-Capitalism” and even “Fascism”, they seem to misunderstand what this system is and always has been.
The Free-Market model of Economics is a haphazard, unscientific anarchy of organization which assumes that any person or group with enough money and hence power will be “responsible” in their actions both socially and environmentally. The problem is that the very definition of being "financially responsible” actually means to be socially and environmentally exploitative, manipulative and negligent, for the main driver of this system is Inefficiency. The more problems in society in general, the more jobs are created and the more rich the upper 1% become. There is an empirical decoupling from what actually supports life and no alteration of the core configuration of the monetary-market Incentive will likely change that.
On a different level, this system, as an historical evolution, is actually based on a culturally hegemonic pretense. Once economic advantage is obtained, it will likely be kept. This is why everything in the system favors the wealthy by its general structure and inherent logic. While the public might complain about the fact that top Hedge Fund Managers bring in over 300 million dollars per year, they often do not find objection with an Interest system that rewards those with high deposits and essentially taxes those using credit. While you may buy your home with a loan, paying thousands in interest a year, a person of wealth can make a CD Investment and gain free interest income simply because they have the money to spare.
Class separation and perpetuation and the growing wealth divide is not a byproduct. It is inevitable. In the Free-Market, one is actually “free” to take away the liberty of others through the mere economic pressures generated from the game. You are only as free as the size of your wallet. The term “Institution Racism” was coined by civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael in the 1960s referring to how often unnoticed underlying policies and structures within the social system undermined African-American prosperity and equality. What we have today is a mere variation: “Institutional Classism”.
Wall Street itself, which is the ultimate manifestation of the pursuit of money as a commodity rather than any form of true creation or social contribution, is naturally a ripe entity for symbolic objection for, at a minimum, it shouldn't exist at all and most certainly not have the grand effect it does on the stability of the global economy today, regardless of the inherent shortcomings denoted.
However, that stated, it must again be made clear that Wall Street and the Banking System are not the source of our problems. They are only symptoms of an Economic System which will continue to fail by the very gravity of its outdated and false assumptions of human conduct and environmental relationships.
The question then becomes, what do we put in its place? ~Z
About:
The Zeitgeist Movement is a global sustainability activist group working to bring the world together for the common goal of species sustainability before it is too late. It is a social movement, not a political one, with over 1100 chapters across nearly all countries. Divisive notions such as nations, governments, races, political parties, religions, creeds or class are non-operational distinctions in the view of The Movement. Rather, we recognize the world as one system and the human species as a singular unit, sharing a common habitat. Our overarching intent could be summarized as “the application of the scientific method for social concern.”
The question then becomes, what do we put in its place? ~Z
About:
The Zeitgeist Movement is a global sustainability activist group working to bring the world together for the common goal of species sustainability before it is too late. It is a social movement, not a political one, with over 1100 chapters across nearly all countries. Divisive notions such as nations, governments, races, political parties, religions, creeds or class are non-operational distinctions in the view of The Movement. Rather, we recognize the world as one system and the human species as a singular unit, sharing a common habitat. Our overarching intent could be summarized as “the application of the scientific method for social concern.”
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Announcing Awareness Activism Opportunity - UTPA HESTEC 2011
Date: Saturday, October 1st, 2011
Time: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: University of Texas Pan American
Event: UTPA HESTEC 2011 Community Day
The Rio Grande Valley Zeitgeist Movement will be engaging in awareness activity on Saturday, October 1st between 4 and 9 PM at the University of Texas Pan American's annual HESTEC Community Day. This event focuses on science, engineering and technology, which will give us a great starting point to talk to the local community and engage them with our ideas, our goals and share our knowledge of current technological capabilities that can result in a better world for all people. We will gather, if possible, at the gazebo in the central courtyard of the HPE Building I. I encourage everyone to produce whatever fliers, DVD's and other information that they can in order to distribute. It is important to note that we are not an officially recognized organization at this event, so we will not have booth or table space allocated to us. Be prepared to carry all the material you bring with you. Thank you for your time and attention, and I hope to see you there!
Time: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: University of Texas Pan American
Event: UTPA HESTEC 2011 Community Day
The Rio Grande Valley Zeitgeist Movement will be engaging in awareness activity on Saturday, October 1st between 4 and 9 PM at the University of Texas Pan American's annual HESTEC Community Day. This event focuses on science, engineering and technology, which will give us a great starting point to talk to the local community and engage them with our ideas, our goals and share our knowledge of current technological capabilities that can result in a better world for all people. We will gather, if possible, at the gazebo in the central courtyard of the HPE Building I. I encourage everyone to produce whatever fliers, DVD's and other information that they can in order to distribute. It is important to note that we are not an officially recognized organization at this event, so we will not have booth or table space allocated to us. Be prepared to carry all the material you bring with you. Thank you for your time and attention, and I hope to see you there!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Notes On Our Nineteenth Meeting
Date: Friday, September 16th, 2011
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: University of Texas - Pan American University Center Circle
Attendance: 5
The Rio Grande Valley Zeitgeist Movement held their nineteenth scheduled meeting on Friday evening at the University of Texas Pan American campus. We gathered in the outdoor University Center Circle next to a sporadically functioning and somewhat entertaining fountain. The small group of participants engaged in a wide ranging conversation going from food supply and production, vegetarianism, veganism and national political discourse to farm work, movement aspirations, religion and other events and issues that we have noticed in our personal lives. We also discussed our plans for future awareness campaigns, events and meetings. We talked about the movement and the Venus Project in general and what was happening recently regarding the Zeitgeist Media Festival and Peter Joseph's recent media interviews in addition to the amazing work being done by the Austin/Texas chapter.
Some interesting developments that have happened recently in our local chapter are the interest of Zack Quaintance from the local newspaper The Monitor, who seems to be interested in doing a story on our recent hydroponics presentation and subsequent use for home food production, and McAllen's Cine El Rey theater might be interested in screening a copy of Zeitgeist Moving Forward. These developments have not yet come to fruition, but they are both good signs that we will have some new publicity and exposure to the community, and it is very exciting to see what will happen!
For the near term, the annual HESTEC event at UTPA will be held in two weeks. This is a good opportunity to distribute literature and DVD's to members of the public who are interested in science, technology and engineering, and would likely be interested in learning about our ideas and goals. In addition, we learned that Edinburg has a community Second Saturday market day each month, where the local community gathers in a public space. This is another opportunity to engage in awareness activity and reach a general audience. I am looking forward to participating in these and other events in the near future and hope to see other members join in this important awareness activity.
Finally, we discussed future meeting venues and decided that we will start to meet in other public and outdoor places so we have a greater chance to interact with others while conducting our meetings. Our next meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th at 6pm at UTPA. I hope to see you there and look forward to our continuing efforts to make the world a better place for all people.
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Location: University of Texas - Pan American University Center Circle
Attendance: 5
The Rio Grande Valley Zeitgeist Movement held their nineteenth scheduled meeting on Friday evening at the University of Texas Pan American campus. We gathered in the outdoor University Center Circle next to a sporadically functioning and somewhat entertaining fountain. The small group of participants engaged in a wide ranging conversation going from food supply and production, vegetarianism, veganism and national political discourse to farm work, movement aspirations, religion and other events and issues that we have noticed in our personal lives. We also discussed our plans for future awareness campaigns, events and meetings. We talked about the movement and the Venus Project in general and what was happening recently regarding the Zeitgeist Media Festival and Peter Joseph's recent media interviews in addition to the amazing work being done by the Austin/Texas chapter.
Some interesting developments that have happened recently in our local chapter are the interest of Zack Quaintance from the local newspaper The Monitor, who seems to be interested in doing a story on our recent hydroponics presentation and subsequent use for home food production, and McAllen's Cine El Rey theater might be interested in screening a copy of Zeitgeist Moving Forward. These developments have not yet come to fruition, but they are both good signs that we will have some new publicity and exposure to the community, and it is very exciting to see what will happen!
For the near term, the annual HESTEC event at UTPA will be held in two weeks. This is a good opportunity to distribute literature and DVD's to members of the public who are interested in science, technology and engineering, and would likely be interested in learning about our ideas and goals. In addition, we learned that Edinburg has a community Second Saturday market day each month, where the local community gathers in a public space. This is another opportunity to engage in awareness activity and reach a general audience. I am looking forward to participating in these and other events in the near future and hope to see other members join in this important awareness activity.
Finally, we discussed future meeting venues and decided that we will start to meet in other public and outdoor places so we have a greater chance to interact with others while conducting our meetings. Our next meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th at 6pm at UTPA. I hope to see you there and look forward to our continuing efforts to make the world a better place for all people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)