Free Money

Alternative Currency is coming to the fore in many of the discussions taking place in progressive worldchange circles. At Gaia University we are actively conversing about the potential of a global educational currency that is also tradable for associated goods and services. on the Transition US ning network there is an active discussion that has lead me to some interesting connection between p2p economics and the world of complimentary currency.
I have been tracking this exciting possibility for a couple years now, and it is just now seeming to have the critical mass and buzz to start taking off. Working groups are forming and discussion are percolating on several of the networks that I am a member of:

• Living Mandala
• Global Swadeshi
• Transition US

Financial depression seem to be a catalyst for the creation and use of alternative currencies. This trend mimics trends of dynamic dis-equilibrium in ecosystem dynamics where climate change or other disturbances cause rapid shifts in the species composition of a system.

If we take a step back and try for a meta view of the current state of the global economy I would argue we are seeing the outgrowth of a monetary system that is no longer well adapted to the dynamic, quick paced needs of the global financial ecosystem. Innovation is squashed, energy is horded and power is centralized. This all makes for a system teetering on the edge of collapse.
Many folks point to individuals or corporations and the problem. I would argue the corruption endemic to the global economic system is a symptom of poorly designed currency. Corruption and poor decisions are not human nature, nor tha fault of money per se. They are a consequence of a monetary system that does not align incentives with planetary and personal health and well being.
One of the major steps we can take is to allow for rapid differentiation and development of currencies that can fill the vacuum left in the wake of the monumental failure of the national fiat currencies.


Mexico conference on Future of Money... from Jean-François Noubel on Vimeo.

Many countries around the world are already starting to launch these types of currencies. German complementary currency's lead the way, and Brazil is now proposing to start up over 100 complementary currencies to fill in the gaps of the national and international currencies that are used for day to day trading.


Resources for further exploration:

• Transaction.net: internet
  
• Complemetary Currencies Information Technologies WorldWide
  
• Margrit Kennedy (on the subject of money):
  
• ACCESS Foundation
  
• DIE JAK MITGLIEDSBANK
  
• Local and Interest-Free or Alternative Currencies
  
• Living Economies
  
• Online Database of Complementary Currencies Worldwide
  
• The Terra (TRC)
  
• Time Banks UK and the time banking movement
• Chelseagreen
  
• James Robertsons Newsletter
• Living Economies - Pathways to Sustainability
  
• Under Press Information
• The Schumacher Society
  

• Currency Consultants:
  
• Arthur Brock
• John Rogers
  
• Margarit Kennedy
• Bernard Lietar