sysop - 01:33pm Jan 18, 1999 MST (#22 of 24)
Rowland Network Communications
The God of Society
I am attacking the God held in constant view by the investor: unbounded consumerism is no longer a sustainable institution, and it can no longer serve the interests of humanity.
Such a statement will be the equivalent of blasphemy to many. This fact is the single greatest clue that consumerism, its commandments of unrestrained growth, and its infrastructure on Wall Street have indeed become dangerously overpowering idols of Western society.
Why else would so many be fearful as I simply write and publish a book?
But let us not preoccupy ourselves with blame, for there is plenty to go around. Let us move on, having learned a valuable lesson.
In order for civilization to mature to the next level, we simply MUST reorient our self-perception of our place in the Cosmos. As Carl Sagan maintained, the declared existence of extraterrestrial beings will without question ultimately cause a worldwide movement for unity, and begin a fitfull process to correct the errant ways of our species. Confronted with the reality of a more advanced race of beings, we would recognize our common humanity, and begin a process of building a truly coherent and sustainable global civilization.
A scripture comes to mind...
"20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up; what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily, I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard this, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld their thoughts, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but if they will forsake all things for my sake, with God whatsoever things I speak are possible.
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, shall, in the resurrection, when the Son of man shall come sitting on the throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many of the first shall be last, and the last first."
-- Matt. 19:20-30
At what moment in history would these visitors want us to join them...
Our life is frittered away by detail... Simplify, simplify."
-- Thoreau
"My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there."
-- Charles Franklin Kettering
One of the purposes of this Internet book is to share with each of you fundamentally new ideas - ideas that one day could transform the world.
In this work, I wish to propose a way to completely restructure over time our economic institutions to operate in a manner compatible with a living Earth, while preserving the proven entrepreneurial creativity that has built a remarkable modern civilization.
I propose that consumers assert control of the economy and rebuild our economic system to serve non-profit organizations, instead of a small concentration of wealthy individuals.
A corporation in this model would continue to exist to maximize profits - but for the benefit of the non-profit institutions which they serve. Corporations would continue to make investments in their business strategies, but all within the long-term interests of maximizing a 'natural profit motive' -- profit driven to genuine non- profit causes. Individual compensation structures and organizational models would be considerably flatter, the economic motive purified, and the betterment of life for all the principal urge of everyone.
Is this a radical proposal? Absolutely. Is it insane? Yes. Is it a utopian fantasy? Totally. Radical and insane proposals are necessary to save a short-sighted and dangerously hubris nation from self- destruction.
As a motivator to carefully consider this option, I am forming a catalyst organization called EarthCity. EarthCity will be the non- profit of non-profits: the ultimate collaborative e-commerce Internet site whose profit motive is dedicated enirely to the interests chosen by the individual citizens who become its members.
At www.EarthCity.org next year, you will be able to purchase virtually any good or service online. When you first visit the site, you will register your name, credit account information, and then you will designate which subset of the top one-hundred leading non- profits to which you wish to contribute your share of EarthCity's profits. It will be the ultimate portal and commerce web site, but with the fundamental purpose of restoring power to individual citizens of Earth, who wish to reclaim their world from a dangerously materialistic economy and liberate themselves from the shackles placed around their necks by investor motives.
What Earth-conscious citizen would not choose to purchase from such an institution? What young individual would not choose to work for such an institution?
My business partner and I built USWeb Corporation, the largest Internet services company on the planet, so I know what I am talking about creating here.
I welcome people to contribute their ideas to this most remarkable undertaking as it begins in earnest in coming months, and I ask for your support once EarthCity is launched next year.
Fundamentally, this initiative will use the frictionless Internet economy to put to the test a very simple, fundamental question: is the individual or collective profit motive the stronger one in a frictionless economy?
We should remember that sustainable natural equilibrium processes are always circular: we must return profit derived from the Earth back into the Earth. In a completely literal sense, this economic model would create an "ecological cycle" for corporate profits, analogous to the biosphere's carbon and water cycles. Any good scientist will agree that such a profit cycle will eventually dominate, because it is on its face compatible with the kind of natural equilibrium which nature ultimately demands of everything she supports.
A comprehensive business plan for this initiative will appear in this section of The Truth in early 1999. I presently expect the site to launch no later than 2000.
sysop - 01:33pm Jan 18, 1999 MST (#23 of 24)
Rowland Network Communications
At what moment in history would these visitors want us to join them? What will we become when we do...
Is it possible to imagine what human life in the heavens could ultimately be like? Is it possible to know what kinds of knowledge and powers we may one day come to possess as we evolve into the distant future?
One possibility is to interpret the basic history recounted in the New Testament at face value...
The Testimony of Saint John
CHAPTER 1
1 In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.
4 In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;
5 And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came into the world for a witness, to bear witness of the light, to bear record of the gospel through the Son, unto all, that through him men might believe.
8 He was not that light, but came to bear witness of that light,
9 Which was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
10 Even the Son of God. He who was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God; only to them who believe on his name.
13 He was born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the same word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bear witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake; He who cometh after me, is preferred before me; for he was before me.
16 For in the beginning was the Word, even the Son, who is made flesh, and sent unto us by the will of the Father. And as many as believe on his name shall receive of his fullness. And of his fullness have all we received, even immortality and eternal life, through his grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but life and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 For the law was after a carnal commandment, to the administration of death; but the gospel was after the power of an endless life, through Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father.
19 And no man hath seen God at any time, except he hath borne record of the Son; for except it is through him no man can be saved.
sysop - 01:34pm Jan 18, 1999 MST (#24 of 24)
Rowland Network Communications
Powers Attributed to Christ
"He touched her hand" (Matthew 8.15)
"Then he got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop" (Matthew 8.26)
"Get up, pick up your bed and go home!" (Matthew 9.6)
"Courage, my daughter! Your faith has made you well!" (Matthew 9.22)
"Then Jesus touched their eyes..." (Matthew 9.29)
"Stretch out your hand" (Matthew 12.13)
"He broke the loaves" (Matthew 14.19)
"...walking on the water" (Matthew 14.25)
"...and he healed them." (Matthew 15.30)
"..gave a command to the demon and it went out of the boy, and at the very moment he was healed" (Matthew 17.18)
"Jesus had pity on them and touched their eyes." (Matthew 20.34)
"He has been raised" (Matthew 28.6)
"Be quiet and come out of the man." (Mark 1.25)
"He took her by the hand and helped her up..." (Mark 1.31)
"...and reached out and touched him." (Mark 1.41)
"Stretch out your hand." (Mark 3.5)
"...your faith has made you well." (Mark 5.34)
"Little girl, I tell you to get up." (Mark 5.41)
"He broke the loaves..." (Mark 6.41)
"...they saw him walking on water." (Mark 6.49)
"And all who touched it were made well "(Mark 6.56)
"...go back home, where you will find that the demon has gone out of your daughter." (Mark 7.29)
"...put his fingers in the man's ears, spat and touched the man's tongue." (Mark 7.34)
"Open up!" (Mark 7.35)
"..broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute..." (Mark 8.6)
"Jesus placed his hands on him..." (Mark 8.23)
"I order you to come out... " (Mark 9.25)
"Go, your faith has made you well..." (Mark 10.52)
"Be quiet and come out of this man!" (Luke 4.35)
"...ordered the fever to leave her..." (Luke 4.39)
"he placed his hands on every one of them and healed them all." (Luke 4.40)
"gave an order to the wind and to the stormy weather..." (Luke 8.24)
"...they went out of the man..." (Luke 8.33)
"touched the edge of his cloak..." (Luke 8.44)
"Get up, child!" (Luke 8.54)
"...healed the boy..." (Luke 9.42)
"Jesus, took the man and healed him." (Luke 14.4)
"On the way they were made clean." (Luke 17.14)
"Then see!" (Luke 18.42)
"Now draw some water" (John 2.8)
"Go; your son will live" (John 4.50)
"Get up, pick up your mat and walk." (John 5.8)
"Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, and distributed it to the people." (John 6.11)
"...they saw Jesus walking on the water..." (John 6.19)
"Go, wash your face in the Pool of Siloam" (John 9.7)
"Lazarus, come out!" (John 11.43)
How could we become empowered with gifts such as these? It would almost surely occur through the ultimate power of genetics and evolution, whether that means outright evolution, mating with a higher species or active genetically-engineered combination of features. This may shock many people, but it is hard to imagine that the basis of all biological life - DNA - and its natural and applied processes do not play the fundamental role in the advancement of species throughout the Cosmos.
Might this have something to do with the oft-reported phenomenon of human "abduction" by our visitors?
Rowland Network Communications
The God of Society
I am attacking the God held in constant view by the investor: unbounded consumerism is no longer a sustainable institution, and it can no longer serve the interests of humanity.
Such a statement will be the equivalent of blasphemy to many. This fact is the single greatest clue that consumerism, its commandments of unrestrained growth, and its infrastructure on Wall Street have indeed become dangerously overpowering idols of Western society.
Why else would so many be fearful as I simply write and publish a book?
But let us not preoccupy ourselves with blame, for there is plenty to go around. Let us move on, having learned a valuable lesson.
In order for civilization to mature to the next level, we simply MUST reorient our self-perception of our place in the Cosmos. As Carl Sagan maintained, the declared existence of extraterrestrial beings will without question ultimately cause a worldwide movement for unity, and begin a fitfull process to correct the errant ways of our species. Confronted with the reality of a more advanced race of beings, we would recognize our common humanity, and begin a process of building a truly coherent and sustainable global civilization.
A scripture comes to mind...
"20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up; what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily, I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard this, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld their thoughts, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but if they will forsake all things for my sake, with God whatsoever things I speak are possible.
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, shall, in the resurrection, when the Son of man shall come sitting on the throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many of the first shall be last, and the last first."
-- Matt. 19:20-30
At what moment in history would these visitors want us to join them...
Our life is frittered away by detail... Simplify, simplify."
-- Thoreau
"My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there."
-- Charles Franklin Kettering
One of the purposes of this Internet book is to share with each of you fundamentally new ideas - ideas that one day could transform the world.
In this work, I wish to propose a way to completely restructure over time our economic institutions to operate in a manner compatible with a living Earth, while preserving the proven entrepreneurial creativity that has built a remarkable modern civilization.
I propose that consumers assert control of the economy and rebuild our economic system to serve non-profit organizations, instead of a small concentration of wealthy individuals.
A corporation in this model would continue to exist to maximize profits - but for the benefit of the non-profit institutions which they serve. Corporations would continue to make investments in their business strategies, but all within the long-term interests of maximizing a 'natural profit motive' -- profit driven to genuine non- profit causes. Individual compensation structures and organizational models would be considerably flatter, the economic motive purified, and the betterment of life for all the principal urge of everyone.
Is this a radical proposal? Absolutely. Is it insane? Yes. Is it a utopian fantasy? Totally. Radical and insane proposals are necessary to save a short-sighted and dangerously hubris nation from self- destruction.
As a motivator to carefully consider this option, I am forming a catalyst organization called EarthCity. EarthCity will be the non- profit of non-profits: the ultimate collaborative e-commerce Internet site whose profit motive is dedicated enirely to the interests chosen by the individual citizens who become its members.
At www.EarthCity.org next year, you will be able to purchase virtually any good or service online. When you first visit the site, you will register your name, credit account information, and then you will designate which subset of the top one-hundred leading non- profits to which you wish to contribute your share of EarthCity's profits. It will be the ultimate portal and commerce web site, but with the fundamental purpose of restoring power to individual citizens of Earth, who wish to reclaim their world from a dangerously materialistic economy and liberate themselves from the shackles placed around their necks by investor motives.
What Earth-conscious citizen would not choose to purchase from such an institution? What young individual would not choose to work for such an institution?
My business partner and I built USWeb Corporation, the largest Internet services company on the planet, so I know what I am talking about creating here.
I welcome people to contribute their ideas to this most remarkable undertaking as it begins in earnest in coming months, and I ask for your support once EarthCity is launched next year.
Fundamentally, this initiative will use the frictionless Internet economy to put to the test a very simple, fundamental question: is the individual or collective profit motive the stronger one in a frictionless economy?
We should remember that sustainable natural equilibrium processes are always circular: we must return profit derived from the Earth back into the Earth. In a completely literal sense, this economic model would create an "ecological cycle" for corporate profits, analogous to the biosphere's carbon and water cycles. Any good scientist will agree that such a profit cycle will eventually dominate, because it is on its face compatible with the kind of natural equilibrium which nature ultimately demands of everything she supports.
A comprehensive business plan for this initiative will appear in this section of The Truth in early 1999. I presently expect the site to launch no later than 2000.
sysop - 01:33pm Jan 18, 1999 MST (#23 of 24)
Rowland Network Communications
At what moment in history would these visitors want us to join them? What will we become when we do...
Is it possible to imagine what human life in the heavens could ultimately be like? Is it possible to know what kinds of knowledge and powers we may one day come to possess as we evolve into the distant future?
One possibility is to interpret the basic history recounted in the New Testament at face value...
The Testimony of Saint John
CHAPTER 1
1 In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.
4 In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;
5 And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came into the world for a witness, to bear witness of the light, to bear record of the gospel through the Son, unto all, that through him men might believe.
8 He was not that light, but came to bear witness of that light,
9 Which was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
10 Even the Son of God. He who was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God; only to them who believe on his name.
13 He was born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the same word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bear witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake; He who cometh after me, is preferred before me; for he was before me.
16 For in the beginning was the Word, even the Son, who is made flesh, and sent unto us by the will of the Father. And as many as believe on his name shall receive of his fullness. And of his fullness have all we received, even immortality and eternal life, through his grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses, but life and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 For the law was after a carnal commandment, to the administration of death; but the gospel was after the power of an endless life, through Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father.
19 And no man hath seen God at any time, except he hath borne record of the Son; for except it is through him no man can be saved.
sysop - 01:34pm Jan 18, 1999 MST (#24 of 24)
Rowland Network Communications
Powers Attributed to Christ
"He touched her hand" (Matthew 8.15)
"Then he got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop" (Matthew 8.26)
"Get up, pick up your bed and go home!" (Matthew 9.6)
"Courage, my daughter! Your faith has made you well!" (Matthew 9.22)
"Then Jesus touched their eyes..." (Matthew 9.29)
"Stretch out your hand" (Matthew 12.13)
"He broke the loaves" (Matthew 14.19)
"...walking on the water" (Matthew 14.25)
"...and he healed them." (Matthew 15.30)
"..gave a command to the demon and it went out of the boy, and at the very moment he was healed" (Matthew 17.18)
"Jesus had pity on them and touched their eyes." (Matthew 20.34)
"He has been raised" (Matthew 28.6)
"Be quiet and come out of the man." (Mark 1.25)
"He took her by the hand and helped her up..." (Mark 1.31)
"...and reached out and touched him." (Mark 1.41)
"Stretch out your hand." (Mark 3.5)
"...your faith has made you well." (Mark 5.34)
"Little girl, I tell you to get up." (Mark 5.41)
"He broke the loaves..." (Mark 6.41)
"...they saw him walking on water." (Mark 6.49)
"And all who touched it were made well "(Mark 6.56)
"...go back home, where you will find that the demon has gone out of your daughter." (Mark 7.29)
"...put his fingers in the man's ears, spat and touched the man's tongue." (Mark 7.34)
"Open up!" (Mark 7.35)
"..broke them, and gave them to his disciples to distribute..." (Mark 8.6)
"Jesus placed his hands on him..." (Mark 8.23)
"I order you to come out... " (Mark 9.25)
"Go, your faith has made you well..." (Mark 10.52)
"Be quiet and come out of this man!" (Luke 4.35)
"...ordered the fever to leave her..." (Luke 4.39)
"he placed his hands on every one of them and healed them all." (Luke 4.40)
"gave an order to the wind and to the stormy weather..." (Luke 8.24)
"...they went out of the man..." (Luke 8.33)
"touched the edge of his cloak..." (Luke 8.44)
"Get up, child!" (Luke 8.54)
"...healed the boy..." (Luke 9.42)
"Jesus, took the man and healed him." (Luke 14.4)
"On the way they were made clean." (Luke 17.14)
"Then see!" (Luke 18.42)
"Now draw some water" (John 2.8)
"Go; your son will live" (John 4.50)
"Get up, pick up your mat and walk." (John 5.8)
"Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, and distributed it to the people." (John 6.11)
"...they saw Jesus walking on the water..." (John 6.19)
"Go, wash your face in the Pool of Siloam" (John 9.7)
"Lazarus, come out!" (John 11.43)
How could we become empowered with gifts such as these? It would almost surely occur through the ultimate power of genetics and evolution, whether that means outright evolution, mating with a higher species or active genetically-engineered combination of features. This may shock many people, but it is hard to imagine that the basis of all biological life - DNA - and its natural and applied processes do not play the fundamental role in the advancement of species throughout the Cosmos.
Might this have something to do with the oft-reported phenomenon of human "abduction" by our visitors?
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