TZM Simplified Franky Müller Z-Day Berlin Germany, 2015
Thank you very much.
[Applause]
So again - thanks for everyone to come here.
Welcome to the 7th annual Zeitgeist Day.
As you already heard my name is Franky Müller.
I am a coordinator for The Zeitgeist Movement since 2009.
The title of my talk is 'TZM - Simplified'.
I was inspired to do this talk
by a quote often attributed to Albert Einstein which says
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
So I pieced this presentation together with this in mind, in the hope
to give you a better understanding what The Zeitgeist Movement actually is.
The Zeitgeist Movement in its structure, tendency [and] philosophy
is a phenomenon never before seen.
It's not easy to cover all aspects of it,
but I'll try to deliver a definition of the name,
talk a little bit about the organization in general
and where it's coming from, its mission,
why we do this, some understandings,
and hence explain some characteristics of it,
along with talking about how we go from here to there.
Why the name "Zeitgeist Movement"?
Since this is an international movement, the world is challenged
that we use a German word in our name.
Allow me to explain.
The term 'zeitgeist' is defined as
"the intellectual, moral and cultural climate of an era".
The term 'movement' implies motion or change.
Change is the only constant in the universe.
Therefore, The Zeitgeist Movement is an organization that promotes change
in the dominant, intellectual, moral and cultural climate of an era.
The Zeitgeist Movement's inception was late in 2008
as a reaction to an independent personal piece of cinematic artwork
by filmmaker Peter Joseph.
All three movies carry the name "Zeitgeist"
but are not to be confused with the organization The Zeitgeist Movement,
which originally sprung in advocation of an economic model,
proposed by an organization called The Venus Project.
To help make the public aware of this economic model,
the Movement partnered with ... The Venus Project,
and although this relationship has since disbanded,
the two organizations coexist with a similar pursuit
to continue working in different ways towards global sustainability.
The Zeitgeist Movement - or TZM for short -
chooses not to be rooted into a single organization or dataset.
Its interest is primarily, to develop an emergent train of thought,
accessible and expanded on by everyone
who wishes to consider the reasoning and become involved.
This train of thought is logically self-realizing
when the causal considerations of sustainability and public health
are referenced from a scientific perspective.
Through a network of global [and] regional chapters,
project teams, annual events like this one here,
media and charity works, TZM covers a wide range
of community-based activism and awareness projects
to become involved with.
In this structure it's designed to be a decentralized, holographic,
personal-initiative activist movement.
If one sympathizes with TZM, he or she reflects an attitude,
a worldview so to speak.
Before I describe TZM's mission, it's important to note
that the welfare of any given society
is directly depending on this society's values.
The foundation of our current dominant, global, economic system
is profit maximization, consumerism and competition,
which in turn, creates unsustainable values and practices
which have no reference to the natural world,
which is based on resources, preservation and symbiosis.
Hence our problems ...
hence our problems today can directly be referenced to our values.
As a global organization, TZM's mission is to advocate
a sustainable socioeconomic model,
and a change in human values to achieve it.
The definition of sustainable being:
capable of being maintained at a steady level,
without exhausting natural resources
or causing severe ecological damage.
Our mission is an educational one.
The people who sympathize with this movement also recognize
that technical solutions exist, to solve the majority
of our social problems.
Unfortunately, these solutions are unapplied
due to our current socioeconomic system.
"Socio" comes from society, "economic" from economy -
which will be described in a later slide.
So, to summarize it,
TZM's mission is to show the world what's possible,
get humanity on the same page through a common ground relationship
of meeting human need and sustainable economic protocols,
and to help facilitate the development towards an implementation and transition
to a new sustainable economic model, that could be termed
a Natural Law Resource Based Economy.
A Natural Law Resource Based Economy - or NLRBE for short -
is an adaptive socioeconomic system,
actively derived from physical reference
to the governing scientific laws of nature.
Or simply said, it's an "earth economy",
where biodiversity, demanded to support life,
is inherently respected (not disrespected).
Contrary to today's culturally accepted definition of an economy,
in which we merely measure money and its circulation,
this "earth economy" is linked to all resources of this planet -
meaning all animal and plant life, the health of the oceans,
and all other relevant factors to supporting ourselves
and the biosphere which we are all depending on.
So, to put it in another way,
a Natural Law Resource Based Economy is an economic model
that is not based on the movement of money and the dynamics associated,
but rather on truly scientific resource management and allocation.
Strategically seeking to enable an equitable distribution of all goods and services
to meet the needs of the entire global human population,
while ensuring maximum environmental sustainability,
over generational time.
This economic model is best understood
if we get to the root of what an economy actually is.
"Economics" derives from Greek to mean 'management of a household',
with the aim of an economy to actually economize.
To economize is to conserve, and to conserve is to create efficiency.
And what is efficiency? It's the absence of waste.
Everyone who likes cooking (like me)
knows what I'm talking about:
Don't let your food spoil, don't throw it away,
manage what you have, and create the best meal out of it possible
by also using the best technical equipment in your kitchen.
The goal of a Natural Law Resource Based Economy
is to optimize technical efficiency
and create the highest level of abundance possible,
within the bounds of earthly sustainability,
seeking to meet the human needs directly
through a systems theory approach.
A good analogy to this would be to think of your own body.
All systems to extract or synthesize energy and nutrients
are fully integrated into the system.
Just as the circulatory system can transport gases,
minerals and nutrients to all cells of your body,
if there is damage to the system, the circulatory and lymphatic systems
quickly respond and act accordingly. In the living body
is there the requirement for a monetary and some similar medium of exchange,
or for actions and transactions to occur? Of course not.
There's no money, no barter, debt, or servitude.
Organisms and bodies are fully integrated holistic subsystems,
just as our planet is.
So a Natural Law Resource Based Economy
would operate within the same manner.
The production of most goods and services
will be fully automated, along with any other protocols
which are relevant to the planetary, ecological regeneration and balance.
Energy sources, recycling, delivery systems, etc.,
will all be fully integrated as part of the whole system.
The strategic efficiency and the planetary management
and socioeconomic practice and design
would lead to something never before seen:
access abundance.
In an economy with access abundance,
the new medium for transactions to take place would be
with the systems engineering with its fully integrated holistic view.
Money - identified as our currency or tool for transactions -
would be replaced.
The new currency would be mutual respect.
One could earn respect, pay respect, give respect,
have respect, learn respect,
respect the truth, the laws of nature,
your fellow human beings, and essentially life in general.
Respect here meaning a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something,
elicited by their abilities, qualities and achievements.
In a fully operational Natural Law Resource Based Economy,
the goods and service production and distribution systems
will be holistic and fully integrated into the global civilization.
If you need a good or service, you could communicate your needs
through a fully integrated communication network, much like the Internet is.
The system itself would then calculate and orchestrate
the best means currently available to meet those needs
in the most optimal way known at the time,
through the medium of scientific inquiry,
the most sustainable best quality materials,
proximity to user, best design, etc.
Is this a techno-utopianism? No!
Today we have the technology, the know how, and the resources to do this.
But the inefficiency and waste built directly into our current
monetary market system cannot absorb such advances.
But still, along with our human development, we get better and better
at using materials in a more sophisticated way.
This rate is increasing and can be called
ephemeralization, which essentially is
"the ability of technological advancement to do more and more with less and less"
until eventually, you can do everything with nothing.
You see, evolution is development.
And an utopia is a static notion,
whereas our understanding of nature is in constant motion,
just like our planets and indeed, the entire universe.
A Natural Law Resource Based Economy is an emergent system
that will adapt and welcome change as an integrated factor,
rather than suppress it through self-interest and maximization.
To put it in short:
We will understand the importance of questioning all things
and challenging all ideas,
changing all concepts as and when they need to be changed.
So please do investigate this economic model with an open mind,
but with scrutiny too. After all,
the scientific method on which the NLRBE is based,
demands a healthy dose of both. And so of course should we,
when we attempt to decipher the truth of any idea.
I will now outline the characteristics of what helps
make this social movement interesting.
Well first of all, TZM recognizes the Earth as one single organism.
Out of this derives the understanding
that we are in fact one species, sharing one planet.
So TZM does not recognize contrived notions of
nations, governments, race, creeds, class and alike.
And of course, we are also not religious.
We find science as a language is the best tool
to avoid misinterpretations and misunderstandings,
which has been at the heart of so much conflict, and division between humans.
People of all faiths are of course welcome,
as the many spiritual aspirations for a world
without war, crime [and] bigotry are obviously noble aims.
But all aims must be put into practice
and make them a reality and not just a religion.
Science makes these aims possible.
Different from the classical concept of politics,
we are neither "right", "left", "liberal" or "conservative".
There's no political way on deciding what shape our planet is,
or how to keep the lights turned on.
Using logic isn't a political act.
Within the monetary system,
one should come to expect any politician to be corrupted.
Besides, any civilized society should be electing ideas - not people.
And as TZM promotes a more equal society,
it's also not hierarchical.
Hierarchy can only be seen by necessity
as TZM has an organizational structure of sorts,
but not one of authoritative, top-down decision making.
Once you have understood the importance of interrelationships between people
the concept of a leader becomes obsolete as well.
Instead we choose to follow a path.
Everyone of us can be our own inspiration, motivation,
and solution to the world's problems.
The classical distinctions of politics, religions, nations and money
are seen as outdated and superfluous
to a truly collective human growth and potential.
You become part of TZM by your actions! By learning,
you communicate, and you become part
of the process of social transformation itself -
a scientific democracy if you will.
And as long as these actions are positive, life supporting,
and focused on the betterment of society as a whole, all are welcome.
TZM's philosophy to create change
is inspired by many great minds, and the methods of nonviolence.
We feel a more sustainable and peaceful world
will never be achieved through force or coercion.
TZM also applies the method of science, achieved through rational consensus.
The scientific method in its application
is not merely restricted to the physical world.
It can also be applied to our social, economic, and educational system
and as a method of understanding human behavior as well.
If science sounds [complicated] then don't worry - it's not that difficult.
Every infant already applies this method without even if it's not aware of it.
As adults, we should be equipped with more understandings of our environment
so we can use this method in a more responsible manner for social concern.
And also don't worry - this is not a technocracy
where just evil scientists rule.
But rather one in which we talk about and then apply
the methods of science for social and environmental concern - plain and simple.
A further attribute to achieve a Natural Law Resource Based Economy
is the utilization of a systems theory approach
to gain bio-psycho-social sustainability and dynamic equilibrium
in regards to our overall economic practice.
So what is a systems theory approach?
As I said earlier on, Earth is a single organism.
So it's also one system, right?
For example, a tree is a subsystem of a forest.
A forest is a subsystem of an ecosystem.
And an ecosystem without water will surely die.
Applied to solve our global problems,
a systems approach takes into account
an understanding of how all aspects of our earth systems behave
and calculates the retroactions of those interactions using AI and computerization.
So systems thinking is the attempt
to understand each single part in relation to the whole.
This is why a systems approach is absolutely necessary -
it's a holistic view for an interrelated, holistic planetary system.
And since humans, like plants, require certain conditions to thrive,
we require a systems approach to create sustainability in all aspects
pertaining to our collective well-being from our mind,
body and in fact, society itself.
In other words, since our environment is responsible for much of our behavior,
we have the responsibility to tend to our environment.
Systems thinking leads us to all necessary factors required for us
to arrive at what you could call a bio-psycho-social sustainability -
'bio' meaning life, 'psycho' meaning the mind,
and 'social' is related to society.
Lastly, we have dynamic equilibrium, which is simply
"the balancing of many dynamic factors
in order to sustain the state of regeneration".
This is also called "steady state".
An example is the equilibrium between ice and water at zero degrees,
where ice is melting at the same rate as water is freezing.
Applied to economics, we need to create a steady state
between our dynamic rate of resource consumption
with the dynamic rate of regeneration,
while also considering other dynamic factors like the change of seasons and the like.
Just as the four seasons are as different and dynamic in their appearance,
so too can all life forms be seen
as a direct result out of the dynamic equilibrium.
Simply put, they learned to accept change as a factor.
In TZM's world view, or in TZM's view,
a healthy society should be based on creativity, symbiosis, and empathy.
To properly collaborate, communicate and to cooperate,
we would require full transparency and open access to information -
including this presentation, as well of course,
with the hope to communicate the inspiration for others to adapt and improve it.
I feel that we should all try our best to overcome our egos
and share ideas, if we wish to make progress.
What I especially like about TZM is the fact that it's solution oriented.
It's not enough to criticize, protest and complain,
without offering a workable alternative.
And I think this saying of the great R. Buckminster Fuller
would perhaps apply best to our philosophy.
TZM's structural goal as a movement is critical mass and awareness.
But what are the steps to achieve a sustainable world?
Well, here are eight proposals to sum this up.
Abundance, efficiency and preservation are the enemies of profit.
You need to create problems to create profit.
So (1) we need to move away from the use of the monetary-market system
as its associated dynamics hinder us from any ... true sense of progress.
(2) We must utilize our mental capability and creativity and innovation,
expressed through technological advancements.
We must automate tasks that are repetitive, boring, and dangerous.
And 3:
a technological unification of Earth via a systems approach.
(4) We need to promote access over property.
It is clearly wasteful and inefficient if everyone
wants to possess one of everything!
Think of it like a library.
Property is an outdated concept derived from times of scarcity.
Strategic access to the necessities of life is key -
including transportation, education, information,
accommodation, energy, and a clean environment,
and durable, recyclable, quality goods.
5. Self-contained, localized city and production systems.
"Think global - act local" may sum this up.
For example, what you see here
is a vertical soilless agricultural food farm tower,
that can produce food with a far greater level of abundance than current methods.
With a 1-acre floor space, fully automated, 10-story building like this,
producing as much food as 400 acres of farming land,
using 99% less water, with a 40% faster crop rotation.
This is just one of many examples of what can be achieved
in a Natural Law Resource Based Economy.
As an aside, I live in Frankfurt, Germany -
home of the new European Central Bank -
and I often think about,
that it would be way more beneficial for society
to transform that brand new glass building into a vertical farm tower.
[Laughter and applause]
Instead of humans - or corrupted politicians -
we prefer (6) Science as a methodology for social governance.
The science of society, hence ... sociology,
isn't currently applied as a factor for governance.
In general, our progress as a healthy society
shouldn't be a matter of opinion, speculation [or] interpretation.
Anything that can be put to test should be,
to compensate for our natural bias,
and inert human flaws in decision making.
(7) We want to transform from a competitive value set
to a collaborative value set,
for the simple fact that many minds are better than one, and
(8) seek a transition from our current infinite-grow paradigm
to a steady-state economy.
Cyclical consumption of a finite planet is essentially ecological suicide.
Eight proposals for a transition. Although the real transition
starts as soon as you are ready to change your own values,
along with many of the beliefs you may well still hold,
which stand in the way of the value shift we need
to support this shift in human life.
Indeed,
humanity has never evolved and made progress because of dogmatic thinking.
Only those who deviated from the norm, made progress possible.
New ideas always sound a little bit absurd in the beginning,
but that is, because they're new.
An amusing example of what the changing times would be
when a child asks their parents:
"When you didn't have computers -
how did you get in to the Internet?"
Imagine 50 years ago, you would have asked someone,
to think about somebody on the other side of the planet,
and that you would one day be able to contact them via a screen instantly.
Or 80 years ago,
if you would have told people that it will be soon possible
to send a man [to] the moon.
Or around a hundred years ago,
that man would build flying machines.
Or that even the stamps that record such triumphs,
will likely fade out some day.
What would they have said?
We all now consider the Flat Earth Society as primitive.
But they too, had to have a "world-is-round" moment.
Who says that these moments have come to an end?
Perhaps our greatest eureka moment is yet to come.
One thing is clear.
The system of cyclical consumption, to perpetuate labor,
combined with technological unemployment, to increase cost efficiency,
combined with the natural limits on "growth" (finite resources),
is what defines the grinding collapse we currently see
accelerating across the world.
And it won't stop by itself, or by business as usual.
The system has to go, as Jacque already said.
Simply stated,
TZM wants a world that isn't restricted by politics,
money, and elitism that destroy the earth for profit.
We want to ensure through our existing technological capability
that every human being is fed, clothed, housed,
and has access to clean renewable energy, and a relevant education
without having to "earn it".
But it's important to note
that TZM is not interested in poetic, subjective and arbitrary notions
of a "fair society", "guaranteed freedom",
"world peace", or "making the world better"
simply because these words are sounding good -
"right", "humane", "good"...
Without a technical framework
that has a direct physical referent to such terms,
such moral relativism serves little to no long term purpose.
Final Notes.
I'm aware there might be some terms used in this talk
that may well be new.
But I would like to encourage you to research the subject
for a greater understanding of the overall message.
With this talk, I want to contribute my part to the material
that wonderful people within this movement
have already created, to support this direction.
I'm just one out of them -
and they have my deepest appreciation.
Beside this, numerous talks, lectures, town hall meetings, gatherings,
online meetings, street actions, and media is created,
and you can go deeper on that as well.
I would especially like to recommend reading 'TZM Defined'
which will help give you a concise overview of what the Movement advocates,
and answer any questions you may have.
And you can download it on
www.thezeitgeistmovement.com.
You will also learn much quicker and hence
understand how to communicate these ideas
if you help to translate our content into your native language.
Please go to forum.linguisticteam.org
and be part of the Linguistic Team International.
If this in some form made sense to you, then congratulations.
You ARE the Movement!
Every fool can know, but the point is to understand.
This was TZM simplified.
Much love and respect; it's great that you exist.
Thank you very much for your time.
[Applause]
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