Keith Hudson postulated that all work is done for selfish reasons - and
went from there to bemoan the lack of variety in the modern world for
compensating for much work which we (selfishly) feel the need to do.
I tend to divide work into two types - that done in the context of an
exchange based relationship and that done without an exchange context.
I know that some people hanker for societies which are totally based on
non-conditional exchanges (such as typified by William Morris "News from
Nowhere and other utopias).
I on the other hand am very incapable of provding much of substance for
my own survival - and hence am dependent (like a huge number of people
in the Western World) on my ability to generate exchange for my
survival.
I find the current processes which provide exchange value very limiting,
and like Keith, would like to see the range considerably expanded
(community currencies seem like a powerful opportunity).
I agree with Keith totally that education is critical to any of this.
Most of the population has no idea how the current system of economic
jobs works, and the thought of trying to introduce a parallel concept
(such as a community currency) to such people is stress inducing (though
I spend a considerable amount of my time trying).
It will be a lot easier when our education system comes to grips with
work other than employment, but perhaps I shouldn't hold my breath.
--
Charles Brass
Chairman
Future of Work Foundation
PO Box 122 Fairfield 3078 Australia
Ph: 61 3 9459 0244
Fax: 613 9459 0344
The mission of the Future of Work Foundation is
"to engage all Australians in creating a better future for work"
