Introduction and Background
The “Collaborative Economy for Prosperity” series aims to envision and create a new world of prosperity for all. The series, hosted by Audrianna, began as an in-person retreat in Mendocino, California, where developers, designers, dreamers, and doers gathered to envision a beautiful world and reimagine the concept of money. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series shifted online into weekly sessions.
Meditation and Opening Remarks
The session starts with a guided meditation led by Audrianna to align participants with the vibration of prosperity. Attendees are encouraged to close their eyes, focus on their breath, and invite beautiful images and sensations into their hearts. The goal is to create a receptive mindset for the content that will be discussed.
Exploring Alternative Currencies
Carla Cordova Dennis, a co-founder of Candy Apples and an expert in community development, discusses the concept of money and its different forms. She introduces the idea of fiat money, which is the type of money we commonly use today. Fiat money is considered a type of debt and is based on the agreement that someone owes something when money is held.
Complementary Currencies for Resilience
Carla highlights the limitations of fiat money and the need for alternative currencies to promote resilience. She explains how social currencies, also known as complementary currencies, can be created based on different values and agreements. These currencies work alongside fiat money and can contribute to a more balanced and resilient economy. Carla provides examples such as the Swiss WIR and Saertex in Italy to illustrate the positive impact of complementary currencies on small businesses and responsible consumption.
Shifting Mindsets and Co-designing Currencies
Carla emphasizes the importance of a mindset change when considering alternative currencies. She shares a three-step process for communities to create their own currencies: (1) changing the mindset about money, (2) co-designing the currency, and (3) implementing the technical aspects. Education, discussions, and simulations help individuals understand and redefine their relationship with money.
Case Study: Muda and Exponential Philanthropy
Louise shares a case study from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, focusing on the community-driven project called Muda. The initiative redefines wealth and value through social currencies. They aim to achieve “exponential philanthropy” by allocating fiat money into social currencies and promoting their circulation. Partnerships with organizations like Salva, a venture philanthropist, have helped foster interactions and cultural production within the community.
Embracing Messenger Apps for Digital Communities
Autumn discusses the future of digital communities and highlights the importance of messenger apps. She explains that messenger apps, such as Sinschat, provide higher engagement rates compared to traditional news feeds. The app prioritizes user privacy and offers features like threading to ensure important content isn’t buried in the noise. Autumn invites participants to join the Sinschat community on Discord for further engagement.
Conclusion
The session concludes with gratitude for the community’s participation and a reminder to connect further on Zoom and Discord. The goal remains to foster prosperity, connection, and unique purpose for all beings.