Difference between revisions of "Resource-Based Economic Model"

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{{#seo: title=The Crowdsourced Resource-Based Economy Knowledgebase | titlemode= append | keywords=tzm,tvp,rbe,rbe10k,wiki,tzmwiki,knowledgebase,resource based economy,the zeitgeist movement,the venus project |
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#REDIRECT [[RBEM]]
  description=The Resource-Based Economy Knowledgebase is the tool of choice for crowdsourcing definitions, notions and all types of information relevant for the implementation of a Resource-Based Economy, or as a great tool for activists of The Zeitgeist Movement and The Venus Project to document their organisational processes and projects. }}
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== In short... ==
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A Resource-Based Economy (RBE) can be defined as the [[w:Scientific Method|Scientific Method, or Methods of Science]], applied for human concern.
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According to [[The Venus Project]], it is a "''holistic socio-economic system in which all goods and services are available without the use of money''".<ref name="tvp-rbe"/>
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According to [[The Zeitgeist Movement]], it is "''is about taking a direct technical approach to social management as opposed to a Monetary or even Political one''".<ref name="tzm-mission">[http://www.thezeitgeistmovement.com/mission-statement The Zeitgeist Movment's Mission Statement]</ref>
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== Reasoning behind the need to transition to a Resource-Based Economy ==
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Although this knowledgebase is not concerned with dealing with the perceived problems of the current system, there are some key concerns that are notable for its objectivity and criticality.{{Vague}}
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=== Continuous Growth in a Finite Planet ===
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The basic common denominator mission of movements and projects of the likes of [[The Zeitgeist Movement]], [[The Venus Project]], [[The Free World Charter]], [[The RBE10K Project]], is to prevent the collapses of Human society and of Earth's natural environment as we have known it since the beginnings of Human History, as a result from continuous growth in a finite planet.
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In the Natural world continuous growth always reaches a point of saturation, usually followed by a collapse. An example of this phenomenon is a malign tumor, which grows without stopping until it interferes so drastically with the metabolism of the organism of its host, that ends up causing the death of its hostand consequently its own death too. Another example are buffalo herds in Africa, which tend to grow in numbers until the savannahs they live on cannot sustain them any more, prompting individuals to starve, sometimes even causing mass famine and death.
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=== Exponential trends ===
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Naturally, once learned that continuous growth is impossible, many people feel motivated to prevent the possibility of Humanity's collapse, as they understand that business as usuall would do little or nothing to prevent such collapse. Examples of current exponential trends within the last 200 years are:
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* population growth{{Cn}}
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* deforestation{{Cn}}
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* carbonisation of the atmosphere{{Cn}}
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* rise in average temperatures{{Cn}}
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* acidification of oceans{{Cn}}
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* loss of habitat and species diversity{{Cn}}
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* collapse of fisheries{{Cn}}
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* depletion of petroleum reserves{{Cn}}
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* loss or salinisation of topsoil{{Cn}}
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* exhaustion of nutrients in crop land{{Cn}}
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* risk of a pandemic{{Cn}}
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* risk of a devastating world war{{Cn}}
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With these and many other trends that appear to be exponential, a telltale signature of continuous growth, it is not difficult to conclude that our species is accelerating toward a catastrophic end, and with it, many other species as well.
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=== Sustainability ===
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The heart of the solution to continuous growth is [[Sustainability]], and unlike the many organisations that that promote Sustainability as an important issue where we have to make progress being ''less wasteful'' and achieve harmony with the environment ''someday somehow'', all of the projects and movements which promote a [[Resource-Based Economy]] consider that Sustainability is paramount, is the only way our species has any chances of survival in the long term and past the next couple of generations, and that it is critical that we globally adopt systems and behaviours to ensure Sustainability with the highest degree of importance, and as a matter of non-negotiable top priority.
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=== The Resource-Based Economy proposed as a solution ===
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The social engineer and inventor [[w:Wikipedia:Jacque Fresco|Jacque Fresco]] coined a group of social and economic guidelines with the name of [[Resource-Based Economy]], or now also known as ''Resource-Based Economic Model'', or simply '''''RBE''''' or '''''RBEM''''. These social and economic guidelines cannot be derived from the meaning of the words ''Resource-Based Economy'', so the name must be thought of just as alabel or an identifier, very loosely related to the actual concept.
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Although there has not been as yet any formal and accurate description of a ''Resource-Based Economy'', there are a number of premises that appear to be loosely agreed by all those who actively support the idea of an RBE:
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# Every action or endeavour Humanity takes must be sustainable, i.e. must ensure the feasibility of an age-long continuity of such action or endeavour
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# Technology must be expanded and used in any and all areas in which it can be used to allow for, or increase efficiency of, a capacity for full freedom for any and every person, provided that Sustainability is maintained
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# There is not recognition or protection of any individual's claims to physical or intellectual property
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From those understandings, a great deal of principles and values can be derived, such as the replacement of authority with systems, the equality of all people on Earth, physical and psychological health becoming a top social concern, property becoming an obsolete notion, etc.
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== Notable individual definitions ==
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=== Definitions by Jacque Fresco ===
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The concept was developed by [[Jacque Fresco]] and explained most extensively in his book ''The Best that Money Can't Buy''<ref name="tvp-the-best-book">{{cite book |title=The Best that Money Can't Buy: Beyond Politics, Poverty & War |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=JhzxAAAAMAAJ |accessdate=2009-03-26 |year=(2002) |publisher=Global Cyber-Visions |location=Venus, Fla. |isbn=0-9648806-7-9 |oclc=49931422}}</ref>, in which he describes various notions of a RBE{{Examples}} allowing the reader make interpretations of this idea, however the book lacks a clear definition for the term or the concept in a form that clearly delineates what a RBE is and what it is not.{{POV-statement}}
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Despite the lack of a clear definition for what a RBE is, Fresco gives the following clues in a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIMy0QBSQWo presentation video]<ref name="tvp-rbe"/>:
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* What a RBE is ''NOT''
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** "''It is entirely different than anything that has ever existed in the past''" [0:07-0:14]
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** It is not a [[w:Technocracy|technocracy]] [02:56-03:12]]
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* Premises of a RBE
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** A principle of [[sustainability]] of the natural environment (''extravagance of the island'') [0:23-0:41]
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** Production based on the best [[technical advice]] to achieve sustainability [01:16-01:27]
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** Arriving at decisions using [[w:Scientific Method|technical methods]] as opposed to making decisions by consensus [01:27-01:41]
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** Decisions are made by people with technical competence instead of political or democratic means [02:00-02:16] ''(needs to expand on his mention of ''areas you wish to excel in'': how are these areas decided or arrived at?)''
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** In order to avoid conflicts around sharing resources, a RBE has to be global [03:37-04:02]
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** The needs of the people in a city must be met by the city itself using nearby resources (''systems operations'') [04:16-04:44]
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** Public access to information about current and future availability of goods and services [04:45-05:00] ''(needs to expand on the open nature of this information)''
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** Open access to goods and services as (opposed to ownership) [04:55-05:10]
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** Conservative use of energy (and resources?); availability to all people [05:11-05:36]
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** Use of automation instead of labour; freedom for all to pursuit personal interests without the need for work [05:42-06:14]
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** In a RBE there is no need for money [07:15-07:24]
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** All resources are declared the common heritage of all the world's people; bring all the separate nations together in one unified system [07:51-08:23]
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In their website, TVP states that:<ref name="tvp-rbe"/>
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* "''In a resource-based economy all of the world's resources are held as the common heritage of all of Earth's people [...]''"
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=== Definitions by Peter Joseph ===
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The documentarist [[Peter Joseph]] met Jacque Fresco in Fresco's research centre in Venus, Florida. In order to communicate Fresco's ideas, and due to the lack of accurate definitions for this subject, Peter Joseph was required to make and communicate those interpretations, which may or may not align with Fresco's train of thought. Peter Joseph's documentaries [[Zeitgeist: Addendum]] and [[Zeitgeist Moving Forward]] had a major impact in the world, rapidly causing the formation of chapters around the world to raise awareness about this notion. The dissolution of TZM and TVP can be seen as the result of differences of interpretation of this idea, and preferences for the actions required to make.
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At the time of this writing [October 2012], The Zeitgeist Movement's website states that ''The 2012 revised orientation is still in development. We suggest you read our FAQ linked below for basic information and then follow-up with the lectures. We also recommend our quick start guide for new members''<ref name="tzm-orientation">[http://www.thezeitgeistmovement.com/orientation TZM Orientation]</ref>. The following extensions or differences in those notions, as compared with the Fresco's stated above, can be derived from such information and lectures:
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* An intro to a Resource-Based Economy [ TEDx - Peter Joseph ] <ref name="tzm-rbe-intro">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mkRFCtl2MI&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLEA397BE263089C51 An Intro. to a Resource-Based Economy (TEDx - Peter Joseph)]</ref>
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** It is based on the [[Intelligent Management of the Earth's Resources]], rather than money [00:08-00:18] (see also <ref name="tvp-the-best-book"/> pp. 73 & 123)
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** Meet the [[Human need|needs]] of the human population (assumed to be all of it) through the most efficient strategic and sustainable method drawn from the physical world [00:18-00:26]
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** ''(incomplete)''
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== Crowdsourced definition ==
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From the multiple subjective interpretations spawning from examples, comments, notes, guides, and videos by, or interviews to, Jacque Fresco and Peter Joseph, this wiki promotes the consensus on a well defined, specific, clear definition of a Resource-Based Economy resulting from the general discussion and input that can be expected in a RBE for all kinds of general knoledge and policy making: ''[[w:Crowdsourcing|crowdsourcing]]''. The following is an initial template which is intended to grow as a result of the input of all parties interested or involved, open to any comments and concerns, and ultimately becoming the most trusted referent for meanings and general notions of everything RBE. From this perspective, RBE collapses here and from here it is that it gives rise to the real thing.
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=== Definitions ===
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Population: ''People living in RBE cities''<br>
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RBE system: ''Network of RBE cities and population''<br>
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Environment: ''ecosystems of the world, especially those which harbour unique life diversity, or humans living outside the RBE system''<br>
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Values: ''One's judgement of what is important in life''<br>
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Principles: ''Fundamental propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour, or for a chain of reasoning''<br>
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Offence: ''Behaviour that does not abide the principles and values of RBE''<br>
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Personal belongings: ''Items of emotional value that can be held by their owner''<br>
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=== Values in an RBE system ===
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{{POV-section}}
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From the definitions above, values are one's judgement of what is important in life. The following are ''all'' the ''core'' values expected to be abided by the great majority of the population of the first city, and a reference for all the cities that would follow.
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Note that Freedom and liberty are intentionally left out as their meanings are too controversial, vague and confusing.
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* Human life
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* Human health
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* Environment's health
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* Individuality
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* Privacy
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* Self-determination
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* Personal fulfilment
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* Personal responsibility
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* Social responsibility
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* Collaboration
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* Respect for subjectivities of others
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=== Principles of an RBE system ===
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From the definitions above, Principles are fundamental propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour, or for a chain of reasoning. it is expected that ''all'' processes and systems implemented in the first RBE city will be consistent with all of these. As a result of this requirement for consistencythe principles must be ''practicable''.
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* Sustainability is paramount
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* Humans cannot be owned
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* Earth's resources cannot be owned
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* Authority can only be willingly granted, and for a specific purpose and duration, and can be revoked at any time
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* Unfair play (eg being disruptive) cannot be tolerated
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=== Priorities of the RBE system ===
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A multiple number of things may be very important in a RBE. Whilst none should be left unattended, a greater percentage of time and resources shall be directed to issues that are deemed higher priority. There are many modes for prioritisation, however the most popular and successful in everyday life are those implemented in modern multyuser operating systems, called ''scheduler'', which allw for the limited resources of a computer to be shared by all processes running, but ensuring that certain processes are given higher priority (''niceness''). It is expected that a similar procedure will be implemented in all RBE systems.
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# sustainability of the RBE system and the environment
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# health of the population and the environment
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=== Controversial elements to discuss ===
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Certain topics belong in the domain of philosophy, or are idiosycratic, or relate to subjective and personal preferences. these need to be discussed, formalised, and reduced to a minimum.
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* Nature of personal belongings
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* Limits of privacy
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* Bashing those offenders who won't leave on their own will
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* Tolerance boundaries to offending behaviour
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* Concept, purpose and function of the notion of "family"
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== History ==
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[[Jacque Fresco]] began using the term Resource-Based Economy, claiming also having originated it<ref name="tvp-rbe">[http://www.thevenusproject.com/en/the-venus-project/resource-based-economy Resource Based Economy page in The Venus Project's website]</ref>{{When}}, as a name for a socio-economic system he devised and developed as part of his research for [[The Venus Project]].
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=== Development of the concept ===
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Jaque Fresco has mentioned in a number of opportunities{{When}} that his work is based on the work of a multitude of thinkers{{Who}}, including works by [[w:Buckminster Fuller|Buckminster Fuller]] from the [[http://www.bfi.org/ Buckminster Fuller Institute]]
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Jacque Fresco communicated general ideas about his idea of a RBE{{Vague}} throughout many years{{When}}, expressing them to visitors showing up at his Research Centre in Venus, Florida, and on a number of interviews in shows like Larry King{{Examples}}.
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Jacque Fresco, his idea of a Resource-Based Economy and the [[Circular City]] became more accessible to the public through a documentary film by the documentarist [[w:William Gazecki|William Gazecki]] in 2006<ref name="fbd">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0870112/
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Future by Design at IMDB] and [http://www.futurebydesignthemovie.com/ Official website of the documentary Future by Design]</ref>.
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The concept was massively popularised through the films ''[[Zeitgeist: Addendum]]'' and ''[[Zeitgeist Moving Forward]]'' by [[The Zeitgeist Movement]] founder [[Peter Joseph]], in which the concept was explained in much greater detail. As a result of differences in Peter Joseph's [[w:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge#Situated_knowledge|situated knowledge]] differences with Fresco's, the films included elements that were not fully aligned with TVP's mentality and objectives, causing their movements to dissociate in April 2011.<ref name="tvp-tzm-breakup">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Venus_Project#Zeitgeist_movies TVP an TZM relationship in Wikipedia's Resource-Based Economy entry] and [http://tobtr.com/s/1802513  "TVP / TZM Split on V-Radio"]</ref>
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As a result of the popularity of the concepts through the various agents that popularised the idea, many movements{{Who}} took elements and understandings of the orignal concept and created a variety of similar notions, mostly maintaining the original name Resource-Based Economy, or similar names like Resource-Based Economic Model (RBEM).<ref name="rbe-copyright">[http://www.thezeitgeistmovement.com/pages/faq#faq8 The Zeitgeist Movement website FAQs]</ref>
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== Different idiosyncrasies about notions of ''Resource-Based Economy'' ==
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There doesn't seem to be a concerted understanding or description of a Resource-Based Economy. It is the main objective of this Wiki to provide a space for such concerted description, even one that includes the various notions or understandings between or even within advocates of the general notions of a RBE.
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Although, according to The Zeitgeist Movement's website, The Venus Project sought Copyright for the term "Resource-Based Economy" (and hence also its definition) in 2010<ref name="rbe-copyright"/> {{Verify credibility}}, at the time of this writing a search for the term in [http://cocatalog.loc.gov the US Copyright query database] renders no matches. Despite this, out of respect for the origins of the term, The Zeitgeist Movement prefers to refer to it as ''Resource-Based Economic Model'', or ''RBEM''.<ref name="rbe-copyright"/>
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Given the [[The RBE10K Project]]'s involvement in the development of this website is quite significant as it uses it as its main resource for a knowledge-base, there may be biases in some of the understandings about a Resource-Based Economy. In order to alleviate the possibility of bias, it is very important that people from a variety of movements and projects participate actively of the compilation of relevant information about this central topic.
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== References ==
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{{reflist}}
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Latest revision as of 05:51, 4 March 2013

  1. REDIRECT RBEM
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