monetary moralist

Wow, it has been well over four months since my last post. On 07/14/2006 -within a month after my previous post- a reader wrote via email, “Haven't seen an update to your blog in quite a while. Hope you're creating, and not stewing!” Actually, I was too bewildered to seriously stew. I had targeted select persons and groups with modest email campaigns which came to nothing. Although I have an email list of GPG/PGP users to address (thinking that they would at least relate to the technology); those who I'd written to before -in my judgment- already enjoyed the best flexibility of mind to relate to my YeNom proposal. And even if refocused efforts with any new group were unexpectedly 96 times more successful than my previous endeavors, it'd still be negligible.

So, I felt that some serious reappraisals were in order. The strategy of choice was to get my thoughts absorbed in a completely different activity, which -in this case- turned out to attending to my fledgling Linux system and getting better acquainted with this enthusiastically respected world of software freedom.

Hackers? — Yea, plus the various extraordinary phenomena spawned from the same spirit. For example: The GNU approach – Linus's Law (bazaar model) – the wiki wonder – and all the gifted persons moving this new future forward. These pioneers and their strategies have achieved record breaking results with heretofore inconceivable despatch. Some real (programming type) hackers may resent being grouped with wiki workers. If so, the tragedy is only exacerbated to the extent any uneasiness is taken to heart. I know, you're thinking, “Tragedy? What tragedy?” Well I'm glad you asked.

Regarding open versus proprietary software the technical verdict is in and the war is won. At this juncture, the proprietary camp has as much chance of prevailing over free hackers as LPs had over CDs – tubes over transistors – BBSs over the Internet – and so on. A crucial difference exist however between the open/proprietary conflict and the other comparisons. The later are all examples of hard specific technical differences, while the free vs proprietary thing delves more into social realities and philosophy. OK, it's time for a new ‘ism&squo; – how about “bazaarism”? (like that's got a chance of sticking) The first notable issue is that unlike capitalism, Marxism or socialism – bazaarism does not have oodles of blather (formal ideology) pushing to popularize it. Instead, bazaarism spontaneously came into existence on its own. Yet bazaarism largely remains unrecognized for what it is – a new social paradigm who's time has come as heralded by the humble hacker.

Money is an invention.  Whereas vital increases of production via the division of labor (specialization) or per cooperative efforts (economy of scale) are simply observed consequences.  No money is necessary for neighbors to avoid a fatal failure by bartering wares or working together to easily accomplish an otherwise daunting task for just one person.  But as soon as the scope of interactions increase much, then either money, slavery, or both have been needed to further accelerate exhilarating productivity gains.

A magnificent mass of material is available that substantially covers the history and theory of this great invention - we consequently need not develop nor extend this work further.  Our objective instead is merely to look about and perceive the ramifications of well developed technologies as they relate to a new area of freedom to be ‘underwritten’ by liberated monetization.  The essence of this is, of course, liberation of mind (will/choice) - since nothing is monetized until you choose to perceive it as such (and use it as money).

Indisputable, unforgeable, thief proof ownership is an untapped ramification inherent in public-private key encryption technology. This leads to a simple obvious means for us to realize wealth while advancing security, dignity, and freedom. In view of what passes for money today, there is good reason to expect that rational empowering alternatives could be embraced. The advancement of this hope is the raison d’être for this blog.

Our blog's named Monetize - yet my impetus is not to personally monetize anything. I believe that mankind's second greatest invention is money - however I know of no national currency worthy of endorsement. The values driving the free software movement directly expedite liberation from grievous fallacies - nevertheless a straightforward means to reward avant-garde warriors is patently lacking.

So here is the plan. Let's say that you wish to recognize some particularly deserving individual. You simply write up your thoughts (or offer) and then sign the text using your private key. Next you send this to your recipient. If this person wishes to take ownership of your gesture, they will then verify your signature and sign the whole thing using their private key. Next this file with it's uniquely identifying name (UID) is posted to a highly accessible public data base (GRW). These simple actions have created a mutually agreed upon ownership that is indisputable, unforgeable, and thief proof. And while nothing has been monetized as yet, a fertile robust stage has certainly been set to do so. The file will be effectively monetize as soon as it changes ownership for some consideration (with no limit to the number of times this could occur).
    The original text you created could have been a mere compliment or something more substantive like a redeemable coupon - it's only limited by our collective imagination. For instance, one could easily grant interest in an enterprise, or you might just write to a performer and promise to buy a ticket when they do a concert in your city. If said performer collects (becomes owner of) sufficient numbers of these endorsements, then the raw appreciation of their fans could be literally bought up by a promoter who'll sponsor a concert in return for having the commitment of hundreds or thousands of fans in advance. Look here for more thoughts along these lines.
    Now before something like the above could become a big reality we'd be looking at a google size data base with an enormous amount of traffic. This would insinuate the participation of 3rd party service providers to make the process readily available to the masses. Long before that however, a great service could be bestowed upon the more technically inclined who will be responsible for fueling the initial popularity and advancement of this new freedom based form of ownership & monetization.

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