[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDrMkQFsQTQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

“An alternative grassroots economy already exists in the Bay Area.” - Mira Luna

Comments

Author: rick

Date: 2010-11-07 19:35:20

Thanks for posting this video Tom. We plan on repeating this festival in 2011. Check us out at http://JASecon.org/ and http://timebank.sfbace.org/

Next Economy Potluck Lunch and Workshop
Saturday, December 13, 2008 10:30AM - 2:30PM
Ruiz Branch Library, 1600 Grove Blvd, Austin 78741
Register here: http://nexteconomy.eventbrite.com (free)
The resilience needed to absorb hard times can be provided by regional loyalty currencies. Why isn’t anybody doing it, then?
In fact, they are:

• 300 businesses in Berkshire County, Massachusetts accept Berkshares (launched on September 29, 2006).
• 600 businesses in South East Bavaria accept the Chiemgauer (launched in 2003)
• 60,000 businesses in Switzerland accept the Swiss WIR (launched in 1934 by 16 businessmen)
  The Swiss WIR was created in response to the scarcity of credit during the depression. The WIR is responsible for the economic resilience of the Swiss economy.
  Collective responses for economic relocalization are springing up like mushrooms in Austin. This could have a positive impact on very small businesses, which are particularly vulnerable during economic downturns. Brian Kelsey, economic development coordinator for the Capital Area Council of Governments, is quoted in this week’s Austin Chronicle: “businesses with fewer than 10 employees experienced negative growth in 2001, which implies they may have been disproportionally hurt when the last recession hit.”
  This downturn may not be a “normal” recession, but a symptom of the collapse of economic models that no longer work because they’re not sustainable. Our economic assumptions may be transformed over the next months. It’s time to explore alternatives. This is the first in a series of discussions that will consider solutions for the next economy.
  Bring a covered dish or drinks, plates, etc. and join fellow weekend economic warriors to talk, learn, and plan.
  Onsite childcare available.

[blip.tv http://blip.tv/play/Ac+DBY_Iaw]
We had the opportunity to talk about community currency at One Web Day. There is an archive of talks. It was neat to see Cafe Caffeine’s customers stop in for coffee throughout the evening and stay awhile to listen in on the compelling talks about privacy online and the war for peace. A big thanks to Jon Lebkowsky, Maggie Duval, Paul Walhus and Dusty Reagan for organizing a great event.

Comments

Author: mat

Date: 2008-11-08 15:14:00

A list of all the sessions is here. Here’s a brief recollection of the sessions I attended.

A Currency Definition Language by Arthur Brock was the first presentation I attended. Arthur identified the problem (borrowing from John Rogers analogy of taking flight) as our having this dashboard of knobs and dials but we don’t know what they are or there’s no agreement on what to call them. On the previous day, John Rogers noted how the complexity of our financial system corrupts our language. (Language corruption also seems like a consequence of private money creation. Who wants to play a game where someone else gets to change the rules? Truman: “if you can’t beat them, confuse them.”)

Brownies for breakfast! Yes!…I walked up Pike Street from the hostel (on 1st) and took note of the Kinkos as I made the right turn on 8th street to the Town Hall on Seneca. Kaliya explained the open space format and we signed up to lead sessions. For the first session, I decided to attend Michael Linton’s presentation “Get the Money Moving.” In the video, Ernie Yacub walks in to assist Michael. I was fortunate to join Ernie and Lori Heath for lunch.

[flickr video=2416072066 secret=159e0fd6ed w=400 h=300]

It was a surreal experience today as I’m seeing at least a dozen people for the first time that I’ve only known from the Internets. People came from as far as Germany, England and Australia. Since we didn’t start checking in until 3pm, it was mostly introductions and a dinner that was worth the wait. See you after a little bit of sleep.

This is great! Kaliya Hamlin and Chris Lindstrom are putting together a conference you do not want to miss. Two different communities of practice will finally converge: the complementary currency folks and the web identity folks! If you’re one of the few regular readers of this blog, you know both Kaliya and Chris. Here’s the announcement.

Update 1/31: Hazel Henderson will give the keynote.
Update 2/6: Added unMoney Convergence to the blogroll…
Update 2/9: Wiki for the unconference: unmoney.wik.is

Great Q/A and discussion at BarCamp Houston as the presentation was in the smaller of the two rooms. After the session, I had a conversation with someone who had a degree in economics and he asked if any economists had written anything about complementary currency. I mentioned to him that the London School of Economics had published a paper of Edgar Cahn’s. I’m reminded of Lietaer saying that the so-called Nobel Prize in Economics* will never be awarded to an intentional economist.

Austin Time Exchange
http://www.austintimeexchange.org
These are the dates for upcoming Time Exchange orientations.

Orientation Dates

Tuesday, May 8th at 7:00pm — Ventana del Soul Cultural Center, 1834 E. Oltorf

Saturday, May. 12th at 11:30am — Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.

Monday, June 4th at 7:00pm — Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.

Tuesday, June 12th at 7:00pm — Ventana del Soul Cultural Center, 1834 E. Oltorf

Monday, July 2nd at 7:00pm — Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.

CODEATHON 2.0

PRESENTED BY KNOWBILITY AND LEAGUE OF TECHNICAL VOTERS

Create open source software to benefit nonprofits. Two events! Two chances to participate! Free food, prizes, unique entertainment. All types and skill levels of designers needed. Collaborate on issues of usability and accessibility, graphical interface and high-level software architecture.

More info and to sign up:
http://codeathon.pbwiki.com/

Log in with password: codeon

Kick off party at Triumph Café
Friday, 4/13, 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.