I have been thinking recently about all the skills the lower classes have, that in our consumer/capitalist society have been sorely undervalued but in the new age will be necessary for everyone to learn. Here are a few examples:
- Sharing - sharing resources and information comes naturally to those who don't have much
- Keeping eyes peeled for something someone you know needs and getting people who can help each other together
- Trading and bartering - when you don't have money, you learn the value of your skills and creations, and are used to using currencies besides money
- Taking care of others - knowing that we are all in this together and that we are interdependent within our communities
- Finding things for free that are or can be rigged into just what you need
- Reusing and recycling what you have - you don't need a new product for every single job, you can make what you need
- Growing and producing your own food
- Understanding that fun is free - music and dancing and art and community cost nothing but are worth much
- Natural medicine - those who could never afford traditional medicine are more likely to know about natural (free or low-cost) healing including the healing power of touch
- How to build and fix and care for your own home - the people who have been doing it themselves for years have the knowledge that those who have been paying for home repair don't
It is inspiring to know that those considered to have low value in our current society will have high value when/if this economy goes to shit.
Let me know if you think of other ways the poor will be leading in the future.
