I make it no secret that I believe the STEEM blockchain is going to change humanity. The content/reward system is absolutely revolutionary. While other blockchains and startups are trying to mirror this, we see progress being made with actual participation.
Part of my conclusions in researching technologies and peering into the future is that jobs are going to be lost. This is becoming a fact that is agreed upon. Where dispute arises, however, is that, in the past, technology always replaced more jobs than it destroyed. Therefore, there is a wide segment of people who believe this time is no different.
I do maintain that it is different. Never before have we see the speed of technological advancement that we are witnessing. What use to take decades now happens in only a few years. There are areas that I was reading about only a few years ago and were thought to be a decade out (in prototype mode) only to find out they will be commercially available in a couple years. The pace of technology is speeding up.
This leads to the discussion of what a post-work society will look like. The most obvious point of discussion is how will people afford to live. If the research of entities such as Morgan Stanley and the World Economic Forum are correct, there are going to be tens of millions of jobs lost over the next decade. Of course, this instills a lot of fear into people. How are we going to afford to live?
To me, this is a senseless question. We already have our answer. Cryptocurrency is ushering the Age of Abundance. The Internet came into the world of money and it is going to start copying. That is what it does. My view of a tokenized world, one which I am already see forming with the likes of STEEM, Manna, Presearch, SIA, and Bitradio, handles, at a minimum, a part of the economic situation. People will have a basic income yet it will not be from any government. By the time those clowns get their act together, half the planet would have starved. Instead, people are going to be acquiring crypto on a monthly basis from many different sources.
Since the economic factor is taken care of, at least in part, what are people going to do with their time?
To answer this, I believe we need to look at the nature of "work" and change our definition of it. For the last 400+ years, we were stuck in the mindset that was created in the late 1600s. The "Protestant" work ethic is still talked about and admired in most of the west. Rarely is one looked down upon for spending too much time at the office. One who is willing to give it his/her all, doing whatever it takes to get to the top, that is admired. It matters none if the spouse is having an affair, the kids on drugs, or that person's health going to hell. Anyone who works hard is given respect.
Of late, a few people are stepping back and asking, what does this belief really cost us? There are a multitude of social issues which society has to now deal with that could be attributed to this belief system. We have medical costs that are out of control. Naturally, there are a ton of reasons for this and here is not the place to debate that mess. However, it is proven that excessive stress for prolonged periods has many negative effects on not only one's health, but the lives around that person. Alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, divorce, and depression are just a few of the outcomes from this. How much does this cost a country each year?
As I look over the last twenty years, I see that technology is making many things better. We are advancing as a global community in spite of what the mainstream news tells us. Nevertheless, there are still many problems we are confronted with.
My personal belief is we are seeing a major shift in mindset here on the STEEM blockchain. It is really amazing to me to see how quickly this is taking hold. As this place gets more populated, it appears this outlook is becoming the norm. People are genuinely taking an interest in others. I know for myself, I have this bubbling within me. Humanity is turning a corner if STEEM is any indication. So what is the reason for this?
Part of the answer, I am sure, lies in the fact that the system is set up in such a way that we need to give to get. One cannot profit on here without the upvotes of others. That is most likely not going to come if one is consistently selfish. In fact, I believe that it is very possible that selfish behavior ends up being ostracized. Since we have a financial interest that depends upon how we interact with others, it puts us on our best behavior. That is refreshing since, in the bankster run world, we see mankind's worst behavior usually on display.
That said, I believe their is another part to this equation for which I have no proof other than a theory. It is my belief that anyone on this blockchain right now and who is actively participating is going to be wealthy. Cryptocurrencies are going to create the greatest wealth humanity has ever seen. This is going to be spread to anyone who engages in tokens to any significant degree. To isolate it some, STEEM holders are really going to profit since this is, and will be, one of the leading blockchains. At present, we are 50K strong on a daily basis...just imagine what it will be like when there are 2M or 3M on here each day dedicating themselves.
I can look anyone in the eye and tell them I am going to be rich. I am not rich yet, at least according to western standards but with my holdings in crypto, I know it is only a matter of time. The same is true for many on here. STEEM is not their only token which means the gains that are coming in 2018 are going to be realized over many tokens.
It is amazing how much easier it is when that pressure is taken off. This is part of the reason I write the articles that I do. Someone who amasses 500 SP, in a few years, has the potential to be a millionaire. Get a couple thousand SP and it is almost assured. I really believe that; the question is do you?
With this mindset, it is a lot easier to be concerned about the plight of others. I keep building up my SP for a couple reasons. First, it is my investment back into the STEEM blockchain. Having people power up provides stability to this blockchain and the token. Also, a higher SP gives me a higher VP which creates more SP for myself AND others that I vote for. The later part is crucial. This is where the empowering circle comes into play on Steemit.
So what does it mean to "work"? If there are a lot fewer jobs due to automation, which is going to take place, what does society do?
We already have the mechanism in cryptocurrency. The blockchain is already creating outlets for people to earn themselves tokens which can provide the income. While many scoff at this notion since they are conditioned in the "a strong work ethic is to be admired" belief, I feel it is a large part of the answer to the questions people are starting to raise.
Therefore, it is time for us to eliminate "work" from our vocabulary. It is a stupid and useless term. There might have been a time when it was applicable but now it became a cancer. Work is what people now use for validation. Instead of finding that with family, religion/spirituality, community, or by communing with nature, we turn to what we do as a job for our worth. This is pure sickness.
A post-work society is moving humanity in the right direction because we need less work. Just like we need less of all illnesses.
So what do we need in its place? This is where the tenets forming on the STEEM blockchain enter the picture.
What we need is more CONTRIBUTION.
We see this in operation already here in Steemit. This website is racing up the rankings because there are tens of thousands of people on here contributing daily. There are also an untold number of people on the back end creating code that is improving every area of the blockchain. For some, the money aspect could be the root of their motivation. However, I surmise that, for many, it is something bigger. We all want STEEM to be a substantial part of millions of people lives. It has the potential to put a serious dent in the poverty many experience around the world. It also can take a great deal of the financial pressure off individuals who are in jeopardy of losing their profession or are nearing retirement without the adequate resources.
Work stresses people out; Contribution excites them.
The world has 7 billion people and there are probably 70 billion different areas that need people to contribute. We are all blessed with different talents and using them to contribute is what will really help the world to turn the corner. This idea is not possible in the scarcity run bankster world. In fact, it is not even desired. People behaving in a manner that is somewhat free is not in the elites best interest. I believe they encountered this post 60s hippy movement when much of the establishment was questioned. Therefore, they took control in the 80s and put that genie back in the bottle.
STEEM is a microcosm of the world we are going to erect. If it can become one of the top blockchains, we have a chance of implementing this in all areas of life. The mindset we are establishing on here is one based upon contribution and not fear. Work is fear-based. Studies consistently show that 90% of the people dislike their job and only show up because they have to. Tokens are going to give people a choice. People are going to be able to say "no" to those dead end, soul crushing jobs that actually contribute nothing.
We are seeing an entirely new system form with STEEM. This is the first token that I know of to have an effect on this scale. Average people can join and starting changing their lives. Also, the mindset of many quickly changes. I noticed this the last month or so since I am getting a lot of newer readers. Most of them appear to be embracing it. Suddenly, it strikes them that it isn't about them. Once they realize there is something bigger going on here, it is as if their entire demeanor changes (online at least). They suddenly start to see the optimistic possibilities for not only themselves, but the world at large. There is nothing better than seeing someone realize that the banksters are not an impenetrable force and that, truthfully, they are the weak hand when it comes to standing up to blockchain.
There are many people who are earning a living by what they do on here. I doubt any of them wake up in the morning saying they have to get to work by posting on Steemit. Instead, it is a passion for them. When one embraces the entirity of what is happen, it then becomes about the contribution.
And that is uplifting to the soul.
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