Creating a Vision for a Better Tomorrow: Confronting Inequality
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In the span of just one day, over 45,000 individuals, including 38,000 children, have succumbed to starvation, as noted in Thom Hartmann's "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight."
As the sun sets, I find myself seated on a large rock alongside my two daughters, enveloped by the breathtaking forces of nature that foster life.
Five years of hard work culminated in our acquisition of a unique mountain home—something I once thought was unattainable. It provides an ideal setting for my daughters and me, offering tranquility and stunning views.
Surrounded by nature, I see oak trees, ancient forests, and a vibrant ecosystem of microorganisms, mushrooms, and wildlife. The sight of my daughters contemplating the beauty around them fills me with peace.
Their hair sways gently in the warm southern breeze, a moment I will cherish forever.
As the sun begins to disappear, my youngest daughter speaks up:
"Dad, there are so many kids worldwide who don’t have what we do, right? We’re fortunate to live here and have you to guide us. Thank you, Dad. I love you.”
The Abundance of Resources Amidst a Shortage of Effort
By the year 2000, I completed my first book and embarked on another project—a narrative centered around an apocalyptic scenario where a strange event leaves only a handful of survivors desperate for answers.
This story reflects on global warming and climate change, illustrating how survivors must revert to ancient methods of living due to the absence of modern conveniences like energy and the internet.
Imagine a world devoid of energy and its far-reaching implications for our lives.
Inspired by impactful literature, I set a goal to finish this book by 2022.
As I was engrossed in Thom's work, I found myself grappling with the harsh realities of human actions against our planet. Each day, we witness environmental destruction and loss of life at alarming rates.
After concluding "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight," I was motivated to pen my second book, envisioning a world stripped of our everyday comforts.
This marked the beginning of my new journey.
I aspired to adopt a different mindset, contributing positively to our planet's stewardship.
I envisioned acquiring land to plant trees, inspired by Ernst Gotsch in Brazil at Fazenda Da Toca.
Just a year ago, I realized that dream, purchasing a lovely two-acre farm filled with oak trees and abundant water. From day one, I began planting trees, vegetables, and other flora.
My thoughts turned to generating income to acquire more land swiftly—for the purpose of planting more trees.
Inequality as a Reality, Equality as a Value
The world’s wealthiest individuals possess an astonishingly disproportionate share of global wealth, as outlined by inequality.com.
For decades, inequality has escalated globally, even as some nations strive to alleviate extreme poverty. Yet, the wealth gap continues to widen, with the richest becoming richer. The United States exhibits the most pronounced inequality among industrial nations.
According to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report, the wealthiest 1%—those with over $1 million—possess 44% of the world's wealth. Meanwhile, 56.6% of the global population holds less than 2%.
Individuals with assets exceeding $100,000 comprise less than 11% of the global populace but own 82.8% of global wealth.
The International Monetary Fund reports that the ten wealthiest billionaires collectively own $801 billion—more than the annual output of many countries.
These figures starkly reflect our world's reality and humanity's condition.
Ray Dalio, in an insightful interview, discusses the forces shaping our world:
- The long-term debt cycle and monetary policies;
- The widening wealth gap and the rise of conflicts;
- The emergence of China as a challenge to existing powers like the USA.
Dalio has studied the historical rise and fall of reserve currencies, including those of the Dutch and British empires, and now, the American empire.
The Federal Reserve's relentless money printing weakens the dollar, the world’s primary currency.
Central banks strive to regulate currencies, while Bitcoin's rise as a hard asset brings forth questions about the future of financial exchanges.
Christine Lagarde noted the fintech revolution's potential to redefine money and the state's role in its provision, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptation.
As I contemplate the issue of inequality on my farm with my daughters, I can’t shake off my daughter's poignant question.
Will digital currencies help bridge the gap? Can they grant access to the two-thirds of the population still marginalized?
Lagarde suggests the possibility of state-issued digital currencies that align with public policy goals, enhancing financial inclusion and consumer protection.
I remain optimistic.
I share this hope with my daughters, encouraging them to champion the fight against inequality, believing that change is achievable.
Hope is a powerful motivator, enabling them to confront the world's most significant challenge: inequality.
Elon Musk and Bitcoin: Agents of Change
Elon Musk has been vocal about the urgent need to combat climate change. His various initiatives in sustainable energy—electric vehicles, solar power, and energy storage—demonstrate his commitment.
I genuinely hope Tesla leads us toward a sustainable future. The most thrilling aspect of these transformative technologies is their deflationary nature.
Innovations like self-driving cars and energy storage typically decrease in cost over time. For example, a personal computer bought today will likely cost 10-25% less a year later.
Jeff Booth, in "The Price of Tomorrow," argues that our economic systems were designed for a bygone era, reliant on growth and inflation, and not suited for a technology-driven world where costs continually decline.
For the past millennium, ordinary people have lacked a store of value independent of the powerful.
Until now.
Bitcoin represents the first monetary network functioning as a synthetic safe-haven asset, akin to gold, yet anchored in a vast network.
Satoshi Nakamoto’s vision for cryptocurrencies allows capitalism to thrive unimpeded.
Technology promises to reduce our workload, perpetually lower prices, and free up our time, rather than confining us to a lifetime of labor for financial security in old age.
We've allowed a crippling debt cycle to take root, but the end may be near.
Embracing a deflationary world could diminish inequality, creating a level playing field and offering a new chance for developing nations.
Universal access to cryptocurrency could reduce the influence of central banks and large institutions, leading to greater freedom.
Final Reflections
As the sun sets, my daughters and I sit on our rock, absorbing the overwhelming beauty of nature.
They experience the freedoms afforded by modern society, and as a father, that brings me joy.
However, my youngest daughter's question reminds me of the polluted and unequal world we inhabit, highlighting the urgent need for change.
As John Maynard Keynes remarked, the ideas of economists and political thinkers shape the world more than we often recognize.
I remain committed to planting more trees with my own hands.
I will instill these values in my daughters, who are destined to be the stewards of our planet.
I’m planting today for tomorrow's harvest.
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