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    The 'democracy problem' posts

    Where’s the problem – politics, economy or population?

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 22-Aug-2021 | 5

    Below are some things that I believe, some that I don’t believe and some that I know. Do you believe similar things? If so, stay in touch. Alternatives are being built – change is coming. Nothing stays the same forever. Read more

    Our response to: “why don’t you start a political party?”

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 08-Aug-2021 | 15

    There’s a question we often hear: “why don’t you start a political party?” Sometimes this is genuine, and enthusiastic, but often it’s snarky, as in: “why don’t you stop sniping on the sidelines and put your ideas to the masses, who can vote for you if they like them? Then you can implement your proposals.… Continue reading Our response to: “why don’t you start a political party?” Read more

    ‘Mutualism’ will supersede traditional left vs right politics

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 23-May-2021 | 0

    Nature, democracy and community aren’t partisan issues. No-one sensible, of any political persuasion, speaks out against them. They’re essential for human well-being. But they’re being destroyed, and disunity wastes energy and prevents us from being able to do anything about it. Read more

    The Future of Money (Part 1): with Brett Scott

    Today I’m talking with Brett Scott, author and specialist in the money system. Here’s his excellent YouTube channel, and I’ll add links to other things we talk about as well. Read more

    I’ve got a book deal. I’d like to ask for your advice about how to deliver the message.

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 22-Nov-2020 | 59

    I’ve got a book deal with Chelsea Green, which is quite scary. They like my writing style, but the content needs a bit of translating for a wide audience. The Covid pandemic provided the stimulus to bring together a group of specialists to form ‘Mutual Credit Services’ (new website coming soon). My role is in… Continue reading I’ve got a book deal. I’d like to ask for your advice about how to deliver the message. Read more

    WWF shocking report on wildlife, and why the response will be inadequate

    Brian Czech of CASSE | 20-Sep-2020 | 0

    It’s been a while since wildlife—not just a species here or there but wildlife at large—has been front and center in the news. Usually the biggest environmental news pertains to climate change at the global level, or local pollution problems such as lead in the water pipes. “Biodiversity” gained traction as an issue in the… Continue reading WWF shocking report on wildlife, and why the response will be inadequate Read more

    My tribute to David Graeber: please read his words

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 06-Sep-2020 | 2

    Maybe David Graeber’s death can challenge us to take a few minutes to think about the demonisation of the word anarchism. I believe that the two fundamental assumptions of anarchism are correct – that: Read more

    Beware the ‘Great Reset’: a power grab by billionaires

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 02-Aug-2020 | 19

    The world is run by and for billionaires. If you’d prefer it to be run democratically, for all of us, then don’t be fooled by the ‘Great Reset’ – a request by the corporate and financial sectors for governments to give them taxpayers’ money to take more control. Read more

    Water For Rojava international solidarity fund

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 03-Jun-2020 | 0

    Dave Darby shares news of a crowdfunding campaign launched by the Solidarity Economy Association to rebuild vital water infrastructure in North and East Syria. Read more

    Chris Cook’s tour of the oil markets: from Nixon to Trump

    Chris Cook of Island Power | 31-May-2020 | 4

    Today I’m talking with Chris Cook, who designed and built the Iranian Oil Bourse (see Wikipedia for a timeline of the events Chris describes), which could help move the world away from the petrodollar. We’ll be talking more about that later. Read more

    Post-corona: ‘getting back to normal’ is suicidal – here’s the alternative

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 19-Apr-2020 | 15

    “For those who dream of a return to “normalcy”: normalcy was standing on the tracks watching an oncoming train & arguing about how fast it was going. Something just banged into us & sent us sprawling. It hurt. A lot. Now let’s get up, but NOT get back on the tracks again.” – David Graeber Read more

    What’s wrong with billionaires?

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 15-Mar-2020 | 24

    I came across a clip recently (see below) of a radio host filled with incredulity that someone might actually believe that the existence of billionaires is a bad thing. Surely any antipathy towards the super-wealthy must be based on envy or ideology? Don’t they create jobs? Aren’t they philanthropic? Don’t they pay a lot of… Continue reading What’s wrong with billionaires? Read more

    Disillusioned with the parliamentary route to a better society? Here’s an alternative.

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 26-Jan-2020 | 8

    Before the election in December, I had a ‘lively debate’ with a friend – an old-school Labour supporter and Corbynite – who was trying to convince me that the only way that we can have an effective social safety net is by voting in a genuinely redistributive party, taxing the rich properly and spreading wealth… Continue reading Disillusioned with the parliamentary route to a better society? Here’s an alternative. Read more

    What I’ve discovered about the money system and how the world is run, since working with the Open Credit Network

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 22-Dec-2019 | 0

    In the summer of 2018 I went along to Open2018 to see Matthew Slater talk about how we might shake up the money system with a global Credit Commons. After his presentation, Matthew and I met with Oliver Sylvester-Bradley of the Open Co-op, who organised the event, and decided to build a mutual credit network… Continue reading What I’ve discovered about the money system and how the world is run, since working with the Open Credit Network Read more

    26 questions from a 10-year-old to his parents about the election

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 10-Dec-2019 | 6

    At a dinner party on Saturday evening, I had a discussion about a) the efficacy of elections for bringing about meaningful change, and b) the desirability of the quest for perpetual economic growth (I didn’t feel positively about either of those things). Our hosts’ 10-year-old son was listening carefully, after which he expressed his intention… Continue reading 26 questions from a 10-year-old to his parents about the election Read more

    Can elections really change anything?

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 17-Nov-2019 | 21

    Can elections really change anything? Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org shares his views on the question in the run-up to the general election. Read more

    How the REA / Value Flows model can change the world: Lynn Foster of Mikorizal (Part 2)

    Lynn Foster of Mikorizal | 10-Nov-2019 | 0

    Here’s the second part of our interview with Lynn Foster of Mikorizal and the Value Flows model. Part 1 is here. Read more

    Understanding the REA / Value Flows model: Lynn Foster of Mikorizal (Part 1)

    Lynn Foster of Mikorizal | 27-Oct-2019 | 3

    Today Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org / NonCorporate.org is talking with Lynn Foster of Mikorizal and the Value Flows model. We’ve heard some very good things about her work, together with her partner, Bob Haugen. Read more

    The elephant in the room is capitalism. Maybe.

    Chris Smaje of Vallis Veg | 18-Aug-2019 | 5

    Chris Smaje of Vallis Veg and Small Farm Future shares his thoughts as to why the elephant in the room is capitalism. Maybe. It’s over to Chris from here… Read more

    What’s the difference between capitalism and a free market?

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 04-Aug-2019 | 8

    People usually conflate the two, but I want to try to persuade (mainly the right) that capitalism is nothing like a free market, and (mainly the left) that there’s nothing wrong with a truly free market. Read more

    There’s a crash coming – a slap from Mother Nature. This isn’t pessimistic; it’s realistic.

    The human impact on nature and on each other is accelerating and needs systemic change to reverse.

    We’re not advocating poverty, or a hair-shirt existence. We advocate changes that will mean better lives for almost everyone.

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