protecting the environment.

Although many of us consider ourselves forward-thinking, we are still programmed by the values of the historically-derived monetary system. This system developed centuries ago during times of scarcity. Most of us unconsciously accept this system which permits and even encourages social inequities, planned obsolescence, waste, shortages, human exploitation, crimes, neglect of the environment, extreme social stratification, and outrageous military expenditures. It uses outworn methods of problem solving like enacting laws and signing international treaties, but doesn’t address underlying causes. These methods are bound to fail. Our problems cannot be solved inside the framework of the present political and monetary establishments which are what caused them in the first place.

Attempting solutions to social problems from within our present society will only result in temporary patchwork, which will prolong an obsolete and detrimental system.

Technology races forward while our social designs remain static. The Earth has abundant and plentiful resources. We have the means to produce goods and services in abundance for everyone. Rationing resources through monetary control is no longer relevant, but actually is counter-productive to survival in a technological age.

Many think higher ethical standards, along with international laws and treaties, will assure a sustainable global society. But if the most ethical people in the world were elected to political office, absent sufficient resources, we would still have many of the same problems we have today. What is needed is the intelligent management of Earth’s resources. But as long as a few nations, or small subsets of those nations, control most of the world’s resources and the bottom line is profit, the same cycle will continue.

Human behavior is subject to the same laws that govern other phenomena. Customs, behaviors, and values are products of culture. No one is born with greed, prejudice, bigotry, and hatred - they are learned. If the environment remains unaltered, such traits will continue to recur.

There may not be enough money for the required changes, but there are more than enough resources. This is why The Venus Project seeks to transition from a money-based economy to a resource-based global economy.

Simply stated, a resource-based economy focuses directly on existing resources rather than on the money which stands for, or symbolizes such resources. It entails an equitable and efficient distribution of these resources to the entire population. It is a system in which goods and services are available without using money, credit, barter, debt or servitude of any kind. In an economy based on resources rather than money, we could produce all of the necessities of life with a high standard of living for all.

Social systems, regardless of political philosophy, religious beliefs, or social customs, ultimately depend upon natural resources, i.e., clean air and water, arable land, and the technology and personnel necessary to maintain their standard of living.

In a resource-based economy, resources would be owned in common by all people, thus outgrowing the artificial boundaries that separate people - this is the unifying imperative.

If all the money in the world disappeared, so long as topsoil, factories, and other resources remained, we could build anything we chose and fulfill any human need. It is not money people need, but access to their necessities, without having to go through a government bureaucracy or any other agency for it.

When education and resources are available to all without a price tag, there is no limit to human potential. Success would be measured by the fulfillment of useful individual pursuits rather than by wealth, property, and power.

To accomplish the above, a first step would be to survey human and planetary resources in order to get a database for analyzing how to humanize social and technological development. This can be accomplished with today’s fast high capacity computers that can inventory what we have, what the earth can supply, and how we can humanely manage environmental and human affairs.

The first objective is to eliminate scarcity. When things are scarce, money can be used to control their distribution. One cannot, for example, sell air or water unless it is scarce. A resource-based economy uses technology to eliminate scarcity with clean renewable energy, using computerized automated manufacturing and inventory.

It designs safe cities, advanced transportation systems, and industrial plants that are energy-efficient, clean, and which provide the needs of people both materially and spiritually. They would operate as coherent integrated global system.

A resource-based economy would provide universal health care and education. It would generate new incentives based on human and environmental concerns.

Many believe there is too much technology already and that technology is a major cause of environmental problems. This is not the case. It is the abuse and misuse of technology that is the problem. In a more humane civilization, machines would not displace people but instead, they would shorten the workday, increase the availability of goods and services, and lengthen vacation time. Enormous amounts of time and energy would be saved by eliminating professions endemic to the monetary system such as lawyers, accountants, bankers, insurance brokers, advertising, sales personnel, and stockbrokers. Instead of hundreds of manufacturing plants with paperwork and personnel turning out similar products, very few of the highest quality would serve the entire population and planned obsolescence would not exist.

Our current system will only get worse if the major causes of our problems are not dealt with. While this project is in its early stages, no other organization has laid out what changes are necessary and how to bring them about. Until people totally realize what is needed, they will repeat the same mistakes--war, economic disruption, hunger, poverty, and the rest.

The first phase of The Venus Project's long-term plan is already underway. Jacque Fresco--futurist, inventor, industrial designer, and founder of The Venus Project http://www.thevenusproject.com/vp_jac/resume.htm --and associate Roxanne Meadows, designer, technical illustrator and architectural model maker, have constructed a 22-acre research center http://www.thevenusproject.com/research_dev.htm with 9 buildings in Venus, Florida to help present The Venus Project. Documentaries, books, DVD’s, pamphlets, blueprints, animations, renderings, models, websites, and much more have been created to raise awareness about the project and its many proposals.

Like other innovative projects, it starts with a few devoted people who volunteer their time informing others about the humane benefits of this new direction.

Through this, The Venus Project receives thousands of letters from those wanting to help in any way they can to spread the aims and direction of this new social advocacy.

A children's book about The Venus Project written by award winning children's author, Pat McCord has just been completed. The head animator of Star Trek now at Battleship Galactica, Doug Drexler, is working with The Venus Project to develop a series about our direction and show how it may be implemented. The Emmy award-winning documentary film maker, William Gazecki, made a major documentary film about Jacque Fresco and The Venus Project because he feels that exposure of this direction is mandatory for a positive future. www.FBDthemovie.com It won best documentary at the Australian International Film Festival and Winner/Special Mention at the Indian World Peace and Music Festival. There is interest in China to build a Fresco designed city initiated by Stanley Stephen Huntsman, Executive Vice President, World Capital Market, Global Merchant Banking Group of Beijing, Shanghai, New York, Los Angeles, Israel, Thailand, & Tokyo.

Jacque Fresco has been invited to present these ideas all over the world. Mr. Fresco’s articles are featured in numerous books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and websites. Jacque speaks in universities and on TV, documentaries, and radio shows throughout the world. He has been featured on Discovery Channel’s 2 hour special Engineering the Impossible. We constantly hear from teachers and students who present The Venus Project to their classes, and in their writings and publications.

Phase Two involves the production of a full-length feature film depicting how a world embracing the proposals of The Venus Project would work. It would present the limitless possibilities of an evolving society which surpasses politics, poverty, money, and war. This film is designed to be both entertaining and educational. It will present simply and understandably the advantages to all nations of participating in a resource-based economy.

Phase Three aims to test these designs and proposals. The Venus Project is working to put its ideals into practice by constructing an experimental research city. Blueprints for many of the technologies and buildings have begun. Fund-raising efforts to support the construction of the first experimental city are currently under way. It would demonstrate the aims and goals of The Venus Project which can be seen on our website: www.TheVenusProject.com