Friday 09. of January 2009

 

The beauty of working on this project is all of the suggestions and leads on pertinent concepts, movements or individuals. I’d not looked into Jacque Fresco’s work until a friend, snowboarder Wolle Nyvelt, sent me a couple of links and suggested looking into his work.

In one word... WOW!

Here is how Wikipedia references him:

“The Venus Project was started around 1975 by Jacque Fresco and Roxanne Meadows of Venus, Florida, USA. It was founded on the idea that poverty is caused by the stifling of progress in technology, which itself is caused by the present world's profit-driven economic system. The progression of technology, if it were carried on independent of its profitability, Fresco theorizes, would make more resources available to more people. This new-found abundance of resources would reduce the human tendency toward independence, corruption, and greed, and instead make people more likely to help each other. Fundamental to the project is the elimination of the current money economy in favor of what Fresco calls a resource-based economy.

Jacque Fresco is a self-described futurist and "social designer," with no formal university education. Roxanne Meadows is a former portrait artist. According to a 2008 interview with Fresco and Meadows, Fresco's lack of credentials has made it difficult for him to gain influence in academic circles. He adds that when universities do invite him to speak, they often don't give him enough time to explain his views."

The Venus Project was incorporated in 1995. The Project also has a non-profit "sector", called Future By Design.”

He presents a powerfully different perspective on social design. To get a taste of what he is all about, check out this 9 minute clip on Future Design or go to The Venus Project for a comprehensive look at his work.

There is an enormous amount about Jacque and his work online. Check it out.