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THE REWARDS FOR GIVING
THE REWARDS FOR GIVING
--There are none. Give of yourself and your resources in reckless abandon. Join a potlatch community. i
By Jim Miller
The willingness and actions of giving freely to one's neighbors was so threatening to the established order in Canada, that the government banned the practice. ii It seems only the super rich can afford the pleasure in giving away parts of their vast fortunes, usually acquired on the backs of the impoverished workers (Carngie) and by gaining a dominant market share by force of economics and patents (Microsoft). The rich give “Charity Balls”. The Junior Rich join their Junior Leagues. Some older guys wear funny hats and ride in parades in small, funny cars and make a goodly display of their “giving”.
So long as the givers give in expectation of rewards, mostly psychological for the middle class and for tax credits for the rich, giving will suffer along with gaining material wealth. Would the givers give if there were no rewards? Would there be giving if the government accosted the givers as they did the Kwagu'l? The Bible story about the impoverished widow giving her last two coppers, merits re-telling over and over.
Remember Jerry's Kids – the 24 hour telethone bringing the rich and famous to center stage? Sure, millions of dollars were raised and did a great deal of good. How much more good would be done if every person gave his/her neighbor an hour of his/her time? Not out of guilt and solicitation of a “reward”, but only to know they have given of the time, talent or resources. The warm glow of “feel good” quickly evaporates, as it should. The point of the giving should be the health (mental and physical) of the recipient and the improvement of the recipient's state of living, or of one's village, community, city, state or nation. -- indeed, the Earth.
Let's take a journey to the Potlatch community and ask what other lessons does it have for us to learn:
We as humans have a capacity to learn when given a new situation. We can change, with some reluctance. Need we change in face of the coming global crises? We can and we must.
What of Spiral Dynamics?
We are in two spirals, both out of control. One spiral is the expondenital explosion of populatrion and the populations' rising aspirations for more consumption of finite materials. The other is the spiral of the depletion of those finite materials. Around 2030, these spirals become irreversable. We are in the Orange vMeme, moving toward the Green vMeme and headed toward the Yellow vMeme. vii We are faced with a series of domino crisis. Water, fuel, food, health, sanitation and fear. viii The “gift” of cheap oil will become the mill stone around our necks. The middle eastern oil countries are soon to become the political and economic masters of the Earth. Oil exporting countries in South America, will, for a while, be a second tier of masters. The United States economy will cave-in as it defaults on the massive international debt owed the rest of the world's mega economies and the OPEC countries.
Currancy melt-down
If you doubt the coming currency melt-down and the stagflation of the economy, watch this list of video clips: The Most IMPORTANT Video You'll Ever See (part 1 of 8): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY&feature=related
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb3JI8F9LQQ
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFyOw9IgtjY
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQd-VGYX3-E
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHuwgxrTKPo
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3y7UlHdhAU
Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyseLQVpJEI
Part 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoiiVnQadwE
--There are none. Give of yourself and your resources in reckless abandon. Join a potlatch community. i
By Jim Miller
Chief O’wax̱a̱laga̱lis of the Kwagu'ł describes the potlatch in his famous speech to anthropologist Franz Boas, "We will dance when our laws command us to dance, and we will feast when our hearts desire to feast. Do we ask the white man, 'Do as the Indian does?' It is a strict law that bids us dance. It is a strict law that bids us distribute our property among our friends and neighbors. It is a good law. Let the white man observe his law; we shall observe ours. And now, if you come to forbid us dance, be gone. If not, you will be welcome to us." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch
The willingness and actions of giving freely to one's neighbors was so threatening to the established order in Canada, that the government banned the practice. ii It seems only the super rich can afford the pleasure in giving away parts of their vast fortunes, usually acquired on the backs of the impoverished workers (Carngie) and by gaining a dominant market share by force of economics and patents (Microsoft). The rich give “Charity Balls”. The Junior Rich join their Junior Leagues. Some older guys wear funny hats and ride in parades in small, funny cars and make a goodly display of their “giving”.
So long as the givers give in expectation of rewards, mostly psychological for the middle class and for tax credits for the rich, giving will suffer along with gaining material wealth. Would the givers give if there were no rewards? Would there be giving if the government accosted the givers as they did the Kwagu'l? The Bible story about the impoverished widow giving her last two coppers, merits re-telling over and over.
Remember Jerry's Kids – the 24 hour telethone bringing the rich and famous to center stage? Sure, millions of dollars were raised and did a great deal of good. How much more good would be done if every person gave his/her neighbor an hour of his/her time? Not out of guilt and solicitation of a “reward”, but only to know they have given of the time, talent or resources. The warm glow of “feel good” quickly evaporates, as it should. The point of the giving should be the health (mental and physical) of the recipient and the improvement of the recipient's state of living, or of one's village, community, city, state or nation. -- indeed, the Earth.
Let's take a journey to the Potlatch community and ask what other lessons does it have for us to learn:
- For some cultures, like Kwakwaka'wakw, elaborate and theatrical dances are performed reflecting the hosts genealogy and cultural wealth they possess.
- What fear of Indian practices did the white man have to had to have practiced massive ethnic cleansing and genocide? iii
- We have had 250 years of industrial growth and we still have had millions of our fellow citizens in poverty. Conclusion: Industrial growth equals poverty.
- Should we not be focused on long-term poverty? We should be so focused.
- Why did some “white warriors” burn down Makah Indian longhouse? iv
- Could we possibily change from a “get” economy to a “give” economy? v Why is it better to give rather than receive? Does receiving imply a duty to return the favor – a barter deal?
- The Potlatch was banned in 1876 and the ban lifted n 1951 by the Canadian government. Now, Potlach given by some tribes, is a valuable tourist attraction. vi
- Passing along the knowledge of the past and Potlatch: More to be achieved. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_gYjQw9Bf4
- During our journey, will we be greated by the Great Killer Whale? The Eagle? The Gray Whale? What of the Salmon? Will we, in our journey, visit and honor our ancestors and their gifts of life to us? Tribal Journey: Celebrating our Ancestors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM8rHprFz8Y
- Did the Good Samaritan perform his act of kindness in expectation of a reward of equal value? Good Samaritan; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeyYYmFINm4
We as humans have a capacity to learn when given a new situation. We can change, with some reluctance. Need we change in face of the coming global crises? We can and we must.
What of Spiral Dynamics?
We are in two spirals, both out of control. One spiral is the expondenital explosion of populatrion and the populations' rising aspirations for more consumption of finite materials. The other is the spiral of the depletion of those finite materials. Around 2030, these spirals become irreversable. We are in the Orange vMeme, moving toward the Green vMeme and headed toward the Yellow vMeme. vii We are faced with a series of domino crisis. Water, fuel, food, health, sanitation and fear. viii The “gift” of cheap oil will become the mill stone around our necks. The middle eastern oil countries are soon to become the political and economic masters of the Earth. Oil exporting countries in South America, will, for a while, be a second tier of masters. The United States economy will cave-in as it defaults on the massive international debt owed the rest of the world's mega economies and the OPEC countries.
Currancy melt-down
If you doubt the coming currency melt-down and the stagflation of the economy, watch this list of video clips: The Most IMPORTANT Video You'll Ever See (part 1 of 8): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY&feature=related
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb3JI8F9LQQ
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFyOw9IgtjY
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQd-VGYX3-E
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHuwgxrTKPo
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3y7UlHdhAU
Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyseLQVpJEI
Part 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoiiVnQadwE
i
A potlatch[1][2][3] is a festival ceremony practiced by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast in North America, along Pacific Northwest coast of the United States and the Canadian province of British Columbia. This includes Haida, Nuxalk, Tlingit, Tsimshian[4], Nuu-chah-nulth,[5] Kwakwaka'wakw[6] and Coast Salish[7] cultures. The word comes from the Chinook Jargon, meaning "to give away" or "a gift". It is a vital part of indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest. It went through a history of rigorous ban by the Canadian government, and has been the study of many anthropologists.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch
A potlatch[1][2][3] is a festival ceremony practiced by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast in North America, along Pacific Northwest coast of the United States and the Canadian province of British Columbia. This includes Haida, Nuxalk, Tlingit, Tsimshian[4], Nuu-chah-nulth,[5] Kwakwaka'wakw[6] and Coast Salish[7] cultures. The word comes from the Chinook Jargon, meaning "to give away" or "a gift". It is a vital part of indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest. It went through a history of rigorous ban by the Canadian government, and has been the study of many anthropologists.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potlatch
ii
Potlatch ban
Potlatching was made illegal in Canada in 1885[9] and the United States in the late nineteenth century, largely at the urging of missionaries and government agents who considered it "a worse than useless custom"[citation needed] that was seen as wasteful, unproductive which was not part of "civilized" values.[10] The potlatch was seen as a key target in assimilation policies and agendas. Missionary William Duncan wrote in 1875 that the potlatch was “by far the most formidable of all obstacles in the way of Indians becoming Christians, or even civilized.”[11] Thus in 1885, the Indian Act was revised to include clauses banning the potlatch and making it illegal to practice. The official legislation read, “Every Indian or other person who engages in or assists in celebrating the Indian festival known as the "Potlatch" or the Indian dance known as the "Tamanawas" is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not more than six nor less than two months in a jail or other place of confinement; and, any Indian or other person who encourages, either directly or indirectly an Indian or Indians to get up such a festival or dance, or to celebrate the same, or who shall assist in the celebration of same is guilty of a like offence, and shall be liable to the same punishment.” Eventually it became amended to be more inclusive as earlier discharged on technicalities. Legislation was then expanded to include guest who participated in the ceremony. The indigenous people were too large to police, and enforce. Duncan Campbell Scott convinced Parliament to change the offense from criminal to summary, which meant ‘the agents, as justice of the peace, could try a case, convict, and sentence.”[12]
Potlatch ban
Potlatching was made illegal in Canada in 1885[9] and the United States in the late nineteenth century, largely at the urging of missionaries and government agents who considered it "a worse than useless custom"[citation needed] that was seen as wasteful, unproductive which was not part of "civilized" values.[10] The potlatch was seen as a key target in assimilation policies and agendas. Missionary William Duncan wrote in 1875 that the potlatch was “by far the most formidable of all obstacles in the way of Indians becoming Christians, or even civilized.”[11] Thus in 1885, the Indian Act was revised to include clauses banning the potlatch and making it illegal to practice. The official legislation read, “Every Indian or other person who engages in or assists in celebrating the Indian festival known as the "Potlatch" or the Indian dance known as the "Tamanawas" is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not more than six nor less than two months in a jail or other place of confinement; and, any Indian or other person who encourages, either directly or indirectly an Indian or Indians to get up such a festival or dance, or to celebrate the same, or who shall assist in the celebration of same is guilty of a like offence, and shall be liable to the same punishment.” Eventually it became amended to be more inclusive as earlier discharged on technicalities. Legislation was then expanded to include guest who participated in the ceremony. The indigenous people were too large to police, and enforce. Duncan Campbell Scott convinced Parliament to change the offense from criminal to summary, which meant ‘the agents, as justice of the peace, could try a case, convict, and sentence.”[12]
iii
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries Native Americans were subjected to many types of assimilationist programs. The colonizing and ever expanding European population of “Americans” believed that the Indian interest would be best served if the native people could be “civilized” and dissuaded from their “paganism”. In order to achieve these ends, the U.S. government and other white agencies developed boarding schools and banned many Native American traditional practices including the Sun Dance and the potlatch, labeling them “barbaric” and “heathen”. Ironically the United States constitution itself was modeled after Iroquois leadership practices, most Indian tribes did not participate in any type of death penalty or brutal discipline measures, and Indians bathed daily unlike the “Americans” of that day. In addition ceremonies like the potlatch, which promoted the moral practice of wealth gained through generosity, and the Sun Dance, which was an ultimate expression of discipline and desire for purity, were labeled “barbarian” by a culture that practiced a form of genocide against Indian people, equal in scale to the Holocaust, in pursuit of material wealth through oppression. http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/IndianEd/Lessons/ForcedAssimilation.pdf
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries Native Americans were subjected to many types of assimilationist programs. The colonizing and ever expanding European population of “Americans” believed that the Indian interest would be best served if the native people could be “civilized” and dissuaded from their “paganism”. In order to achieve these ends, the U.S. government and other white agencies developed boarding schools and banned many Native American traditional practices including the Sun Dance and the potlatch, labeling them “barbaric” and “heathen”. Ironically the United States constitution itself was modeled after Iroquois leadership practices, most Indian tribes did not participate in any type of death penalty or brutal discipline measures, and Indians bathed daily unlike the “Americans” of that day. In addition ceremonies like the potlatch, which promoted the moral practice of wealth gained through generosity, and the Sun Dance, which was an ultimate expression of discipline and desire for purity, were labeled “barbarian” by a culture that practiced a form of genocide against Indian people, equal in scale to the Holocaust, in pursuit of material wealth through oppression. http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/IndianEd/Lessons/ForcedAssimilation.pdf
iv
The potlach is a cultural event that the white world cound not understand and thus for many years it was outlawed. I once was in a car with traditionist who showed me an area where 9 longhouses had been burned to the ground by racist whites (almost all of the longhouses of the northwest were burned down) and the way he explained the potlach was that they were ceramonies in which those that were putting it on gave back to the community. Unlike most things in the eurocentic world which is about taking, the potlach is about sharing. What an "uncivilized" idea that must be to the eurocentic world! http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/pipermail/nat_issues/1999-June/002989.html
The potlach is a cultural event that the white world cound not understand and thus for many years it was outlawed. I once was in a car with traditionist who showed me an area where 9 longhouses had been burned to the ground by racist whites (almost all of the longhouses of the northwest were burned down) and the way he explained the potlach was that they were ceramonies in which those that were putting it on gave back to the community. Unlike most things in the eurocentic world which is about taking, the potlach is about sharing. What an "uncivilized" idea that must be to the eurocentic world! http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/pipermail/nat_issues/1999-June/002989.html
v
Anarcho-Communism uses a gift economy, as there is no money or market. Products are given away and freely distributed. Gift economies can co-exist with planned economies, market economies and barter economies. http://www.thebestlinks.com/Gift_economy.html
Anarcho-Communism uses a gift economy, as there is no money or market. Products are given away and freely distributed. Gift economies can co-exist with planned economies, market economies and barter economies. http://www.thebestlinks.com/Gift_economy.html
vi
Chief Seattle Days Suquamish, Port Madison Reservation
This historic celebration takes place on the third weekend in August, and includes traditional dancing, canoe races, Native foods and artwork, and a ceremony honoring Chief Seattle. www.suquamish.nsn.us
Chief Seattle Days Suquamish, Port Madison Reservation
This historic celebration takes place on the third weekend in August, and includes traditional dancing, canoe races, Native foods and artwork, and a ceremony honoring Chief Seattle. www.suquamish.nsn.us
vii
5. Orange: Entrepreneurial Personal success orientation, each person rationally
calculating what is to their personal advantage. Motivations are largely economic, people are responsive to perks, bonuses, money rather than loyalty, group belongingness, or life employment. Rational capacities allow people to test many options. Competition improves productivity and fosters growth. This is probably the dominant vMeme in America today. Main concerns are autonomy and manipulation of the environment. Usually results in free market economy and multi-party democracy. (Ayn Rand, Wall Street, Rodeo Drive, cosmetics industry, Dallas, trophy hunting, Hong Kong, GQ, Mediterranean yachts, 30% of world population, 50% of power)
6. Green: Communitarian Sensitive and humanistic, the focus with green is community and personal growth, equality, attention to environmental concerns. Work is motivated by human contact and contribution, learning from others. Being liked is more important than competitive advantage, value openness and trust, fear rejection and disapproval. Leaders become facilitators, less autocratic. Hierarchies blur in the move towards egalitarianism with a resulting tendency towards inefficiency and stagnation. Can become so bogged down and ineffectual, thou! gh, that people revert to go-getter individualism of orange. (Rogerian counseling, Esalen, GreenPeace, Jacques Costeau, Jimmy Carter, John Lennon's music, Doctors without Borders, ACLU, Ben & Jerry's, animal rights, deep ecology, 10% of population, 15% of power) --------------------------------------------------------
7. Yellow: Systemic This is the first vMeme of the second tier (described below) in which there is a quantum shift in the capacity to take multiple perspectives in life. YELLOW is motivated by learning for its own sake and is oriented towards integration of complex systems. Change is a welcome part of the process in organizations and life; YELLOW likes the challenges. It is characterized by systems thinking, an orientation to how parts interact to create a greater whole. Unique talents and dispositions are honored as contributing something valuable to the whole. YELLOW likes engineering complex systems and dealing with ideas. It is also ecologically oriented, but in a more subdued, behind the scenes way. YELLOW thinkers often work on the periphery of organizations, quietly fine-tuning situations and procedures, much to the bafflement of the first tier vMemes. (Hawking's Brief History of Time, chaos theory, eco-industrial parks, Wired magazine, 1% of world population, 5% of power) Summary of Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck and Christopher Cowan
by Steve Dinan, Esalen Institute
5. Orange: Entrepreneurial Personal success orientation, each person rationally
calculating what is to their personal advantage. Motivations are largely economic, people are responsive to perks, bonuses, money rather than loyalty, group belongingness, or life employment. Rational capacities allow people to test many options. Competition improves productivity and fosters growth. This is probably the dominant vMeme in America today. Main concerns are autonomy and manipulation of the environment. Usually results in free market economy and multi-party democracy. (Ayn Rand, Wall Street, Rodeo Drive, cosmetics industry, Dallas, trophy hunting, Hong Kong, GQ, Mediterranean yachts, 30% of world population, 50% of power)
6. Green: Communitarian Sensitive and humanistic, the focus with green is community and personal growth, equality, attention to environmental concerns. Work is motivated by human contact and contribution, learning from others. Being liked is more important than competitive advantage, value openness and trust, fear rejection and disapproval. Leaders become facilitators, less autocratic. Hierarchies blur in the move towards egalitarianism with a resulting tendency towards inefficiency and stagnation. Can become so bogged down and ineffectual, thou! gh, that people revert to go-getter individualism of orange. (Rogerian counseling, Esalen, GreenPeace, Jacques Costeau, Jimmy Carter, John Lennon's music, Doctors without Borders, ACLU, Ben & Jerry's, animal rights, deep ecology, 10% of population, 15% of power) --------------------------------------------------------
7. Yellow: Systemic This is the first vMeme of the second tier (described below) in which there is a quantum shift in the capacity to take multiple perspectives in life. YELLOW is motivated by learning for its own sake and is oriented towards integration of complex systems. Change is a welcome part of the process in organizations and life; YELLOW likes the challenges. It is characterized by systems thinking, an orientation to how parts interact to create a greater whole. Unique talents and dispositions are honored as contributing something valuable to the whole. YELLOW likes engineering complex systems and dealing with ideas. It is also ecologically oriented, but in a more subdued, behind the scenes way. YELLOW thinkers often work on the periphery of organizations, quietly fine-tuning situations and procedures, much to the bafflement of the first tier vMemes. (Hawking's Brief History of Time, chaos theory, eco-industrial parks, Wired magazine, 1% of world population, 5% of power) Summary of Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck and Christopher Cowan
by Steve Dinan, Esalen Institute
viii
The Middle East, & The Impending Oil Crisis; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nyMZ2jIcmQ
Peak Oil Economic Crisis; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjTP_Fco-oY&feature=related
"Pondering our Post-Petroleum Future" with Michael Ruppert; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRo5jdWQPDI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n3g5lUgkWk
The Middle East, & The Impending Oil Crisis; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nyMZ2jIcmQ
Peak Oil Economic Crisis; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjTP_Fco-oY&feature=related
"Pondering our Post-Petroleum Future" with Michael Ruppert; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRo5jdWQPDI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n3g5lUgkWk
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