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Los Angeles Futures
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 Los Angeles Futures2002-03-12 04:16
6 comments
pictureby Flemming Funch

Here is a great little online book from some people I really respect. It is by Paul Glover, who's the inventor and champion of "Ithaca Hours", the alternative local currency system in Ithaca, New York, and it is illustrated mostly by Thomas Slagle, whose work I've really enjoyed in the past. He does large paintings of scenes from alternative futures for Los Angeles. Anyway, the book/website is a detailed vision about a different, much more sustainable, future metropolis.


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6 comments

12 Mar 2002 @ 10:16 by magical_melody : Balance between the Currency Worlds
I took a quick peek at the site and will be taking some time to review more of it later. I have done little research on the topic, yet have heard about various cities utilizing their own money systems. First one I heard about was in Kentucky. The topic brings up lots of questions and concerns for me, and I would be interested in the opportunity to dialogue with others regarding some of those questions, as I know I am not alone here. Where to do this? My experience of bartering services over the years has been positive, yet have needed to set a boundary on it-in keeping with maintaining a sufficient balance of time/energy/resources for generating the green notes that pays the rent, bills and such. Until we have a system more fully in place that better serves us all and redistributes the wealth of our community, must attend to the immediate too. As an adjunct to the current system, I see many benefits!! Blessings, Alana  

12 Mar 2002 @ 13:18 by ming : Alternative Currencies
Yes, there are a lot of issues. Most of the systems have settled down on calling themselves "Complementary Currencies", as they usually don't completely do away with the need for regular money, they're just an additional way. Take a look at {link:http://www.transaction.net|transaction.net} run by Bernard Lietaer, which gives a good overview of different systems. Personally I actually don't like the time-dollar system, like Ithaca, very much, because there easily gets to be a scarcity of currency. Take a look at my friend {member:sergiolub|Sergio Lub}'s {link:http://www.favors.org|Friendly Favors} system. Otherwise, good people who are around who're authorities on complemtary currencies are Michael Linton, who basically invented the {link:http://www.gmlets.u-net.com/|LETS system}, or {link:http://www.cesc.net/radicalconsultation/tomgreco.html|Tom Greco}. They're all very approachable people.  

18 Mar 2002 @ 13:07 by jewel : this really turns me on!
I am looking over this site... makes me want to come back to LA... in about 50 years!  

19 Mar 2002 @ 02:17 by ming : We'll get busy
... and try to have it done before you come by next time. Btw, Thomas was exhibiting his paintings once in our office in Venice, as far as I remember. Very inspiring stuff.  

19 Dec 2014 @ 18:24 by Evertton @23.92.65.62 : PFrtVhXMZeEkcCEZDfD
We have started the zone! I have pitecrus and would love to send them to you! The children are engaged and so very excited about their new playground. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful ideas and inspiration.  

23 Dec 2014 @ 12:37 by Leticia @117.169.1.38 : ylBgaCOIQCUuc
I’m guessing the game plan here is to make Republican ptseidenrial candidates, and by extension all Republicans, look like idiots. I think you give the media too much credit. The game plan is to sell ads by getting viewers/readers, and the easiest way is to appeal to the lowest common denominator of public discourse. It's the titillation of controversy. The distinction is not so subtle there is no liberal game plan, it's just mass hysteria.  

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