to accept the 'intellectual no-no': accepting that humankind can actually progress away from private ownership & control (which is literally killing us) and at least CONSIDER the alternative might just (now) work: cooperation, grassroots decision-making, input about production as well as consumption. We 'think' we (progressives, etc) are so 'evolved', but we still can't accept that we are at a new point in history when democracy (economic as well as civic) is not only POSSIBLE, but is required.

its not 'weak human nature' which we cannot 'rise above'. Its a system thats outlived its usefulness, outlived its viability, and is now working against us..the majority....we the people. How do we get Greens to look beyond 'environment & food safety' or small cooperatives reliant on physical labor & duplication & isolationist thinking? How do we get 'anti-warriors' to see beyond perpetual calls for
peace, perpetual belief in a Democrat-Party-Savior? How do we get otherwise educated people...

We have one clearly recognizable benefit over past periods of Capitalisms Depressions & Deep Recessions, cyclical & periodical crisis : technology in communication allowing dialogue between people widely dispersed but potentially 'on the same page, ie realizing WE NEED A BETTER SOCIETY'. Whats missing is #1 a recognition that its not 'bigness', or 'industrial processes' or 'greed' or even the moralistic plaint of 'slovenly human desire for creature comforts' (ie consumption)..in other words...

I find the biggest hurdle (to visualizing a new economic/social/civic system, we can call it Democratic Socialism, post-capitalism & its for-profit market & private ownership of evrything we humans need to function in a contemporary world....replacing all this waste & irrationality with true democracy where we live & where we work) is getting people to recognize the distinction between the 'evils' of Capitalism (which 'we all' seem to decry!) and trusting that we can actually live cooperatively.

Ifa, the idea of networks of cooperatives again may be terms we'll need to learn to use & fully understand, but it is VERY likely we are talking about the same thing. The cooperatives idea has a long history....
Early industrial processes required vast machinary & a huge labor force. Today it varies industry to industry, but require huge investments but fewer workers due to automation & Robotics. If each 'cooperative' duplicated to satisfy each communites needs, wouldn't that be wasteful?

Hey Ifa thank you so much for your comment. There should be Tweleve Visisons Party clubhouses in NYC, why don't you give a visit to one of them? :)

Ifa, Thanks for writing. Loved your video slide show. Looks like you have a solar thermal system (hot water) not sure but maybe a small PV array. If it's "amateur" as you say, used recycled materials or cost what you can afford, and you made it work, I like it -- a lot. Have studied Permaculture and value creative solutions. Your website and initiative are beautiful.
~ Susan

Greetings...The latest breakdown of Capitalism; the growing recognition that 'the system is rigged' against the majority -we working people-and controlled by the tiny minority owning class; Sarah & the Tea Party with Capitalist class backing...all have opened the door to more dialogue than we've had in years. Public discussions that contrast humane, rational democratic socialism with Libertarian views are great ways to expose the ideal of those who blindly worship at the alter of Capitalism.

The US dollar has 7 cents of purchasing power... compared to when? Where did this number come from?

Thanks some much looking forward to upcoming events