our friend capitalism (no sarcasm intended)

Before you think of twenty ways to correct me, hear me out.

From what I read here and in several other similar forums, I see that we all share the same longing to escape babylon. We all want some magical way for all of our problems to fade away and to establish this new community of kindness and love. By the way, very solid and rightous thinking. Then I am hearing about these "networks" that are being planned. Brillant and noble. The problem I see is how to manifest this situation into existance. Then an idea was given to me.

Follow the logic;

We need serious money
we need a solid network
we need transportation
the rest is already there.

God has given us (this generation, old and young) a world with which to work with. This world is dominated by consumerism and idle entertainment. The law despises us and the general public is misinformed about us.

NEEDS

1. serious money- music festivals. Do you realize how much profit a "bonnaroo" or a "hookahville" brings in? Do you realize that all that money is landing in the pockets of a few greedy men? One show could buy half of some counties. It's a generic form of what we stand for that draws these kids out of the cities and dormatories. The come for peace and freedom, they get $3 bottled water and bad drugs. And they leave either thinking that we (the misrepresentation of us) are a joke or a congregation of whimsical drug addicts. Does this upset anyone else? I believe that the masses are screaming for a ticket out of babylon, and all they get is the illusion. Whether we like it or not, this small class of promoters has sold a negative imitation of us to the general public, and more importantly the youth. So I say that we take the reigns and show them what it is about. Which leads me to point 2.

2. solid network- hybrid land that serves as a community and as a concert venue. Each location has it's own live in staff and own unique form of putting on a show. How do we get the show and the cooperation of local authorities? I'll tell you; Massive charitable donations. A network of love that is not solely concerned with it's own self preservation, but also with filling everyfood bank, buying a bike for every orphan, and assisting every nursing home in the area. By serving the local community any and every way possible, we bring the light to others and also shine it bright enough for the public to see that there is a rightous alternative to babylon. Absolutely blameless. Sounds far fetched? It all boils down to the musicians. Poke around the net and see how much a festival brings in.

3.transportation - we time the shows so as to have them travel in a reasonable progression. I know this is not a new idea. What is a new idea is traveling in a caravan. I mean the whole lot of us. With the help of a few legally - aware people and a slew of camcorders....we should be fine. Think about it. I know that there will have be some residents that stay in the individual communites, but that's of little concern. If we could monopolize the festival and filter the proceeds into love, I believe God would be with us. Buses, after awhile could be a real possibility. This area needs refinement.

In summary, if tamed capitalism could greatly benefit us and those we could help, I'm all for it. It all boils down to RESPONSABLE STEWARDSHIP and genuine love. One successful show buys alot of land. A good cause and kind people can attract musicians (and enough money/ sad but true). A real income brings us freedom. Work isn't work if you love it.

This is just a skeleton of an idea. I am posting it with the hope that some of you brillant, kind people will help me refine and realize it. I don't want to run it, I just want it to exist.

Blessings

Ryan

Ps - let me know what you think, even if you think it is incredibly stupid.

 

I agree, the first time we went out we had no money and no jobs. Now I am stuck here and I am trying to pull everything together because that just doesn't work for me. I will not go back to the life I love without a way to keep myself free of the parts of babylon which bug me. I want no troubles, just peace and the right to go about my life without interference. Which means, a way to support and raise my childern on my own, no relying on the system and others. I may be lonely now but for the ultimate reward, our freedom I am willing to work for it. It is impossible to duck completely out of this world without a big plan and some work. Usually no matter what, to get to the point in life where you have it all you need to get "in" to get out. Even if your a younger kid now with no family attachments and your hitchiking and spanging think about it... what are you doing? Your using babylon currency and your using their transportation. The only way to be completely out is to hide out in the woods and never come out, lol. I think in order to co-exist peacefully you always need a little way to get "in" if you should ever need it. You just need to find the happy medium that works for you, whatever it may be. If throwing fests works for you go for it. Only one way to find out, right?

 

I think it sounds like a really interesting idea, I see where some issues could come up, but atleast at the basic level it seems like a really positive way to make a good thing out of an otherwise not so great thing.

Earthymama is right, only one way to find out how it would work, I'd be really interested to see.

 

I replied with this to a friend; what do yall think?

Thank you for taking the time to write back. I agree with your hesitation toward all of us sending our money anywhere. We all have that "sticky" part. I'm not even sure I would want everyone sending me their money, let alone to anyone else. Large sums of money do strange things to people. Even good people. I am in ohio. I've lived in every part of the state except dayton and cincinati. About land; I do not own land, but could obtain it if I had a solid plan and an intact network of dedicated people behind me. It's hard to approach those with financial capabilities with nothing but an idea. I think that I may have been able to construct a way around the land issue. From where I stand, the resources we have are people, truth and music. It seems to me that the first resource that must be mobilized is people. People have always had one effective tool, petition. The first thing that must happen is the formation of a core group (not an authoritarian elite class). A core group that is willing to work outwardly without losing touch with the dream. This core group can first develop an effective plan of motion, then implement it through their own personal realm of influence. We then call for a petition to an agreed upon set of musicians. I believe letter writing with attached photographs would be the most effective means of gaining support. We inform the musicians of our plan (to be refined after the formation of the core group) and explain that our reason for having the show is one of charity and freedom (from babylon). The key is in the number of letters sent and the collective indentity of those sending letters. I would even be for some sort of stamp that could be printed off on an envelope to indentify a letter as one of ours. With much prayer and pure motives, I believe the hearts of the performers would be touched enough for them to help. Once we have the commitment of the performers, we scout out privately owned land. Or perhaps vice versa. Then we launch a campaign of ticket sales. We clearly state that the price of the ticket is nothing more than a donation to the (soon to be refined) cause. We line up an agreement with the owner of the property that we intend on buying the land with the proceeds gained from the ticket sales. We use early ticket sales as a down payment. Once the show is over, we have our land. Then we repeat the process until we have a "route" of venues. We implement self sustaining operations after the land is obtained. It would be a coopt production/intentional living company that would be owned communally. What we need to do is form a group of 101 core group members that keep each other accountable and share the same vision. Purchasing of the land would occur on stage on the last night of music. It would be signed over to the "shareholders" which would include all those willing to participate.

I have a lot more, but I don't want this to be too long.

What do you think?

I think it could happen, if we all form a real community of love and vision now. Let's get together and get it on!

Blessings

Ryan