1. Are you 18-years of age or older? (If no, end of interview)
Yes.
2. What drew you to The Zeitgeist Movement?
Sorry for the length of this answer but I feel this to be important.
I was drawn to the Zeitgeist Movement because I was going through a period in my life for about 2 years (2009/2010) where I was constantly watching lectures, interviews and listening to Podcasts on the topic of the 'Technological Singularity'. I had become excited and obsessed about the Singularity. But after learning a great deal about it, I began to realize that no one who talked about the Technological Singularity seemed to address the problem of economic inequality. Those who talked about the Singularity told of a time in the near future when technology would become so advanced that humans would be able to do unimaginable things such as augmenting our intelligence with computers, extending the lifespan of the individual, and even uploading consciousness into machines and living in virtual reality. These things were extremely exciting to me and clearly give humans godlike powers. But I began to realize that in the current system, these technologies would more than likely only be available to the wealthy. I also noticed that the vast majority of people who talked about these things were wealthy themselves and of privilege (either the so called "silicon valley tech-entrepreneurs or researchers at universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, etc...) Therefore it seemed that these people were biased by their privilege to NOT see this issue of inequality as an dangerous problem. Therefore they were blinded to the concern that the Godlike powers of coming technological advancements would more than likely only widen the gap between the rich and the poor to such a degree that it could be almost as if humanity would separate into two species. Those who could afford the new enhancements and everyone else. I would definitely fall into the second class. This is what drew me to the Zeitgeist Movement:
The Zeitgeist Movement was the first group that I had heard which addressed both issues, the rapid technological progress on the horizon AND the need for every human on Earth to share in the benefits of this progress. That economic inequality MUST be dealt with, especially due to the exponential growth of technology.
3. How did you originally hear or become aware of TZM?
I was first told by a friend of mine in 2009 that I HAD TO watch this movie 'Zeitgeist' and that it would blow my mind. Several months later I ended up watching it and though it was pretty scary. It didn't really mean a lot to me at the time because I had heard conspiracy theories before and it seemed to offer no solution. But in 2011 or so I happened to see a TED Talk titled "Robots Will Steal Your Job, But That's OK" by Federico Pistono. During the talk Federico mentioned that he was part of the Zeitgeist Movement. He talked about how the need for people to work was becoming obsolete due to computers and automation. He also talked about how EVERYONE on the planet should be taken care of. He said "The goal of the future should be full unemployment, so we can play". This seemed so important and radical that I instantly knew I MUST do everything I can to learn about this Zeitgeist Movement!
4. How long have you been a member of TZM?
I contacted and joined directly after seeing the "Robots Will Steal Your Job But That's OK" TED Talk in 2011 or 2012.
5. What are the key concepts of TZM?
SOME of the key concepts of The Zeitgeist Movement are:
(a) There is now possible through the use of science and technology the ability to take care of every human on the planet at a high standard of living without the need for money, jobs, barter or trade.
(b) Thing which are usually called corruption, greed and even 'conspiracy' are actually the unfolding of our economic system. This system (money) mandates things like inequality, competition and scarcity. These are inherent components to the money system rather than isolated flaws.
(c) It is not 'human nature' to be greedy, competitive, aggressive or violent. It is rather our nature to adjust to our environment. In our case, this means the 'social' environment. Since we live in an economic system which demands us to be competitive, aggressive, etc... than these are the behaviors which we see. They are not fixed behaviors and if we can create a system which promotes other traits like collaboration, intelligence, compassion, etc.. than these are the behaviors which we will see.
(d) Our money system, government and the "labor for income" have become obsolete and are now creating environmental destruction, violence and a social-health crisis.
(e) We must transition from our current monetary system to a "Resource Based Economy" in which all of the worlds resources are declared the property of every human on the planet. Decisions are to be made using the scientific method rather than by markets or opinions.
6. Why do you think social awareness groups are becoming more prevalent?
I think that the availability of information due to things like the internet is having a major effect. I also think that the common person is feeling more free to think for themselves and break away from the grip of tradition. I also think that people are becoming disillusioned with old institutions or ideologies such as 'the work ethic', patriotism, religion, capitalism, 'respect for authority' and many other limiting social norms.
7. What, to you, are the most important issues being addressed by TZM?
I think the most important issues addressed by TZM are Economic inequality and the nature of money. I also think it is important that TZM takes a root-cause and structural view as to the problems in our world instead of dealing with only symptoms or seeing problems as only 'corruption' as most other political/economic groups tend to. The word 'radical' means literally 'to go to the root'.
8. Do these issues contrast issues in your local culture or region?
Not sure I understand the question but....
Locally, as in most, if not all of American cities, people tend to be fully indoctrinated into the capitalist way of thinking, not to mention fully controlled by consumerism. In a way, this belief in money and work is a powerful religion in itself. I see this belief everywhere in my local community, although it is probably no worse here than anywhere else in the USA. Even those in my community who think of themselves as extremely progressive, some of them being activists, do not question this issue of inequality of money, but rather the look to symptoms and minor surface reforms. This is what I notice locally.
9. Is there one deep-rooted issue that all other issues stem from?
I would have to say it would be the money system and the artificial-scarcity it creates and uses to perpetuate itself. Although there may be some deeper issue going on in the way people think which causes them to reject new ideas or fall prey to 'group-think'.
10. Are the issues in question systematic or random in your opinion?
Definitely systemic.
11. What are the goals or hopes of accomplishments, according to you, of TZM?
The main goal of TZM is to change the "zeitgeist", or the dominant value system of our culture. Currently people believe that money is real, there is not enough to go around, people are naturally competitive, you must work in order to earn your right to live, etc.... This is the current "zeitgeist", as this is the dominant belief system of capitalism, competition and scarcity. Therefore TZM seeks to change this dominant belief system to that of abundance, collaboration and the ethics possible in a Resource Based Economy.
12. How does being a member of TZM affect you, or has it?
I think it has effected me because it has given clarity and focus to ideas I have had for much of my life but never seen validated. It has also helped to be a part of a group to know that other people are concerned about the same issues as me, rather than being alone in it.
13. TZM classifies itself as a “leaderless movement.” How is this possible for building and organizing a global movement?
Murry Bookchin, author of "Post Scarcity Anarchism" talked of the importance of any revolution to have the same form as the world it wishes to create. In this way, I think it is important for TZM to be decentralized and non-hierarchical because the Resource Based Economy will be decentralized and non-hierarchical. Many people have tried to peg Peter Joseph as the leader and get him to "tell us what to do". He has repeatedly rejected this. People have a very hard time in this society realizing that we are all allowed to participate, rather than being spectators, waiting for "them" to change things or do this or that.
14. What are the lessons that can be learned from past movements to improve the end result of TZM?
There is much to be learned from the cultural revolution known as 'the 1960's. Although, under-recognized, I think a large amount of the degree to which people in today's society feel empowered to think for themselves and push against the status quo can be attributed to the movements of the 1960's. One of the main things that TZM can learn from those movements is... people's desire to be part of something that not only contains information and logic but also play. If you think about why people were drawn to the 'hippie' movement - it contained things like dancing, music, art, human-sensuality and exploration of consciousness. These things attracted were included in a life-style that attracted people to other revolutionary political ideas which they may not have been attracted to by themselves. This is also something that Occupy had going for it. It offered a sort of life-style, although temporary, which was effective in inspiring people to rally behind the more dry political ideas behind it. Occupy also was able to accomplish some amazing things in it's short life. One of which was to create a massive decentralized movement which spread across the globe in an incredibly short period of time. Another amazing accomplishment of Occupy was that it was able to inject a simple but important meme into the zeitgeist or dominant intellectual and cultural spirit of the current age. This was "we are the 99%" which signifies the structural wealth inequality built within capitalism. Until that time, this issue of vast wealth inequality had not been addressed by mainstream media or been in any way a household phrase.
15. How does it differ from those of the past?
TZM differs from movements of the past, in that it does not deal with individual symptoms but instead focuses on the root cause. It also empowers individuals to join without the need for them to be approved of by any hierarchical structure. TZM is unique also because it does not seek to gain power as a political party but rather to change the consciousness of all people. It does not dictate what members should or shouldn't do but rather supplies a train-of-thought which they can utilize to the best of their individual talents.
16. Did you watch The Zeitgeist films or Culture in Decline?
I've watched all three films, all episodes of Culture in Decline and I've listened to all 190 podcast episodes. I have also read "The Zeitgeist Movement Defined" and Peter Joseph's new book "The New Human Rights Movement". I also try to catch every lecture and interview as they come online.
17. If so, what did you take away from them?
I have learned about the train-of-thought of the movement. As well as a pretty clear understanding about what it might be like in a resource based economy. I would also add that I've gotten a profound understanding of the phenomenons of structural violence and more importantly the subject of 'human nature'. The movies, books, podcasts and etc. also have led me to read many books by other authors about topics like - anarchism, socialism, capitalism, economic, history, anthropology, technology, politics, science and so on and so forth...
18. Have you attended the annual TZM event?
Due to financial limitations, I have unfortunately been unable to go to any TZM events however in 2014 our chapter participated locally by having our own Zday event. Also, we have monthly TZM meetings here in Tucson.
19. If so, what did you take away from that experience?
At our local Zday event, I learned that I need more practice with public speaking.
20. Can misconceptions between different cultures have an impact on TZM?
Ideally, all cultures must be transcended because they are obsolete. We are one human family. The conclusions that TZM leads to, I feel are universal, addressing the needs that all humans have regardless of their culture. Cultures tend to solidify obsolete traditional beliefs. This is really what holds us back as a species. Hopefully, there is a way to break through this indoctrination. I have seen evidence of it. For example, if you go to the Facebook discussion group called, "Zeitgeist Arabic", you will see thousands of long comments and passionate discussions all written in Arabic by people from various countries. This is very hopeful because modern Arab culture tends to be one of the most change-resistant, tradition-laden ideological landscapes on the planet. The Arab world literally produces less patents, scientific innovation and books translated from other languages than anywhere else. So to see that there are people within that culture that crave progress and change via The Zeitgeist Movement, is extremely hopeful.
21. How would you explain TZM to someone “on the outside,” or unfamiliar with the organization?
How I describe would be dependent on the context but in general I'd say...
TZM is a group that seeks to spread awareness about our need to move away from a monetary system and towards a resource-based-economy. And hopefully this could be the start of a long conversation, if the person was interested to learn more. For example... about what a resource-based-economy is? what's wrong with the monetary system? and etc...
22. How do you feel about this interview?
I enjoyed answering these questions. They seemed thoughtful and relevant. There were two questions that I thought were a little vague or hard for me to answer personally. #8 and #12 Those two questions could have been a little more specific but on the whole questions were very thought provoking. Doing this survey has also helped me to solidify some of my thinking on these issues and the movement and the train-of-thought.
23. Is there a question or concept you believe I have overlooked or wished I touched upon?
You might have asked "In what ways do you personally participate in the movement?" Though, as I've already said, I think you're questions were great. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or ideas.
