as opposed to how decisions are arrived at

in a Resource-Based Economy - Well, the decision making system now

is mainly based upon different industries

which feel that they have a good product

so they advertise and convince people to buy that product.

Whereas in the future, in a saner system

we would design products not to wear out and break down

to last as long as possible

so that the responsibility of the service sector

would not be overloaded.

The longer materials last

the less burdensome to society.

Therefore, our major concern is not profit

it's the well-being of human beings throughout the world.

To the degree that we neglect people

we hurt our own future. For example

if we or the United States controlled

most of the Earth's resources

we would produce anxiety in other countries

for fear of running out of resources:

arable land, water, etc. And therefore, they might invade

this country to try to get the necessary resources for survival.

I don't think it's wise for a nation to defend itself

or try to make sustainability available

only in the area that they live

because they would produce hatred and envy

and try to control the resources of other countries

so that we can enslave people or put them on minimum wage

and get whatever we want produced

for the self-centered reason of our nation.

And we seek national advantage

rather than global advantage.

As long as we seek national advantage

it may work for a while. It may enhance the lifestyles

or increase the productivity of goods and services

but that's not of long duration. This is the only thing I worry about.

Sustainability for separate nations is OK in the short run

but in the long run it produces negative retroaction.

So this is how we really work if you want to know.

The best way to understand it

was assuming that we found a planet similar to the Earth

with lots of resources, unspoiled waters

non-contaminated air;

and brought a group of people together and ask:

"What is it that people really need?"

And then you list all the things that people really need.

The next question is: "Can that planet

provide for those needs?"

And if it cannot, you have to base your needs

on what the planet can provide.

If the population is too large

the planet cannot provide for that enlarged population.

Therefore, the size of the population

would be built and based upon the carrying capacity

of that regional division or the planet's capacity

to produce sustainable materials.

Therefore, we cannot invite

billions of people to live on the new planet

if the planet cannot sustain them.

So when I say "Decisions have to be arrived at"

first you have to study the carrying capacity of a planet

what it's capable of supporting. Then you design your cities

and population densities so that they correspond

to the carrying capacity of the environment.

That's what I mean when I say "People do not make decisions

they arrive at them." And how do you decide

how much oxygen to carry on a submarine?

Well, that depends on the amount of people in a submarine

and how long you wish to be submerged. That determines that.

How do you know how much water to carry on the submarine?

How do you know how much food to carry?

How do you know how much electrical power?

It depends on the performance you want of that submarine.

Then you put in the proper electrical power

for operating the submarine.

You have to put in enough food and refrigeration equipment

to feed the crew. If you don't provide for that

the technology may work, but the crew won't.

You have to not make decisions, you have to arrive at them.

-That is a small portion of a talk about arriving at decisions.

It's by survey and Scientific Method.

And he covers some other things in there about population, laws

negative retroactions of separate nations and national advantage

and so forth. All of that lecture is posted

in audio format; and to get that link for that and other posts

be sure to sign up for the Twitter account which is /frescotweets

Lectures and Questions and Answers will be posted there periodically.

If you'd like to help The Venus Project out more directly

then have a look at the new global activism page

which you will find on the main page

under the 'Get Involved' drop down menu.

And you can sign up on that, your contributions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.