Prout Village, a system that replaces capitalism and socialism, is a social order where money does not exist. It is also a sustainable society.
Wars, poverty, environmental destruction, climate change, infectious diseases, and numerous social issues continue to arise worldwide. When considering solutions to each of these problems individually, achieving a peaceful society may seem distant. However, if we realize the common underlying cause behind these problems, we can see that the solutions are actually quite simple. That underlying cause is the "monetary system," and all social problems are directly or indirectly related to money.
For example, conflicts between nations stem from prioritizing national interests, where resources are seized and converted into money. Corruption in politics is often related to power, high salaries, and bribery, all involving money in some way. Companies must continuously generate profits by producing goods, leading to the depletion of natural resources. The issue of environmental destruction involves employees of these companies, who need to earn a living by obtaining money, even though they may be aware of the consequences. The causes of climate change and global carbon dioxide emissions are multifaceted, but the increase in economic activities, which revolves around earning money, has played a significant role. Deforestation occurs because individuals and corporations can freely purchase land and profit from it, leading to the continuous felling of trees. Overfishing and changes in ecosystems also persist because fishermen, whether legally or illegally, need to catch fish to earn a living. The problem of waste arises because companies producing items sold in supermarkets need to earn money by pleasing consumers, leading to excessive use of plastic packaging for the sake of appearance and safety. As a result, household waste increases, unburnable waste accumulates, and garbage is dumped into rivers and oceans. Electronics and other products are produced in excess to ensure immediate availability for consumers, which results in excess inventory. The issue of excessive working hours in companies arises because employees need to earn a living, compelling them to comply with overtime demands from their employers. Income inequality stems from the fact that some people are skilled at earning money while others are not, making it difficult to prevent such disparities. The persistence of theft and drug dealers is also driven by the ability to earn a living through these activities. The existence of homeless people around the world is due to the lack of money. The problems of population decline and low birth rates in Japan are concerns because a decrease in labor force leads to a decline in national competitiveness and reduced national interests and profits. The reduction in pension benefits and the collapse of the pension system are also related to money. In the event of natural disasters, money is necessary for reconstruction. The issue of infectious diseases spreads because people need to work and earn a living, which requires interaction with others.
Many people worldwide have contemplated solutions to these problems. However, instead of decreasing, the number of social problems continues to accumulate. Ultimately, the root cause behind these problems lies in the imperfection of the monetary society that sustains life based on money. Unless this aspect is changed, the problems will persist indefinitely. Therefore, humans need to reconsider their way of life, including the purpose of life and how to live. While nature and science and technology are necessary for human survival, the following sections summarize what Prout Village represents as a society. In essence, it describes the nature of Prout Village and how it differs from other societies.
In regions around the world, the basic unit is a circular municipality called "Prout Village," with a diameter of approximately 4 kilometers and a population of around 60,000 residents. All aspects of daily life, including housing, appliances, food, electricity, education, healthcare, are produced from local resources by the local residents and are therefore available to everyone free of charge. Residences are constructed using natural materials and have a design that can be returned to nature. These houses are made using natural materials such as bamboo, stone, and clay, and they are highly airtight and well-insulated, providing heating and cooling throughout the day. Anyone can receive these residences at no cost from the municipality.
Household appliances and other daily necessities are either handmade or produced using 3D printers. These products are manufactured within the region using locally available raw materials and obtained free of charge. The production quantity is limited to the number of residents, and the designs are based on reuse, minimizing the need for raw material collection and eliminating resource depletion and environmental destruction.
Furthermore, household wastewater is entirely infiltrated into the ground from neighboring residences. To achieve this, plant-derived ethanol, essential oils, and water at temperatures exceeding 70 degrees Celsius are used, instead of chemical-laden detergents, soaps, and shampoos. This method ensures that neither the sea nor rivers are contaminated, and they return to their original pristine state.
Electricity is primarily considered to be generated using pendulum-type tidal power generation in seas and rivers or magnesium batteries, combined with various other power generation technologies. Pendulum-type tidal power generation does not require large-scale facilities and can generate power regardless of day or night. The next step is to increase the number of units to raise the overall power output.
This system is then complemented by biomass power generation, which derives gas from harvested grass or food waste, as well as small-scale wind power generation. By diversifying power sources in this manner, the total amount of generated electricity is increased. Thus, electricity is produced in the seas and in various municipalities.
Food production takes place in the agricultural land provided to each household, employing natural farming methods that rely on the power of nature without the use of pesticides. Self-sufficiency is achieved through hydroponic cultivation conducted at home. Hydroponically grown food allows for stable production regardless of the season. These methods eliminate soil contamination and alleviate poverty among residents.
Medical care is primarily based on natural medicine, including medicinal plants, and a grain-based vegetarian diet is emphasized to significantly reduce the occurrence of illnesses. Hospitals are established in the central area of the municipality and are available for free. Therefore, healthcare professionals are individuals driven by vocation and suitability rather than profit.
The local forests are managed by the municipality, distinguishing between trees preserved for a lifetime and those designated for harvesting. Planned afforestation is also carried out, ensuring the preservation of abundant nature in the municipality and worldwide.
Education does not involve schools similar to those in a monetary society. In Prout Village, everyone, from children to adults, engages in activities they enjoy individually or in groups. Groups and circles become the basic units, allowing children and adults to select and participate in activities they prefer, either through joining existing groups or pursuing independent endeavors. From a young age, individuals take personal responsibility for engaging in activities driven by curiosity, while the surrounding environment avoids interference, thereby fostering early independence and the discovery of vocations and suitable occupations.
There are no jobs that require working from morning to night. Residents engage in labor only when there are public projects, which may involve a few hours per week or even less. During other times, they spend their time pursuing activities they enjoy. As a result, schools, companies, environmental destruction, pollution, waste, money, taxes, poverty, and similar elements cease to exist. There is no pension system, and since residents produce their own food and housing, everyone can live without any limitations throughout their lives.
Even if a natural disaster occurs and the municipality is destroyed, reconstruction can be carried out using local resources, eliminating the need for funding and concerns about the subsequent economic recovery. What is required is manpower, local resources, and 3D printers. With ample free time available to the people, the reconstruction process can be swift.
The number of nations composed of such municipalities is increasing, where culture and diversity are respected, and people can travel freely between countries without passports.
The main modes of transportation include cars that travel at 20 km/h on the ground within a municipality and trains for medium- and long-distance travel between municipalities, all powered by electricity. In Prout Village, life does not demand fast-paced work, allowing everyone to live leisurely. As a result, on the ground, safety rather than speed becomes the top priority.
Moreover, with a radius of 2 km from the edge of the municipality to its center, even at a speed of 20 km/h, it only takes 15 minutes to reach the destination. When traveling far, people use trains, and upon arrival at another municipality, they rent a car to reach their destination.
Through such measures, the goal is to achieve zero traffic accidents and zero fatalities caused by them.
Underground power lines are integrated, connecting the world, and surplus daytime power in one area is utilized in regions during the night.
This interconnected world is governed by a single organization called the World Federation, comprising representatives from each country. Borders disappear, poverty is eradicated, and reasons for wars driven by money and resources cease to exist. The freedom of movement between countries fosters extensive ethnic interactions and promotes mixed-race populations, envisioning an Earth thousands of years later as a planet where diverse ethnicities have intermingled.
This society represents a sustainable way of life that maximizes human potential and operates without the need for currency. In a capitalist society, individuals have to work long hours until retirement age to earn money. However, transitioning to a society centered around local communities and producing only what is necessary for the residents can be achieved with minimal public projects and resource collection.
Some argue that if essential goods are provided free of charge, it may lead to laziness. However, laziness arises when people are forced to do unpleasant tasks. This is more prevalent in a monetary society where individuals have to work unwillingly to earn a living. Just as children become idle when forced into unpleasant studies but become active and engaged in activities they enjoy after school, the same applies to adults. Prout Village encourages a laid-back lifestyle, leading to an increase in relaxation and contentment.
If we create Prout Villages, the environmental destruction and social problems observed worldwide in the land, sea, and air would disappear. However, humans are faced with a different challenge. That challenge is that human life is filled with suffering, such as anger, regret, anxiety, jealousy, and feelings of inferiority, all of which are caused by the human ego. The existence of this ego leads to thinking, and thinking gives rise to suffering. By calming the mind and cultivating no-mind, suffering can be eliminated. This is achieved by focusing consciousness on a single point. Through consistent practice, no-mind becomes a habit, creating a serene and peaceful life. In other words, in Prout Village, efforts are made to address both the inner and outer aspects of human existence.
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