I am Peter Joseph, author of The New Human Rights Movement, Director of The Zeitgeist Film Series, Culture in Decline Series, looming new film Trilogy InterReflections & Founder of The Zeitgeist Movement http://www.peterjoseph.info/

How do you feel about Elon Musk's recent efforts / sentiments? Thoughts? I feel like he's seen your work.

Musk is one of the few thoughtful billionaire technologists that has his thumb on the pulse of what is happening in the world. I find the richer folks get, the more detached from reality they become. HyperLoop and Tesla and his interest in advanced battery storage is critically important to developmental/ sustainable infrastructure. He is also in support of universal basic income knowing that the advancement of technological unemployment isn't stoppable. While I could certainly make suggestions to such a figure, he is certainly on the right path and hasn't been too distorted by his extreme wealth.

First of all, thank you for being a voice of reason in a society that increasingly seems to be bent on destroying itself. Your system based approach is a breath of fresh air in a society that seems to only care about changes of leadership, rather than any fundamental changes to the system. I am about 1/3 into reading your new book, and I am really finding it inspirational in how to conceptualize the changes we need to make to the system in order to create better outcomes.

What do you think are some initial concrete steps we can take now, to start the process of changing the system? Do you think these changes will be harder or easier to implement in a Trump administration?

What do you think of Modern Monetary Theory, and the ability for us to use that theory to transition away from scarcity based economics?

Thank you for the kind comments regarding the book. It was a very challenging project in my attempt to make the ideas as simplified as possible. Your question about concrete steps are talked about in chapter 5. It is summarized as five core transition needs: access, automation, open-source, localization and digitized network feedback. (see ch 5) As far as “modern monetary theory”, assuming you're referring to the view that government as the monopoly of its currency, etc”, I really am not big on currency or money transformation – Not because I don't think it could help – but because the degree of help would be marginal when compared to how deep the market systems problems actually go.

I recent came across your lecture series on youtube and was blown away by the arguments and points you presented.

Aside from Buckminster Fuller, who would you recommend reading on subjects related to the destructive properties inherent to the market system as well as writing pertaining to the futuristic and automated society you present?

Also, what do you think are the specific and general failings of the movement as a whole to spread word about the movement? I know it is fairly extensive but having been interested in political and economic theory for several years it seems absurd i had only discovered your work in the last two weeks.

I hope you continue to try to change the world

Thank you for the compliment. I recommend Thorsten Veblen. He is a bit difficult but his analysis of the system holistically transcends Karl Marx by a longshot. If you want to go way back in time, a fascinating read is a work by John Etzler: “the Paradise within the reach of all men.” This was written in 1833 and of course he was dismissed as a lunatic utopian-ist. But his insight is so ahead of its time, you'll be shocked by what he writes. I also recommend Jeremy Rifkin and Jacque Fresco of course. As far as the “failings” of the movement, we are dealing with a task of absurd proportions so it's good to be kind to oneself when it comes to thinking about progress. Far as I'm concerned, the movement hasn't even started as the public still isn't smart enough yet to understand what the core factors of social stability, public health, and environmental balance really are.

I'm a big fan of your work. But I'm pretty discouraged. Everything seems so difficult to change. Technological innovation seems to bring more chaos than solution. We do not know how to deal with this new reality. It seems that as soon as we realize that the problem is not immigrants, but a new technological reality, we will seek to limit technological innovation. Try to stop in time. Your new book on Human Rights brings a radical vision, but it is already difficult to convince people of the traditional and more conservative view of human rights.

Are you optimistic? Will a better world come, whether we like it or not, or do we need to fight for it? If we need to fight, can we lose?

I can identify with your frustration. Current trends are certainly not positive. I would say I am optimistic because there's no point in feeling any other way. The type of transitions needed to set a new course for humanity are radical but they're also logical and fairly obvious to those who take time to learn about a sustainable train of thought. At this time, technological innovation is a double edge sword because industry’s incentives are wrong. Most of the R&D in universities still goes to the military when it comes to innovation, for example. I’ll conclude by saying that the world is going to change one way or another. And it will not change in a polite and fluid way. The only question I ask: is how much suffering has to occur before people realize the dire need. The new human rights movement requires global galvanizing.

FINAL NOTE FROM PETER: I want to thank everybody for an excellent five hour exchange. Unfortunately I have to go now but I really appreciate people's questions and I hope I could be of some service. I will try to find time to also address existing questions that I could not get to over the next week or so. Thanks again!

Can you discuss the reasons a person like Alex Jones has exploded in credibility and audience over the past few years? His interview with you way back in the day was the reason I woke up and realized what a scam Infowars is. I was disappointed at his emotional approach to the discussion, and I felt reverence at your bemused attitude towards his childishness.

You could ask the same question as to how Donald Trump has become President of the United States? Something has happened in culture where people are so confused and angry they are gravitating towards mentalities that simply show force/bullying/"strength" and general antisocial interests. Even Bill O'Reilly has seen an explosion in ratings since he has been exposed as a sexual harasser. Sociologically, it's a sign of fear starting to take over reason across the population, with a strong gravitation towards "in-group" preservation and xenophobia and ultimately sexism. I talk about this evolution in the book as well

you must have the "I told you so" feeling so bad almost every day in this climate. Im a massive admirer of your work, bought TZM defined, and am very much shaped by the TZM movies and values. thank you for what you do, I cant wait to see interreflections. Would you go back on the Joe Rogan Podcast? It would be great to see you around the internet again doing your thing, although I understand how busy you must be. also, how do you feel about TVP these days? I feel they are quieter than ever in a time where you'd think they' be able to win more people over.

Thank you. It means a lot to me when people say such things. Truth be told, I really don't enjoy being an activist. It really wasn't what my life trajectory had planned. Anyway. I would go back on the Joe Rogan podcast if he made a conscious effort to take serious issues into account. I understand he's a comedian but with his kind of following he has a social responsibility. He also bad mouthed me a while back which wasn't very cool. He did invite me back on the show a couple years ago but I was a bit disgusted by his insults and told him to get back in touch another time. Perhaps the time has come. But that ball is in his court. As far as the Venus Project, I honestly haven't paid much attention. I'm sure they are doing what they always have but given Fresco’s age, things must be a lot harder. For the record, I have great respect for Fresco - but the partnership between the Zeitgeist movement & the Venus Project simply wasn't meant to be.

So, what happened between you and Jacques Fresco?

I mean you made a whole documentary on the Venus Project and then... poof. Gone. Nothing. No followup, nothing done. Was there a falling out?

Also are you still a 9/11 truther?

It is important to understand that the Venus Project had a very closed world before the zeitgeist movement and the massive onslaught of interest that occurred around 2009. In the two years TZM and TVP we're partners, there was always an overarching need to control things on the part of TVP, limiting what really needed to be more of an open conception rather than a closed one. It's hard to get people on your side if you present them with a closed framework and then tell them that there is little room for change in said design. This has been a flaw of the way people interpret TVP, along with the complete absence of basic transition plan. The Zeitgeist movement existed to create a community environment to not just promote an existing institution but to help expand it and transition ideas. And I think that became a threat to the identity of the Venus Project. The split was inevitable and is wasn't just about "me and Fresco"

I actually didn't make a documentary on the Venus Project. The inclusion of the Venus Project in Zeitgeist Addendum & Moving Forward was still corollary to the broader film content/design, which was ultimately of my own interest. People seem to forget that these films are my own expressions and we're never actually designed to represent anything else, this includes the Zeitgeist movement.

As far as Sept 11th, I was never a “9/11 truther” and am also pretty horrified by what has become of that subculture since those days.

Russel Brand and Sam Harris both have interesting podcasts. You were the first to get me into podcasts in the early days of TZM doing your weekly updates. Any plans to start podcasting again? When the F are you finally going to release InterReflections?

I was invited on the Russell brand show years ago but due to a scheduling conflict I was unable to make it. I understand he has a new podcast so I will reach back out to him. As far as personal podcasts, I don't have time for those at the moment. And I'm sorry for the delay with IR. There have been consistent personal problems and technical issues, along with financial restrictions, that have kept the production moving slower than I want. The goal is still by the end of the year.

Please also take into consideration jumping on the joe rogan podcast. He has massive reach and your message would absolute resonate with his audience.

I await Joe Rogan's outreach, hopefully after he reads my book

Will IR be a limited theater release, or can we hope to also see a simultaneous digital release? Also, any plans on an audiobook version of "The New Human Rights Movement?"

Audiobook will be recorded next week. And I'm doing my best to get the film in as many theaters as I can, without compromising integrity.

will you do the reading yourself?

Yes

Why is it that more public figures such as Bill Nye, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Ray Kurzweil, Elon Musk, etc. address bandaging the symptoms of this system instead of suggesting an alternative? I feel like they must've been made aware of TZM, and if they spoke about it publicly I'm sure we might see change much more quickly..

Also, Peter, I can't begin to thank you enough for what your films and the movement have given me. When I first stumbled across your first film a couple years ago it really lifted the veil on the "dark echo of feudalism" as you have called it, and I became manic and was hospitalized a few times last year. Very long story, but much drama has occurred in my life as a result of finally being told the truth and having this information finally being presented in this very clear, logical train of thought.
I want to start an automated restaurant, and possibly a vertical farm, and eventually make them free to the public. If there's any information that you could give me (it might be in your new book) I would really appreciate it.

I'm happy you brought that up. While I'm a fan of Tyson, Musk and others, these prominent figures shy away pretty quickly from any true criticism of the market system and the society it has created. Frankly, I think it's a group-based/identity fear. They simply don't want to be associated with anything “fringe” or anything that will pollute their reputations. Even folks I've interviewed that clearly are more attuned, have their University tenure & lecture circuits… and they simply can't “afford” to rock the boat. How anyone that calls themselves a scientist cannot see that the entire capitalist order is based on consumption, linking buying to jobs and hence the inevitability of resource overshoot and endless biodiversity loss and pollution, for example — stuns me. We have now the most inefficient social order known to man and yet all of our mainstream scientists just look the other way.

Beyond that, unfortunately, there are cultures of scientific identification that are not really scientific in the sense of understanding the need for vulnerability and the true nature of falsify-ability inherent to the scientific method. I always say, don't confuse the method of science with the institutions that claim to promote it. Probably the worst offender of the economic/social status quo is known as the “Skeptics society” – which ostensibly pretend to be in the interest of scientific development and authenticity– but really serve as extended mouthpieces in support of the general normative world more than anything. Group Think.

Thank you for the compliment. I hope your health is well. And I think starting an automated restaurant would be genius! Once this pattern really gets going it is all over for the service sector because cost efficiency is clearly on the side of automation.

Peter, do you think there is any hope for humanity? Your work over the years has helped me to better understand the way our world functions, and has given me hope that if we all are able to wake up then we have a chance... but given the current political climate all over the world, I'm beginning to feel hopeless.

If you care about yourself and your family and society and are empathic to the whole of human civilization, there is no point thinking about whether there is hope or not. :) Being human means you care. And if everyone thought that way, the world would change virtually overnight. As stated in my prior comment, is really an issue of people arriving at a shared value system as rapidly as possible. The more problems that arise, in combination with diligent education – such as with the Zeitgeist movement’s work –the higher the probability people will wake up and see the need.

Thank you Peter, you’re awesome. What can I do to help others progress in this way? We are all in this together and I want to help but I’m not sure how.

Started develop strategies and pools of information that appeal to different walks of life. The biggest barrier in communication are people's culturally ingrained values and general fear of rocking the boat

Hi Peter, I've been a huge fan of your work ever since watching the Zeitgeist film trilogy a couple years ago, and I'm currently in the process of reading your new book which I find to be very eye-opening as well. As someone who has believed in determinism my whole life, I didn't need very much convincing in order to accept the premises that The Zeitgeist Movement is based on. However, I have a hard time explaining some of these concepts to my peers who are very attached to the notion of "free will", and believe that something like a resource based economy would be unfairly restrictve because people should be able to make market decisions that benefit them as an individual, and they believe human wants are infinite. My question is, what do you think is the best way to get across to these people?

Another question, more related to TZM itself: Has there been any recent progress on blueprints and technical details? About a year ago in a Facebook note you mentioned launching "a series of open source, interactive design platforms to start multi-tier modeling of real dynamics" regarding how the technical application of an RBE could work, and stressed the importance of doing this if we were to be taken seriously by the scientific community. As someone who is interested in the technical aspect, I've been eagerly awaiting progress on this. Thank you so much for your incredible, mind-changing work over the last few years, and for hosting this AMA! Hopefully I will see you at the next Zeitgeist Media Festival.

Thank you and I appreciate you supporting the book release. I am glad it is coming through. As far as free will, there is no easy answer as to how the best communication unfolds since it really depends on the person. I would suggest starting broadly in your argument speaking about how 99% of the time peoples' religious identification is regionally based. If people have open thought free will, then why are they so attached to the religion that was taught to them by their parents and is native to their community? The same goes for people’s language and the very words they use / ideas they learn. If they have free will, why can't they just snap their fingers and be just as proficient with every language on the planet? Likewise, you can ask them to recall things from high school that they clearly cannot anymore… if they have free will, they should have effectively every learned option imaginable planted in their mind. Do you see what I'm getting at? Another angle is talking about population level phenomenon– hence sociology – that statistically correlates certain childhood experiences to probable adult disorders or behaviors. There is no question that abuse as a child can lead to drug addiction, for example. Is people have pure free will, then why this constant statistical outcome across populations due to childhood experiences? Also ask them about behavior and how people are easily manipulated when group consensus is presented. It is been found that the nervous system reacts negatively when the brain perceives being an outcast regarding a given group consensus. Basically the brain punishes you if you have an "outgroup" perspective in many cases. The problem with the free will argument is that our consciousness is wired to assume it is singular/detached. I call this "localized thinking”. People think they are free-thinking because the brain wants them to. Baggage of our evolutionary psychology that is actually quite destructive.

As far as your Facebook noted question – I wish we had the people and money/resources/time to start certain interactive design platforms to exemplify the type of technical reorientation for a true participatory economy. The new Zeitgeist movement 501(c)(3) is working on these ideas.

Hey PJ, long time fan.

Have any of your positions changed considerably since Moving Forward? If so, whats changed?

Thanks

My understanding of a democratic system of participatory economics has changed quite a bit which is why you'll never hear me speak about "city systems" or just "advanced technology" much anymore. I also don't use the word "abundance" much anymore as it is quickly misinterpreted. One flaw of the early stage of the Zeitgeist movement was the misinterpreted implication that "everyone can have everything materially possible since we can create an abundance." I don't approach the subject like that at all anymore (of course that statement is an exaggeration) because you have to qualify that abundance and sustainability go together. And the current consumerist values of modern society quickly lead people into confusion about what abundance means due to the prevalence of materialism at this time. (which is a side effect of the market structure, translated through its incentives, into our social psychology/culture). So while my general views are mostly the same, the way I talk about the subject matter has changed a lot and if you read the new book you will see that clearly. Thanks

Peter, where do you get your news?

I actually do not recognize any single reliable new sources. I do internet searches when I hear about certain items being brought up in the mainstream channels/social media and then I crossed compare the stories. As tedious as it is, this is really the only way to avoid bias or come as close as you can to realizing what is actually going on. Needs critical thought. However I will say, that if you want to likely get more accurate news about what is happening in the United States, you generally need to go to news sites that are not from the United States.

And where do you find the studies you often cite in your lectures/book?

Books. If you read a book, and you find something stated that is sourced, appreciating that information, this will often lead you to other researchers -- and hence a chain reaction of relevant authors and materials to then read.

Hi Peter. Are you familiar with Dr. Guy McPherson's work? Much like you, he has been taking other people's data and puts it together, drawing conclusions, getting a lot of flack for simply being the messenger. He basically says there is no hope, as we are facing near-term human extinction, possibly within 10 years. He sees no ability to transition, as he argues that Industrial Civilization is a heat engine and even a transition to a macro-industrial systems approach to life-support (as you have outlined previously as 'possible') would require burning fossil fuels. Additionally, the Global Dimming phenomenon in particular is what I personally have the most dissonance about - either we are damned if we do and/or damned if we don't. Obviously, through your work I see that you do have some level of hope for a transition. Your thoughts would be appreciated, if you are familiar with his work. Thanks.

I touched upon this in a prior question. Be very weary of anybody who draws absolute conclusions about the future. While there are probabilities and trajectories that you can infer outcomes from — there are so many things that we don't know about yet in terms of how the future can change. Generally, we are in a dire condition and mass mobilization for broad structural change is required – no doubt. But I see no point in assuming that "it is already over” and haven't read anything that convinced me of such. History is full of endless doomsayers that are proven wrong by unexpected turns in technology. But I will check out McPherson's work since you mentioned it and thank you for the tip.

Do you think the idea of a resource based economy is progressing at a decent enough pace that we could begin to see the first part of a transition anytime soon?

As I detail in Chapter 5 of the new book, the five major trends that I see needing to be accelerated are already happening. We are slowly moving, at least in some gesture, from (1) a society obsessed with property to one increasingly interested in access. (2) from a society based on proprietary information to one that sees how open-source is proving to be more effective (3) to a society that sees how technology is replacing jobs and creating the ultimate contradiction of capitalism, along with how the application of technology is creating vast efficiency that could solve many material social problems (4) while also recognizing that localization is more sustainable than globalization and as the "more with less" phenomenon, as described by theorists like Jeremy Rifkin or buckminster fuller, globalization will slowly be less profitable than localization; (5) and then we have the Internet of things which is effectively a means to void Ludwig von Mises "price calculation argument". The real problem is that people do not understand the synergy of these new developments and how they make the market systems logic obsolete. This is again– the educational imperative required by all of us

What do you make of the fact that Alex Jones in now an establishment figure?

It's pretty frightening. He has galvanized and effectively blocked off education for a large number of people. He is pretty much the father of the bigoted alt right "anti-globalist" crowd and is ultimately a sociopath

Over the years I've chatted a fair few Zeit supporters/advocates who really don't (to me) understand what it is they're advocating. Do you think these people are a net positive for the movement or net negative? The more the merrier or unqualified/distracting voices harm the movement.

The Zeitgeist Movement and the film series phenomenon attracts a lot of different people with a lot of different perspectives. I think there is a learning curve for people to really get what is being presented through the course of what the movement and myself have been talking about for almost a decade. As with any counter culture organization, very fringe elements are naturally attracted. But one thing I have noticed is a lot of the noise has been reduced over the years and while people may see some decline in numbers as a problem– I really see it as a fortification of people who actually understand.

Hey Peter, Since most, if not all, of the things you create and produce you also give away for free, how do you make a living?

Believe it or not, even though I give most everything out for free, support still comes in through donations and through distribution networks that target people that simply do not watch things on YouTube or the like. The Z film trilogy is currently licensed on Netflix, for example. So I get some money from that along with people that still buy it on iTunes, etc. I also still do freelance work and DP/Direction work for commercial projects here and there.

(mostly humourous) How certain are you that you're not the head of a cult? Every now and then the thought occurs to me TZM is a cult and I re-evaluate whether it is or not (gets a bit touch & go sometimes given how far away from traditional thinking it is and so many fail to understand)

Fun question.

If that is really occurring in your mind you might want to familiarize yourself with what a cult is in terms of an “exploitative and detrimental organization that harms its members or exploit them”. (FYI the original definition of “cult” is actually just referring to a relatively small group of impassioned people. Only later did it become a pejorative or issue of social psychology)

TZM is a group sharing common values, supporting a train of thought to help better the world. If TZM is to be a cult, then so is the ACLU, the NAACP, Greenpeace, PETA, or any other group of socially concerned people who share common interests about the way things should be.

This TZM “cult” pejorative has sadly been around for years and was put forward by people who simply disliked TZM or myself/my early films. So they slapped that label on us to deter association and be insulting. The person who perhaps really set this in motion was writer Michelle Goldberg, who clearly used that word in the same way trolls did because she disagreed with the movement’s ideas and REALLY hated my first film…and when people don't understand things (and fear thing) they are quick to label them.

It’s really sad such people do not realize the damage they create with such statements/labels as, in all cases, the issue has to do with a disagreement with the ideas of TZM, not the nature of the group itself or its methods.

TZM has a loose structure with no formal hierarchy. Chapters are virtually autonomous, as are the “members”. I put members in parenthesis for there is no real criteria for membership as there are no forms, monetary dues or the like to be part of the community. As I often say, people are in the Zeitgeist movement whether they like it or not:-)

But to humor your point more so, the executive director of the nonprofit Cult Education Institute was bombarded by anti-Zeitgeist movement trolls in 2011, trying to get him to label the movement as cult as he is an expert, often brought into legal trials when dealing with real cults. His name is Rick Alan Ross.

This is what he concluded on March 10, 2011 08:35PM

“What seems to come across is that TZM is a fringe groups that has some controversial beliefs, but that doesn't make it a "cult" by any meaningful objective definition. For a group to be considered a "cult" according to Lifton it must be destructive, not simply objectionable due to its beliefs. It's about behavior. Lifton says, "Economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling coterie" is evident. Singer states, "imagine an inverted T. The leader is alone at the top and the followers are all at the bottom". There is little if any accountability and as Singer says, "the overriding philosophy...is that the ends justify the means, a view that allows [such groups] to establish their own brand of morality, outside normal society bounds." Thus far TZM critics have been unable to specifically articulate such points as relevant to the group. Simply because you object to a group's philosophy or quirky beliefs doesn't make it a "cult," certainly not a destructive one. Perhaps TZM can be seen as a relatively benign fringe group with a "cult following," something like Trekkies or diehard Elvis fans.”

What are your thoughts on our current commercial farming infrastructure and new trends like local urban farming?

As I have written about, I am very big into localized farming, specifically through advanced soilless means and vertical structures. Urban or not. I think a huge push should be made to localize food production since today the average person's meal in the US travels about 1400 miles due to globalization. Incredible waste.

Peter, I see that you've heard from Michael C Rupert. You might have seen his film Collapse talk about the end of human industrial civilization. But I'm curious to know if you've seen talks by Guy McPherson, because he takes it to the next level by saying there won't be any humans on Earth by 2030 due to abrupt climate change. He says he isn't wrong about his predictions, that he's just putting the data together. Do you have thoughts on Guy and his reasoning (presuming you've heard)?

Michael C Ruppert was a friend of mine and his death/suicide was an incredible tragedy, first of all. I point that out because his fatalistic view of the fall of human industrial civilization was not fully rational and I tried to speak with him numerous times about how the growth of technological efficiency will continue to preserve capitalism overall for a good while – even though it will continue to create increased inequality, ecological decline and social destabilization. The problem isn't the collapse of society - it will be the corrosion of billions of people's well-being as the upper 1% become more affluent and the majority continue to suffer. As far as I'm concerned, with almost 1,000,000,000 people not meeting their basic nutrition requirements today, society has already "collapsed". That seems like a fair enough measured to me to say human society has failed or is failing, given our true potential. I do not subscribe to any ideas that humanity is doomed by any particular date. We have the option to change and it would not surprise me, for example — and purely hypothetically speaking —that somebody invents a tool that can pull CO2 out of the atmosphere. Again, I'm not saying this will happen but we don't know what technology has up its sleeve as time moves forward. However, as I pointed out before, by 2040/2050 – if current trends remain the same– we are going to see spectacular social destabilization due to the synergy of growing negative trends

I want to learn more about this movement what should I read? Also is there any difference between the system you propose and communism? I proposed this idea of /r/DebateCommunism not to challenge them but just to get feedback. They all said that literally is communism.

It's unfortunate how impulsive people are, throwing the label socialism or communism on any idea that effectively is non-hierarchical and not based on markets and mediums of exchange. Most of these folks really don't even know what they're saying. Are they referring to communism as practiced in the USSR? If so, then they are way off as that was little more then blind central planning and authoritative dictatorship. Are they referring to communism as preached by Karl Marx? If so, then they are also way off because Karl Marx never really had a true system of socialism or communism in terms of design. He spent 99.9% of his writing on theories of capitalism. What the Zeitgeist movement & myself promote is a society based upon efficient design. Design efficiency and the intelligent use of science and technology is what underscores our real economic development in terms of increased standards of living and reduced suffering. Theorists of communism were far too ignorant of these scientific efficiency ideas when they wrote about it. Communism was really about "freeing the workers" more than any kind of design, in the majority of the rhetoric put out in the 19th/20th century. As far as reading, you should check out “the Zeitgeist movement defined” which is a free text/book produced by the movement (see thezeitgeistmovement.com). I also finished a personal book called "the new human rights movement" which is available through various vendors and was published by BenBella books.

How should we respond to the growing possibility of another war?

Donald Trump's push against Syria, based on very little real evidence of the use of chemical weapons, is an extremely troubling sign. Since trump is impulsive and reactionary I would say war will probably be just as consistent if not slightly worse then would've happened if Hillary Clinton was elected. Broadly, I see global war as an inevitability as the environmental crises grow. The first two world wars were wars of geopolitical dominance, economic dominance and ideology. The next war will be about resources for real - for this is the first time in human history we are seeing a massive decline of life support systems.

What are your 3 favourite films?

Boyz in the Hood

2001 Space Odyssey

The Great Dictator

I think we should start building a community to implement and learn producing food and other necessities without much work. We should give people a chance to live outside of the market system. Do you think there is a reason for the zeitgeist movement not to support that or would it fail because of the influence of the curent system?

That very idea is integral to my communication strategy in my new film trilogy InterReflections. As far as creating a small community, it really would have to be high tech to get the point across. And without a great deal of money I don't think such a colony would be successful in the current world at this time. I do like organizations such as ‘open source ecology’ and the kind of minimalistic/off the grid living presented -- as at least it gets the sustainability and coexistence part across… but there really is no such thing as a "resource-based economy community" in the true sense of the definition. However, I do theorize that as time moves forward–as ephemeralization continues (more with less) I suspect some country will eventually lock off its economic borders and begin to create a completely independent economy. For example, imagine if Cuba experienced its embargoes 50 years from now– and they had the efficient technology to not even need any type of imports or exports. (This is also why I pitch "localization" as a critical transition.) However, in a world with inevitable "empires" (also a consequence of competitive capitalist society) any country that wishes to go"off the grid" would be met with tremendous pushback, to be sure. The neoliberal order sees any country doing anything outside “free-markets” as economically sacrilegious and is very intolerant. This is even policy ultimately at the United Nations. Free markets are associated with democracy/human rights– which of course is lunacy.

Hi Peter, Have you heard of the scientific field of Industrial Ecology?

"Industrial ecologists are often concerned with the impacts that industrial activities have on the environment, with use of the planet's supply of natural resources, and with problems of waste disposal. Industrial ecology is a young but growing multidisciplinary field of research which combines aspects of engineering, economics, sociology, toxicology and the natural sciences."

I believe the methodologies and research results from the field are the foundation needed for the Global Redesign Institute. Would be great to hear your thoughts!

Sounds excellent. It's funny how we come up with "new" scientific fields that really shouldn't be new at all given basic common sense when it comes to understanding earthly/social/economic synergies. I'm sure they're privy to the fact that a recent study pointed out that literally no business on this planet is profitable when you take into account the negative economic externalities created such as pollution and environmental destruction. If that isnt a slap in the face to market logic I don't know what is. Literally– If corporations had to pay for the destruction they create, none would be profitable on the whole. Incredible. As far as the global redesign institute, that does sound like an excellent starting point. I will look into it and thank you.

Part I of the first Zeitgeist movie was so wrong I couldn't watch the rest of your stuff because you lost credibility. Don't argue with me on that; you know I'm right. But it seems like your other material covers some very different topics. So I'll ask you, why should I watch your other videos or read your book?

I'm sorry to know the first part of my first film bothered you so much.

However, comparative religion and the idea of related Astrotheology/Nature Theory evolution - which is really just a fancy way of understanding how modern religions are derivative of early pagan nature worship religions - is not controversial or even up for debate in contemporary epistemological/historical research. The only things that are up for debate are the specific nuances -- which zeitgeist part one presents in a very fast-paced and, rightfully so, crude pop culture manner. Again, if you hold religious beliefs I apologize -- but let's be realistic. It is far more probable that religion is an evolving social phenomenon of myths/stories that change and morph over time; with figures that become “historized” that were once metaphors and so on. Please read the companion guide for Zeitgeist part one: http://zeitgeistmovie.com/Zeitgeist,%20The%20Movie-%20Companion%20Guide%20PDF/index.html

So glad to see a critical voice of reason amongst this sea of blind believers. When I watched the 2007 Zeitgeist Documentary, I couldn't believe it! I have never seen such a plethora of far-reaching unsubstantiated twaddle in my life. It really gets to me how many people watch this stuff and just go along with it because it's in documentary form.

It is all sourced. (see below response)

How does The New Human Rights Movement differ from The Zeitgiest Movement Defined?

The Zeitgeist movement defined is a very dense, broad technical treatment on the observations of the Zeitgeist movement, requiring quite a bit of tedious legwork on the part of the reader to really understand the scope of the Movement’s observations and solutions.

This type of writing really isn't conducive to approaching the general activist community, such as people part of the ACLU or NAACP, etc. So I wanted to create a work that resonated with those that struggle with day-to-day raw activist issues, bring the context back to the needed "structuralism" that is inherent to the train of thought I promote. If you read both works, you'll see pretty big differences in both content focus and the way it is written. In 'the new human rights movement' I don't even use the word resource-based economy nor do I approach any kind of broad holism. I simply present the train of thought in the clearest possible way, highlighting the outcomes of social injustice specifically.

Thank you for your efforts, it sparked a lot of personal development for me, in large part because of the social networks it spawned locally and online, as I'm sure it has for many others.

1) Have you read Science and Sanity by Alfred Korzybski, or Tyranny of Words by Stuart Chase? 2) Any books you have read lately that changed your mind significantly? Or that you think should be highlighted as worthwhile material? 3) Since 2007, how has your level of cynicism evolved?, has it increased, decreased, been stable?

Science and Sanity and Tyranny of words are two fantastic books that I certainly recommend to everyone even though the former is a bit complicated. Other books include pretty much everything by Buckminster F. and Jeremy Rifkin and even some texts that have good general data such as Abundance by Peter Diamandis…albeit in denial about the true negative ramifications of market system. I also recommend Heroes by Franco Berardo, who does a unique job thinking about the rise of Mass murderer such as the Batman or Columbine massacres - connecting them to neoliberalism. I also like the works of Alfie Kohn, regarding child education along with Gabor Mate and Robert Sapolsky as far as Neuroscience. There are many more but these are my suggestions off the top of my head.

As far as my cynicism, it has stayed the same! Just keep piping in George Carlin and Charlie Brooker and you will feel fine through catharsis ;)

What're some bands you like?

I grew up as a classical musician obsessed with complex 20th-century contemporary music. And that led me to groups like Frank Zappa and King Crimson and Yes and Emerson Lake and Palmer and then eventually Tool and Primus and Confessor and Meshugahh…and many other groups that are a kind of classical progressive fusion. Like most drummers, my biggest early influence was Neil Peart, of course.

Huge supporter of your work and I truly hope we start to see the radical change that is required in our lifetime. Have you ever considered going on tour throughout the world to spread your messages? I am certain that any university or conference center would sponsor you and other members of the Zeitgeist Movement. I know you shouldn't feel burdened with having to do all of this on your own and I know many people would be willing to help. However; information is only as good as the manner in which it is communicated and I have seen your lectures, read your books, and viewed your films. There's no if, ands, or buts, that you have a very unique talent for being able to communicate things in a way that resonates with people and I believe that is essential in getting people to understand and arrive at conclusions for themselves. I have yet to see someone communicate such "seemingly" elusive and complex subject matter in a way that people can understand, other than yourself. Nonetheless, thank you for all you do!

The very thought of going “on tour“ nearly inspires an aneurysm or a heart attack. ;) The beauty of the Internet is the message can move without a lecturer having to go city by city. Personally, I am very introverted and generally physically and mentally exhausted all the time. That said, I do travel to places that are open to the message and ideally have a good smart audience. Universities would be great and we have done some of that here in Los Angeles. Thank you for the compliment. I try my best. Obviously, I will gravitate towards pretty much anyone who is listening… but physically, right now I need to try and finish larger order communication projects rather than lectures.

For me, switching to crypto currencies that represent the resource cost of a good/product (carbon, water, rare earth elements, metals, hours of labour, etc) would be a good transitional tool that's implementable today. What tools do you think would really help transition our society that could be snuck through without requiring the end goal as a motivator?

I agree that crypto currencies would be a good improvement. Because blockchains contain lots of data and have unique transparency, it would be very interesting and productive to see traditional currency or money be replaced more holistically. But keep in mind, it doesn't change the real problem of market logic. I have been in many debates with people that think changing money and going back to a gold standard and so on would alter what is ultimately the system of control and oppression known as capitalism. I really don't think it would have that effect in terms of altering currency/money properties. But, as I think you are implying, the blockchain can be used for many other productive things in terms of feedback and economic accounting. I will be exploring this in the second of the InteReflections film trilogy where people are living differently using a kind of block chain technology to organize their society. But yes, transitionally, I think it would be a good step as well.

Information overload. Can you give any advice on your process (from ideas to screen)? I keep finding myself overwhelmed, then de-motivated...

If you're referring to the creative process in filmmaking, it starts with research and then note extraction and then category creation and then category organization. You have to find a method to distill the ideas and create form. For documentary that is fairly straightforward. For live action films with actors you're faced, of course, with taking those ideas and turning them into dialogue in symbologies etc. I would have to know little bit more about what you were working on to give better advice. If you feel overwhelmed, then you are doing too much at once!

Being a structuralist, with a vision of what you'd like to progress towards, what are your views on the current crop of self proclaimed 'progressives' who still support a labor based, monetary system? Are they really progressives or just modern/informed conservatives?

I'm referring to public figures rather than general Joe down the road.

Like most terms, the word “progressive” really runs a range of values and perspectives. I certainly agree with your basic sentiment as anyone who is truly interested in the advancement of society – as the core meaning of “progressive” implies – should naturally arrive at the conclusion that we have to alter the market system into something that actually favors increased social justice as opposed to the opposite. Unfortunately, this structuralism is too unromantic for most people and everyone is caught up in a group versus group mentality. In fact, that is probably one of the most prevalent sociological flaws facing humanity today – the assumption that the problem is always “with the other group”… and not a shared imposition coming from the incentives and procedural dynamics of the shared social system–distorting behaviors

Hey Peter, I have a question

You talk about zero cost or near zero cost production that seems like how many products are headed.

I believe there are many essential products already that can be produce with near zero cost and maybe are, but they aren't produced in a scale enough to interrupt the old inefficient market.

The electric car was made a long time ago, yet most cars in the world aren't electric; we have had the technology to take advantage of solar, wind, thermal energy for a long time, but most energy comes from fossil fuels; we have had for a long time the technology to automatize most labor in the world, yet the majority of people in the world does labor that can be automatize...

All of these things are already possible but won't happen because of the obvious game rules of profit and the culture of greed that won't let it happen, even if production costs goes down to almost zero cost, what would make the producer simply lower the price of the product? From what I've seen, they won't.

So do you think it's a good idea to simply wait for this products to be manufactured or produced near zero costs of production with the assumption that the producers and manufactures will lower the prices to near zero? If not, then what should we do? Do you not think that corporations will constantly prevent products from being sold near zero cost from happening?

Excellent question. There is a subculture of people I refer to as "techno capitalist apologists” and these folks are convinced that we will find social equality as capitalism “naturally” moves towards a zero marginal cost reality. This is not going to be the case as businesses do not optimize production in the interest to sell goods at a lower price outright (unless they are being competitive against another business) or to make their company obsolete due to increased efficiency. So while we do see positive things such as cell phones approaching zero marginal cost and people in Africa now having them – more people in Africa have cell phones today than clean water! So it's a chaotic and unfocused phenomenon (within a market system) and also a very poor defense of the market system as a whole. For the record, just to get this stated publicly, capitalism is really just an architecture and incentive system. It doesn't create anything. I get so tired of people trying to explain to me how capitalism created my phone or my car or my computer– No. Technological and scientific ingenuity did this and that same ingenuity is really being hindered today by market logic.

Anyway, as I argue in my book, there has to be mass activist mobilization to structurally change the system, allowing for the zero marginal cost phenomenon to really prove itself outside of capitalism, debunking the internal logic that preserves it.

So obviously we can't wait for anything. Again, no corporation is going to make itself obsolete by applying efficiency in the most optimized way. The market economy needs a culture that is insecure, along with a world of problems.

Personal confidence/satisfaction , sustainability, preservation, and efficiency are the enemies of the current economic structure.

Hey Peter,

Long time fan of your work. Your films were very influential to me growing up so thank you.

I know you don't regard yourself as a communist, so I'm not here to belabor that point. However I was wondering if you would agree that Marx's critique of capitalism is relevant to the present day? If not, why so?

Also have you read Peter Kropotkin's Conquest of Bread?

Thanks. Yes. It is unfortunate that Marx has become a bad word, when many of his words and ideas actually are found ubiquitously throughout mainstream market based economic literature. That is how influential he was. His work should be read. But I prefer Thorsten Veblen in terms of a more accurate diagnosis specially when it comes to government and technology. And no, sorry I have not read conquest of bread but I will added to my list!

how do we defeat the archons and illuminati?

With lasers and burritos. ;)

Hi Peter, big fan of your work, just wanted to ask, Where do you see the world going in 20 years??

In 20 years things will get worse since there is very little reason to think that the general population has absorbed enough relevant information about our sociological condition yet. The only wild card is the consistent growth of technological innovation which could slow things down a bit – that is partly my hope. You'll notice that peak oil became a nonissue a number of years back because oil companies belligerently used advanced technology to suck more hydrocarbons out of the earth then was possible before. (which was horrible since that money and investment should've gone to renewables rather than more hydrocarbon investment) This is kind of "delay of reckoning" will probably persist in various arenas. But without structural change, things are not going to work out. Current negative trends include: (1) ongoing loss of biodiversity and annual resource overshoot (2) increase of government debts which will limit the capacity of countries to actually afford solutions (3) pollution, including not only climate change which will be apocalyptic once we pass the 500 ppm -but also the ongoing destruction of the oceans, general air pollution and growing loss of fertile topsoil. (4) if technological unemployment isn't addressed through, at a minimum universal basic income, this will lead to vast social unrest to be sure. I could mention a few other things – but I peg around 2040 to 2050 as a period of mass social destabilization if nothing changes.

If you could go back in time ten years, what would you do differently? Would you make the Zeitgeist films and create the movement the same way?

That's an almost impossible question because the synergies of the time; the way my first film and the other films evolved was actually quite organic and difficult to understand as far as outcomes. Today, people criticize my first film saying it detracts from the movements message. I agree with that but at the time of the first film I had no intention of starting a movement of any kind. And with my rock-shock-documentary Zeitgeist, given the vast popularity it achieved, there might not have even been a chance to mobilize a large number of people towards a new social direction, regardless of their beliefs. So there is really no way for me to answer that. Again, the movement was pushed on me– I didn't really start anything ;)

What are the most likely initiators (as recognised by history) for bringing about an RBE society. Zeit'ers coming together to crowdfund buying a country to develop as a proof of concept, Ideas of Zeit suriving a revolution, where the ideas are strong in the leaders that rise up or a politician getting elected with an RBE manifesto, or something else and what are the common beliefs around Zeitgeisters?

Given the power of gaming graphics and social networking technology I think a virtual society should be created where people participate and understand its functionality online. This has been suggested for a good time and has been a growing conversation recently. The problem, of course is financing the project. Beyond that, creating interactive systems that show aspects of how the future economy will work could also be good. I think cad and computer aided design and engineering w/open source projects could show the world, for example, that we do not need corporations anymore. We can design a car– a cell phone – computer – as a collective society if the right infrastructure was created through open-source. These kinds of projects, along with things I talked about in the lecture" economic calculation in an natural law resource-based economy" could be very effective. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApyiJrFJeyQ

Thoughts on cyrpto-currencies- i.e. Bitcoin?

Please see the other question above. Thanks

Do you acknowledge any flaws in the RBE?

A resource-based economy is based on principles of public health, social stability, and ecological sustainability. These principles and optimization intents are mostly static but the scientific and technological attributes, along with the social value attributes, are not static. Since I do not recognize any kind of “fixed model” of resource-based economy, the issue of "flaws" is ultimately temporal. Today, due to distorted social psychology and the constant pinging of our lower reptilian competitive brain by capitalism/competition, the central problem is with human consciousness at this time. I could say quite a bit about that but that doesn't really address your question so I will leave it at that and check later to see if you have a follow-up Q.

Minus the enormous project of how to transition, what percent of the post transaction resource based economy has been laid out. What are the current points that have not been worked out and how are they being worked on?

When you say “laid out”, it implies a kind of set blueprint. The blueprint we have is based upon various broad structural changes that, if applied, set in motion the dev of larger order social architectures over time. Like a seed that grows a tree.

The five core issues that I promote that will transition to a post scarcity economy are shifts to (1) access, (2) automation, (3) Open source, (4) localization, (5) networked digital feedback. (see free TZM book for details)

Each one of these requires a good deal of explanation but if you are familiar with the movement you can understand their synergy and how they will increase efficiency to a point that makes the market obsolete.

In terms of specific technical organization there are numerous variables regarding application because applied technology obviously keeps changing. But the framework of these five issues - being directly incentivized - sets the stage/creates the structure by which all progressively newer technological advents will find their proper homes.

As far as I'm concerned, the foundation/blueprint is very clear. It is only the specifics that need to be worked out in terms of working systems of calculation, methods of direct participatory economics through design, and so on. These initial "sub-systems" require a great deal of dedicated people (and money) to start creating. A lot of this is talked about in the book as well, again.

Any thoughts on Syria? Ope I went there... was the 'piece now" kind of a self defense tweet, any parallels?

I commented on Syria above. The US decision to bomb is perfectly in line with the prior three administrations' Middle East/Eurasia policy and Trump is proving himself to be just another tool of ongoing Middle East destabilization. Having cross referenced the research on the use of chemical weapons by Syria's leader, there is no definitive evidence he himself actually did this. The US has been wanting to destroy Syria's Government for a long time.

When did you discover Buckminster Fuller and how did you stumble upon him? How do you conduct research in general?

I was introduced to Buckminster Fuller probably around 2002 as a good friend of mine was big into him. In fact, many don't know that when I was developing Zeitgeist Addendum, BF was going to be the focal point of the solution section. Then I learned about the Venus Project and since Fresco was still alive and seemed to embrace the same basic ideas, I sidestepped BF for that film. Fuller does make an appearance in my new film trilogy. As as far as research, I touched upon that briefly in a prior question. In short, I read lots of books and then extract notes by hand from those books. I think it's important to write things out by hand if you really want to get them in your brain as we have evolved to use our hands in such a way. Typing doesn't create the same connection. Once I have these notes I categorized them. Then I organize the categorized items in a logical way to create the form or structure. Nothing profound. But if you do this right you can distill say 200 books into a 50 page word document. Hope that helps.

In a response to another question you said:

(5) and then we have the Internet of things which is effectively a >means to void Ludwig von Mises "price calculation argument".

Can you expand on this?

While the IoT has no exact definition, it is about networking technology and sensors to optimize information flows. Using the Internet and instruments to measure, track, and feed back information, this process, in the ideal, can unify numerous disparate elements and systems, greatly advancing awareness and efficiency potentials. Some ambitious ideas are “smart cities” where various components of the urban infrastructure become networked for rapid response, from personal health sensors that link to hospitals, to lights that dim when no one is detected in order to save energy. The imagination can run wild with possibilities. If properly incorporated, this ability could allow for a powerful integration, unifying and simplifying the once extremely complex technical processes of society. In an economic context, the IoT approach could relay and connect data regarding how best to manage resources, production processes, distribution, consumption, recycling, waste disposal behavior, consumer demand, and so on. It may seem abstract, but such a process of networked economic feedback would work on the same principle as modern systems of inventory and distribution found in major commercial warehouses.

Many companies today use a range of sensors and sophisticated tracking means to understand rates of demands, exactly what they have, where it is or where it may be moving, and when it is gone. It is ultimately an issue of detail and scalability to extend this kind of awareness to all sectors of the economy, macro and micro. Today, the market economy is mostly driven by feedback from consumer purchases and little more. Through people’s preferences expressed by way of buying and selling, business alters its productions and designs to accommodate them. As termed in older economic circles, this feedback comes from the “price mechanism.” Austrian school economist Ludwig von Mises, in his work Economic Calculation in the Socialist Commonwealth, famously argued that without the use of price and exchange, it would be impossible for efficient information to be communicated within the economy. Money changing hands was the bridge to all transactions, feeding back critical supply and demand information. At the time of his writing, in 1920, it is safe to say he was mostly correct in this view, even though there was no shortage of rebuttals. However, today there is no doubt his view is outdated. Not only is price no longer needed to gain critical economic feedback, but the information price communicates is long delayed and incomplete in terms of economic measures required to dramatically increase efficiency. Mechanisms related to the IoT make it possible to efficiently monitor shifting consumer preference, demand, supply, and labor value, virtually in real time. Moreover, IoT can also be used to observe other technical processes price cannot, such as shifts in production protocols, allocation, recycling means, and so on. A true system of economic feedback and management is about understanding the total interaction of economic components on all levels, in a unified way, not just supply and demand or what people are buying and selling. It is now possible to track trillions of economic interactions related to the supply chain and consumer behavior by way of sensors and digital relay, far surpassing what we are doing today.

What does the global chessboard look like to you right now? What facets of it are the most precarious in terms of war in your view?

Sounds like you have read “The Grand Chessboard: American Primacy And Its Geostrategic Imperatives”, which is a horrifyingly xenaphobic, geodominance book by Zbigniew Brzezinski.

Historically, things have unfolded pretty much the way he expected– with ongoing Western dominance/destruction of Eurasia. In terms of the American Empire, people keep talking about its decline but there are still tens of thousands of military bases across the world and the US dollar is still the petrodollar/reserve currency. The US also is home to about 80% of the largest and most powerful transnational corporations. China has very tight relations with the United States in terms of trade and I don't see much disturbing that at this point in time. Russia is the symbolic Cold War enemy of America so the US really uses it as a tool to continue it's need to give the public a common enemy, when it's not generating fear about the Islamic state or Al Qaeda. Overall, I don't see much changing except an accelerating increase in American military power and pressure to push neoliberalism as far as it can. The chessboard will reveal its true colors when environmental resource stress starts to take hold and nations realize they have to start stealing again in a more direct way.

Peter I just want to thank you for all the work that you have done, it is really important. I am wondering if you have come across the work of Robert Menard? https://twitter.com/FreemanMenard https://www.facebook.com/robert.menard.52

What are your thoughts on the concept of using "law" to begin to remedy some of the practices that have led us to this point.

Lawful, as opposed to legal.

If you are referring to the view of law regarding the Freeman Movement and these ideas surrounding what it means to be a "sovereign citizen" and so on – I have yet to read anything (yet) of particular value on the issue. I spent a little bit of time researching Maritime Law and a lot of unique ideas surrounding this and beyond -- but the problem is the "law" as a logic/body of statues is not immutable or "natural" in any way. Even if people found away to circumvent current corrupt legal practices and perhaps even alter/bypass their birth certificates or whatever, the legal code would simply be "corrected" by politicians to bypass those loopholes. You can't win.

Hi Peter.

Social change comes down to a change in values, right?

In what concrete ways are you (we) currently trying to change our educational systems? What are actions we (the people) can take to make bottom-up changes?

Social change does come down to a changing values but it's important to recognize that our values are not necessarily an option of free will. We must structurally recognize that without a change of incentives in our social system, our/everyone’s values will still be vulnerable to destructive, unsustainable, dominance, competitive and status patterns. In other words, human society cannot change itself from the inside as a whole. Now, some of us probably like yourself, can realize the way you wish to be without as much interference. We are the anomalies. And it still takes a great deal of education and personal reflection to reach a point where you reject the values of the mainstream culture that surrounds you, along with the procedural dynamics that are creating this prevalent distorted social psychology as well. That stated, I stand by the sociological science that says we have to change the prevailing social/economic structure more than anything else. Our educational systems are really a result of this same structure which is why kids learn to memorize things rather than critical thought, while being organized in grade hierarchies, while also subservient to authority. They are being groomed for "jobs". A new platform for education would be one that supports conceptual integration and synergies. If systems theory was taught to grade school children, then they would be much less likely to be racist and bigoted, while also seeing labor specialization as a drawback to wisdom, for example. Much could be said on these issues and I recommend Alfie Kohn once again, especially when it comes to removing the competitive ethic from child development.

Hi, Peter. I have over a dozen questions. I'll post separately as they're not entirely related.

Have you heard about 'The Cardboard Box Reform' that James D'Angelo and Congressional Research Institute advocate (less transparency in government to let politicians do their jobs) and if so, what's your take on it?

I'm sorry to say I have not– but since you mentioned it I will look into it. Thanks for the ref note