Zeitgeist Film: Your Life, Your World
ZEITGEIST MOVING FORWARD: Your Life, Your World
If you were offered an alternative society to the one we currently live within — one that could provide (not promise) a dramatic drop in poverty, a higher level of health care, a rise in education levels and a more functional society, would you fight for it? Would you fight for a self-sustainable system that supports recycling and renewable energy, and, most importantly, holds human concern in the highest regard.
Even if you currently live a relatively comfortable life at present, you’ll at least be aware of all the suffering and violence that persists in the world around us, the increasing levels of stress, illness, poverty, crime and the growing gap between the “haves” and “have nots”. You may even understand that poverty and inequality are the central causes of crime and aberrant behaviour.
Every human being does the best they can to survive and live the highest quality of life possible. The sad reality is that the highest quality of life currently achievable, in technological terms, is lived by a miniscule portion of the global population — less than one percent. This is an embarrassment for the human race which is capable of so much more. And you needn’t blame particular people for our current state of affairs, but you can certainly blame the dominant systems in place that influence such thinking and behaviour.
The Zeitgeist Movement website identifies itself as ‘a grass-roots campaign to unify the world through a common ideology based on the fundamentals of life and nature’. It is a free venture that also offers ways that members can get involved. (Image: www.thezeitgeistmovement.com)
Every cultural paradigm is likely to assume that they are at the apex of civilisation. What’s more likely is that future generations will look back and cringe at the way we once lived.
Society is on the brink of revolutionary change, which I sincerely hope happens while I’m still alive to enjoy it. I have never been more convinced that the meaning of life is spending your time on this Earth, contributing in whatever way you can, towards improving it — creating a heaven on Earth so to speak. The attitude that “that’s just the way it is” and perhaps believing that everything will be okay when you die, is not only unhealthy, but painfully unproductive.
Every educated person should understand that we are in a continual process of social evolution; that the current state of affairs and systems in place are by no means finite. We are all simply doing our best to live within them. However, as global unrest rises, as inevitable economic collapse continues and as we grow increasingly fed up with our political systems, change, too, is inevitable.
Zeitgeist Moving Forward
Zeitgeist: Your life, your world
This belief system and these radical, almost utopian-sounding ideas, are portrayed in a simple manner by a film that is fast becoming a global phenomenon. Zeitgeist Moving Forward is the third film by director Peter Joseph, who has been placed in the media spotlight several times in the past few years.
The film illustrates the current global state of affairs — the systems that govern our living, thinking and behaviour. But rather than just offering a bleak outlook on life as we know it, Zeitgeist Moving Forward proposes practical solutions to creating a better life on Earth for all to benefit from.
The central idea is that of a resource-based economy — one where resources, sustainability, technology and efficiency are at the forefront. It proposes that global stock-takes and surveys be undertaken to assess where the greatest needs exist and then acting on this information.
There is far more to the film that can be illustrated here. I can only encourage you to watch it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. It is being freely distributed on the Internet and the entire film can be watched on YouTube. Advocates are even encouraged to make copies of the film and distribute them freely.
Zeitgeist film stats and final thoughts
Since Zeitgeist Moving Forward launched on YouTube in January, it has seen over 200 000 views a day and has now passed the four million mark. Responses have been predominantly favourable and it is likely to break a world record as the most viewed film in the shortest period of time. With the amount of support that the movement is seeing, it would be erroneous to think that nothing is going to come of it.
We needn’t fear for the future. We can all collectively create a world where the relative success of a country is not measured by GDP, but happiness; a world where we do not have to worry about when out next pay cheque is coming; where we are not divided by education or financial wealth and status; and where self-worth is not measured by status and material gain, but rather by our contribution towards creating a better world in which to live.
A RESOURCE BASED ECONOMY: A possible future
- Part 1: The power of the planet
- Part 2: A world without money
- Part 3: Incentive to work in a moneyless society
- Part 4: Future Smart Homes
- Part 5: Future by Design
- Part 6: Automated governance?
- Part 7: Zeitgeist Film: Your Life, Your World
Can we live beyond our own selfishness? The fact is everything we all do effects each other and our planet! The Zeitgeist Movement is not a communist movement! I think the reason that people are trying to make that comparison is because it states that in order for things to improve we must work together as a community! Things will never change unless we look beyond our own selfish desires and needs! This I feel may be hard for people including myself to deal with as we have been programmed from birth to look after number one! This outdated philosophy is leading to our own self destruction! We can no longer bury our heads in the sand! Our current system is not working! There are more wars, less resources and OUR planet is dying! Communism supported heavy industry and the suppression of its peoples and their ideals! The Zeitgeist Movement is supported by many buddhists, scientists and philosophers.
Please look at the history of communism in Tibet before ridiculous comparisons are made! The Zeitgeist is a completely new, viable and modern well thought out ideal. Of course it will have some flaws as will any new, untried system. I ask people to please read or watch the movie uninterrupted without bias before jumping to any conclusion.
Thanks for your comment Richie – you rock! This is honestly the most passionate article I have written to date as I am such a firm believer in this movement. If we are going to make it as a species and ensure that planet Earth is still in habitable shape for future generations, we have to start having such discussions that lead to ACTION! Am so glad that you have found my article. Please help me spread the word to the world!
Kind regards,
Galen
The Zeitgeist Movement is what it says it is – a movement of free thinking and non violent people who share similar ideals and want things to improve. They want to try and achieve good and unselfish things such as an end to poverty and war! All the previous systems or -isms have assumed that we have endless resources! It is part of mankind’s evolutionary history and inquisitiveness to try new systems and leave and try something different if it isn’t working! We are all scared of the unknown and therefore cling to what we know! That is only natural however, what we all bare in mind is unless we try and evolve beyond this we are going to stay trapped in this perpetual circle of destruction and this will only end with our own inevitable self destruction! Is that what we want for our children!? We must act now! If not for ourselves for our children’s sake!
I have been so inspired Galen! I really do believe we can change everything! You are my first contact outside of friends and family! I want to move beyond talking and hope to positive action! To perhaps form a network of like-minded individuals to help spread the word and show people that change is possible and that there is hope! I think that many people including myself feel a sense of hopelessness! I am not a vulnerable hapless person seeking guidance but a practical thinking, logical working father! For the sake our children we must move forward to avoid the terrible consequences of our past actions.
Well I’m certainly feeling your inspiration! The first important step is spreading the word – educating people about this and motivating for change. You might be interested in received the ZM news letter (which they send out about once a month). Peter Joseph also does a radio show – updating members on what their latest achievements have been.
I think this is the 6th or 7th article I’ve written in relation to the Zeitgeist Movement, their films and the Venus Project! Have you read the others? The links appear at the end of the above article and I also have them on a dedicated page (Quite Interesting).
Would love to hear your thought on those!
Thanks. I will take a look at the links and get subscribed to ZM and get back to you with thoughts within the week. Thanks
All the best,
Richie
Manchester UK