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Death Throes Of The Industrial
Age
Long Live The Netcohort
Society
We can easily observe evidence that
the death throes of large economies of scale have
begun. Perhaps that is why we value the
elegant wisdom of C. F. Bastiat. If we
are to avoid a violent tribal world or feudal serfdom,
Bastiat's words offer some of the guidance we will need.
A broad scale of exchange is explored by Bastiat here:
"The sort of dependence that results from exchange,
i.e., from commercial transactions, is a reciprocal dependence.
We cannot be dependent upon a foreigner without his being
dependent on us. Now, this is what constitutes the very
essence of society. To sever natural interrelations is
not to make oneself independent, but to isolate oneself
completely" - Bastiat.
The industrial age is fading. Creating "one size
fits all" solutions was once the most profitable
and most direct way of benefiting the greatest number.
Industry, education, government, in fact all institutions
developed on this precept; large size is more efficient.
The needs of the individual were pushed aside as the
needs of greater society were addressed.
This is changing, of course inevitable is not the same
as immediate. The huge once efficient structures of the
information age are being hollowed out as individuals
and the protean teams of the Netcohort are technologically
empowered.
The same disruptive technology that is ushering in the
"information and miniaturization age" is altering
all exchange relationships. As bureaucracies deflate or
implode exchange becomes direct between interested parties.
In fact that is a good definition of the Netcohort Age:
The emerging reality of a technology based information
and miniaturization period that will replace the information
age.
Technology has made it easier to craft a solution that
will custom fit an individual. As needs are identified
in the emerging network society, small groups of the new
Netcohort will quickly identify the needs as opportunities
and respond.
- If you are preparing for the Netcohort
Age.
- If your goal is to be part of a flexible
and influential Netcohort society.
- the Netcohort
attributes you will need are knowledge, personal
integrity, flexibility, and accomplishment.
Those Netcohort individuals that develop wealth by serving
individual needs will benefit themselves first. Then all
will benefit as their wealth is spent or invested.
An open and free market system will encourage those rare
individuals that create tools, jobs, and businesses that
enhance the whole open society's life style. To a lesser
extent even closed societies will eventually benefit.
Without those incentives the world may come to resemble
the former communist countries: a political elite dominating
a subjugated populace.
People pretended to work – the government pretended
to pay them.
The free markets can provide a viable Netcohort Age alternative;
as our favorite economist said:
"By virtue of exchange, one man's
prosperity is beneficial to all others." - C. F.
Bastiat
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