First of all, the economy that we have today is sort of capitalistic – which means that our economic system is based on domination. It’s all about who gets there FAST, who made it BIGGER, who got INVESTED etc.
However, the economy built on kindness would definitely be radical - Different. Over the years, especially post-pandemic, we have come to realize that having more doesn’t always mean better. How we live, buy and sell is now changing.
The post-pandemic era now is all about care, respect and understanding of the implications of our actions. We want to know who we buy it from, how and why things are made, who will benefit from those purchases, and how it will benefit them.
But what is a Kindness Economy?
For me, Kindness Economy is about initiating, co-creating, and driving ideas or initiatives that will impact lives or the world for the better. It is also about recognizing, validating, and rewarding the society that did well.
We rarely validate and reward people for the good deeds they do – regardless of who they are or where they come from. They deserve it as much as anyone prominent that you have read on the media. Psychologically, it is also rewarding because your brain releases endorphins that make you feel good whenever you do something that makes a difference.
Future of Kindness Economy on Web 3
Kindness economy is certainly to look out for and the future is indeed promising. Well, it is not there yet but just like the Web3, it is possible. I dream of this possibility every day.
Kindness Economy will eventually change the way companies do their businesses and how society purchases. As mentioned above, consumers in future will insist to know if the products and services that they buy or subscribed to will impact the world and how their participation in the process makes a difference.
Imagine having a decentralized go-to-market (rather than being controlled by the Governments and Corporations) and how the impact of purchases made via Web3 impacts both providers and recipients.
For example, in a decentralized business, the price of all items or even services, as well as details on who would get paid from the business activities, would be held on the blockchain. The shareholders of the business would then be able to vote to either change prices or to who to distribute the funds to.
With Web3 as the business model, funds can be safely and conveniently distributed back to the business, to the maker of products or provider of services or to pay it forward to the community that supported the concept in a form of rebate for the next purchase. The community would also have the option to donate the tokens away to causes in need. Collected points from purchases can be converted to tokens where users can choose to exchange for something (i.e: rebate) or donate (pay it forward) them away to causes or missions.
In this case, it’s a win-win solution for everyone. Like a complete cycle, the providers get paid, the supporters get a token of thanks and those in need get help – without having to beg for help. Imagine using OCT from the Octopus Network as one of the currencies to support this.
In a decentralized business, no individual could change the rules without having permission to do so or own the physical infrastructure. For example, the server owners or even business shareholders, where the profits were received and kept, could interfere in any way and run off with the profits or valuable data.
In theory, Web3 eliminates the need to have “men-in-the-middle” run the business. Artificial Intelligence will also play a big part in Web3. Businesses would be able to curate offerings that would appeal to customers based on their last views or purchases. It gives business owners future insights on saleable products or services.
Creation of Kindness Economy
There are many online social platforms created for the masses but none focus on bringing the community together to ideate, initiate and co-collaborate for the benefit of the common good.
I know this is a tall order, so I kickstarted Sharetribes.com this year with a hope to validate the concept.
By creating a virtual community platform, driven by communities from any part of the world where everyone gets connected to cross collaborate, reward and create awareness, builds their own community/groups with a mission to create a better world is timely in the post-pandemic era.
The only part that we still have to work on is implementing the Web3 concept into the frame. With very little resources, both manpower and funds – it may be a huge challenge to validate this fast. But I believe someone out there will see the potentiality of this enough to support our venture – who knows.
The New Economy Needs You!
In order to change how the existing economy work, we need brilliant minds to come together and kickstart a new initiative to change that. We need to create a new channel, a new system to materialize and drive this.
We believe that the pandemic happens for a reason. It gives the exhausted world a chance to pause, reset and allows us humans to reflect on what really matters and build it.
Humans keeps taking and taking, but rarely give back. Imagine cutting down trees, robbing and raping the jungle to benefit mankind, but what about the environment? Wild lives? Have we ever paused for a while and thought about the impact? Who do we blame for creating an imbalance in the ecosystem? Whose responsibility is it to restore them?
Or did we exploit others for our gains? Food for thought, a day-old bread may be discarded by some, but to some others, it could still feed a hungry stomach.
You Can Play a Role - Be a Change Agent
Anyone regardless the status, race, culture or beliefs can do something good for the world and they deserve a shout-out and a huge pat on their backs. We need to share their good work and validate the contributions they have made. Everyone plays a part, whether they donate time or resources.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bCSUBeEp88
But we certainly cannot do this alone. Since we now have a platform that serves as a vehicle to do this, all we need is people like you - to drive it together.
So what’s the future behold for Sharetribes?
For now, we are taking it one day at a time and continuing to nurture her to be the best version of herself so she can continue to serve others. But she needs you to be part of that journey. And I believe we can make it happen. Just like how Elon Musk believes that one day we all can travel to the moon - like tourists.