The Future of Coordination: Michel Bauwens on Web3 and Societal Resilience
Cosmo-Local Commoning with Web3 - Michel Bauwens (P2P Foundation) 🔗
00:00 Introduction
Michel Bauwens emphasizes the need for smart mutualization and localization to avoid societal collapse, advocating for the application of Web3 technology in areas like renewable energy and organic farming. He introduces himself as the founder of the P2P Foundation, which focuses on peer-to-peer and commons-based practices, highlighting humanity's desire for more convivial relationships in a technologically advanced yet alienating civilization.
04:37 The Future of Coordination
Bauwens discusses Web3's potential to create a global mutual coordination infrastructure, recalling the historical evolution of labor from disdain for work in slave societies to a more integrated community model. He envisions a future where passionate work is prioritized, facilitated by Web3's ability to finance collective projects and align contributors through innovative governance systems, like quadratic voting.
22:08 Shortcomings of Web3
Despite his optimism about Web3, Bauwens critiques its current application, suggesting that it primarily serves privileged groups seeking to escape challenging circumstances rather than addressing broader societal needs. He calls for a combination of rooted local communities and transient knowledge-sharing networks to innovate and strengthen localism.
38:19 The Role of Web3 and Future Alliances
Bauwens sees Web3 and local commons as important seed forms for a new civilization, suggesting that these systems could help bridge the gaps between local and global needs. He believes that the future will require new alliances across different societal levels to create a more equitable and sustainable world.
45:20 Navigating the Transitions
The conversation touches on the uncertainty of transitioning through societal collapse and the potential for AI to aid in resource management. Bauwens expresses cautious optimism about humanity's resilience and the need for deeper engagement with historical context to inform future actions.
What is the main focus of Michel Bauwens's work?
Michel Bauwens focuses on creating a peer-to-peer and commons-based economy, emphasizing the need for mutualization and localization in response to societal challenges.
How does Bauwens view Web3's impact on society?
Bauwens sees Web3 as a means to facilitate global coordination and mutual support among communities but cautions that it currently serves mainly privileged groups. He advocates for integrating local and global commons to foster innovation and resilience.
What does Bauwens suggest is necessary for a sustainable future?
Bauwens suggests that forming alliances across different societal levels, utilizing Web3 and commons-based practices, and fostering local resilience through knowledge sharing are essential for creating a sustainable future.