Re: <nettime> Josh Hall: Blockchain could reshape our world – and the far right is one step ahead (Guardian)

[Carsten Agger <agger@modspil.dk>]

On 03/03/2018 09:20 AM, Patrice Riemens wrote:

> And then, cryptocurrencies don't make very much economic sense either. 
> Their only merit is have bootstrapped rethinking money and currencies 
> - even though not necessarily in the 'right' direction.

Talking about monetary alternatives, I find LETS currencies much more 
interesting, such as (e.g.) the Puma in Seville, 
https://monedasocialpuma.wordpress.com/

One important difference from Bitcoin etc. is that the scope of LETS 
currencies are strictly local - they simply don't work outside of their 
area. Also, they are strictly community-based, meaning that they will 
only work if you build a community around them or use them to strengthen 
an existing one - they are much more collectivist, even "socialist" or 
at least left anarchist in mobilizing local communities around, e.g., 
the creation of food markets; thirdly, this means that their value as a 
currency is directly proportional to how much the money circulate - the 
more they do, the more of the local economy is being build by people in 
that locality itself, and the better; but fourthly, that also means that 
these currencies are complimentary and can't stand alone (you can't by 
oil or electric power with money that's only good in your own 
neighbourhood).

If we want to rethink money, there are many more directions in which to 
go than the cryptocurrencies' neoliberal vision of a return to the gold 
standard. The concept of "aging money" as defended in Michael Ende's 
novel "Momo", among other places, is an example.

Nice weekend to everyone!
Carsten
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