London, UK / July 25th 2009

英國倫敦 2009年7月25日

The title of the presentation is "Where are we now?"

演講的題目是 [我們在哪裡] ?

In my experience so far in attempting to promote the ideas

根據我目前為止的經驗 在嘗試推廣

of the movement and the Venus Project, I find about 95% of the critics

時代精神運動和維納斯計劃的過程中 我發現有95%的批評

tend to ignore the current state of affairs.

都忽視了目前的狀況

And in a detached manner, they simply criticize the abstracts

他們僅是用一種脫離實際問題的方式片面批評

of what our proposed resolutions are

我們提出的解決方案

without ever reflecting on the train of thought

卻從來不深思

that was employed to reach those solutions.

得出這些方案所用的思路

So in response to this, I decided to simply focus on the information

因此針對這種情況 我決定把問題集中在

which will, at a minimum, at least further compound the dire need

為了脫離當今社會運作的訊息 而這些訊息

to get away from our current social practices

至少會進一步加劇這種迫切的需求

while also showing the logic that the Venus Project employs

同時也展示出維納斯計劃的

to arrive at the conclusions and ideas that they do.

結論以及理念背後的邏輯

We're not just making things up. Jacque Fresco didn't just

我們不是沒事找事 雅克·法斯科不只是

creatively come up with ideas. He has a pivotal train of thought

憑空想出這些主意 他的思考是建立在

and it has a near empirical basis.

實踐的基礎上

First there's going to be an overview

首先要概述的是

of the movement, the tenets of the Venus Project.

時代精神的概述和維納斯計劃的宗旨

In Part 1 we're going to elaborate even more

在第1部分中 我們將更多地

on the nature of our world monetary system and its consequences

闡述我們世界中金融貨幣體系的本質及其後果

while in Part 2 we will take a larger step back and consider the human condition

在第2部分中 我們將回首過去 思考人類制約

its cultivation and the effects of the social system at large.

制約的塑造 以及社會體系對人們的影響

Before I begin, please note that it was recommended

在我開始之前 我曾在電子郵件中推薦

in the emails sent out that people read the Orientation Guide

大家先閱讀"入門指南"

or the Activist Video because

或是行動實踐者的相關影片

basically I'm going to move very quickly through a lot of this information

基本上我將非常快速地把許多訊息帶過一遍

on the assumption that a lot of you are already familiar with some of it.

在很多人已熟悉這些訊息的前提下

If you're not, don't be surprised if some things come as extremely foreign.

如果你還不熟悉 請不要對這些訊息感到極度陌生

This lecture is actually part of two lectures.

本次演講實際上是兩次講座的一部分

The second lecture will be given sometime in the future to deal with the other section.

第二次演講將會在以後的時間處理其它部分

As you'll see, I deal with the first part

如你所見 我現在要講第一部分

of the idea which is the fact that our social system is corrupt

即我們腐敗的社會體系這個事實

and the second section is what the solutions are. We're not going to talk

第二部分談論解決方案 我們不打算談

about solutions specifically right now. We're going to talk about

關於當前問題的具體解決方案 我們現在要談

the reasoning behind it.

它背後的推論

The term "Zeitgeist" is defined as the intellectual

"時代精神"一詞被定義為

moral, cultural climate of an era.

一個時代的思想 道德 文化氛圍

The term "Movement" simply implies motion or change.

"運動"一詞僅僅意味著運動或改變

Therefore, the Zeitgeist Movement is an organization that urges change

因此 "時代精神運動"是一個組織

in the dominant, intellectual, moral and cultural climate of the time

呼籲改變主導這個時代的思想 道德和文化氛圍

specifically to values and practices which would better serve

具體而言是關於價值觀和實踐

the well-being of the whole of humanity, regardless of race

為所有人的福祉作出更佳貢獻 不論其種族

religion, creed or any other form of contrived social status.

信仰 教義或任何形式的人為社會地位狀態

The Zeitgeist Movement in function exists as a communicative representation

"時代精神運動"的功能是作為一個

of an organization called The Venus Project

名為"維納斯計劃"的組織溝通代表

which is essentially a conceptual and technological set of ideas

其本質是結合概念性與技術性的思想

which constitutes the life-long work of industrial designer

維納斯計畫是一位工業設計師和社會工程師

and social engineer, Jacque Fresco.

雅克·法斯科的畢生精華

Mr Fresco, along with his associate Roxanne Meadows, have been working

法斯科先生與他的同事羅克珊·梅多斯一同工作

for decades to establish the technical methods and educational imperatives

幾十年以來建立了技術方法和必要的教育

which can transition society away from its current cycles of war

使這個社會得以轉型 脫離目前的戰爭循環

perpetual poverty and pervasive corruption

無止境的貧窮和普遍的腐敗

into an improved social design based on environmental alignment

轉變成為一個改良過的社會 其設計基於環境和諧

practicality, peak efficiency, and most critically

實用性 最高效率 而且最關鍵的是

a heightened standard of living, personal freedom and well-being

提高生活水準 個人自由和幸福感

for not just one nation or class, but for the entire human family.

不只是一個民族或階級 而是整個人類大家庭

The ultimate materialization of these ideas

這些想法最終會實現在

is in the form of a new social design

一個新的社會模式中

updated to present-day knowledge. And the design can be termed

應用最尖端的科學技術 這個模式可被稱為

a "Resource-Based Economy" (RBE).

"資源導向型經濟(RBE)"

In the words of Mr. Fresco

法斯科先生說過

"We call for a straight forward redesign of our culture

"我們呼籲直接重新設計我們的文化

in which the age-old inadequacies of war, poverty, hunger, debt

其中漫長的戰爭 貧困 飢餓 債務等弊病

and unnecessary human suffering are viewed as not only avoidable

和人類不必要的苦難 不僅是可以避免的

but also as totally unacceptable.

而且是完全無法接受的

Anything less simply results in a continuation

如果不改變只會導致

of the same catalog of problems inherent in the present system.

現行體系中固有問題的延續

In summary, a Resource-Based Economy utilizes resources rather than commerce.

總之 資源導向型經濟利用的是資源而非商業

All goods and services are available without the use of currency

人們可取得所有物品和服務而不需使用貨幣

credit, barter, or any form of debt or servitude.

信貸 以物易物 或任何形式的債務或奴役

The aim of this new social design is to free humanity

這種新社會模式的目標在於解放人類

from the repetitive, mundane and arbitrary occupational roles

免除這些重複 枯燥和隨意的職業角色

which hold no true relevance to social development

而這些東西完全與社會發展無關

while also encouraging a new incentive system

資源導向型經濟同時也鼓勵新的激勵制度

that is focused on self-fulfillment, education

重點是自我實現 教育

social awareness and creativity, as opposed

社會意識和創造力 而不是

to the contrived, shallow, self-interested, corruption generating goals

人為的 膚淺的 自利的腐敗

of wealth, property and power which are dominant today.

把當今主導社會的財富和權力當作目標

The enabling foundation of this concept is the realization

實現這一概念的基礎

that through the intelligent management of the earth's resources

在於透過對地球資源的智慧管理

along with the liberal application of modern technology and science

以及對現代科技和科學的解放應用

we have the ability to create a near global abundance on this planet

我們有能力在這個星球上創造全球性的富足

and thus escape the detrimental consequences generated

從而遠離目前產生的不利後果

by the real and artificial scarcity and waste which is dominant today.

即真實和人為的匱乏主導著當今的社會

This reality can provably create a high quality of life for

這個新現實可以證明 能為多出好幾倍的全球人口

the entire world population many times over.

創造一個更高品質的生活

The Venus Project takes into account something which has been long lost

維納斯計劃考慮的是早已被我們當今

in our modern, financially driven world

由金融驅動的社會所忘卻的

the fundamental building blocks of society

社會基本結構

and the basic understandings required to maintain a person's emotional

以及對於為了維持一個人情感 智力 身體的健康

intellectual and physical well-being.

所必需的基本理解

All social systems regardless of political philosophy, religious beliefs

所有的社會制度 無論政治哲學 宗教信仰

or social customs ultimately depend upon natural resources

或社會習俗 最終都取決於自然資源

as the initial step towards social functionality.

作為社會功能的基礎立足點

Concurrently, society itself is a culture machine.

同時 社會本身是一種文化機械

In other words, it's a natural consequence

換句話說 一個文化會自然而然

for a culture to support the values integral to the dominant institutions

去支持主導社會的機構所提倡的整體價值觀

of that society, regardless of the benefit of those values.

而不管這些價值觀能帶來何種好處

In other words, a society reaps what it sows.

換句話說 這是一個社會種瓜得瓜 種豆得豆

If your society's foundation inherently supports self-interest

如果你的社會基礎 本質上是擁護自身利益

elitism, greed and dishonesty

菁英主義 貪婪和不誠實

then no one should ever be surprised when certain members of society

那麼所有人都不應該感到驚訝 當社會上的某些人員

continuously fall into the extremity of murder

持續地陷入極端生活 如謀殺

financial corruption or indifferent, selfish gain.

金融腐敗或冷漠無情地謀取私利

In other words, society is not only a product of the sum of its members values

換句話說 社會不僅僅是其成員價值觀的總和

paradoxically, it's also a generator of them for each new generation.

相反地 它也影響著每個新世代的價值觀

It should be no wonder that government perpetuates

這也就難怪政府長期推行

nationalistic and patriotic values.

民族主義和愛國主義價值觀

If they didn't, people might not support the state agendas or their wars.

如果沒有這些 人們可能不會支持國家的議程或戰爭

It should be no wonder that the Catholic church perpetuates the idea

也難怪天主教的思想長存於世

that humans are born into sin

主張人類有天生的原罪

otherwise, people might not show up to be saved.

否則 人們就不會信仰宗教以使自己獲得救贖

And it should be no wonder

同樣習以為常的是

every major city on this planet is cloaked with corporate advertising

這個星球上每個主要城市都隱藏著企業廣告

working to force materialism and inadequacy. Why?

努力強調物質主義和匱乏 為什麼?

Because otherwise, some people might just be happy with what they have

因為不這樣的話 有些人可能就會滿足於他們所擁有的

and not contribute to the profit and perpetuation

就不會為了公司或經濟體的利潤和存續

of a corporation or an economy.

做出貢獻

Regardless, when it comes to cultural influence, nothing can hold a candle

無論如何 當涉及到文化影響時 沒有什麼能比得上

to the vast psychological implications that have developed

由金融貨幣體系所建立的

due to the system of monetary finance.

巨大心理洗腦作用

Money, contrary to the attitudes of most of the world's populations today

與當今世界上絕大多數人認知相反的是

is not a natural resource, nor does it represent resources.

金錢既不是一種自然資源 也不代表資源

In fact, by our standards of logic, money is only functionally relevant

事實上 按我們的邏輯標準 金錢在社會中的相關功能

in society, when natural resources

只有在自然資源

and the mechanisms of creation are scarce.

和生產力匱乏的情況中才會體現

And thus, a system has emerged where people are given value

因此 一個體系出現了 其中人們的技能

for their skills in exchange for their servitude

被賦予價值以交換彼此的勞役

which can thus be used as a medium of exchange

並以此價值作為交換的媒介

for those supposed scarce resources.

並得到人們認為匱乏的資源

Sadly, the culture is now fully indoctrinated into this frame of reference

可悲的是 這種文化已經完全被灌輸到這個世界的思維框架裡

and, like the rising sun, most could not even consider

如烈日當頭般 大多數人甚至無法考慮

any other possibility for our social functionality.

我們社會功能的其它可能性

In fact, some have even redefined the relevance of money itself

事實上 有些人甚至已重新定義金錢本身的重要性

by being conditioned to think that money represents choice.

但卻思想受限 認為金錢代表著選擇的能力

That money somehow has something to do with democracy.

而且金錢在某種程度上與民主有關

And the greatest illusion, that the monetary structure is a tool of liberty.

最大的幻覺即是金融貨幣結構是一種自由的工具

While money has indeed served

整體而言 雖然貨幣確實

a positive role overall on the course of our social evolution

在社會的演化過程中扮演了正面角色

adaptation and change and improvement is still unstoppable.

但適應 變革和改進仍然是不可阻擋的

The fact is, most of the original problems, which required the development

事實上 大多數我們今天看到的

of the economic system we see today, are no longer pressing

要求經濟體系進步的原始問題都不再緊要

due to the dramatic advancement of science and technology.

因為科學技術驚人的進展

We now have the means to move in to a new paradigm

現在我們有辦法進入一個新的典範

one where the negative by-products of our current social establishment

其中 由我們目前社會體制帶來的負面副產品

such as perpetual war, human exploitation, poverty

如持久的戰爭 人類的剝削 貧困

and environmental destruction are no longer tolerable.

環境的破壞 都不再能夠容忍

What is advocated here is merely a next step in our social evolution

在這裡所提倡的僅僅是我們社會進化的下一步

as dictated not by a person or group's opinion

並不是一個人或一群人的意見

but by statistics, trends, basic inference and extrapolation

而是統計的趨勢 基本的推理和推斷

all deduced by the scientific method.

所有的推論都源自於"科學方法"

Unfortunately, regardless of how logical, clear and obvious

不幸的是 不管新觀點看起來有多麼符合邏輯

new ideas may seem, the public still remains

清晰直觀 公眾仍普遍依舊

on average...tremendous fear of any form of social change.

極端恐懼任何形式的社會變革

This is largely due to propaganda indoctrination

這主要是由於洗腦灌輸

which has been pushed upon them by the established powers

已被既有權力者深深植入到群眾的心裡

which of course prefer to maintain their power.

那些人當然更想維持權力

These institutions range from religious organizations, to government, to business.

這些機構建制涵蓋宗教組織 政府 企業

In fact, it really isn't the technical understandings

事實上 技術知識

and implementations of the physical attributes

和其實質物理上的實現

that comprise the Resource-Based Economy which is the problem.

這些組成資源導向型經濟的屬性 並不是問題

We know we can do it, technically. We know it can happen.

我們知道可以在技術上做到 我們知道這些技術可以實現

The analysis has been extrapolated.

已經有各種推測和分析了

It is the outdated cultural values, such a testy subject.

過時的文化價值是一個惱人的話題

The cultural values and the education barriers of our conditioned culture

文化價值觀與受制約的文化教育壁壘

is the most difficult aspect to consider

是需要考慮的最困難方面

and that's one of the reasons I'm approaching this presentation as I have

這是我演講的其中一個原因

because I want people to understand that we have to move somewhere.

因為我想讓人們知道 我們必須改變

This is where the Zeitgeist movement comes in!

這就是需要時代精神運動的地方!

We are not here to tell people what to think or believe.

我們不是在這裡告訴人們去思考和相信什麼

We're here to spread statistical information

我們是在傳播統計資料

and socially positive value identifications

和正面積極的社會價值認同

in hope of bringing people into an awareness

希望能讓人們認識到

of the incredibly positive possibilities the future can hold.

未來擁有令人難以置信的正面發展可能性

Once these understandings are fully realized

一旦充分理解了這些

I think most people will never be able to look at the world

我認為大多數人將再也不會用過去的方式看待這個世界

in the same way again, and the problems we find as commonplace today

我們今天司空見慣的問題

will become simply unacceptable, motivating change.

將變得完全不可接受並推動改變

There are countless well-intentioned people

有無數懷著善意的人們

in activist organizations out there, and they keep popping up like weeds.

在各種組織裡積極活動 他們像野草一樣不斷出現

It's incredible to me how many of these there are

讓我難以置信的是有那麼多

all admirable and amazing, and they're yelling at the top of their lungs

令人欽佩和驚訝的人聲嘶力竭痛斥著

about the rampant problems and injustices in our world.

蔓延我們世界的問題和不公不義

Yet, as you tend to find, very few actually offer any solutions whatsoever.

卻很少有人能提供任何解決方案之類的東西

Those that do offer solutions, however, always frame those solutions

就算有提供解決方案的人 也都是在當前既建體系中

within the context of the current established system.

構建自己的解決方案

Very little regard seems to be given to the root structure

幾乎很少人關心我們社會的設計中

of our social design.

最根本的結構

The Venus Project and hence the Zeitgeist Movement is different.

這就是維納斯計劃和時代精神運動突出之處

Our fundamental focus is finding

我們最根本的焦點在於發現

the foundational sources of our social problems

當前社會問題的根源

and working from that lowest common denominator to create solutions.

並從這些問題的最根本起始點建構解決方案

And when it comes to social corruption, poverty, environmental disregard

當談到社會腐敗 貧窮 不顧環境的

human exploitation, and most personal and social turmoil in the world today

人類開採剝削 今天世界上大多數個人和社會的動盪不安

an important realization is that most of these problems are not the result

重要的是要意識到大多數的問題並不是由於

of some particular company, some nefarious elite group

某些個別公司 某些邪惡的菁英團隊

or some government legislation.

或者某些政府立法造成的

These are symptoms of the foundational problems.

這些只是根本問題的表象病症

And this is the ultimate realization when it comes to

當談到你如何看待今天的世界問題時

how you look at the problems of the world today.

這是最終的理解

There is a massive superstitious basis out there:

但有個巨大的誤解迷思

It's us against them. That is

即"我們"要對抗"他們"

extremely poisonous to the development

這對人類的發展是極其有害的

because people are constantly looking for someone else to blame

因為人們總是歸罪於其它人

when it's really themselves because they continue to perpetuate

但其實卻正是他們自己選擇延續

the system that creates these things.

這個造成這些問題的體系

The real issue is human behavior.

真正的問題是人類的行為

And human behavior which will be addressed in this presentation specifically

這次講座將特別講到的是

is largely created and reinforced by the social patterns required for survival

為了在某一時期社會體系下生存所必需的社會模式

as necessitated by the social system of a period.

所產生而強化的人類行為

We are products of our society, and the fact is

我們是自身社會的產物 而事實上

it is very foundation of our socio-economic system

這是我們社會經濟制度的根本基礎

and environmental condition which has created

而且環境條件造成了

the sick culture you see around you.

你周圍看到的病態文化

Our current system is based almost exclusively upon human exploitation

我們當前的體系是幾乎完全基於對人類的剝削

resource abuse and abundant waste.

和對資源的濫用和浪費

It is simply what our system does.

這就是目前系統的"傑作"

As far as the infamous "they"

而那些邪惡的"他們"

it is simply another social distortion