- enables individual initiative and choice while preserving the collective foundation - market for individual luxury goods - individual necessities are guaranteed through collective effort of individual [[core hours - village living|core hours]], preventing exploitation - cannot be exchange for [[core hours - village living|core hours]] - market includes - community member goods and services - community resources access when not in use to provide necessities #### Market Structure Decisions - allowing transfer of merit hours? you can buy in with cash I guess that gives an exchange rate to the outside world that might be helpful... -> concern of `wealth inequality` -> might be a bad idea.... could can transfer monthly cap - do merit hours expire? -> rolling 12-month, each hour will expire 12 months after it was earned - Is hoarding a bad thing for the merit hours economy? rolling 12-month expiration will solve #### Possible Luxuries in Market - specialty cakes: made using community kitchen at night at cost of ~.25 hours - handmade furniture: using community deadwood at a cost of ~1 hour - art - music lessons: using community music rooms at a cost of ~.25 hour - massage: using personal space and personal equipment at 0 cost #### Currency Tracking: Digital ledger system recording with ensured integrity: - all transactions are public - technology easily shows individuals their balances, transaction history, soon expiring hours - easy access to view market offerings and understand where you can contribute highest value #### Bureaucratic vs. Free Market Exchange Controls Alice wants to teach yoga classes - bureaucratic: get certified -> community approval -> verify attendance -> hours awarded - free market: Sets rate -> schedules and pays for community resource access -> collects merit hours from attendees via automated system #### Common Problems in Exchange Systems | Problem | Individual Impact | Societal Impact | Market Solution | Cultural Solution | Most Effective | | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | | currency Hoarding | Reduced access to goods/services, anxiety about future needs | Reduced economic velocity, artificial scarcity | `Annual expiration of hours` | Social stigma against excessive accumulation | `Market` - automatic and predictable | | Poor quality goods/services | Wasted resources, unmet needs | Erosion of trust, inefficient resource use | Reputation systems, competition | Community feedback loops, mentoring | `Cultural` - prevents issues proactively | | Unfair pricing | Financial stress, reduced access | Economic inequality, social tension | Price transparency, competitive entry | Social pressure, community rate setting | `Market` - objective mechanisms | | Resource overuse | Limited availability, higher costs | Environmental damage, system instability | `Dynamic pricing based on scarcity` | Education about sustainability | `Market` - responds quickly to changes | | Skill scarcity | Limited access to services | Development bottlenecks | Higher compensation for needed skills | `Knowledge sharing requirements` | `Cultural` - creates long-term solution | | Black markets | Exploitation risk, quality uncertainty | Undermined community trust | Meeting needs through official channels | `Strong social bonds and trust` | `Cultural` - addresses root causes | | Service reliability | Disrupted plans, wasted time | Reduced system efficiency | Review systems, competition | `Mutual accountability` | `Cultural` - more comprehensive | | Innovation stagnation | Fewer options, higher costs | Reduced adaptation capacity | `Profit incentives for improvements` | Recognition for contributors | `Market` - stronger motivation | | Specialized equipment access | Limited productivity options | Inefficient resource allocation | `Usage-based rental pricing` | Shared maintenance responsibility | `Market` - optimizes utilization |