THE FUTURE OF MONEY Bernard A. Lietaer - library.uniteddiversity ...

Cathedrals' (the 'Central Middle Ages' of 10-13th century Western
Europe). In both cases, this same feature, known as demurrage (a
form of negative interest which discourages hoarding in the form of
currency), was operational for centuries. The record shows that
people spontaneously created buildings and art forms that were
designed to last forever. You can still visit them today. This key
mechanism behind such a money system can be replicated and
efficiently adapted for the 21st century. Chapter 8 describes in detail
how this is possible.
Of our bounty of 20th century creations, which ones will our
descendants be able to visit in the year 3000?
If such a long-term oriented money system were operational today,
what would be the 'cathedrals of the 21st century'?
What would you imagine them to be? They don't have to be
temples or buildings.
Winter
Your grandniece's trip to China
Your grandniece is passionate about early Chinese calligraphy and
poetry. She has decided to improve her fluency in Mandarin Chinese
by going for a six-month residency in China starting next year.
Here is her budget for this endeavor.
· Airline travel: paid in frequent-flyer miles that both she and her
parents have accumulated.
· Local expenses: she has been saving her 'Caring Relationship
Tickets' over the past few years by taking care of two elderly