A Short History of Economics: From Game A to Creditism

An Outline of the Evolution of Economics

The Equation of Capitalism vs Creditism

Mahinism: Making Money Real

Jason Hickel

A Page for Video Scripts and Stories about Economic Evolution

Did you know that the evolution of economics is like a game, where strategies, risks, and rewards shape our society? 🌍💡🎲💰

From Sumerian clay tablets to ancient trade routes to modern financial systems, every move has defined our present reality.

Ready to play the ultimate game of understanding? Let’s dive deep into the past and unravel the simple secrets that shape our economic future!

Our story begins with Earth, followed by the emergence of life, including humans. We aren't separate from Earth but intricately woven into its fabric. Governed by a few fundamental biological and physical principles, every human life depends on an internal "energy meter." This meter needs constant replenishment through water and food, extracted from the Earth. If you run out of energy, you run out of life. Life is, therefore, a continuous cycle of energy extraction and transformation on Earth. The Earth contains everything necessary for human life and every person has individual agency to take and make what they need to fill their energy meter.

Video Script Ideas

From Ecology to Economy to Infinity: A Story of Energy and Choice

Scene: A breathtaking timelapse showcasing the evolution of Earth, from barren rock to teeming with life into a montage of historical and modern visuals depicting human interaction with the environment.

Narrator: Our story begins with humanity woven into the fabric of nature, living in harmony with the Earth. We were pre-economic beings, sharing resources and dependent on the environment's bounty.

[Visuals: Transition to diverse life forms, including humans]

Narrator: Governed by fundamental biological and physical principles, every human life depends on an internal "energy meter." This meter, fueled by water and food drawn from the Earth, sustains our very existence.

[Visuals: Close-up of an energy meter graphic, followed by scenes of humans eating and drinking]

Narrator: Depletion of this meter inevitably leads to the end of life, creating a continuous cycle of energy extraction, transformation, and return to the Earth. We take what we need to sustain ourselves, and in turn, contribute back to the ecosystem through the natural decomposition process.

[Visuals: Depiction of the energy cycle, from Earth to humans and back]

Narrator: The Earth provides everything necessary for this cycle to continue. It offers a smorgasbord of resources, from nourishing food to life-giving water. Each individual possesses the agency to choose how they interact with this abundance.

[Visuals: Hunter-gatherers sharing food, early agriculture]

Narrator: With the rise of agriculture, came the concept of surplus. We could store food, leading to property ownership and the birth of economics. It was a simple system - your work directly translated to your wealth.

[Visuals: Markets, people working various trades]

Narrator: However, surplus also brought a new challenge - scarcity. Who owned the extra food became a central concern, leading to the seeds of economic inequality. Specialization and markets flourished, but a shift was brewing.

[Visuals: Banks, financial transactions]

Narrator: Some individuals began leveraging their accumulated wealth to generate even more. Loans and rents became tools for the wealthy to grow their riches, while others struggled to keep up. This marked the transition from a linear to a multiplicative economic system.

[Visuals: Diagrams illustrating economic models]

Narrator: The gap between the haves and have-nots widened. The once direct relationship between work and wealth became distorted. The wealthy grew wealthier, while those without resources faced an uphill battle.

[Visuals: Images depicting wealth disparity]

[Visuals: Montage of diverse human activities, both sustainable and unsustainable]

Narrator: This cycle continues today, with vast economic disparities posing a significant challenge. We must strive for a more equitable and sustainable economic system, one that values both hard work and shared prosperity.

Narrator: As we move forward, it's crucial to remember that our choices have consequences. We must strive for a future where our "energy meters" are filled not just through consumption, but also through responsible stewardship of the planet that sustains us all.

[Visuals: Images of sustainable practices and communities]

Narrator: By understanding our interconnectedness with Earth and making conscious choices, we can ensure a future where humanity and the planet flourish in harmonious co-existence. Here’s how...

Infinity

Ecology to Game A Economy

Scene: A lecture hall filled with students. A professor stands at the podium.

Professor: Before agriculture, we lived simply, sharing resources. With farming came surplus, leading to property ownership and the first economic system based on personal work and exchange.

[Slide: Hunter-gatherers sharing food]

Professor (cont.): Surplus also created scarcity concerns. Who owned the extra food became crucial, sparking economic inequality. This led to specialization and markets.

[Slide: Bustling marketplace]

Professor (cont.): Initially, wealth came from your own efforts. The harder you worked, the better off you were. But eventually, people started using accumulated wealth to make more wealth through loans and rents.

[Slide: Diagram showing linear vs. multiplicative economy]

Professor (cont.): This created a new system where the wealthy got wealthier, and those without resources struggled to keep up. This cycle continues today, leading to vast economic disparities.

[Slide: Graph showing increasing wealth inequality]

Professor (cont.): We need to find a way to create a more equitable and sustainable economic system for everyone.

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