… weitere Infos auf Deutsch

Two Right Livelihood Award Laureates support the Tahiti Virus: Ibrahim Abouleish (Sekem) and Hermann Scheer. Media support is growing, too. There have been interviews with taz (German newspaper), DRadio Wissen (new webradio) and Bayern 2 (popular radio station) – only in German.

… weitere Infos auf Deutsch

Initiator Eric Bihl described the Tahiti-Project and the idea behind it on the 23rd of December 2009 on 1LIVE (radio). You can get the 40 minute podcast online (mp3, 19 MB), but only in German – sorry!

Wir arbeiten an der Übersetzung dieser Internetseite ins Deutsche, Englische und Französische. Wenn Sie uns dabei oder mit anderen Sprachen helfen möchten, melden Sie sich bei uns!

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The criticism of capitalism belongs, in the meantime, on a daily agenda. However, this criticism is limited to the “abuses” and accordingly, the demands aim to tame a “predator capitalism” and subsequently a “return to social free-market economy”. The latter is presented as a good form of capitalism; its ingredients consist of a mixture of government control and personal moral self-restriction.

But the big question remains: why should we want to domesticate a beast of prey whose unmanageability and urge for expansion up to self-destruction is contained in its own blood? Is there really no alternative to capitalism other than communism? An international organization seated in Munich recruits a completely new concept and maintains that capitalism and communism have more in common with than disparaging traits, especially, and above all, the compulsion to reckless exploitation of the natural and its human resources.

The Concept: Equlibrism

“The concept of Equilibrism strives for a balance between ecology, economy, politics, social and cultural traits.  During times when economic thinking is exclusively spreading and economy becomes omnipotent on a global level, the goal of Equilibrism becomes more urgent than ever before.”  These were words of Sir Peter Ustinov shortly before his death that appeared in the preface to the book “Equilibrism” (only available in German).

The distinction between Equilibrism (compare the Latin “aequilibrium”= balance) and all other concepts, is mainly its bio-centric orientation instead of the more common anthropocentric view.  As long as Man considers himself superior to nature and, as a result, as a separate being,  he does contribute with his activities, to destabilization and to un-equalization. This leads to the situation, that a great part of mankind (in addition to other living beings) remains precarious  and endangered.

The Concept of Equilibrism is based on four Corner-stones:

1. Eco-alternatives/efficiency and structure formation
2. Natural rotation of the economic system
3. Lasting economic order
4. Reform of the United Nations

Equilibrism orients itself on the following Principles:

• regionalization and subsidiary principle
• diversity instead of monopolization
• all activities in unison with nature
• no battle against something already in existence, but reaching-out for new goals
• whatever is positive, should be rewarded instead of punishment of the negative.
• Competition with each other, in order to obtain betterment, yes, but no competition to oust the others or to inflict damages.

The Fiction: “The Tahiti Project”

Numerous people do not like to engage themselves in theories and concepts. They believe that this is the task of experts in politics, economy and science. They frequently are skeptical to embrace new ideas because they think: If these ideas would be of advantage and could be realized, our elected or self-proclaimed leaders in power would have changed things already.

In order to reach a larger public, but above all to familiarize oneself with the every-day existence of a surviving old society, originated together with the well-known German journalist and Science-fiction author Dirk C. Fleck the futuristic novel: “The Tahiti Project”. This novel contains on one hand all the ingredients of a pure “eco- thriller”,  but shows simultaneously how ecological, economical and political alternatives can lead to genuine progress, when they are in tune with a complete system. This is no “back to nature”-propagation in the sense of prosperity-loss, but an enriched, happier and long-lasting, fulfilled life.

As can already be seen in the textbook “Equilibrism”, the special ingredient in the novel “Tahiti Project” , i.e., all of the mentioned alternatives  – from hemp concrete to electric vehicles – have not sprung from the imagination, but are already on the market. This can clearly be seen in the glossary, in which links to the websites are mentioned, which help to further one`s knowledge of the topics. Insofar we are actually not dealing with science fiction – the fiction exists only when a society begins to think in a future-capability and to act accordingly by using the given possibilities.

The Reality: The Model Project

However: the theoretical concept in a textbook and its entertaining version in fiction are only a few steps to the actual aim striven for by Equilibrism. According to the motto: nothing is more convincing than a functioning example from practice, there will be a model attempt on the basis of the equilibrism concept initiated  in a certain world region. The managerial board of the organization chose among more than 40 choices French-Polynesia – the reason for placing the action of the novel in that location.  While doing research for the novel in Tahiti, first contacts were established with the local government.

The next steps

The sale of the novel “Tahiti-Project” has been very satisfactory, and the author Dirk C. Fleck and the first chairperson, Eric Bihl, are successfully on the road with readings and discussions. This success can only be increased because the author Dirk C. Fleck has received in June 2009 for the second time the prestigious “German Science Fiction” award. 15 Years ago he received the award for the gloomy vision “GO! The Eco dictatorship”, after which Eric Bihl encouraged him to write an attempt of a more positive vision of the future.  Obviously, this attempt has become successful.

A translation of the novel into French has been already ensued. As a result, the inhabitants and especially the government of French-Polynesia can be stronger involved in the project. Further translations would be desirable; an English translation is currently in work.

The model project is being recorded by a documentary filmmaker, while the novel is under consideration for a movie and television version.  Dirk C. Fleck is going to start, together with Equilibrism e.V.,  a continuation of the novel “Tahiti-Project”.

Back to the realization of our plans: We are looking for sponsors! Our revised website provides a chance, that EU citizens with their names and e-mail addresses can symbolically stand behind the citizens of French-Polynesia in order to show, that they endorse the model project and hope for a positive impetus for their own region.  One EU-citizen per one citizen of the South Seas would be ideal, altogether 270.000 interested European citizens.

Curious, interested, wanting to know more and wanting to become a part of the project? Just get in touch with us. It`s that simple!

Source: forum Nachhaltig Wirtschaften 3/2009

The eco-thriller “The Tahiti-Project” describes our planet in the year 2022: In the southern Pacific Ocean the concept of “Equilibrism” is extensively realized; dedicated people have provided a balance of ecology, economy, policy, culture, justice and welfare. Now the science fiction novel is to be turned into reality!

The solutions presented in the book are not fictional. They already exist. Now they are brought together in a unique pilot project. Its aim is to give an example for sustainable living on our planet, inviting everyone in the world to follow.

Tahiti’s neighbouring island Moorea (16.000 pop.) is one of the potential sites. For the inhabitants of this or another model region we are now looking for just as many supporters from other parts of our planet. With your signature you show the people there, our partners and the rest of the world, that you wish for such a model of sustainable future – so nobody can say again “There is no alternative!”

Why do we need another point of view or a paradigm change?

The old ways of thinking brought us where we are now. If we don’t change our way of approaching problems, we will keep on rescueing a few instead of thousands of lives. Have look at these examples to understand what we mean!

What’s the difference to other projects?

The Tahiti-Virus is based on the unique concept of “Equilibrism”. Other concepts only want to correct, reform slightly or defuse. They don’t recognize that the fundament of the system is brittle, and that an entirely new system must be put into place.

What is “The Tahiti-Virus”?

It’s the sequel of the science fiction novel “The Tahiti-Project”.
It’s an important step from the concept through fiction to reality.
It’s spreading worldwide to promote the idea of a model region for a sustainable future.

Do you have more questions? Get in contact with us!

From the Straddle to the Fosbury Flop

In the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Dick Fosbury made his high jump attempt successfully. He jumped using his back first at the lowest point, going over the bar. He narrowly made it over the bar. This new and sensational technique was observed by astounded referees. As soon as it happened, the referees got together to decide whether or not this no type of jump was allowed. The referees had a picture of what a high jump should look like and their first reaction was that this new type of jump was illegal. The referees had never seen a jump like the Fosbury Flop. Their idea of the high jump was a roll technique, with the belly at the lowest point going over the bar. – The change in thinking, the surprising turn, demands freedom of thought and needs distance from the existing, demands play within and with an arising occasion.

Source: Translation of “Servant Leadership: Prinzipien dienender Unternehmensführung” (Hans H. Hinterhuber)

Cause and effect

Imagine the following scenario. You are walking along a river’s edge and see a baby in the water, who is struggling to stay afloat and is close to drowning.

You, of course, jump into the water and save the baby.  You have barely saved the first baby, when you see two more babies struggling in the river. You jump in and bring them to shore. And then you see more and more babies in the river… three, four, five babies, all drowning in the water.

When do you stop saving these babies, and instead go and look for the culprit, who is throwing the babies into the water in the first place?

Do you understand what I mean?

In our world, babies are thrown into the water constantly. We could spend our entire lives on river’s edge, attempting to save them. Yet we could only save a few because we have economic structures, that allow 30,000 people in the world to die every day…

Source: Translation of “Solving conflicts through communication” (Marshall Rosenberg)

“The concept of Equilibrism strives for a balance between ecology, economy, politics, social and cultural traits.  During times when economic thinking is exclusively spreading and economy becomes omnipotent on a global level, the goal of Equilibrism becomes more urgent than ever before.”

The concept of Equilibrism, on which “The Tahiti-Virus” is based, is a unique concept, because…

• other concepts are anthropocentric, not biocentric; they don’t take rules of nature into account
• other concepts deal with sub domains, not with their interdependence; therefore they ignore the problem as a whole
• other concepts only want to correct, reform slightly or defuse; they don’t recognize that the fundament of the system is brittle, and that an entirely new system must be put into place
• no other global concept requires a new monetary system and reorganisation of land holdings
• this concept is politically independent, not linked to any party, nation, EU, UNO, etc.
• this concept is economically independent from globalisation (import, export, Stock Exchange, United Nations etc.)
• in this concept the citizen regains responsibility to take decisions, to come to conclusions and is more independent from politicians and experts (acting instead of reacting to)
• the introduction of a model experiment, as Equilibrism suggests, would require only minimum financial investments, contrary to a global Marshall Plan
• the model experiment would not be introduced via top-down planning, but rather from small to large (principle of simplicity)
• the model experiment within a limited economic area allows experimenting and correcting without major impact
• a small model concept only has to convince a few opposite interests and can, as a result, concentrate on the main task
• after successful introduction, the model example could spread quickly via a positive snowball effect (principle of speed and voluntariness)

You can help with as little as one Euro. If every supporter does, we can raise at least 16.000 Euro – and a lot more from other sponsors. Donors resident in Germany can receive a donation receipt from us.

Please check out our upcomping projects on betterplace.org, …

use our bank account…

Account holder/Kontoinhaber: Equilibrismus e. V.
Account number/Konto: 2041464
Bank code/Bankleitzahl: 70090500
Bank: Sparda-Bank München e.G.
IBAN:  DE40700905000002041464
BIC-Code: GENODEF1S04

… or Paypal (for credit cards etc.)

Have you already become a supporter and/or made a donation? Here’s what else you can do…

• talk to your family, friends and colleagues and let them become one of 16.000 supporters
• blog about “The Tahiti-Virus” or discuss it otherwise online
• promote the idea in popular Social network services

• give away postcards and books (only available in German)

• help us by…
  • translating (German to English, French etc.)
  • designing banners etc.
  • promoting our projects @ Betterplace.org

Any other ideas? Get in contact with us!