The Virtual Bazaar Manifesto

We are tired of the profit motive. Business should be motivated by providing value to society, not by making profit for a few. People are far more motivated to work when they know their work is helping their friends and neighbors, and harming no-one; we can out-enthuse and out-create the plutonomy. It's time to overturn some paradigms, and create a business model to accomplish this. ...and then take the world back from the big-box, big-profit, next-quarter-projections model. Here's the plan: Create the business model: Businesses should be owned and directed by everyone who has made them successful, regardless of official role. A business's primary responsibility should be that of benefiting its community. Any profit should be used for those ends. Replicate the model: Make lots and lots of right-sized businesses that follow these rules. Network and swarm: Use open-source software to allow these businesses to interoperate, gaining the clout of a much larger business without losing small-business flexibility and accountability. Acquire & emancipate: Use profits to acquire other businesses on the market, and "set them free" by reworking them to be self-directed.

a few details

• We are starting by rebuilding vbz.net into a swarm pilot node; your assistance would be welcomed.
• We are also looking for other businesses of any size who are interested in joining the network.