SERVICEPLACE PHILOSOPHY
The New Economics derived from the S2 Model
In the highly competitive marketplace, we are taught to buy low and sell high. This shopkeeper mentality today permeates our human thinking - in business and in life. It is important to understand that this is only one side of the picture. To envision the reverse flow, let us coin the term ‘ServicePlace’ - which contrasts with the ‘Markeplace’ of today’s economic activity.
The Marketplace has rules of behavior, and so does the ServicePlace. In ServicePlace economics we don't 'Buy Low, Sell High' but instead 'Receive Less, Give More.' We don't seek scarcity to drive up profits, we seek abundance to drive up need fulfillment.
The S2 model upon which the ServicePlace construct is based is the core organizing principle for the self directed evolution of our human civilization in a cosmic context.
Our four main stakeholders for a ServicePlace transaction (need fulfillment) would be:
A - the entity with an identified need (Requester)
B - the entity(ies) with the technology and manpower to supply the ingredients, (Supplier)
C - the entity with the resources to finance the transaction. (Sponsor), and
D - the entity with the time and influence to ensure that the overall solution is best for the environment, and serves the greater common good. (Mentor)
S2 Model: Self-Evolution (Philosophy behind ServicePlace) - see link on left side
This is the short version of "S2 - Self-Evolution Essay" listed amongst the links at the left of this page. Based on Tao-ic principles, human progress through life can be thought of as the overlay of two oscillations, one that moves us between Potentiality and Materiality, and another that moves us between Individuality and Universality.
Universality can be thought of as the complementary opposite of Individuality. If Individuality is independence, Universality is interdependence. If Individuality is total freedom, Universality is where we constrain that freedom to act for the common good. Just like in the Tao, the seed of one aspect of our existence is contained in the eye of the reverse flow. The ebb and flow of Individuality and Universality is central to our human existence. It is one of the eternal vibrations that makes us who we are. We will call this the Consciousness cycle, as the move from Individuality to Universality is really about expanding Consciousness.
The other eternal vibration is between Materiality vs. Potentiality. This is the vertical movement by which Potentiality (thoughts, ideas) is realized into a well structured Materiality. In turn the newly materialized reality makes it possible for the next generation of ideas to be tested and become viable. One generation of material reality begets another, and the cycle goes on. Let's refer to this movement as our Technology cycle. One generation of physical technology (devices, building infrastructure, etc.) and social technology (how we organize ourselves as humans), brings forth the
ideas for its own betterment. As time goes on, even our biology (DNA) becomes a part of the continuing evolution, and we step into the threshold of human self-evolution.
Together these two vibrations bring about the four segment ‘cycle of life’ - our S2 cycle of Self-Evolution. This is not just about the evolution of cultures and nations, it is truly about evolving who we are as humans. We are now both the 'Technology' and the 'Consciousness' as it pertains to our own evolution, not only as individuals, but also as communities, nations and the global human civilization. If provisioned properly, this self-evolutionary cycle can transform us into an immortal Cosmic presence.
In the transition from Individuality to Universality, as with any Tao complements, it is hopeless to argue which complement is better – as both are equally necessary. In the right half of the clock face, Q1 and Q2, Individuality reigns. We talk about an individual’s education, his/her career, family, wealth and so on. True, we dilute our Individuality a bit when we pair up in life, but even that tiny bit of Universality is a very difficult adjustment in modern society.
The Servant Leader (in Q3) working towards Universality faces very strong headwinds in today’s society. A big problem here is how we define wealth and economic success. In the highly competitive marketplace, we are taught to buy low and sell high. This shopkeeper mentality (which works very well in Q2) today permeates our human thinking - in business and in life. It is important to understand that this is only one side of the picture. To envision the reverse flow, let us coin the term ‘ServicePlace’ - which contrasts with the ‘Markeplace’ of today’s economic activity. The Marketplace has rules of behavior, and so does the ServicePlace.
ServicePlace rules
The ground rules of a ServicePlace exchange system would be as follows:
>> Receive low, serve high. The individual would draw as little resources as feasible, while trying to provide the maximum of service.
>> Discover abundance, direct it to where it does the most good.
This is in direct contrast to the Marketplace rules:
>> Buy low, sell high
>> Discover scarcity, exploit it to where it makes the most profit.
One objective of the Marketplace is to build wealth. Each transaction is designed such that either party thinks they are getting the better part of the exchange. The purpose of the ServicePlace is to take the wealth and find the most productive and transformational uses for it. If wealth is defined as an inherent (abundant) resource, we may find that it no longer needs to be 'earned' for us to utilize it!
This site is continuing to evolve. Over time we will further develop the core philosophy and the key economics principles of ServicePlace. Over time, we will present here the four way opportunity matching that makes the ServicePlace concept work.
Resources: Along the links at the left side of this page, there is an essay on the S2 model, along with an article on the Dimension-Information-Energy Map (DIEM) of the Universe we find ourselves in.