The Commons

An increasing number of organizations and worknets concerned with shifting the paradigms of human culture are using commons and open source approaches. These ancient and post modern forms of organization are designed to enable both local communities and world-wide worknets to cohere around progressive shared visions, stimulate collaborative efforts towards these visions and ensure equitable access to resources.

These organizational forms robustly contradict the deep-seated (and self-reinforcing) meme of 'rational man' used in conventional neo-liberal and industrial economics that describes human nature as essentially selfish and self-serving. The phenomenon of successful commons and open source behaviors clearly demonstrates that humans beings, in community, are capable of acting with extraordinary mutuality, outside the otherwise ubiquitous and corrosive paradigm of private ownership.

Gaia University is learning how to be an intentional commons operating according to Chaordic, Intrapreneurial and Dynamic Governance principles.