(Continuing from the previous article)
A society where people are not financially struggling is a difficult world, and it is a society where even eating a meal requires being very careful and often involves being overly polite or flattering to get food at the cafeteria. This is not just an imagination, but a memory from another timeline, specifically from the Japanese Pacific Coast Co-Prosperity Sphere. The current society is, in many ways, a more hopeful world than that one, where people are not struggling with basic necessities.
I understand that many people are working just to survive and are struggling financially. However, in the Co-Prosperity Sphere, many people became arrogant, and even if they were superficially polite, they would suddenly become angry and scold those they deemed to be behaving inappropriately. A significant amount of wealth was concentrated in the hands of people who were, in a sense, foolish and easily angered. There were many people with low anger thresholds, and it was not uncommon to see them suddenly yelling and becoming hysterical. Therefore, even in a society where people are not struggling with basic necessities, problems and anxieties continue in different forms.
People live with the desire to be fulfilled, and if they don't receive that fulfillment from others, they become hysterical.
For example, cafeterias were essentially free, or at most, people could pay if they wanted. When eating, customers would be "nervous" and "anxious," watching the owner's expression, and would politely ask, "I would like to have a meal..." If they were told "okay," they would eat quietly, and after finishing, they would again be "nervous" and "anxious," deeply bowing and saying, "Thank you..." Sometimes they would leave, but in some cases, if someone said, "I would like to pay," the owner would say, "Oh? Just leave it there," or some stores would properly accept the payment. In either case, the value of money was very low, and whether or not you could receive service depended on other factors.
In addition to cafeterias, in places like fabric shops and inns, it was基本 for customers to be "mindful of their place" and make requests accordingly. Stores would treat customers who did not understand their place appropriately.
It was a society where people were glared at for wearing clothes that were not appropriate for their social status, and even though there were no formal rules, there was social pressure to dress in a way that was appropriate for one's status.
In today's society, various things are being said, such as basic income and energy revolutions that will eliminate financial hardship. However, it is said that such a society can only exist in a few places, and even in Japan, the situation is now questionable. The "共栄圏" (Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere) was based on Japanese values, but even in the current world, if people become financially secure, everyone may quit their jobs, causing infrastructure to collapse. As a result, we may return to Keynes' equilibrium theory and end up in a society where money is scarce again.
If people fulfill their obligations even when they have plenty of money, then a society with less financial hardship may be possible. On the other hand, if people simply want to be lazy and create a society of idlers, then we will once again end up in a society where money is insufficient and people experience hardship.
Alternatively, as a result of people no longer worrying about food, clothing, and shelter, other things besides money may become important. It may become impossible to obtain rare items or services simply by having money, and the arbitrary judgments of those who "provide" services may increase. The providers may decide how much goods or services to offer based on "who they are giving them to." Since everyone has enough money, we cannot simply provide goods and services to everyone. If the "restriction" of money is removed, there is no other way to restrict things, and it is possible that the limits of providing services and goods will be set by people's (personal) arbitrary judgments. This is a possibility based on the experience of the "共栄圏."
In reality, based on the experience of the "共栄圏," the current society is healthier than the suffocating and closed society of the "共栄圏." In today's era, if you have money, you can go to a restaurant and eat without worrying about anyone, and the same goes for cafes. In terms of interactions with others, the current society seems to be a more casual and enjoyable place to live.
The current system of money can be said to allow people to learn and have the hope of becoming "good people" because it requires a certain degree of hardship to obtain it. A society without financial hardship is a society where ego can freely and arbitrarily behave, and it is a society where strange people may hold power and continue to be swayed by it, as seen in some isolated rural communities. At least, if there is a "restriction" of money, it will eventually lead to a decline and loss of power, and then people can "learn" again in a situation where there is no money.
Even if the current situation leads to an abundance of money, only a few cunning individuals will become wealthy. Large conglomerates emerge, dominating the market in areas such as "land" and "services," making it extremely difficult for the general public to participate. While goods and services may appear equal on the surface, they are actually restricted, and good products and services are almost completely "hidden" from the general public, to the point where the general public may not even realize that such things exist. As a result, even though the system outwardly promotes equality and sharing, the reality is that people are living in different worlds from the beginning, and they cannot recognize each other's lives, goods, and services.
This could potentially be an ideal society, but if it fails, it could become a world where arrogant landlords and unpleasant individuals thrive, making it very difficult to live in. In the Co-Prosperity Sphere, both of these aspects seemed to coexist. As time passed, people gradually accumulated stress. In some ways, it was a very ideal society, but there were also a certain number of strange people, and these strange people often dominated goods, land, and services. For example, when receiving a service, such as eating at a restaurant, one would have to bow deeply to the owner, with the upper body parallel to the ground and the waist bent at approximately 90 degrees, and politely (even if it was flattery) say, "It was delicious, thank you." The owner would then smile and say, "Oh, really? Come again." This may seem like an ideal society, but some owners might become hysterical if they perceive even the slightest rudeness from a customer, forcing customers to be very careful with the owner, creating a very stifling society.
Of course, there are still stories like this today. While it is natural to have some interaction with the staff when receiving a service, in the Co-Prosperity Sphere, the emphasis on being considerate of the store was excessive, creating a society where people constantly felt a great deal of stress.
Some spiritual people are aiming for a "society where people are not troubled by money," and they are talking about various things, such as free energy and a revolution in the money system. However, I know what it was like to live in the Co-Prosperity Sphere, and I think that the current capitalist society is actually a better place for people to live happily.
And, since capitalism functions by having something "lacking," whether it's energy, housing, or food, if we consider capitalism to be a choice made according to God's will, then I think God is taking various measures to maintain this "lacking" state in order to sustain it.
In reality, there are conspiracy theories that talk about "efforts to suppress free energy (or similar technologies)" as a dark secret of the energy industry. However, based on fundamental principles, even if such efforts exist, if they are conspiracies by humans, it would be impossible for ordinary humans to suppress "everything." Therefore, it seems more natural to believe that there is a divine will behind the fact that "everything" has been suppressed time and again. Certainly, even if something appears to be a conspiracy, the world is vast, and without God's will, it would be normal for free energy (or similar technologies) to be utilized somewhere in the world. Therefore, the fact that "everything" related to free energy is being suppressed suggests that God intends to keep people in a "restricted" state so that they can be guided to become "good people," because if an energy revolution were to occur and people could freely engage in activities, society would become even worse. That is how I personally interpret it.
Moreover, when I see the ego of current free energy advocates, I see glimpses of personal desires and selfish wishes to live freely. This reveals that even if people become energy-free, they will not necessarily be happy. The underlying desire of current free energy advocates is to live a life of luxury like nobles. This means that in such a system, the people who form the foundation and keep the world running would be forced to work as slaves to support that society. This hierarchical society, like the Middle Ages with its "nobles and slaves," is something that God would least desire. As long as free energy advocates are moving in that direction, "everything" related to free energy will be suppressed by God. Compared to a society with slaves, the current capitalist society, which has a state of "lacking," is a much better place for people to live happily.
On the other hand, there is also the possibility of transitioning to a state similar to a "sphere of co-prosperity," where people fulfill their obligations with sufficient money circulating. However, even in such a state, there is a possibility of the conflicts that existed in the "sphere of co-prosperity" being reproduced.
In reality, there will be a transitional period. Initially, people may enjoy freedom and liberation from financial constraints, but a society where "no one lacks money" will inevitably transition to a system where people who "shamelessly" demand services or goods for any reason will no longer receive them solely based on "money." Instead, it will become a biased society that provides services and goods "based on the individual and whether they truly need them." This is because a certain number of shameless people will exist, making such a system unavoidable. As a result, people will no longer be able to live freely simply because they have money, and they will have to "watch the faces of others" and become a society that is difficult to live in, similar to the "共栄圏" (Kyoei-ken, a term referring to a period in Japanese history).
While people may enjoy freedom for the first few decades, eventually, it will become a more troublesome society. As a manifestation of this, issues like overtourism in various parts of the world are emerging, and the situation where even if you have money, you may not receive adequate service when traveling, can be seen as one possible direction for the future. In normal life, if people become so abundant and enjoy free time, even if there are still those who "provide services," it would not be surprising if a trend emerged to restrict services for those who are simply "loitering and doing nothing." Such biased judgments were considered "common sense" in the "共栄圏."
Furthermore, as is happening now, more and more businesses will operate without signs, only through introductions and referrals. When people can live without earning much money, it is natural for them to start accepting only customers with good qualities. On the other hand, services for the general public will continue for a while, and people will not notice this "invisible wall." However, eventually, this "unbreakable wall" and "invisible wall" will become recognized, and the social hierarchy will become clearly divided.
Even if nobles appear initially, they will only receive appropriate treatment if they have corresponding character. Even those who initially believe they can live without doing anything and have attained a noble status will eventually have to do appropriate work to receive respect. This will be reflected in their appearance, atmosphere, and personality, so those who have an inappropriate status without the corresponding character will suffer. The most important thing is appropriateness. However, even if someone is inappropriate in the first generation, the next generation will have a life free from constraints from birth, so there will be a shift in values. As a result, people who have received appropriate education will take on positions that match their abilities, and this system will become stable.
It may seem that free energy would lead to a transportation revolution, allowing people to travel freely anywhere they desire. However, in a system like the "共栄圏," even when staying in accommodations, one's background was scrutinized in detail. Those without stable jobs or a defined role were not allowed to stay in decent lodgings. While in some cases, even if there were no other options, people might be allowed to stay in subpar accommodations (due to the risk of them being stranded), the quality of the food provided would often be noticeably different. Guests had no choice in the food served; the establishment would provide what they deemed appropriate based on the guest's appearance and background. Only those who presented themselves well, had a clear background, and were accompanied by several others could expect proper service. In a society with abundant money and energy, the ability to travel freely might actually become more difficult. Conversely, the current society, where services are available to those who can afford them, is arguably more free.
It is unlikely that proponents of free energy and those seeking a revolution in the monetary system, who aim to transition to a more restrictive and oppressive society, will succeed in the foreseeable future. If such a society were to emerge, it would be a society consumed by greed and audacity, and for those who remember the hardships of the "共栄圏" at a soul level, it would be a traumatic and repulsive experience. It is natural to prefer a society supported by money, where one can live comfortably. Perhaps, individuals with such memories are instinctively sensitive to the dangers of free energy and may even be secretly sabotaging it.
Therefore, those who truly understand the concept of a sharing society may hesitate, while those who seek to exploit free energy and the sharing society for their own gain, or those who aspire to become powerful and control a nation, may use it as a convenient slogan. In such cases, activities promoting free energy and freedom are likely to end up as scams. Currently, many who loudly proclaim equality are not genuinely advocating for a sharing society, but rather concealing their true goal of creating a society where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, a "communist" system where the general public is essentially "slaves" under the guise of equality. Such deceptive individuals may hijack the movement and lead to fraudulent outcomes. Even if an activity initially involves well-intentioned people, even if many good people are involved, there is a risk that cunning individuals will infiltrate, gradually take over the organization or activity, and ultimately lead to fraudulent results. As a result, even if free energy is achieved, people's lives will remain difficult, nothing will change, and only the rulers will be different, similar to the French Revolution. The system will remain unchanged, and the power structure will persist, even if the energy source changes. There is approximately a 30% chance that such an unfortunate society may emerge. However, even if that happens, it is only the first stage. This could trigger an energy revolution, creating a situation where, despite being constrained by the system, people can be energetically free if they become aware of it. At that time, those in power will try to prevent the emergence of a sharing society by spreading propaganda to keep people from realizing this. This is because there are individuals in power who want to continue living a life of privilege. This intermediate state is likely to last for a generation. In the next generation, the children of these privileged individuals will be born into a similar status, and from there, a path to an egalitarian society can emerge. By that time, "ownership" will become more established, especially real estate, which will often be passed down through generations. People will live on a solid foundation based on "secure land." When people's livelihoods are secured and guaranteed, especially as generations change, what was previously used to indoctrinate and control the masses will gradually change, and a consensus will emerge, particularly among the younger generation, that "you don't have to work so hard" and "sharing is the way to go." In this way, even if a sharing society is not immediately realized, the foundation for it will be laid over generations. However, this is still a future prospect, and for the time being, a capitalist society will continue. This is because it is likely to make people happier.
However, perhaps, the basic scenario (70% probability) is that it will not become such a fraudulent society, but will simply transition smoothly to a sharing society. The fraudulent society mentioned above is a roundabout way and a social loss, so people need to be careful and monitor to prevent such fraudulent people from taking over society.
When I say these things, I am often evaluated as "don't attract that negative reality" or "a negative person," and like past spiritual movements, some people try to create a bad image and try to divert attention from these dangers (or unconsciously). First, these people who try to hijack such movements are only a small minority, so "manifestation through collective consciousness" will not occur based on the ideas of a few people. Therefore, there is no need to worry about it actually happening. However, there is a risk that such a small group of people will hijack the movement, leading to an undesirable reality for the general public. Therefore, people need to be careful to prevent such a bad world from coming, and they must be able to identify and exclude dishonest people. While there is a need to monitor, there is no need to worry excessively about it. Of course, the ability to discern is essential as a prerequisite.
God's intention is not for this capitalist society to end, but rather, God believes that a society where people do not have to worry about food, clothing, and shelter is ideal. In the era of prosperity, when people no longer had to worry about food, clothing, and shelter, society became one where people became arrogant and felt suffocated, so avoiding such a situation, "a society where people can live happily without worrying about food, clothing, and shelter" is what God desires.
Such a society can transition from the capitalist society, and even as it gradually transitions to a society where people do not have to worry about food, clothing, and shelter, if people fulfill their obligations, they will be able to live happily.
In order to achieve this, people must first become wealthy, no longer have to worry about money, and even if they have enough money, they must fulfill their obligations. If people quit their jobs because they have enough money, the price level will rise according to Keynes' equilibrium theory, and the economy will reach an equilibrium where they do not have enough money. On the other hand, if people continue to work as an obligation even when they have enough money, they will have an abundance of money but will not be extravagant, will not be arrogant, and will not demand various things, and the ideal society that God desires will be realized.
To a certain extent, a major trend will likely lead to a transformation where the world eventually flows into a state of "low value of money," and this will happen relatively gradually. Before this major trend emerges, it is necessary to establish the values that will form the foundation of the new world. If these values are established, a smooth transition will be possible, but people who are deeply immersed in capitalist society will experience a greater shock. In Europe and the United States, this may manifest as economic collapse, leading to a chaotic society, and a "sharing society" may not function well.
Gradually, people are becoming wealthier, and money is becoming abundant. This is leading to overtourism as people from Europe and the United States flock to "cheap Japan." However, if more and more people stay in "cheap Japan" for months, a "sharing society" will not function. In a sharing society, the basic principle is that if you stay in a place for a long time, you should help with some work in that area. Otherwise, you will eventually be treated as a nuisance and asked to leave. While the beginning of this transformation may be celebrated as a time of freedom, if everyone has enough money, there will be a certain degree of "customer selection." In a world where money is abundant, it is less likely that someone will start a business simply because there is a shortage of lodging. Currently, many foreigners are opening hotels in Japan for business purposes. However, if earning money becomes less advantageous, only those who contribute through opening hotels or continue a family business that has been passed down for generations will survive. In the "共栄圏" (Kyoei-ken), there was a tendency to reduce new businesses, and the focus was on preserving the land and family businesses. In a stable society, "entrepreneurship" decreases, and jobs and society are passed down through generations. This has both positive and negative aspects, as it can be a boring world for those who love new things. Therefore, the "共栄圏" system is not necessarily good, and capitalism has the advantage of constantly creating new businesses, which can be enjoyable for people. However, it is all about balance. The basic principle is capitalism, and the dynamism of "sharing" based on Japanese values will be a highlight of the future.
In the "共栄圏," professions were too rigid, which led to a society where people were not struggling financially but was very stifling and lacked change.
On the other hand, the current society is based on capitalism, and in countries where capitalism has been overemphasized, such as the West, the pursuit of self-interest is prioritized. However, even in such societies, those who succeed can achieve dignity and profit, so there is a possibility that anyone can be happy. I think that the good thing about capitalism is that it provides opportunities.
God seems to believe that both extremes are undesirable, and that a fusion of capitalism and a cooperative society would be ideal.
Looking at the world, I think that only Japan, as a country, has the potential to achieve this. That is where the hope lies. While some people, such as indigenous peoples, may have ideas about sharing and fulfilling obligations, I think that only Japan, as a country, has the potential to realize this. In Japan, it is not necessarily a monolithic society, but there is a foundation for understanding such concepts.
If the mainstream idea is that money is everything, as in other countries, it will lead to a perpetual state of "not having enough money" due to Keynesian equilibrium. People will continue to learn through the constraints of "money" for what seems like an eternity. In reality, some people need to learn this, and therefore, they can become "good people."
That may be a necessary learning experience for those people, but I think that a certain number of people have reached the point where they need to graduate from that learning.
In the past, even in Japan, some people experienced difficult and restrictive situations in a cooperative society. Therefore, even for Japanese people, it may be necessary to experience the learning of becoming a "good person" through money. For example, even in Japan, there have been problems with "arrogant public servants," but there are many examples of how privatization has improved services. For example, JR used to have abusive employees, but now the service has improved. The service areas on highways used to be terrible, but they have improved. Even though the government service used to be bad, the service has improved to some extent even with the same public servants. In other words, I think that over the past 100 years or so, this kind of learning has largely passed. If we continue this for much longer, it will lead to the introduction of money-oriented and absurd ideas from overseas. Therefore, this is probably the right time to change.
Since Japan has the potential to build a new social system as a pioneer based on its experience with a cooperative society, it would be ideal if Japan could transition to a new system and then other countries could follow suit, learning from Japan's experience.