Conceptual Political Art #3
Wherein I share an idea for a new kind of reality show...
Here is an idea for a reality show called “Deciding Together.”
If you want to be in the show, then you have to make two contributions:
1. help cover the cost of the show and
2. give $100 (so there is something to decide about.)
Find 100,000 people to contribute.
You will easily be able to cover reasonable costs. Plan for what you need and divide by 100,000. Be meticulously honest and transparent about where all the money is going for expenses. If there is any expense money left over, you can add it to “the pot.”
The pot is formed by 100,000 people contributing $100 each.
That generates $10 million.
The most important thing is to develop a way for all the people to speak together and and contribute ideas, to hear and be heard. Maybe train an AI to read what everyone has written and create summaries for all the viewpoints? Everyone needs to be able to comment, to influence and be influenced, etc.
Everyone must find a way to make the decision together, with everyone included. This also calls for a meticulous transparency and a profound willingness (nay, eagerness) for each participant to support all the participants.
Where will the $10 million go?
The show will hopefully be more than entertaining, both for those who participate and those who watch.
It’s a practice run for when we are actually mature enough as a species to be able to talk to each other and work out conflicts together. It’s for when we can start thinking not only of ourselves and what we think is right, but also deeply take into consideration what other people value. It’s practice for a very large group to make really important decisions together.
But first: Can so many different people make even one decision together? Let’s watch and find out!