Comment on Liquidity Networks: local trading systems using a debt-free electronic currency by Nat

Regarding Geoff's point 1 and 6, instead of giving the money to local authority staff could the quid be given to the poorest people in society on top of any benefits already given to them? I imagine that, initially at least, the people willing to provide services in exchange for quids will probably be people already in despearate need of extra liquidity (such as the unemployed). This would further mitigate the issues raised in points 1 and 6 above.

Fracking good or fracking bad?

At the Feasta climate weekend in Wales last month David Knight gave a presentation on 'fracking': the use of unconventional methods for extracting natural gas. Fracking has become the subject of much controversy on both sides of the Atlantic as the energy industry lobbies for its widespread adoption. Knight discussed its viability in terms of energy return on investment, its potential as a pollutant and its effect on climate change. You can download his powerpoint slides from this site now, along with the script he used while giving the presentation.

Currency Resilience and Transition

I attended the recent Transition Networks one day conversation in London on 'Peak Money and Economic Resilience'. Prompted by the event, I have contributed some thoughts on the fundamental objectives of a local exchange currency - increasing both the proportion of trade that is locally-based, and overall liquidity - and on how these might best be achieved.