Introduction
In this world, with all those informations and choices, they want you to believe that to live is complex. They are not wrong. To live in our actual societies has become complex and harmful. But the fact of living a life of clarity and goodness is in itself still simple, but only if you can look beyond the complexities. So I asked myself this question : Is there a way to live simply while taking in account the complexity of the modern society ? In other words, a way to benefit from our technological progress while still living with the values that encourage the beautiful side of being a human.
For me, this way of life is achievable, only if individuals and therefore society as a whole follow those principles. There are 4 of them. Together, they constitute what I call the DISC method :
Decentralization : Allows to diversify, avoid control and dependance to a unique source
Interoperability : Allows a greater accessiblity to goods and services
Simplification : Allows to win time, energy and clarity
Collaboration : Allows greatness, beauty and kindness to exist and individual to thrive.
Why apply them ? Because those 4 principles allow a healthier society to develop in favor of everyone and allow individuals to better manage what is most important for them. More, by definition, they prevent a harmful system to take shape. A system that will progressively prevent people from expressing their freedoms and creativity only to benefits the elites in command. In my opinion, living by those values can have the ability to make you realize that you have far more power and influence on the world than you would like to admit. Actually, what I present here is what we could call a modern and interdependent minimalism.
Method
The method is as follows. Choose any action, subject, habits or part of your life. Next, think about those principles by asking questions. I'll illustrate how it works with some examples.
Personal finance read the DISC :
- How can I decentralize my finances ?
- Diversify your incomes and investments, work on your skills for a new professional project or to get better at it if your job becomes at stake. Maybe crypto could be interesting, it doesn't rely on central banks. Prefer cash to credit card = don't rely on one means.
- How can I make them interoperable ?
- Not really feasible. Maybe cash. Always works with everyone.
- How can I simplify it ?
- For example, use the 3 accounts method to manage it : 60% essential needs , 30% investments and saving, 20% hobby. Prefer cash, it's always simpler.
- How can I collaborate on this point ?
- Use your money to support actions, people, corporations that create real and tangible value for society by making a conscious choice about where your money goes.
Relationships read the DISC :
- How can I decentralize my relationships ?
- Look for new relations rather than trying to be complacent with one person to try to meet all your needs. Only one close relationship cannot in most cases meet all our needs as a human being.
- How can I make them interoperable ?
- Not relevant here I think.
- How can I simplify them ?
- Know what you need and what you want from them to prevent waste of energy in wrong people. Value honesty to improve communication.
- How can I incorporate more collaboration with them ?
- Try to know what people close to you and in your community need in their life. Maybe you can help in one of their projects.
The phone read the DISC :
- How can I decentralize my phone and its functions ?
- You have a computer and a phone. Which one is better for what ? Try to know why you need a phone and how to use it wisely. Use open source or decentralized applications.
- How can I make it interoperable ?
- Prefer interoperable protocol like email, phone number, XMPP, MATRIX... over chat app like Facebook messenger or Whatsapp for communication. Because with most chat apps, you cannot reach someone who don't use the same as you.
- How can I simplify it and its uses ?
- Do I really need of those applications ? Do I really need a new phone ? Use RSS feed over social media to get your news.
- How can I make my phone more collaboration friendly ?
- Does my phone and its apps help to collaborate easily ? For example, use an alternative to Google like Cryptpad as an online suite to manage a project with friends. No need for account to participate in the project if you don't have one = collaboration easier.
Conclusion
Now, It's your turn to try with your own problems or ideas and see if you find any advantages to apply at least one of the actions or concepts that those principles revealed. At first, it will not be easy. But the more you look for answers, the more you'll learn. Be creative on the subjects and their solutions. If you're alone, learn to understand both sides. And if it starts to become complicated, ask someone who knows the subject. After a while, you'll realize that when a principle is applied, 99% of time it benefits the application of the others without realizing it. According to you, what are the principles that we should apply in our lives to create a better world for everyone ?