Towards a Universal Basic Outcome
Optonomy is an economic theory to combat the inertial gravity of our discontents and it's civilizations.
I. It’s the Exonomy, stupid.
In an era punctuated by rapid technological change and persistent economic inequalities, our conventional frameworks increasingly betray their fundamental flaws—failing to retain the very resources needed for social cohesion, individual prosperity, and therefor collective prosperity. While Universal Basic Income (UBI) has been heralded as a panacea for technological unemployment and financial precarity, it often leaves us wanting in terms of empowering human flourishing. In response, we propose Optonomy, a novel economic theory that marries systems theory with assembly theory to iteratively construct what we shall term the Universal Basic Outcome (UBO). Rather than merely injecting income, UBO seeks to guarantee that every individual not only has the means to eat, shelter, and pursue creative endeavors but also partakes in the continuous assembly of an optimal, self-reinforcing economic ecosystem.
II. Make Love, Not Government: The Theoretical Foundations of Optonomy
At its conceptual core, Optonomy emerges from the synthesis of two robust theoretical traditions:
Systems Theory:
Systems theory provides a lens through which we view the economy as a complex, interdependent web where each node (or actor) influences and is influenced by the whole. This perspective allows for the identification of emergent properties—phenomena that arise from the collective interactions of agents, akin to the patterns observed in natural ecosystems (von Bertalanffy, 1968). In economic terms, the optimal state of an economy is not the mere sum of its parts but a dynamic equilibrium that maximizes the interplay between individual incentives and collective welfare.Assembly Theory:
Borrowed from fields as diverse as molecular biology and manufacturing, assembly theory underscores the iterative process of building complex structures from simpler components. In our context, it serves as an apt metaphor for the construction of an economy: much like assembling a jigsaw puzzle where each piece must fit harmoniously with its neighbors, the optimal economy is an ever-evolving mosaic refined through continual feedback and adaptation (The Prosumer Economy—Being Like a Forest, n.d.).
By integrating these two frameworks, Optonomy posits that the journey towards economic optimality is not a one-off prescription but an ongoing process—a recursive “assembly line” of policy adjustments, innovations, and participatory governance.
III. Optonomics: Systems Theory and Assembly Theory in Economic Praxis
Optonomics, the applied arm of Optonomy, leverages the insights of systems and assembly theory to redefine economic metrics and policy benchmarks. Where traditional economic paradigms rely heavily on static measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or UBI, Optonomics champions a more holistic set of indicators that capture not only income levels but also the qualitative outcomes of economic engagement. Consider the following facets:
Iterative Policy Design:
Drawing from assembly theory, economic policies should be viewed as modular components—each iteratively refined based on systemic feedback. This is reminiscent of the “design-build-test” cycle found in engineering, where initial prototypes (policies) are continuously improved until an optimal performance (Universal Basic Outcome) is achieved (The Organization of Economic Activity: Insights from the Institutional Theory of John R. Commons, n.d.).Dynamic Interdependencies:
Systems theory illuminates how changes in one part of the economy resonate across the entire network. In this light, a Universal Basic Outcome is not a static floor but a dynamic baseline that adapts to fluctuations in labor markets, technological innovation, and social norms. Here, the economy is akin to an orchestra, where each instrument must be finely tuned to achieve a harmonious symphony—a task that static measures like UBI simply cannot accomplish.Outcome-Based Benchmarks:
While UBI is fundamentally income-centric, Optonomics shifts the focus to outcomes: nourishment, shelter, entrepreneurial capacity, and creative fulfillment. In this paradigm, economic policies are evaluated not by the dollars distributed but by the tangible improvements in citizens’ quality of life—a veritable “payoff” measured in human development rather than bank balances.
This dual-pronged approach ensures that the economy is not merely surviving but thriving, much like a forest where every tree contributes to—and benefits from—the health of the ecosystem (The Prosumer Economy—Being Like a Forest, n.d.).
IV. Universal Basic Outcome: A Counterpoint to Universal Basic Income
The concept of a Universal Basic Outcome (UBO) represents a paradigmatic shift from income distribution to outcome realization. Where UBI might be likened to a financial bandaid—addressing the symptom of economic insecurity—UBO is the scaffolding of a resilient society that preempts the fissures through which individuals might otherwise fall.
Beyond the Currency of Survival:
UBO posits that true economic security is measured not by the volume of currency distributed but by the quality and stability of life outcomes. It insists that every citizen should have guaranteed access to food, shelter, education, healthcare, and the means to participate in entrepreneurial and creative ventures. In other words, while UBI hands you the dough, UBO ensures that you have the oven, ingredients, and a recipe for success.Holistic Integration:
Integrating the principles of systems theory, UBO is designed to be adaptive. It recognizes that optimal outcomes in education, healthcare, and innovation are interdependent. Much like assembling a high-performance engine, each component of UBO is calibrated to work synergistically with others. This holistic approach minimizes the risk of systemic failure, ensuring that no one slips through the cracks of our socio-economic structure.From Income to Impact:
Critics of UBI often argue that a guaranteed income may inadvertently dampen the entrepreneurial spirit. UBO, by contrast, is not a static endowment but a dynamic, outcome-driven framework that incentivizes participation and creativity. It aligns individual aspirations with collective prosperity, ensuring that everyone’s potential is fully realized—a veritable “outcome odyssey” where the destination is a thriving, inclusive society.
V. Constructing the Optimal Economy
The construction of an optimal economy under the banner of Optonomy requires a radical rethinking of policy, measurement, and even the language of economic discourse. Here, we offer a blueprint for this transformative endeavor:
Iterative Policy Engineering:
Policies must be treated as evolving prototypes, subject to continuous refinement. Drawing inspiration from assembly theory, regulators and policymakers should adopt a modular approach, where interventions are tested, evaluated, and reassembled based on real-world feedback. This iterative process ensures that the economic system remains robust, flexible, and attuned to the needs of its constituents.Dynamic Outcome Metrics:
Traditional economic metrics, while useful, are insufficient for capturing the full spectrum of human well-being. New indices—encompassing factors such as health, education, environmental sustainability, and entrepreneurial vibrancy—must be developed and integrated into policy evaluations. Such measures provide a more nuanced picture of the economy’s health, much like a multidimensional X-ray that reveals both structure and function.Systemic Resilience:
In a world marked by uncertainty, resilience is paramount. By leveraging the insights of systems theory, the optimal economy is designed to absorb shocks and adapt to change. Whether facing technological disruptions or socio-political upheavals, the economy’s interdependent network is fortified by its capacity for self-correction and renewal.Democratizing Economic Assembly:
Finally, the construction of an optimal economy is not the exclusive purview of policymakers and economists; it is a collaborative assembly, inviting participation from every segment of society. By democratizing the process of economic design, we ensure that the outcomes reflect a diverse array of perspectives, needs, and aspirations—thereby reducing the risk of systemic exclusion.
VI. Ontological Foundations: The Hive Superconsciousness Paradigm
”I am he as you are he, as you are me and we are all together. “
(The Beatles)
Beyond the technical scaffolding of systems theory and iterative assembly lies an ontological framework that redefines our very notion of individual agency. Here, we propose that all species—and most acutely, the human species—function as facets of a grand hive mind or superconsciousness. While we cherish the autonomy of our individual actions, we are also inextricably woven into a collective fabric that guides our individual and collective subconscious, and shapes our individual and collective actions, and therefor informs and supplies are individual and collective destinies.
Collective Interdependence:
This paradigm posits that the strength of the whole is directly proportional to the nourishment of its individual links. As the old adage goes, "We are only as strong as our weakest link, as fed as our hungriest mouth, as happy as our saddest human." In economic terms, this means that a truly optimal economy must care for every member of its community—not merely as isolated individuals, but as integral nodes in a vast, interconnected network.
References: Durkheim, 1893; Turchin, 2006.The Utility of the Hive Myth:
The hive consciousness myth serves as a powerful heuristic, reminding us that our economic interventions must transcend narrow, individualistic metrics. It underlines the moral and practical imperative of ensuring that no one is left behind. Every policy, every measure of outcome, must be calibrated to sustain the superorganism of humanity, which thrives only when every constituent is robustly supported.A New Epistemological Lens:
Embracing this ontological framework challenges traditional economic narratives that valorize individual competition over collective well-being. Instead, it invites us to perceive our economic system as an organic, living entity—one that evolves through the cooperative efforts of its myriad parts, much like a hive that operates in harmonious synchrony.
VII. Hyperdialectopoiesis: Humanity’s Auto-Evolutionary Catalyst
In tandem with our collective ontology emerges a uniquely human phenomenon: Hyperdialectopoiesis.
Derived from hyper ("excessive"), dialectos ("dialectic"), and poiesis ("creation"), hyperdialectopoiesis encapsulates the remarkable human tendency to generate problems as catalysts for rapid, self-driven evolution.
Evolution by Design:
Unlike other species that passively adapt to environmental changes, humans are active architects of their own evolutionary trajectory. We do not merely await nature’s cues for adaptation; we actively imagine and create socio-cultural challenges that serve as the impetus for our development. In essence, we are the Earth’s most impetuous evolvers—constantly generating and then resolving problems as a means to accelerate our collective progress.
References: Hegel, 1807; Piaget, 1971.Recursive Innovation:
Hyperdialectopoiesis is the engine of our cultural and epigenetic evolution. This process is recursive—each problem we invent sets the stage for innovative solutions, which in turn spawn new challenges. It is an ever-accelerating dialectical cycle that propels society toward higher levels of complexity and resilience. The phenomenon reinforces the iterative nature of our economic design: just as policies must be continuously refined through feedback, our culture itself evolves by solving the very problems it creates.Socio-Cultural Catalysts:
Recognizing hyperdialectopoiesis as a driving force within our species reframes crises not solely as hazards to be mitigated but as essential stimuli for growth. In the context of Optonomy, this concept reinforces the idea that the problems we encounter—and sometimes generate—are integral to the evolution of our socio-economic structures. By intentionally harnessing this dynamic, we can transform challenges into opportunities for robust systemic renewal and creative reinvention.
VIII. (Tentative) Conclusion
The journey towards an optimal economy demands more than a mere redistribution of income; it requires a fundamental reimagining of how we measure, design, and implement economic policy. Optonomy offers a compelling framework that integrates the iterative, adaptive principles of systems and assembly theory with transformative ontological insights. At its heart lies the concept of Universal Basic Outcome, a visionary counterpoint to Universal Basic Income that promises not just survival but genuine human flourishing.
By embracing the ontological framework of the hive superconsciousness, we recognize that every individual is an indispensable node in the vast network of human society. And through the lens of hyperdialectopoiesis, we understand that the challenges we create are not mere setbacks but catalysts for accelerated evolutionary growth. Together, these insights illuminate a path toward an economy that is as resilient and dynamic as the human spirit itself.
As we stand on the cusp of an economic revolution, it is imperative that we shift our focus from transient income measures to lasting outcomes—assembling, nurturing, and evolving our socio-economic structures in a manner that leaves no one behind.
The optimal economy is not a distant utopia but an achievable reality, forged by the deliberate, iterative art of economic assembly and enriched by our collective drive to evolve.
References:
The Prosumer Economy—Being Like a Forest. (n.d.). Retrieved from [URL or publication details].
The Organization of Economic Activity: Insights from the Institutional Theory of John R. Commons. (n.d.). Retrieved from [URL or publication details].
von Bertalanffy, L. (1968). General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications. George Braziller.
Durkheim, E. (1893). The Division of Labor in Society.
Turchin, P. (2006). War and Peace and War: The Life Cycles of Imperial Nations.
Hegel, G. W. F. (1807). Phenomenology of Spirit.
Piaget, J. (1971). Biology and Knowledge: An Essay on the Relations between Organic Regulations and Cognitive Processes.
In the spirit of this treatise, let us embrace the clever alchemy of economic theory and practice, where every policy is a piece in the grand puzzle of progress, and every outcome is a testament to our shared human ingenuity and our collective evolution.
Live free or dont.