1. Stage 1: Connect to the network

Stage 1: Connect to the network

In its most basic form, the model is simply a web that connects all who are committed to change and to building a better, more humane way of living. We will form the essential core unit, the nucleus and the most important part of the Tree of Life network. We, the people, are the reason that the network and its associated structures are to be created.

The core principle of the model is: “for the benefit of the community (network) as a whole – with particular focus on those who are most affected by whatever decisions are implemented”. It is an expression of “act locally, think globally”. There are also other core principles, such as sharing of resources, non-violence, transparency, equality, equal representation, co-operation, etc.

All organisational structures consist of a web of trust that interacts with other webs. Friends form an affinity group that you are part of: they are people you are close to, and with whom you share parts of your life. This group may be connected to another pod in a web that might consist of an organisation like a department in a university, or a team that is part of a project occurring in a corporation, radiating further and further outwards.

We are all connected via these chords that bind us. The tapestry of our lives and the human race itself – in fact the whole bio-system – consists of these webs that interact with one another.

If this is so, one might ask, then what is the element that we would like to insert into this web within a web that already exists? It is one of consciousness – that is, of becoming conscious of these interactions, and their potential. We need to consciously create a network. In other words, the network needs to be conscious too. And the only way to do that is for conscious beings need to connect to form the initial network—conscious of why this network, conscious of the need for energy to drive it. Once the protocols are in place, it will be able to absorb others who are less conscious of what constitutes the true state of the world and humanity. The hope is that by providing a viable alternative, people will be able to choose which path they wish to take—the current paradigm and the future it offers, or another paradigm, more aligned with life itself.

These webs are made up of affinity groups, which, although this affinity may exist on many different levels, the glue that must bond us all, at this point, is survival. If we do begin to build organic, autonomous food supplies, and other means of ensuring our basic needs, we will soon be in short supply and at the mercy of the global conglomerates that wish to control everything and everyone who they deem worthy.

Requirements

Initial requirements for joining the network are:

1. Agreement with the basic principles of the network;
2. Be invited or sponsored by someone in the network;
3. Validation by your sponsor and two other members;
4. Willingness to commit energy &/or resources to the network.

The {members} will consist of people who:

3 levels of membership:

1. Root membership: Consisting of the members who are part of the network working group, implementing protocols, improving services, etc.

2. Full membership: Fully committed to the network. Living within it, supporting it. All resources and assets in the network structure.

3. Initiate (or transitioning) membership: Are implementing this lifestyle fully or partially, need support and would like to expand their involvement in creating an alternative way of life – one which is more in balance with the bio-dynamics of the environment in which we exist. In the meantime, they are transitioning as they are able. They often start off as affiliate members, and then as such, transition as they are able to become fully integrated into the network.

4. Affiliate membership: Wish to support the network in any way they can, consisting of people who will eventually join and fully participate in this venture.

5. Supporting membership: Do not wish to commit to the network, but believe in its mission, and are willing to support it in any way they can. They are sitting on the fence, and waiting to see further outcomes.

6. Potential membership: Consists of those who are unhappy with the status quo, and would like to engage in another way of life, but are not sure what that is.

These people are then mapped into a basic communications network. This follows the principle of first connecting the people, and thereafter building the network that provides them connectivity, rather than first building the network, and trying to find or entice the people to join after the fact.

The focus will be on the people, and the network will provide support to the members of the network. It is built “by the people for the people”. Building this type of communications network is a well-represented topic. The difference in this instance is that those algorithms are usually used to connect devices, while the Tree of Life network focuses on using these algorithms to connect and support co-operation between people.

// 2024-01-13

The core idea is to live in a collection of communities that together form a self-sufficient (as much as possible) unit. This is made possible through the network which will be global. The idea is to create a virtual sovereign, but global, self-supporting constituency that relates to the needs of its constituents, no matter what country your of residence is.