We are in a special time of our civilization. A time when we are letting go of many of the institutions that form the foundation of our understanding of the world and moving into a shift where we realize we are powerful as individuals. It is a time of great choice as we prepare for the Free Economy.

The institutions of capitalism, politics, religion and science form our culture and provide us with the framework with which we interpret the world. With little question, we follow directions set out by the leaders of the institutions.

Many leaders today talk about the dangers of automation and the inevitability of technological unemployment. Technological unemployment is when increases in Artificial Intelligence and automation eliminate jobs. Because of technology these jobs are gone forever leading to mass and continuous unemployment.

I say what’s wrong with unemployment? Isn’t that what many of us strive for? We try to move beyond work by becoming independently wealthy or retiring and enjoying the good life. Don’t we all want to work for the joy of the work and not for a paycheck?

Unfortunately, the reason most of us work is for the paycheck. In our culture, we exchange our physical and mental efforts and most importantly our time for money. We’ve handed over some of our individual power to institutions.

In our culture, increased automation will lead to mass unemployment and cause many people to lose their jobs, paychecks and the means to pay for the goods and services they use every day.

I believe mass unemployment is inevitable. I also believe it is highly desirable. It won’t be an easy journey from here to where we will eventually be. It will take a generation or two and require a few fits and starts, but I believe we will get to a Free Economy.

What is a Free Economy? I define it as an economy where everything is free.

Free is the end game of increased automation. Let’s leave out a debate on Singularity (where robots with artificial intelligence take over humans because they can out think us) and focus on automation’s ability to dramatically improve productivity. With automation, we can do more, faster and cheaper.

As robots (as a form of automation) increasingly produce goods and provide services, the cost of those good and services will decrease.

The costs will eventually be free.

Is it possible for goods to be free? What does it take to make something? It requires raw materials and energy. Everything else is a service.

Raw materials have a cost today because of the service cost of extraction and because in our culture we’ve given rights to some in exchange for extracting those resources from nature. Energy at its core is a raw material. Today energy comes primarily from natural resources.

If we use automation to extract resources and reconsider the ownership of extraction rights, we are only left with the cost of services.

These will also be free. We’ve already seen the dramatic impact of automation on the cost of services. We can refer back to sewing machines replacing weavers or tractors replacing men and oxen. Going forward we see autonomous cars, trucks and drones replacing drivers and self-service checkout replacing cashiers. The progress on automating services is continuous, without end, and the rate will only increase. Will someone design a machine to cut hair and style nails? You bet.

The ultimate service automation is when robots build and maintain robots from free raw materials and energy. Then everything will be free.

What about the sense of purpose people feel with their job or the camaraderie with their peers? Do you need to work for money to achieve these? I work in high tech and know people who love to make things and love to collaborate. Check out the popularity of Maker and DIY communities. People find purpose and ways to express their creativity outside of work.

With a Free Economy, we can use our unique ability to create without all the drudgery of physically making it. Unless we choose to make it. Then it becomes a labor of love and not an exchange of time for a paycheck.