Social Credit: More than just money?

Summer Vegetable Garden -- Miriam's Kitchen, Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

I wonder if people have heard about a social credit system before. This would be more than getting a pat on on the back or a friendly smile. (Although that's important too). It could be based on points, sort of like racking up points when you shop at Walgreens. Here's how former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang describes it. "Time banking is a system through which people trade time and build credits within communities by performing various tasks---transporting an item, walking a dog, cleaning up a yard, cooking a meal, providing a ride to the doctor, and so on."

 I could see this being a social good right now for so many of my friends. For instance, Sally volunteers at a community 501c3 club, and pours her heart-and-soul into all the activities. But there are only (4) paid time slots and for some reason, even though Sally can use the money, she and about 10 other people are passed over. Imagine if Sally had about 20,000 Social Credits in a time-banking account! She could trade in points for necessities, services in kind, and even VIP perks, such as getting to meet a celebrity in person. The Sallies I know would be thrilled, and so many more people would start reinvesting in their communities and hobbies such as painting, dancing, writing.

 As a matter of fact, Yang credits Edgar Cahn, a law-professor and anti-poverty activist, as the "founder of Time Banking" in the 1990s. And there are already time-banking systems in about 200 communities around the United States! In Brattleboro, Vermont, their local time bank has 315 members who have exchanged 64,000 hours of mutual work over the past eight years. There is also an active social credit system in China, but in the U.S.A. we have the power to take this to whole new levels with smart "digital social credit (DSC) exchanges" using our free phones, public computers, message boards, empty offices, etc.

Even though I hate getting messaged a lot, even a cheerful "Thanks for helping out today as a Tutor! You have earned 100 Social Credits" might help me feel more than just appreciated. Not too many people I know are like Janet or George, who volunteer so many hours with People for Fairness Coalition; or the exceptional food chefs at SOME, Miriam's Kitchen, and DC Central Kitchen. With time-banking, they can be rewarded and recognized for being great role models and an inspiration for all of us.