It was one of those days in the spring of 2026 when an unusual heat hung heavily over the city. Four people sat together and talked about something that actually seemed impossible.
But the longer the conversation went on, the clearer it became: Perhaps we are not facing the end of the world – but the end of a system.
Characters:
Maya: A young woman from India, tech-savvy, pragmatic and idealistic.
Elena: An older woman from Germany, an experienced activist with a subtle sense of humour.
Carlos: A young man from Latin America, an entrepreneur who believes in social change but is caught up in contradictions.
Max: An older man from the USA, a former financial analyst, wise and critical.
CHAPTER 1: THE STORM IS BREWING
The scene begins on a terrace overlooking a bustling city. It is a hot summer’s day.
Maya (gazing at the city with a sigh):
“It feels as though the world is falling apart. Everything revolves solely around profit, whilst many people still have to fight for their survival and nature is coming under ever-greater pressure.”
Carlos (grins):
“True, but as long as the stock markets are rising, nobody cares, do they? And if the oceans are fished empty, at least we’ll have had sushi once.”
Elena (calmly):
“That’s exactly the problem. We’ve known for ages that boundless economic growth is destroying the foundations of our lives – and yet we carry on.”
Max (nods slowly):
“Perhaps because we believe we have no other choice. Politicians and economists say that everything will collapse if growth stops, and most people believe it.”
Maya:
“But that’s not true at all. The economy has long been producing far more than we actually need. So why are we still fighting for survival?”
CHAPTER 2: A REVOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR A LONG TIME
Elena (leaning back):
“If you look at it historically, we’re living in the midst of a development that began about ten thousand years ago.”
Carlos (surprised):
“That far back?”
Elena:
“It’s not that long ago. As early as two hundred thousand years ago, people already looked like we do today. But in this brief final five per cent of human history, everything changed.”
Carlos:
“Sure, you’re right. Until then, people lived from hand to mouth as hunters and gatherers, and suddenly it seemed as though life was becoming secure.”
Maya:
“Yes. Because for the first time, more was produced than was necessary for survival. Back then in Mesopotamia.”
Carlos:
“But that was also the beginning of private property, wages and markets. And with that, the beginning of inequality. Some took the surplus from the harvests and stored it in their barns, whilst others had to work for wages.”
Max:
“But since then, the system has continued to evolve, very slowly for a long time, until competition emerged after the Middle Ages, leading to industrialisation and the prosperity many people enjoy today.”
Maya (doubtfully):
“And today we no longer live from hand to mouth? Sure, most people are doing well and there is more wealth than ever before.
But more and more people are actually living right here among us on the edge of the poverty line.”
Elena:
“Actually, we could all live well today. Look at how much surplus we produce. But somehow we’re still trapped in this old mechanism: produce, sell, buy and grow.”
CHAPTER 3: THE REAL PROBLEM: THE PRESSURE OF THE MARKET
Carlos:
“But nobody knows what we should change. All the parties want more economic growth, even though we’ve known for 50 years that this growth is jeopardising our future. Haven’t we already exceeded some global limits?”
Max: (pointing an accusing finger)
“And the International Monetary Fund is forecasting a further 25 per cent growth over the next five years.”
Maya:
“Unfortunately, hardly anyone realises that the market is the problem. After all, it has led us to our current prosperity. But as long as we have to buy things, we need wages. And that brings us straight back to economic growth.”
Elena:
“That’s the crux of it: wages, profits and prices are all linked. If wages are to rise, more must be sold.”
Carlos:
“As an entrepreneur, I can confirm that myself. How am I supposed to pay higher wages if not enough money is coming in! And the car industry, the backbone of the entire economy, is selling fewer and fewer cars.”
Max:
“And that’s exactly why we even resort to absurd things – like the arms industry. All you have to do is create an concept of the enemy, and then the billions flow in.”
Maya:
“Yes, and unpredictable presidents ensure that we’re sitting on a powder keg that could explode at any moment.”
CHAPTER 4: A RADICAL BUT SIMPLE IDEA
Elena:
“What if we simply put an end to this mechanism?”
Carlos (sceptically):
“How exactly?”
Max:
“By removing the central element: the price. Let’s just have a brainstorm. How else are we supposed to come up with new solutions?”
Carlos:
“Products without prices?”
Maya (smiling):
“Why not? Prices are needed for the market. But today we could order directly from the producers – exactly what we really need.”
Elena:
“Actually, you’re right. The internet makes that possible today. In the past, we needed markets to bring supply and demand together. Prices served as a means of exchanging information between buyer and seller. Today, we could connect directly with the producer via the internet and tell them exactly what we need.”
Max:
“And without prices, there’d be no need for wages either. After all, why should we be paid if everything is freely available?”
Maya (euphorically):
“Wow, that would even solve the problem of rising wages – they wouldn’t be necessary at all, and so there’d be no need for economic growth either!”
CHAPTER 5: THE LOGIC OF FREE ACCESS
Carlos: (thoughtfully):
“Wait a moment… if everything is free, then…”
Maya:
“Yes, then the owners of the oil wells, the mines and the agricultural land wouldn’t need their profits at all anymore, and they wouldn’t care in the slightest if everyone used the raw materials for free.”
Carlos:
“But what do you mean: they wouldn’t need them anymore….?”
Maya:
“Well, how would these owners buy anything if there were only gifts left? There would simply be nothing left to buy; instead, they’d get everything for free.”
Elena:
“Yes, just think about it for a moment: raw materials were never actually subject to a charge – nature doesn’t demand any money at all.”
Max:
“And if there were no production costs either, because no wages had to be paid, then the end products would indeed be free, just as you described earlier, dear Elena.”
Carlos (nodding slowly):
“That would really change everything…”
CHAPTER 6: A MODEL WE ALREADY KNOW
Maya:
“Come to think of it – we’ve actually known this principle for a long time.”
Carlos:
“Really? Where from? What do you mean by that?”
Maya:
“From the family. Some people also call it the care sector. It’s everything that ensures real life goes on and that we can work again the next day. In this private sphere, there’s no billing either. People simply do what needs to be done.”
Elena:
The care sector. Of course. Globally speaking, this sector accounts for just as large a proportion as production – it just doesn’t appear in any statistics because prices aren’t traded there.”
Maya:
“Yes, exactly. Otherwise, family members or friends would have to pay for the lunch that appears on tables in every family around the world every day. “
Max:
“And that works surprisingly well. No one would think of cooking twice as much for competitive reasons and then throwing half of it away.”
Carlos:
“So why don’t we do exactly the same in the economy?”
CHAPTER 7: WOULDN’T EVERYTHING THEN COLLAPSE?
Carlos:
“But let’s be honest: Wouldn’t production collapse immediately after such a change?”
Max:
“Well, when I think about it… at first glance, hardly anything would need to change in production. To be honest, we couldn’t change production at all; the system would immediately resist it and not allow it.”
Elena:
“Of course, the familiar business relationships continue as normal. Technically, nothing changes at all. The factories will keep producing. Just without invoices.”
Maya:
“And we’d only really notice it because, on the day of the global transition, we wouldn’t have to pay for anything anymore. Not just on that day, but from then on we’d always get everything for free! Every day would then be a festival of gifts!”
Elena:
“I can hardly begin to imagine this global euphoria of freedom and gift-giving!”
CHAPTER 8: THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE TRANSITION
Max:
“But in the days that follow, something crucial would happen: only what is truly needed would be produced. Or would there perhaps be anyone who would give away more than necessary?”
Maya:
“And suddenly, time would no longer be a cost factor. Products could be designed and produced to be durable and fully recyclable, no matter how long it takes.”
Carlos:
“Many jobs could be automated and no one would want to prevent it, because there would no longer be any fear of unemployment. It’s likely that mainly heavy, monotonous and dangerous tasks would be replaced by robots very quickly.”
Elena:
“I could imagine that many car factories could be converted to building robots. The necessary machinery is already there, after all. The switch would probably be quite simple and would happen quickly.”
Carlos:
“And working hours would decrease…”
Elena:
“Because less is being produced.”
Maya:
‘Yes! Didn’t the renowned economist John Maynard Keynes dream of a 20-hour working week as far back as 100 years ago?’ ”
CHAPTER 9: WHAT HAPPENS TO OWNERSHIP?
Elena:
“And what happens to the companies? Won’t they have to be expropriated and socialised?”
Max:
“Why on earth? It’s only about wages and prices. They won’t just disappear simply because the companies would belong to other people after socialisation. I don’t think one thing has anything to do with the other.”
Maya:
“But will anything change at all then?”
Elena:
“Come to think of it – property will probably become meaningless altogether. Today, you earn money from property.”
Maya:
“Yes, exactly – from flats you rent out, or from plots of land where raw materials are found, or from fields where grain is grown. But what if you can’t buy anything with that money anymore?”
Max:
“Exactly. Then that property is actually worthless.”
Carlos:
“I suppose that if you can no longer earn money from property but are still responsible for it, at some point you’ll just want it to be gone.”
Elena:
“That almost sounds as if, at some point, property could revert to the commons all by itself, meaning it wouldn’t belong to anyone anymore. Just as it was throughout human history, before property first emerged in Mesopotamia.”
CHAPTER 10: WON’T EVERYTHING BE LOOTED THEN?
Maya:
“If there are no more prices, will I go and get myself a new Prada dress every day and bathe in champagne every evening!”
Carlos (grins):
“You’re mad. We’ve long since got used to this situation. Is there anyone who doesn’t use a flat-rate plan? Netflix or the Deutschland Ticket? But nobody watches series on Netflix round the clock. Nobody spends the whole day pointlessly travelling around by train just to make the most of everything they can.”
Elena (laughs):
“Why do you think? Because we’re not interested in wasting our time on pointless consumption. We’ll then have the chance to use our time much more meaningfully.”
Maya:
“Of course. You’re right. When advertising and price pressure disappear, the opposite tends to happen: we consume less, but more consciously.”
Max:
“I still remember the first lockdown in March 2020. We were incredibly afraid of what would happen if the economy ground to a halt. But shops weren’t looted, as is shown in many dystopian films.”
Elena:
“No, we really saw that people stuck together in this crisis. So what will it be like when we feel our needs are securely met?”
CHAPTER 11: THE END OF SCARCITY
Max:
“Don’t we need prices to regulate scarcity? If something is scarce, it’s also expensive and fewer people can afford it.”
Carlos:
“You mean, if something is scarce, it becomes particularly desirable?”
Maya:
“A large part of scarcity today is artificially created, precisely to keep prices high. This is especially true for luxury goods or in cases of speculation. Often, only the rich can afford these prices.”
Max:
“But look, if there were no prices at all and everyone were provided for unconditionally, then nothing would actually feel scarce anymore. Not because there’s an infinite supply, but simply because people wouldn’t necessarily want it anymore. That must be a real sense of freedom.”
Maya:
“Scarcity also means danger. We’re already noticing today that raw materials are becoming scarce. There are already wars over raw materials. Over the oil in Iran or the mineral resources in the Donbas. And due to economic growth, raw materials are dwindling ever faster.”
Carlos:
“This kind of scarcity will disappear once products are designed and manufactured to be truly recyclable. Then we’ll hardly need any new raw materials. But that’s only possible because labour will no longer cost anything.”
Elena:
You’ve hit on a good point there. If work no longer has to serve the purpose of earning money, its significance could change completely – it will become an expression of creativity and a contribution to the community. After a short while, everyone will probably have the opportunity to do what they do best.”
Max:
“And if no one has to work out of necessity anymore, then the value of work will also be assessed quite differently. Motivation will then come from the joy of the activity itself. Then we won’t have to work, but we’ll want to work.”
Maya: (enthusiastically):
“Yes, if I don’t have to work just to earn money, then I can find an activity that I really enjoy and look forward to every evening. Especially if we only have to work two or three days a week.”
Carlos:
“Just think – people could even pursue their passions. Those who love baking would even get up at four in the morning to make and give away delicious rolls and croissants. I even know someone who would find the greatest joy in sitting on a digger!”
Maya: (slightly sceptical):
“But what would become of progress and innovation then?”
Max: (convinced):
“Innovation is certainly driven by competition, but originally by curiosity and the desire to improve the world. In such a society, advances in science and technology would be aimed at real needs, rather than throwing products onto the market just to sell them.”
CHAPTER 12: HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?
Carlos:
“But how do we get there? Many people think that today’s form of capitalism is the highest form of life there is. Very few want real change.”
Maya:
“A few years ago, when the Fridays for Future movement began, many people already wanted real change. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic shattered that euphoria. And now all these wars.”
Elena:
“I hope that people will soon become aware again of the danger to our future. Then it would be very useful if there were a plan.”
Max:
“It could be a three-step plan. We absolutely must start by discussing the actual possibilities of global networking. After all, the internet can’t just be used forever to make Mr Bezos and a few others fabulously rich or to post original Reels.”
Elena:
“Exactly, the internet could coordinate supplies for everyone worldwide, but to do that we need to discuss how we can make prices disappear globally and all at once.
Maya:
“Yes. Secondly, the current crisis must be acknowledged, and then business owners and employees must sit down together. The basis for negotiation would be to end both profits on the one hand and wage accounting on the other.”
Carlos (astonished):
“That’s… astonishingly simple.”
Maya:
“And thirdly: if no agreement can be reached, then social pressure must be exerted. A globally coordinated general strike would then be the method of choice.”
Elena:
“Once we manage to discuss this on a global scale – who wouldn’t see that there is no other option and that the conditions are actually in place today?
Max:
“It would be the end of destructive growth and waste, and in return the economy would gain real freedom to fulfil its true purpose – the optimal care of all people.”
EPILOGUE: THE FINAL STEP
Maya: (gazing at the setting sun):
“Perhaps we are not facing the end of the world… but the final phase of a revolution of humanity.”
Elena:
“Exactly, a step that has actually been in preparation for a long time and is already overdue.”
Carlos:
“And one that would change everything peacefully, without destroying anything, without having to take anything away from anyone.”
Maya (smiles):
“Yes, because we’ve had enough for all.”
Max (raises his glass):
“And because we just need to stop having to buy and sell everything.”
Everyone clinks glasses.
Maya:
“To the true freedom of the economy, an economy that cares for all people.”
Berlin, Easter 2026
Eberhard Licht