Frequently Asked Questions

The Better To Best Research Hub is an open-access platform for research on effective ways to improve governments, economies, and societies. The primary focus is to develop and document productive approaches to harmoniously-functioning societies that promote human flourishing by maintaining economic efficiency while enhancing cultures, particularly with the innovative economic systems Creative Currency Octaves (CCO) and Public Trust Housing (PTH).

This research focuses on resolving traditional tradeoffs between equity and efficiency through novel incentive designs that eliminate welfare cliffs while strengthening work motivation.

The primary research is conducted by Duke Johnson, independent researcher and author of "Better To Best: Novel Ideas to Improve Governments, Economies, and Societies," in collaboration with Claude (Anthropic) for mathematical formalization and empirical research design.

Yes! All research published here is available under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licensing, supporting open science and collaborative development. We believe transformative economic ideas should be freely accessible to communities, researchers, and policymakers worldwide.

This research received no specific grant funding and is conducted independently as a contribution to public knowledge and policy development.

Creative Currency Octaves (CCO) is a dual-currency system that provides universal basic income while strengthening rather than weakening work incentives. It operates through:

• Basic Units: Distributed universally, pegged 1:1 to primary currency, restricted to essential expenditures, expire at end of distribution cycle
• Conversion System: Expired basic units can be converted to unrestricted primary currency through productive activities
• Dual-Tier Incentives: Octave-based capacity levels (that double with each step up) and personal multiplier rates (1x to 14x+)

The name "octaves" comes from the doubling pattern - like musical octaves, each level doubles the previous capacity.

Traditional welfare systems create "welfare cliffs" where earning additional income results in net loss due to benefit reduction. CCO eliminates this by:

• No benefit reduction: Basic units are provided universally regardless of other income
• Additive rewards: Work creates additional income opportunities rather than reducing existing benefits
• Progressive enhancement: Higher productivity leads to higher conversion rates and capacities

This means every hour of productive work always increases total income, eliminating marginal tax rates over 100% that characterize welfare cliff scenarios.

The dual-tier system evaluates contributions across multiple dimensions:

Octave Level Factors:

• Consistency of productive contribution
• Community engagement and collaboration
• Skill development and knowledge sharing
• Long-term commitment to community wellbeing

Personal Multiplier Rate Factors:

• Quality and innovation in contributions
• Cultural and artistic excellence
• Problem-solving and creativity
• Positive impact on community outcomes

Important Note: Capacity amounts apply to businesses that accept basic units for payment, whereas individual performers and artist groups may not have capped trade-in amounts. Rather, their octave level advancement serves as a measure of success and achievement.

The community of Creative Collective Members determines the conversion rates, while the market determines capacity achievement. Proposed rate levels are detailed in "Harmonize Economics With Creative Currency Octaves" (2024). These rates are adjustable and dependent on several factors, with the Phi-Rate serving as an additional multiplier of 1.618 that corresponds to the golden ratio.

Assessment combines objective metrics with community evaluation, designed to minimize bias while recognizing diverse forms of valuable contribution.

CCO includes UBI-like elements but addresses key UBI criticisms:

Public Trust Housing (PTH) is a community-owned housing model that creates pathways for collective wealth building while providing stable, affordable housing. PTH complements rather than replaces private real estate markets. Key features include:

• Community Ownership: Housing held in public trust, owned collectively by residents
• Democratic Governance: Residents participate in decision-making about community development
• Integrated Services: On-site childcare, healthcare, education, and skill development
• Wealth Building: Residents build equity in collective assets rather than individual property
• CCO Integration: Housing payments can be made using basic units, supporting the CCO ecosystem

PTH represents a fundamental evolution beyond traditional public housing:

Traditional Public Housing:

• Government-owned and managed
• Often stigmatized and under-resourced
• Limited tenant control or equity building
• Concentrated poverty effects

Public Trust Housing:

• Community-owned through democratic trust structures
• Mixed-income communities with diverse residents
• Residents build collective wealth and have governance rights
• Integrated services and community development focus
• Designed for long-term community empowerment

PTH creates collective wealth through several mechanisms:

• Equity Accumulation: Housing payments build equity in community-owned assets
• Business Development: Community enterprises generate revenue and employment
• Skill Premium Sharing: Training and education increase earning potential
• Collective Investment: Community decisions about asset development and improvement

Unlike individual homeownership where wealth is tied to personal property values, PTH creates shared wealth that benefits the entire community while providing individual security.

Acre Equity is a concept within the Public Trust Foundation (PTF) system that measures and distributes value based on land stewardship and productive use. The term "Acre Equity" was introduced by NotebookLM during analysis of PTF concepts, with Claude subsequently generating proposed metrics for implementation.

Key Components:

• Land Stewardship Value: Recognition of environmental care, sustainability practices, and ecosystem preservation
• Productive Use Assessment: Evaluation of how effectively land generates community value through agriculture, housing, business, or recreation
• Community Benefit Measurement: Assessment of how land use contributes to broader community wellbeing and economic development
• Equity Distribution: Proportional sharing of land-based value creation among community stakeholders

Important Note: While Claude has generated proposed metrics and frameworks for Acre Equity, nations that implement PTF systems may decide to adjust and refine these specifics based on local conditions, cultural values, and economic priorities. The concept provides a foundation for discussion rather than rigid requirements.

Public Trust Foundations (PTF) are community-owned business models that generate employment opportunities and pathways for collective wealth building while providing foundational goods and services. PTF businesses like grocers, counter-serve restaurants, and utility providers accept basic units as payment and operate within a public trust network that's collectively owned by citizens. These businesses are operated as 'not-for-profit' and 'for-community-benefit' with democratic governance structures, complementing rather than replacing private market operations.

PTF businesses operate under community ownership with democratic governance, meaning citizens collectively own and guide these enterprises. Unlike traditional businesses focused on maximizing shareholder profit, PTF businesses prioritize community benefit and affordable access to essential goods and services. They accept basic units for payment, provide stable employment, and reinvest profits into community development rather than private wealth accumulation.

PTF restaurants and businesses accept basic units for essential goods and services at affordable prices. For example, a PTF restaurant might offer meal options for basic units (3 units for breakfast, 4 for lunch, 5 for dinner). Their conversion rates and capacity limits are determined by operational factors like business hours, seating capacity, and daily customer volume. PTF businesses may qualify for elevated conversion rates (2x-4x) when they provide affordable essential services to the community, pass health code inspections, and implement efficiency protocols that improve service quality and community benefit.

PTF business conversion rates are based on operational capacity and community service levels. A restaurant with limited hours and seating can only convert a daily amount of basic units that doesn't exceed their operational capacity. However, businesses that offer essential services at affordable basic unit prices may qualify for elevated conversion rates of 2x-4x. The conversion system balances business sustainability with community access to affordable goods and services, however rate refinements and adjustments can be a stability lever to mitigate economic volitility.

PTF is designed for businesses providing foundational goods and services essential to community wellbeing: grocers, counter-serve restaurants, utility providers, transportation services, childcare centers, healthcare clinics, and educational facilities. These businesses serve basic human needs and benefit from community ownership models that prioritize access and affordability over profit maximization.

PTF businesses operate under democratic governance structures where community members who are stakeholders (employees, customers, community representatives) participate in decision-making about business operations, pricing, service delivery, and community investment priorities. This ensures businesses remain accountable to community needs while maintaining operational efficiency and sustainability.

The Citizen Internet Portal (CIP) is a comprehensive digital infrastructure platform designed to enable democratic participation, transparent governance, and community-controlled economic systems. CIP serves as the technological backbone that connects and facilitates CCO, PTH, and other innovative governance frameworks.

Core Functions:

• Democratic Participation: Secure voting systems, community assemblies, and civic engagement tools
• Economic Integration: CCO transaction processing, PTH governance, and financial transparency systems
• Information Access: Government transparency, public data access, and community information sharing
• Service Delivery: Streamlined access to public services, benefits, and community resources

CIP represents a fundamental evolution beyond traditional government websites toward true digital democracy:

Traditional Government Websites:

• Primarily informational with limited interaction
• Fragmented services across multiple platforms
• Limited transparency and citizen input
• Top-down information distribution

Citizen Internet Portal:

• Interactive democratic participation and decision-making
• Integrated platform for all civic and economic activities
• Complete transparency with real-time data access
• Citizen-controlled governance and community management
• Economic system integration (CCO, PTH) within civic platform

CIP is designed with privacy-by-design principles and robust security measures:

Privacy Protections:

• User Control: Citizens control their own data and privacy settings
• Minimal Data Collection: Only necessary information for services and voting
• Transparent Data Use: Clear documentation of how data is used and shared
• Right to Delete: Citizens can remove their data and accounts

Security Features:

• End-to-End Encryption: All communications and transactions secured
• Decentralized Architecture: No single point of failure or control
• Audit Trails: Transparent logging of all system activities
• Multi-Factor Authentication: Secure identity verification for voting and transactions

Social Zone Harmonization (SZH) is a comprehensive framework for organizing communities and regions to optimize social, economic, and environmental outcomes through coordinated planning and resource allocation. SZH works to balance diverse community needs while maintaining local autonomy and democratic governance.

Key Principles:

• Balanced Development: Coordinated growth that prevents extreme inequality between regions
• Resource Optimization: Efficient allocation of resources across interconnected zones
• Cultural Preservation: Maintaining local identity while enabling beneficial coordination
• Environmental Integration: Planning that respects ecological boundaries and sustainability

SZH is designed to enhance rather than replace existing local governance structures:

Coordination Mechanisms:

• Inter-Municipal Cooperation: Voluntary coordination between adjacent communities
• Resource Sharing Agreements: Collaborative infrastructure and service delivery
• Regional Planning Councils: Democratic bodies with representatives from participating communities
• Opt-in Participation: Communities choose their level of SZH integration

Benefits for Local Communities:

• Access to larger resource pools and shared infrastructure
• Reduced service delivery costs through economies of scale
• Enhanced economic opportunities through regional coordination
• Improved environmental management across ecological boundaries

SZH recognizes different zone types based on community characteristics and development priorities:

Potential Zone Classifications:

• Urban Innovation Zones: High-density areas focused on technology, culture, and economic development
• Suburban Transition Zones: Mixed-density areas balancing residential, commercial, and community services
• Rural Stewardship Zones: Low-density areas emphasizing agriculture, conservation, and sustainable resource management
• Special Purpose Zones: Areas with unique functions like education, healthcare, recreation, cultural preservation, adult-only with and without relaxed drug laws, artistic, etc.

Harmonization Benefits:

• Each zone can specialize in its strengths while accessing resources from others
• Coordinated transportation and communication infrastructure
• Balanced economic development that benefits all zones
• Shared environmental stewardship and climate adaptation

Currently, these frameworks exist primarily in theoretical and design phases. There is active potential for:

• Community Partners: Local governments or organizations interested in pilot programs
• Research Collaborators: Academic institutions for controlled studies
• Technology Partners: Organizations to develop necessary digital infrastructure
• Policy Partners: Government entities exploring innovative welfare approaches

If you represent an organization interested in testing these frameworks, you may contact Duke Johnson at Duke.T.James@gmail.com - however all interested parties are encouraged to develop these ideas and others that benefit humanity in ways that aspire for best, and achieves even better

A comprehensive pilot program would likely include:

Phase 1: Community Preparation (6 months)

• Community engagement and education
• Technology infrastructure development
• Governance structure establishment
• Baseline data collection

Phase 2: Limited Implementation (12 months)

• CCO basic unit distribution
• Conversion opportunities in essential services
• Community assessment system testing
• Continuous data collection and adjustment

Phase 3: Full Integration (24 months)

• PTH housing development or conversion
• Full dual-tier incentive system
• Community enterprise development
• Comprehensive impact evaluation

CCO is designed to minimize inflationary pressure through several mechanisms:

• Restricted Basic Units: Can only be spent on essential goods/services, mitigating demand increases in luxury markets
• Expiration System: Basic units expire, preventing accumulation and hoarding
• Productive Conversion: Unrestricted (primary) currency is earned through productive activity
• Supply-Side Focus: System incentivizes increased production of goods and services

By restricting where basic units can be spent and requiring productive work for conversion into primary currency, CCO may be less inflationary than traditional welfare systems that provide unrestricted cash.

The CCO system is designed to support all community members:

• Universal Basic Units: Everyone receives basic units regardless of work ability
• Diverse Contribution Recognition: Non-traditional forms of value creation are recognized (childcare, eldercare, emotional support, creative work)
• Accommodation Systems: Assessment processes account for different abilities and circumstances
• Community Support Networks: PTH provides integrated care and support services

The goal is to recognize that everyone contributes to community wellbeing in different ways, and the assessment system should reflect this diversity.