Ego. You have it, we have it, they have it - yes, we all have it! It's often said that money is the root of all evil but seriously (setting debates about good versus evil aside) is it really ego? Without ego perhaps we wouldn't have conflict. Whilst this particular scourge upon the planet seems a mostly undesirable part of the human condition is it possible, through practice of 'none ego' to prevent wars? Is it simply (usually) men with little other chance of projecting their ego upon the world who invoke the terrible consequences of suffering and death? If we could all put our egos aside for a minute would the world be a far better - more sustainable - place to inhabit? It certainly has to be worth trying as the potential advantages (as proffered herein) far outweigh the disadvantages. However, we only have to look at the way out globalised societies are currently constructed to realise that the encouragement of tempering our ego would be difficult given the ongoing processes in the opposite direction. That is, we're often cajoled into expressing our ego through peer interactions, advertising, (social) media and the like especially as dominant socioeconomic forces in the world centre their philosophies around this expression. So, do we need alternative systems of exchange in order to effectively encourage alternatives to ego based expressions? Probably. It is obviously a tall order given the central role of ego in current forms of human interaction. But, if the stakes are high enough - a possible end to suffering (which is increasing in the world it seems) - then isn't it worth a go? Peace, Dr Dim.