{"id":4220,"date":"2023-12-29T15:39:53","date_gmt":"2023-12-29T08:39:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/?p=4220"},"modified":"2023-12-29T15:39:58","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T08:39:58","slug":"interview-of-rosho-by-erhan-dogan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/interview-of-rosho-by-erhan-dogan\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview of Rosho by Erhan Dogan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Erhan Dogan (scholar.google<\/a>) is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the Marmara University<\/a> in Istanbul, Turkey. Conducting research in Thailand about Digital Nomadism, he met Rosho in December 2023 in Bangkok.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview Robert “Rosho” Hopp by Erhan Dogan, part 1: Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Erhan:<\/strong> Today, we’re speaking with Mr. Robert “Rosho” Hopp atop their office condos’ rooftop, overlooking the city skyline. He’s here to share his insights on digital nomadism and his Qaori Cooperative Initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosho:<\/strong> You can call me Rosho, the Buddhist name given to me by my Japanese Zen master. I’ve been a nomad since the 1970s, long before the term ‘digital nomad’ came into vogue. My journey started when I was 16, and I decided to leave school to pursue organ building, a craft that combined my interests in music, wood, and metalwork. This skill also offered me the mobility I craved, as organs are found in churches worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, as soon as I completed my apprenticeship, I left for France in a self-built truck, seeking new experiences across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I established my first workshop at 21, in a remote, electricity-free location, crafting small organs sold in over 30 countries. With the advent of the internet, I pivoted towards IT, founding one of Europe’s first web agencies in 1994. This new venture led me to work with major companies, including building a significant e-commerce platform for Cap Gemini in Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout my career, I’ve worked on various projects in 15 countries, from e-commerce to network building. My expertise in rescuing derailed projects earned me a reputation as a ‘firefighter’ in the industry. I’ve also embraced agile methodologies, becoming a certified Scaled Agile Program consultant and teaching various project roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the onset of the Ukraine war impacted my business, prompting my decision to move. With my young children and the need to be closer to my wife’s family in Japan, we decided to relocate there, continuing our nomadic journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Erhan:<\/strong> It’s a significant move, especially with a family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosho:<\/strong> It’s challenging but familiar to us. Our strategy is simple: sell or give away what we can and travel light, with just one suitcase each. My collaborator, Yuta, is also a nomad and shares this philosophy. Working with diverse teams across cultures and languages has been an enriching experience, providing invaluable lessons and perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve also been documenting these experiences and methodologies, contributing to a book by journalist Otmar Jenner, and working on my own book to share these insights further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview Robert “Rosho” Hopp by Erhan Dogan part 2 Qaori Cooperative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the second part of the interview with Robert “Rosho” Hopp, he discusses the Qaori Cooperative and his vision for a new economic system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosho:<\/strong> We’re developing Qaori Cooperative, a global B2B2C platform for small and medium enterprises. It’s designed to be a global ecosystem, reflecting my belief in being a citizen of the world. Initially, it started as a Thai project, but after encountering issues with a local partner, I decided to expand it globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The core idea of Qaori is to establish what I call the ‘Resilient Economy.’ I’m anticipating a financial crisis and have thus created a stable currency, Qaori, independent of any country, bank, or government. This initiative is rooted in my view of current economic systems as flawed, resembling Ponzi schemes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qaori Cooperative is structured democratically, adhering to the principle of ‘one person, one voice.’ We’ve introduced a currency named ‘Qaori,’ inspired by the cowrie seashell, an ancient form of money. Unlike modern speculative currencies, the Qaori is intended as a stable medium of exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qaori could well become the global currency of the people whose governments don’t protect their wealth on their behalf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure stability, the Qaori is backed by a diverse portfolio, including the Euro, US Dollar, Chinese Yuan, Gold, and Bitcoin. This mix is designed to maintain a stable average value despite individual fluctuations in these assets. Our simulations over the past decade suggest this approach is viable, with Bitcoin’s dramatic rise balanced by the relative stability of other components like gold and major currencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Euro’s structure, a basket of member states’ currencies, is a good analogy for our approach. It’s more stable than single-country currencies due to its broad base and less powerful central bank. Qaori attempts to create a more stable and equitable financial system, addressing the governance issues at the root of many economic problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview Robert “Rosho” Hopp by Erhan Dogan Part 3: “Tebiki” Decision-making<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this interview segment, Robert “Rosho” Hopp delves into the topic of decision-making, emphasizing its significance in AI and Human intelligence and management. Tebiki is Japanese for Guidance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosho:<\/strong> The Tebiki principle is a Japanese concept of fairness and justice. It is based on the idea that everyone should be treated equally and fairly and that decisions should be based on facts rather than personal opinions or biases. The Tebiki principle is often used in business, legal, and political contexts to ensure that decisions are made fairly and equitably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decision-making is crucial in every aspect, whether in AI or corporate management. I have a friend in Berlin, an independent AI researcher, who has refused lucrative offers from major tech companies to pursue his passion for research. His work, reminiscent of Asimov’s laws of robotics, resonates deeply with me, especially in the context of managerial decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I used and adapted his \u00a0four fundamental principles for effective AI or machine decision-making for Human intelligence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Purpose:<\/strong> The decision’s objective must be clear. Without knowing your destination, you can’t choose the right path. Sadly, most companies lack a genuine purpose beyond profit, except for rare exceptions like Ikea, which truly embodies its mission.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Values:<\/strong> Your values guide your decisions. They determine your approach, whether you prioritize speed over ethics, sustainability over profit, or vice versa. Unfortunately, many organizations fail to define their values explicitly, leading to misguided decisions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Constraints or Reality:<\/strong> Acknowledging the limits of what’s possible is vital. Reality includes technological capabilities and the fundamental laws of physics. Ignoring these constraints generally results in failure and wasted effort.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Energy or Entropy:<\/strong> Monitoring resource consumption is essential. Achieving goals becomes impossible without managing energy, be it fuel, electricity, finances, or human effort. In an agile framework, regularly reviewing and adjusting these factors helps make smaller, correctable mistakes instead of large, expensive, or irreversible ones.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    These principles, though simple, are often overlooked in today’s world, leading to poor decisions and catastrophic outcomes. The current economic challenges in the world are a testament to this issue. Teaching and implementing these principles in decision-making, especially in the economic domain, is something I am deeply passionate about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Interview Robert “Rosho” Hopp by Erhan Dogan part 4: Broken Currencies and the Tentative Solution: the Qaori Currency.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In part four of the interview, Robert “Rosho” Hopp discusses the intricacies and philosophies behind the Qaori currency and its relevance in a fluctuating global economy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> The inspiration for Qaori came from witnessing the instability of currencies in countries like Zimbabwe and Argentina. The idea is to create a stable currency that isn’t speculative like Bitcoin, which isn’t practical for everyday transactions due to its volatility and transaction-related complexities. Qaori protects citizens from the wrongdoings of their central banks and governments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Qaori is designed to be stable and practical for real-world use. Its stability is achieved by basing its value on a global portfolio, including the Euro, US Dollar, Chinese Yuan, Gold, and Bitcoin. This diverse backing helps maintain its stability even if individual components fluctuate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One of the unique aspects of Qaori is that it’s not just another currency; it’s a part of a cooperative platform. Its value remains within this ecosystem, making it resilient against external economic fluctuations. It’s a response to the continuous printing of money by countries like the US and Turkey, which inevitably leads to devaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Erhan raised concerns about basing Qaori on state currencies subject to market mechanisms and potential crises. I explained that while these currencies influence Qaori, its diversified portfolio provides a hedge against the instability of any single currency. Qaori is a global currency, the first of its kind, created to offer stability in an unpredictable economic landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We also discussed the legal framework that enables Qaori’s operation without traditional financial restrictions, particularly in Thailand, thanks to the Social Enterprise Promotion Act. We operate here freely in the financial industry, bringing a new dimension to currency usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lastly, given Turkey’s current economic situation, we touched on the possibility of introducing Qaori to Turkey. The simplicity of the Qaori algorithm, with its basis in universally accepted values like gold, makes it a potentially valuable addition to markets experiencing high inflation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Interview Robert “Rosho” Hopp by Erhan Dogan Part 5: Erhan’s Social Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In the fifth part of the interview, Erhan Dogan shares his experiences with social projects, and Robert “Rosho” Hopp discusses how these concepts could be integrated into the Qaori platform:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Erhan:<\/strong> I’ve been involved in several social initiatives, though on a more amateur level compared to what you’re doing with Qaori. One project I’m particularly proud of and inspired by is the ‘hanging bread’ concept (a traditional solidarity mechanism) in Turkey. It’s a tradition where you pay for extra bread at a bakery, which is given to someone in need. I adapted this idea into ‘hanging bills’ to help those struggling to pay utilities. This initiative was implemented by the Istanbul Greater City Municipality with the recommendation of the CEO of Istanbul Gas Company and supported thousands of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> That’s a fantastic idea. It aligns perfectly with the ethos of the Qaori platform, which aims to unite the profit, social enterprise, and nonprofit sectors. The Turkish hanging bread concept could be digitalized and integrated into our system. It’s about creating a community where members can support each other through money and various means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Erhan:<\/strong> Another concept I was amazed and spent some time on is the ‘time piggy bank.’ It’s a system where people can exchange services based on their expertise. For example, I could offer an hour of legal consultation in exchange for a guitar lesson. Two bright women in Turkey materialized this idea with a platform named Zaman Kumbaras\u0131 (Time deposit\/piggy bank). Unfortunately, it didn’t gain traction, but it has great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> We could certainly incorporate this into Qaori. Our platform already has a base for expert consulting, and this idea could further enrich our community. We’re also exploring crowdfunding, where people can contribute to projects with money, resources, skills, or time. It’s about connecting needs with resources in a structured, project-based way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Erhan:<\/strong> I also proposed a concept to a political party to organize community projects like renovating a house for needy people. These are a bit more complicated solidarity initiatives. People could contribute to those efforts in various ways, such as providing materials or labor through the platform. A whole solidarity act would be initiated, organized, and implemented through a platform. This approach fosters community engagement and solidarity, though the party didn’t adopt it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> Such initiatives are exactly what we aim to support through Qaori. Our platform can facilitate crowdfunding and connect these community projects with potential contributors. It’s about harnessing the power of a cooperative community to achieve social goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Interview Robert “Rosho” Hopp by Erhan Dogan Part 6: Qaori for Nonprofit Organizations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In the final part of the interview, Erhan Dogan and Robert “Rosho” Hopp discuss the application of Qaori for nonprofit organizations and the challenges of maintaining ethical standards in cooperative systems:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> Our vision for Qaori is to create a global platform that unites profit-oriented businesses, social enterprises, and nonprofit organizations. We’ve incorporated elements like expert consulting and crowdfunding, but the idea of social crowdfunding is something we can further develop. To manage this effectively, we’ll need administrators to handle content creation, setup, and marketing. We also plan to partner with local NGOs, providing them with a digital platform to expand their reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Erhan:<\/strong> I’ve been involved in an education cooperative in Turkey, aiming to provide quality education affordably. However, we had to think about a speculative challenge with cooperative membership. Cooperative membership became a speculative asset, with members potentially selling their membership for a profit when they leave. This goes against our non-speculative ethos. We tried fixing the value, but that’s problematic in an inflationary environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> Addressing speculation is critical. Our platform is designed to be stable and resistant to speculative forces. Like any financial institution, we implement strict KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks to ensure ethical practices. This helps prevent misuse of the platform and maintains social integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We generate revenue by charging a small fee when money is withdrawn from the platform. This is essential for our sustainability, as we cannot rely on external investors due to our social mission. We aim to keep power within the members, not influenced by external financial sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Interview Robert “Rosho” Hopp by Erhan Dogan Part 7: On Nation States and misc.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In this extensive final part of the interview, Robert “Rosho” Hopp and Erhan Dogan discuss various global and entrepreneurial topics, emphasizing the potential of Qaori and other digital platforms to address social and economic issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> I’m constantly expanding my business ventures, including a crypto exchange in Lithuania and other projects in Estonia and Thailand. Despite the current unregulated state, I firmly believe in the future of crypto and blockchain technologies. We aim to offer blockchain-based identity solutions and asset tokenization, addressing the issue that many people worldwide lack official IDs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Erhan:<\/strong> I’ve been involved in various projects to alleviate poverty and provide aid during the pandemic. For example, I proposed a system where donations for essential goods could be facilitated through supermarket operations, but it didn’t gain the needed support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> Your idea aligns perfectly with what we’re trying to accomplish with Qaori. We’re creating a platform that empowers NGOs and individuals by utilizing existing infrastructures, like supermarkets, for efficient aid distribution. We aim to be a global cooperative transcending traditional governmental and financial boundaries, providing services to those marginalized or underserved by the current systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Erhan:<\/strong> Yes, these efforts can significantly enhance NGOs’ capabilities without burdening their operations, tapping into the existing logistical strength of supermarkets or similar entities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> Exactly. And as a cooperative, we’re not restricted by political reasons or governmental influences. This independence allows us to innovate and support otherwise overlooked initiatives. I’d be honored to have you join our board of directors to contribute your ideas and help shape the future of this platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Erhan:<\/strong> I’m intrigued by this prospect and would be happy to discuss it further. These ideas have so much potential to make meaningful changes for many people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rosho:<\/strong> Absolutely. There’s a growing trend of people seeking alternatives to traditional nation-states and financial systems. Many are disillusioned with the governance and services provided by governments and banks. Our platform aims to offer a safe haven for these individuals, offering a space where they can interact, trade, and support each other, regardless of their economic status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This part of the interview explores various topics, including the potential of digital platforms to revolutionize social aid, the challenges of implementing new systems, and the broader societal shifts towards alternative forms of governance and financial systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bangkok, December 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Erhan Dogan (scholar.google) is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey. Conducting research in Thailand about Digital Nomadism, he met Rosho in December 2023 in Bangkok. Interview Robert “Rosho” Hopp by Erhan Dogan, part 1: Introduction Erhan: Today, we’re speaking with Mr. Robert “Rosho” Hopp atop their office […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4223,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4220","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4220","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4220"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4220\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4220"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4220"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/qaori.coop\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}