spankythehippo
05-23-2015, 07:57
In relation to the capitalism thread (which I didn't read), what is your stance on money? Good, bad or neither?
I have no problem with money. Money isn't evil, it's an inanimate artificial construct. I do have a problem with peoples value for money. They often bend over backwards in order to get it, sacrificing happiness and contentment, which ironically is what they seek by earning more money.
Sure, money creates a divide between the rich and poor. It's not the money doing it, it's the people. Those of us who are poor, why does it matter if someone has more than you, if you're alive and well? Those of us who are rich, how much do you really need? What is this obsession with materialism that drives people crazy? I don't understand this greed aspect of humanity. "I have more than you do." Who cares? I've seen plenty of insanely rich people living miserable lives. And here I am with less than $10 to my name, as happy as can be.
So there's my answer to capitalism, a system where you get paid for the work you produce. In an effort to make as much money as possible, some people will exploit others to make more of it, inherently driven by greed. Also, the issue of work is a biggie. I don't consider what Kim Kardashian does as work. She relies on a model that has been laid out in front of her, which she uses to earn money using her fame, status and booty. Another instance of greed. No one NEEDS millions of dollars. Most people would LIKE to.
So that brings up capitalism vs communism. I remember learning about the Vietnam War in high school. We looked at propaganda posters that said "Better dead than red!". That seemed like a very extreme viewpoint to me. In essence, "I'd rather be dead than live a life slightly different to the one I currently live". Maybe I'm understating the "slightly" part, but that is the overall attitude. Trouble with communism is that it has traditionally been a state mandated principle. I'm a communist, I suppose. I believe in the power of community, the root word of communism. I believe in the sense of community, which should be instilled in society, but not enforced. If it were enforced, like it has been, everyone will have equal amounts of stuff, but it will be "shitty" (to most people). If society were adjusted to everyone's base needs, we would live in a very Spartan society. A very stale and stagnant society that doesn't promote creativity and advancement, since people wont make money off their inventions and innovations. Unless their intention is to make the world a better place. Money is a driving force in many people's lives, since it brings a sense of accomplishment. Which is a very personal feeling. People see themselves as individuals, and not members of a larger group. As such, they need to validate their existence by being different. Sadly, a lot of people want to be different by having more money.
So capitalism vs communism?
15478
Everyone strives to be the best they can be, earning money while they do so. When they have more than they need, they can help others who don't have the liberty to do so. A very utopian scenario, but I think it's possible. Only when everyone adopts the right attitude. Of course, there will be dole bludgers (or people who live off the state for you non-Aussies). The reason they are dole bludgers is because they don't have the right attitude.
I was on the train, heading towards Campbelltown, which is not exactly the Manhattan of Sydney. I met two dudes on the train. One was an old due with a boiler suit, and he was going to work. The other was a middle aged guy, and a bogan (i.e. a redneck of Australia). We were all talking about what we were doing. Old guy was going to work, bogan was going to his daughters netball game. Old guy was saying that he only works 10 hours a week so he doesn't have to pay tax. Bogan says the same thing. Both of them had a bad attitude towards work, but had the right attitude about money. They only need so much of it, so they do less work. They have one desire, to do what they want. And what they want isn't much.
Other people, on the other hand, have the same desire. To do what they want. But what they want is a lot more expensive than these two dudes.
I know plenty of people who are in high-paying jobs, but they hate what they do. I ask them "So why do you do it?". The worst response I hear is "I'm passionate about business." What I hear is "I'm passionate about making money from business." I'm a scientist, by trade. I don't do it for the money, hell it's not a high paying job. I do it because I love this world, and want to know more about it. And I make money from it (at least, I would if I finish my studies). It seems to me that people don't follow their passions or their dreams. They live in a very superficial world where it's basically a penis size competition.
Is it hard to want less and still be happy? I don't think it is, since I've done it quite easily. But then again, I could be very naive about this concept of greed. I could be naive about everything, and I'm the biggest idiot in the world.
What are your thoughts?
I have no problem with money. Money isn't evil, it's an inanimate artificial construct. I do have a problem with peoples value for money. They often bend over backwards in order to get it, sacrificing happiness and contentment, which ironically is what they seek by earning more money.
Sure, money creates a divide between the rich and poor. It's not the money doing it, it's the people. Those of us who are poor, why does it matter if someone has more than you, if you're alive and well? Those of us who are rich, how much do you really need? What is this obsession with materialism that drives people crazy? I don't understand this greed aspect of humanity. "I have more than you do." Who cares? I've seen plenty of insanely rich people living miserable lives. And here I am with less than $10 to my name, as happy as can be.
So there's my answer to capitalism, a system where you get paid for the work you produce. In an effort to make as much money as possible, some people will exploit others to make more of it, inherently driven by greed. Also, the issue of work is a biggie. I don't consider what Kim Kardashian does as work. She relies on a model that has been laid out in front of her, which she uses to earn money using her fame, status and booty. Another instance of greed. No one NEEDS millions of dollars. Most people would LIKE to.
So that brings up capitalism vs communism. I remember learning about the Vietnam War in high school. We looked at propaganda posters that said "Better dead than red!". That seemed like a very extreme viewpoint to me. In essence, "I'd rather be dead than live a life slightly different to the one I currently live". Maybe I'm understating the "slightly" part, but that is the overall attitude. Trouble with communism is that it has traditionally been a state mandated principle. I'm a communist, I suppose. I believe in the power of community, the root word of communism. I believe in the sense of community, which should be instilled in society, but not enforced. If it were enforced, like it has been, everyone will have equal amounts of stuff, but it will be "shitty" (to most people). If society were adjusted to everyone's base needs, we would live in a very Spartan society. A very stale and stagnant society that doesn't promote creativity and advancement, since people wont make money off their inventions and innovations. Unless their intention is to make the world a better place. Money is a driving force in many people's lives, since it brings a sense of accomplishment. Which is a very personal feeling. People see themselves as individuals, and not members of a larger group. As such, they need to validate their existence by being different. Sadly, a lot of people want to be different by having more money.
So capitalism vs communism?
15478
Everyone strives to be the best they can be, earning money while they do so. When they have more than they need, they can help others who don't have the liberty to do so. A very utopian scenario, but I think it's possible. Only when everyone adopts the right attitude. Of course, there will be dole bludgers (or people who live off the state for you non-Aussies). The reason they are dole bludgers is because they don't have the right attitude.
I was on the train, heading towards Campbelltown, which is not exactly the Manhattan of Sydney. I met two dudes on the train. One was an old due with a boiler suit, and he was going to work. The other was a middle aged guy, and a bogan (i.e. a redneck of Australia). We were all talking about what we were doing. Old guy was going to work, bogan was going to his daughters netball game. Old guy was saying that he only works 10 hours a week so he doesn't have to pay tax. Bogan says the same thing. Both of them had a bad attitude towards work, but had the right attitude about money. They only need so much of it, so they do less work. They have one desire, to do what they want. And what they want isn't much.
Other people, on the other hand, have the same desire. To do what they want. But what they want is a lot more expensive than these two dudes.
I know plenty of people who are in high-paying jobs, but they hate what they do. I ask them "So why do you do it?". The worst response I hear is "I'm passionate about business." What I hear is "I'm passionate about making money from business." I'm a scientist, by trade. I don't do it for the money, hell it's not a high paying job. I do it because I love this world, and want to know more about it. And I make money from it (at least, I would if I finish my studies). It seems to me that people don't follow their passions or their dreams. They live in a very superficial world where it's basically a penis size competition.
Is it hard to want less and still be happy? I don't think it is, since I've done it quite easily. But then again, I could be very naive about this concept of greed. I could be naive about everything, and I'm the biggest idiot in the world.
What are your thoughts?