Banks of shame hold your heads with sorrow - the newest lyric in one of my songs about the larger system that seems to keep people in cheque through monetary control, a form of mental slavery where just about everybody seems to be working so much harder than they naturally should have to just to give that money back. It is our way of life and I am beginning to question it. I don't want to toil away my days for the hope of a small break here and there. I want to spend
time with the people i love, and do the things i love to do. Sure, there is work to be done, but how much? If people are enjoying their work, that is one thing, but I am starting to think that many of us have been tricked by higher ups into a life that supports them. Personally, I'm likely a beneficiary of the system, but I don't expect I will be for long. So far the only way I can think of to get out of it is to become less reliant on money. I would be very interested to hear what other people have to say, so please judge me lightly and make a post.
I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. Governments tax people so that we can live with modern infrastructure in safe and comfortable communities. Even living with less which is admirable, needs some way of supporting even that lifestyle. Banks are part of the system but I guess one wouldn't have to use them if one didn't want to.
ReplyDeleteYeah. I agree that we do get things in return. I actually think I will be part of the system always in someways, but like you said it's living with less. I think that in turn means less need to earn money and more opportunities to live the way one wants. I'm asking myself what I need. Will that thing actually make me happier or improve my (or a loved one's) life in any way, or do I think I need/want it, but don't and will in turn have to earn more money? If you are reading this, please join the conversation!
ReplyDeleteThe lyric is cool but a bit of hyperboli in my opinion. Personally I'd like a little more upbeat theme. "banks of humanity raise your heads and lead" There is lots of potential to do good and make this place a better place for people and the environment - just have to figure out what roles we want to play and how we want to contribute. Good stuff to think about.
ReplyDeleteJoey, I know exactly what you are saying. I was brought to the same type of questioning from my own travels.
ReplyDeletePart of it is that we are young, looking at the rest of our lives, and wondering if we really have no choice but find a career and work the majority of our lives to amass enough monetary wealth to support children, so we can give them the opportunity to do the same thing. There are a lot of good things that come with a career: a sense of responsibility, and ideally gratification from performing a job that makes you happy. However, no matter what your career is, you are going to have to spend most of your days working for someone, or doing a particular thing, out of obligation, not necessarily out of desire, because you need to make money. For someone like yourself that sees the value of the intangible, non-marketable things in life, this is an upsetting prospect.
The other part is that, when traveling, you get a greater perspective on what makes our capitalist system possible, as well as who is benefiting and who is getting screwed. At least for me, it became clear that the way of life we have been brought up to aspire to is only possible through the exploitation of a massive portion of the world population. When you combine doubts as to whether our quest for material success is really all its cracked up to be, with the realization that this material success is only possible through screwing over people in the developing world, you start to think you might be better off not being a part of this system at all.
Withdrawing oneself from the system, however, is a very difficult and complex thing to do. The most idealistic option is to acquire land, build a house, grow your own food, and create your own energy, in an effort to be completely self-sufficient. I know several people our age who are trying to do this. However, aside from the huge amount of work and knowledge it would take, in cutting yourself off from society, you would inevitably end up isolating yourself from friends and loved ones. You would also start to miss a lot of things that our capitalist system provides that you had grown to love, i.e. going to concerts, international travel, etc. Not to mention that if you or a loved one gets sick, and you have the choice between home remedies and capitalist-funded, high-tech medical care, the system starts to looks pretty good.
So, my current stance is I am going to try and find a balance. I am going to have a career, but I am going to make choices that put the most power in my hands, and the least power in the hands of giant multinationals that only want to exploit me and the rest of the world. I'd like to be able to grow at least some of my own food, create some of my own energy, and generally meet my needs in a self-reliant way as much as possible. I am also going to consume as little as possible.
Most of these ideas were germinating before I went traveling, and a lot of them were partly inspired by you. So obviously, you've had a handle on this stuff for a long time now. Anyway, I hope your journey continues to expand your mind and challenge you. When you get back, we can start a self-sufficient, back-to-the-land commune. I designate you for first shift on manure shoveling.
Dan's wisdom exceed his years!
ReplyDeleteYa, and if you sign up for the fist shift I'll give you a hand!
ReplyDeleteDan, you said it, I don't know what more to say. I'll shovel with you anyday. Thanks for the comments everyone, and a good conversation today dad!
ReplyDeleteDan said it.
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't chime in sooner... But now I don't think there is much more to say. Hope your travels are stil keeping you thinking.
ReplyDelete