RE: What If I Told You Everything In Life Is Free?
I sort of hold this belief that there is no division between natural and "unnatural" and that the creations of man are just as natural as anything else, but I'm rather conflicted about it because I do, on principle, agree with your view. I'm not sure these perspectives are necessarily in conflict, but I do believe that - looking through the lens of the so-called "unnatural" - we can see that value exchange is present in nature just as it is in civilization.
I believe - and hold as a defining and illuminating perspective - that money essentially controls and limits our ability to live. In a way, it's analogous to the hunting and gathering or farming of earlier societies. But like you said in another comment, scarcity in this day and age is a myth. I guess the point of inquiry this leads me to is this: what is it about the abstraction of value that is money that creates such drastic imbalance in comparison with other stores of value? Is it simply that it functions solely as a store of value? What do you think?
Really great question...one I will have to ponder. What is it about money that creates such a drastic imbalance...hmmm...maybe because it cannot decompose and go back to the Earth? That's one thought that came to my mind. So, it can be hoarded, kept and passed on after we die, whereas, before money, if we hoarded, say, corn, it would only have a limited lifetime. If we hoarded our gifts, say to heal, or to sing, no one would ever benefit from it, so would it even be a gift? Just some preliminary thoughts, I will think more about this, thank you.
What are your thoughts on your question?
Yeah, the permanence or lack of degradation was something I considered too, and in a sense permanence is truly "unnatural," But this makes me feel conflicted too, because there are plenty of things that don't wither away that are no doubt positive or necessary. And also, looking into the distant future, who's to say money won't - culturally - dissolve its value back to the earth and its people?
I think what this leads me to is that it's not so much the store of value itself that's the issue, it's the human greed, fear, and reliance on money that gives it this unbalanced nature. In a way, by clinging to this abstraction and the value exchanges it allows, humanity is actually clinging to a more primal nature of survival of the fittest. From that perspective, perhaps it could be said that, rather than embracing nature, the path to freedom and equity for the human race requires transcending a natural way.
Yes, we are quickly reaching the rock bottom, of all rock bottoms, and I do have hope that once enough folks become uncomfortable, this transcending can begin in full force.
I just worry that it's out of anyone's hands, and that it'll take something catastrophic before we can move forward as a species
I have the same thought as you my friend. People need to feel very uncomfortable before they think about making changes. And still, some will not wake up. I just pray we are nearing that 100th monkey...I do see some small changes in friends and family that solidifies that hope.
Hm, I've never heard that "100th monkey" expression, but I imagine the gist of it is "the straw that broke the camels back"? Where does that come from?
And I think, unfortunately, the ones who need to change for all our benefit are ultimately those with the most power - AKA those who have the least impetus to change and are the least emotionally in tune with the misery of the masses. Not to take away from small scale changes however, that is of course still vital and significant; shifts in individuals can signal wider public shifts and that can lead to pressure on the elites.
Yea, every revolution has shown that the power of the people is stronger than the people in power. The only problem I see, is that like the word revolution means, to go around and around. We have had revolutions, yet all it gained us was a fancier cage. Still a ruling class. Still slaves, only slaves with big screen tv's and posher houses.
Regarding the 100th monkey saying here's a short article explaining it.
It has been great talking with you, I hope to continue this conversation!
Ah, very interesting. Now I sort of just want sweet potatoes though haha. Likewise; you've given me a lot to think about!