The Holy Economy
Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 4:59 am
Politicians in America talk about the economy like its some sacred thing that must be protected at all costs. They encourage us to spend our money, as if by doing that we are contributing to the greater good. But our economic system is based around profit, not progress. Profit is created by supply and demand. There is more immediate value in making Big Macs than trying to find a solution for famine in Africa. A farmer who uses toxic chemicals will make more money than an organic farmer. A company that uses 3rd world sweatshops to make its products can sell them for a higher profit. People who do whatever it takes to make the most money are rewarded.
There are some good things about capitalism. Competition to produce the best product will advance technology and the quality of life of society. But the problem is that for most wealthy businesses and bankers the only motivation is profit. If they don't have to innovate, they wont. Think of how Apple makes a new iPhone every year, which is basically the same as the last one, yet millions of people still buy it. It's safe for a company to not progress if people continue to give them money.
So to some extent, we "consumers" have power over the "producers." We don't have to buy iPhones. But huge corporations basically control our lives. We are born into the system that they control, and it seems impossible to try to change things because most people seem content to live this way. The mainstream idea that "success" is getting a good paying job and putting your life into the system is turning us into a colony of mindless worker bees.
How do you feel about the American economic system
Reading this about a year after I posted it. There needs to be some kind of cultural revolution, or else we will be doomed. I feel like it could happen easily though. The problems arent very complicated, its just hard to make people understand them and start taking action. Everyone has some false ideas in their head that make it hard to see the truth.
There are some good things about capitalism. Competition to produce the best product will advance technology and the quality of life of society. But the problem is that for most wealthy businesses and bankers the only motivation is profit. If they don't have to innovate, they wont. Think of how Apple makes a new iPhone every year, which is basically the same as the last one, yet millions of people still buy it. It's safe for a company to not progress if people continue to give them money.
So to some extent, we "consumers" have power over the "producers." We don't have to buy iPhones. But huge corporations basically control our lives. We are born into the system that they control, and it seems impossible to try to change things because most people seem content to live this way. The mainstream idea that "success" is getting a good paying job and putting your life into the system is turning us into a colony of mindless worker bees.
How do you feel about the American economic system
Reading this about a year after I posted it. There needs to be some kind of cultural revolution, or else we will be doomed. I feel like it could happen easily though. The problems arent very complicated, its just hard to make people understand them and start taking action. Everyone has some false ideas in their head that make it hard to see the truth.