The fabric of society has a complex mixture of people belonging to various cultures, ages, races in pursuit of different stages of freedom -Physical, Social, Emotional and Intellectual. So one set of rules to control, streamline or educate fails. Everyone has their own set of theories, ideas and attitudes that they swear by depending on their own stage of personal growth they are in. Mostly the one group of majority with affluence, might and power that has 'like views', and that likes to listen to only the 'like views' prevail, sadly.
We all, well most of us believe bigger, faster and complex systems are better.Corporates and businesses have successfully used their marketing skills to turn unnecessary things into necessities. Economics is all about meeting man's WANTS and NEEDS and the line between the two seems to be fading fast, least the ability to see the difference by the common masses is not too bright. Anything that cannot be measured or proved has no place in the 'System'. Most don't even relate to such ideas. Even the education system fails in making the kids understand bigger, faster and complex is not always good rather creates a fascination for it. Dig their grave and talk about their freedom!
No talk on freedom can be complete without discussing happiness. Happiness we look for externally through satisfaction of our senses via sight, sound, smell, taste,touch and not to mention thought. Consumerism is the brain child of man's own failure to understand what is and quest for happiness through the external stimuli. Happiness from within? Oh please no more of these abstract ideas. Can I buy it? If I can't and if its not out in the market, such thing don't exist. Right?
Pursuing any innovation,even an idea or a technological advancement IN ISOLATION has most times been disastrous, has it not? All things in this world are interrelated with one another, said the Enlightened One. Who Einstein?
When we arrive at a day when the competition in business is not amongst the 'like' producers,between politicians, and when its with the intellectual might of the consumers, the common masses we will have real freedom. Such intellectual might cannot be achieved in schools or the environment around. It comes from within, nowhere else.
"Modern man does not experience himself as a part of nature but as an outside force destined to dominate and conquer it" E. F. Schumacher. What Schumacher?
P.S: Influenced (ofcourse!) by P.A Payutto's works on Buddhism and Economics.
2 comments:
It is true that life is not about the external factors. At the same time, as we know, other things being equal, if we get an opportunity to live in a better external environment, it is a natural tendency to choose that option.
The definition for this "better external environment" and the blur between "choosing" and "craving" make things complicated.
I just edited my old post today and stumbled upon your article.
http://sethuraman-atisivan.blogspot.com/2008/10/lifestyle.html
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