Fear of the isms: communism, socialism etc. has led to the perception that the capitalist way is the only way to be without slipping into some sort of preconceived abyss of eternal sociological damnation. This has led to complacency and a general acceptance of the status quo; the norm as it is presented to us. There are no questions asked, there are no protests there are no thinkers that can see beyond, to a place and time where things may even work for all of humanity. We are told that greed is human nature, we are given examples of a few people or groups in history that have exemplified this and told that it encompasses all of humanity. “Greed will not allow us to provide for all of humanity.” "Are we to trade chickens?" “Who is going to do the shit work?” “How can one make money?” These are some of the reasons that people tell me that a different system will not work or that they simply refuse to see otherwise.
"Competition is healthy" we have been told since we were kids. Let's think about it; when do we not compete? Our homes are a competition to buy the best one, to have it appear nicer than the one we grew up in or that of your neighbors. Our drive to work is a competition to get there the fastest, to not get stuck in traffic in a vehicle that shows that we can afford it . Our jobs are a competition to get a promotion before the others, to make more money than others. Our dinner parties are a competition to try to impress our group of friends. The video games we play are a competition against ourselves, the game itself or others. The sports we play are a competition against individuals and countries. Shopping for that sought after item is a competition to get it first while supplies last. War is a competition for resources and land. When does it end? Why are we obsessed with competing? My dad is stronger than yours, my mom is prettier, my car is better; why why why? This is a constant game that divides us as human beings and forces us to simply think of 'self'. How is this healthy?
There is also a trend to compare everything in life to something that is worst off. Country X is better than country Y, work conditions in country X are better than in Y, health care, living standards, etc. When one constantly compares like this, there is a tendency to accept rather than strive to better the situation. Both systems could be lacking but because one seems better, or is sold as better, then it is accepted. This in itself is another thing that is stalling the evolution of our species. Brought upon by the constant chatter of sales and marketing, we are constantly thinking that a product is new and improved, that it is better than its alternative. A consumer mindset that will drag us all down with it. When did our minds get so weak? How did this happen? Repetitive suggestion. When one is told a lie often enough, it becomes a truth. In constant competition, humanity is fighting a losing battle against itself while the rulers laugh all the way to the bank. The ultimate slight-of-hand and deception.
Marketing by fear, by sex or by intimidation; this is another way our lives get turned into the lemmings that we have become. Preying on our basic needs and desires, we crave the sex, we accept the fear as healthy and we hope that someone is out there to protect us. There is no Superman, no one is protecting us, the corporate masters are just using us to their ends. They live off of our fears; "what will people think if I have acne?" must buy skin cream. They know that sex sells; buy the car with the hot babe on the hood. They love to intimidate us; only 3oz bottles when traveling on an airplane or else. "These rules are for your safety" they like to say. I don't know about you, but for me a safe life is a controlled one. "You have a choice" they sputter. There are no real choices - to fly or not to fly is not a choice, it is an ultimatum.
We are the first to judge or criticize another way of life but when it comes to looking inwards, we are blind. We refuse to accept ourselves as being flawed, we make excuses and we start to compare. Our way of life is simply better. When confronted with the problems that are facing us, we can only say things as "What are the solutions?" without even accepting that there are problems; we are mentally blocked. If there are no definite solutions, then there cannot be any problems. This is not a way to think. The basis of finding solutions is to first identify the problems. The person that can see the problems may not be the same as the one that finds solutions but it is a step forward.
Every day we are told what to think, what is acceptable, what is the norm. We are constantly reminded what happens to those that do not fall into the norm. Prison, mental institutions, addictions, activists, terrorists, etc. There are no more freedom fighters; they are all now terrorists. We are constantly reminded to fear straying out too far. Don't read this, don't download that; guilty by association. We are protected; laws are passed for our safety and we go about believing everything is just fine or at least that they are as fine as is possible.
In order for real change to occur there needs to be an addressing of such fears. Living in a society that does not accept anything unless it is proven and which is automatically suspicious of the human element leads it not to accept change. We, as a whole, are trained to be dis-believers, we need facts, figures, diagrams, accounting; proof. If there is the slightest doubt that something will not work, or something is not as it seems, then we discard it, we don't accept it, we simply don't believe. If there is one person that 'ruined' it for the rest of us, we accept that it is no longer viable or that a new law is to be passed. There cannot be a system that is better suited to humanity except capitalism, as there will never be proof of otherwise. Communism has failed, socialism has fallen flat therefore there are no other options. Like the linear thinking sheep that they are, the masses simply accept this and even defend it to the end; not knowing any better and simply refusing to think outside the box.
