My take on it (Part 1)

“The whole consumer society would collapse if people became enlightened and no longer sought their identity through things. …Nothing out there will ever satisfy you, except temporarily and superficially, but you may need to experience disillusionment before you realize that truth.” (Beyond happiness, Echart Tolle). These sentences pretty much sums up the society today. It is either that you have to have things to make you feel worthy, happy and satisfied, or feel depressed and constantly seeking for a way out (and by the way, here is where all the drug, alcohol, and physical gratification comes in—as a way out of reality). The things here are usually what constitute as the building frame of globalization and capitalism. They aren’t only materials through which so much of the economy is based on, but also ideologies where much of the society is constructed. Almost everything today has to be validated through the system of worth and profit—the major cause of all social problems. The direct result of such systems is manifested in many ways, from poverty and homelessness to crime and violence. Yet, the indirect and subtle result of world systems today is a cost to humanness. That is where all today’s thriving business of eco-friendly and holistic living comes to play. Because, if everyone was to feel guilty about everything that goes around them, then perhaps they will come to realize that ‘hey, it is how we think that is the cause of these problems’ and change. But capitalism doesn’t work that way, on one hand it robs you of your essence and on the other, it sells you back your guilt. Don’t get me wrong here, I totally believe that global warming is an issue and holistic living a must, yet I don’t agree with how it is done—for profit. I’ll give a recent example. The ban of polyethylene (plastic containers) is a very interesting issue to me. While the government strongly felt that it is important that these compounds be taken out of the market, it does very little to prevent pervasive issues such as energy drinks and of course no one wants to talk about it, the tobacco industry. If things are interest related to the government or corporate, it better be left alone, but when it is time to build fences to prevent the homeless from camping at public places all sorts of legislations surface. Complete paradox, no? Recently, I was engaged in why humans would (unless bureaucrats are alien) ignore such pressing issues, such as the wellness of the society or war, I came to realize (of course they aren’t aliens) that it is but the system that dictate how one thinks and behaves. So anything that is made to govern our actions and the way we live, ought to be flexible, yet the world systems are dogmatic at best and instead of serving us, the ones who devised them, we serve them—they rule us. Here in lies a major setback to everything else we see as a problem today, be it personal, familial, societal or global. As flux beings, it is important that we constantly consider our stance and make new ones that best fit our current state. Yet, it is usually the case that rules would be made for centuries to come with few amendments made to them—usually not based on compassion, but interest—hence tying beautiful minds from making any viable progress in society. This is merely a call to awakening our spirit through common interest as humans, so that we may feel humbled to serve humanity for the better.