Thoughts 1/16/2008 January 16, 2008
Posted by Kelsey Martineau in Politics, Sociology.Tags: Politics, Sociology
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I was browsing a struggling secular musical artist’s profile a second ago and it hit me. Deep down, that’s what everyone wants. Not particularly to be a secular artist, but to have recognition, to be important. Why do you think so many inventions are thought up, theories, great discoveries? One could argue that it’s because most people want to better the human race, because they have duty, humanity, etc… But I don’t think so. In fact, I’m almost certain that’s not it. When you get down to it, they want recognition. Don’t get me wrong, there have been a lot of great minds that were selfless, thinking of others before themselves, and truly wanting to help. But when it comes down to it, most people are just like that struggling musical artist I was talking about. They want to get rich, famous, make tons of money, and live what most people refer to as the “American dream.” I’m really not a fan of that terminology, simply because that’s why most other countries despise America. One of the many reasons. What’s another you may ask? Well, have you been to a buffet lately? The enormous amounts of food that is put out for gluttonous citizens. Don’t mistake me for complaining though. We are capitalistic, and we have earned that right. It’s just funny to me that so many stupid people wonder why we’re despised. And of course, it comes down to more than just food, etc… but I won’t get into that.
It still shocks me day by day to see the steady decline of our civilization. America is Rome, people. If you can’t see it, go read your history books. The main thing that gets me is the immorality that has escalated to the extreme in the last fifty years. We, just as the Romans, started off pure. However as time went on, more and more became acceptable. To be honest, I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that they always needed more and more and more. Does that makes sense? Individuals high on the chain of command, bureaucrats, etc… get whatever they want, and this is more-so true in Roman times than now, but even so. What I mean is, sure, they started off with a woman, then it got boring, two women, three women, let’s add a man, a child, two children, etc… You see where I’m going. That’s an example of what’s going on with our civilization as a whole. Pornography is one example. There are some wretched things out there, and that’s directly caused by the desire for more more more in my opinion.
A rather depressing post. I tend to disagree with much of it, particularly your conclusions.
I don’t think most people would define the ‘American Dream’ as ‘getting rich, famous and making tons of money’. Rather, I think, it would be better defined as improving ones lot and seeking better opportunities for their offspring.
Nor do I think most other countries despise us for our gluttonous food bounty, nor our gluttonous auto bounty, nor any other of our gluttonous ways (and we have plenty more). We are despised more for our ‘holier than thou’, ‘know it all’ attitudes (and we have some doozies) and policies towards other countries. Nobody really likes a bully!
The ‘America is Rome’ comparison is also off the mark, I think. While it’s easy to draw comparisons (bread and circuses vs buffets and sports certainly comes to mine). This needs not be the case. Certainly, it is within our power to stem this, if we want to.
And really, where do you draw the conclusion about starting off ‘pure’? This sounds like that ‘holier than thou’ attitude I mentioned. Native Americans would certainly disagree with the ‘pureness’ you proclaim, as would the Spanish, Enlglish, French, etc.
Nor do I think our ‘desire for more more more’ necessarily leads to wretchedness. It’s up to us to decide. One can certainly be wretched without seeking more and better goals. One can certainly seek more without becoming wretched in the process.
Lighten up. Be positve. Work for meaningful change. Be part of the solution.
We tend to have a condescending attitude in blogs especially when we think we have an edge in certain fields of study. We must be brave to face the bluntest comments about our character and about our considered judgements and opinions. This is not productive, because we must encourage anyone and everyone to participate, irrespective of whether what they say is foolish sounding or not. Do we sneer at a child who makes mistakes along the way? Or do we consider our high intellect to be superior to the emotional achievement of the not so literate? We should be learning to be create beautiful moments and beautiful speech that empowers, regenerates and rejuvenates. For every word is a potent charm or vibration that creates. Don’t we want to create a veritable heaven on earth? Let us do so now. On waking each morning, picture yourself at the end of the day giving profuse and deep thanks for all the wonderful things that happened that day. Eradicate every negative emotion that may be pervading your aura. Imagine everyone reacting to you as if you were the most beautiful person in the world. Shake the hands of or hug every person that you feel comfortable with. If you feel for someone, make it known. Begin with your parents if you still have someone of that nature, for they are the seed from which you spprang and they deserve your love no matter what. Be bold and brave. If it goes further, make your intentions clear but don’t ever make it a one night stand. Savour the moments, for in one respect, you will be together for eternity. Your actions will have far reaching effects. Concentrate upon the constructive ideas that you want to materialize. Consider that all the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ you have envisaged will manifest in many dimensions as alternate realities. Sensitize yourself to these possibilities and open yourself to the unexpected. Your life will never be the same again. Before you think all this is irrelevant to the topic, think again.