Forum Post: a lost half decade
Posted 10 years ago on Oct. 14, 2014, 12:42 p.m. EST by elf3
(4203)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-e-stiglitz/the-age-of-vulnerability_b_5978122.html
What was poignant to me in this article was "a lost half decade and no recovery in sight."...what does this mean for an entire generation coming of age in the age of vulnerability...it means a lost half decade trying to begin...trying to get started...trying to get footing...trying to live like those before us got to. It means a lost half decade of our lives immersed in struggle and anxiety. A delay in having children which some will not get now. A delay in enjoyment for life. A life spent toiling ever striving for a point of even ground from which they can even have time to think of something more than mere survival . Time to think of happiness has become a luxury preserved for the very rich . We fight for our dignity to be a cog in a machine that brings someone else ease and happiness while we ourselves know we may never see it. We have become the cogs that turn the wheels of rich brats and sociopaths. While we watch them spend with frivolity on things/ toys that mean nothing to us as we struggle to provide our loved ones with very basic necessities.
What you consider to the be the top three things that people need to be content?
Time (to think dream and imagine, create and explore or be with family), dignity (having within our reach the basic necessities as a roof, food, medicine, clean water and air , and hopefully those things such as education and art that allow for the civility of a society that continues to want these things for all), and above all the ability to be self reliant to attain time and dignity.
Was it Churchill TH quoted of war if we lose art pursuing war what are we fighting for? I think also if we lose time (on earth) while pursuing work, then what are we working for?
Time and dignity are interesting ones. We all have the same amount of time per day, I guess some of us use it more productively than others, or just prioritize it differently.
The dignity tied to the basics of life thing is interesting because while we all have access to all of that right now, its not up to our standards. Its much better than it used to be throughout human history (maybe not the clean air part) but with our increases in technology, our expectations have increased exponentially as well.
At what point do we realize that to a certain extent, our own realities are in our heads. Back in the day a 1000sq ft house to raise 3 kids was acceptable. These days its looked down upon, too small, not new enough, etc.
I heard the other day this generation being born was expected to not live as long as the previous one, first time ever happened. Perhaps we have simply peaked as a population or species, and like all things that become unable to cope and adapt, we find ourselves becoming extinct.
Edit to say if we lose time and dignity while pursuing work , then what are we working for? Many people are working two jobs and still can't afford rent or medicine. Material wants and play things aren't in my answer. We only look to those when we have lost our time and dignity while running a dreadmill of drudge.
And self reliance?
Slaves Clockin' helps only the !%
Education and Employment of their own free choice that is consistent with their needs and abilities-in short Vocational Freedom-Free access to food,healthcare and shelter that is consistent with their needs and which meets minimum standards of decency-in short Freedom From Want,Active participation in all decisions which will directly affect them-in short Civic and Economic Democracy.People also need the freedom to be non-participants who let others do the thinking for them.How that would be administered under Anarcho-syndicalism,I don't know.
"which meets minimum standards of decency"
Very subject definition. One man's trash is another man's treasure.
The 1% gained 1 trillion usd pumped directly into their pockets from the US Treasury.Occupy knew it would happen.Occupy tried to Tell The People.But they just laid back and Let It Happen.Newsflash:Being part of the 1% means never having to say "Thank You," and also knowing NO OTHER WORD except "moar."