Should capitalism be a choice?

https://cyrusradfar.com/thoughts/should-capitalism-be-a-choice

by cyrusradfar • 3 months ago

10 5 3 months ago

The premise is something I think about too. Image someone who has interests and expectations that are naturally in line with a completely ascetic lifestyle, where they do not aim to collect wealth, are prepared to own nothing, to have no children / dependents, and basically just to live a simple life of service. What viable options are there today for even that saint-like person to opt out?

Historically you could join the military and maybe actually participate in something like exploration instead of murder. You could dedicate your life to the academy / ivory tower even as a normal person, just a quiet life dedicated to study, without being one of the top minds in a crowded competitive publish/perish scene that's just another version of the attention economy. Or maybe you could just fuck off to be a shepherd, or maybe join a monastery even as a non-believer because I bet they'd let you work in a garden or something.

People in the US today who plan to become cops/teachers/firemen/nurses/clerics will effectively have to be prepared to own nothing, save nothing, have difficulty supporting a family, etc.. and before all that austerity they still must play this ugly little game of permission and predation with loans every step of the way.

cyrusradfar2• 3 months ago

OP Here: Thanks for chiming in.

I think the insight for me in researching all this was just popping my bubble that thought of capitalism and what's wrong with it through the lens I was taught which was mainly political.

Once I reframed through the "right to not compete" or not participate in capitalism and retain dignity, the system and how it's taking us further from that ability became clear.

dagelf• 3 months ago

For anyone versed in history, the first two paragraphs are honestly difficult to read, because of the ingnorance displayed. If you do not get the types of critical responses you're hoping for, thats why.

I've got to run, but for now: you are asking for someone else practically invisible to you, to negotiate/compete on your behalf. The "enclosure" you are talking about is exactly this. It's literally a mindset, and when you are in it you do not realize what it really is. The automation dividend will make it possible for the first time, for somone to create abundance for people they don't care about. And people will. But even today, doing this effectively is really really hard. Technology makes pies bigger, but most pies we eat from are still very limited. Who gets to decide? You should go live in rural frugality in an agrarian society, it will peel the shells from your eyes. You may find that how things work are in reality diametrically opposed to his you thought.

eucryphia• 3 months ago

We had that, it was called ‘slavery’. The United Kingdom outlawed it back in 1834, it’s still practiced in Africa.

Should capitalism be a choice?

Related Stories