I Create Nothing, I Own.
By aden kendroemen, 25th May 2011 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutBusinessEthics
“ I create nothing, I own,” Gordon Gekko. This statement from a fictitious character, speaks volumes as to the nature of our current reality. Perhaps it is the only way it can be, one thing is certain, it is the only way it will be, until we are able to find the strength to make a change.
- False Ambition
- Ignorance is Bliss
- The Carrot
- Fear the ultimate Motivator
- The purpose of Poverty
- The ties that Bind
- My enemy Myself
- Service and Self
- False Worth
False Ambition
“The most terrible thing about materialism, even more terrible than its proneness to violence, is its boredom, from which sex, alcohol, drugs, all devices for putting out the accusing light of reason and suppressing the unrealizable aspirations of love, offer a prospect of deliverance.” --Malcolm Muggeridge
Ignorance is Bliss
Have you noticed on the peripheral of your consciousness, that each day finds you striving just a little harder, with the return that much less. A certain level of our society, is in no way bothered by what is steadily reducing our quality of life, and yet we buy their products, vote for their politicians, and run off screaming for the blood of THEIR enemies. We can no longer allow ourselves the luxury of ignorance. You do not need to get up off the couch, to think. As a matter of fact, stay on your couch, let the credit card cool off, look around you and see what you have, not what you think you need.
The Carrot
Life has become about reaching for carrots, on a stick that is growing ever longer. The whole of our attention caught up in striving for the validity of perceived worth, while what is truly important falls by the way side. We are allowed only enough to keep the false hope alive, but the shinny new veneer on that sentiment, is beginning to crack and peal. Every day more people are slipping into poverty, and crossing the boundary into the limbo of the working poor. Unless you have been able to insulate yourself against it, which most of us have not, then you are only a matter of one wrong step away from it, are you afraid yet?
Fear the ultimate Motivator
I do not write this with the intent to instill fear, only to illustrate that it is that very emotion, that has brought us to this pass. The poor have been allowed, yes allowed, to remain that way, as a cautionary tale for the rest of us. If you do not agree with this statement, or are incensed with the presumption that these people are being used, get over it my friend, for you yourself are indeed being used. If the poor are not there for a specific reason, why then do we have welfare institutions that foster dependence, rather than self sufficiency? Why has public education, been reduced to the lowest common denominator, and why is crime, still the most effective way for the poor to rise above their station, if only for awhile?
The purpose of Poverty
The poor are there, my fellow slave, to keep you at your oar, if not for that specter hanging over your head, you would one day stand up and say, “ row your own god dam boat, I’m outta here!” The problem is, the system employed by our masters has grown to such a degree that they may be losing control of it. The monster created, now turning to bite the hand of it’s maker. Those underlings, who are no longer willing to wait their turn to be master, have grown much too greedy, and are using up their resources‘, that being us, much to quickly. In effect, feeding off the host in such a sustained way, that they are causing it to expire. Who then to buy their goods? I used to be angry with the fact that I was being used, but now I see that their own greed is threatening to destroy them from within. I would be much more happy about this, if I did not know that they will fall, only after I am dust, for with no one left to feed on, they will ultimately devour themselves. I take comfort where I may however, knowing that it is just a matter of time.
The ties that Bind
Those of you who may think your government is in place to serve the interests of all of it’s citizens; are far more naïve, than this idealistic dreamer can even begin to fathom. The institution of laws, under the guise of public safety, just one small step among many, ultimately designed to secure the ties that bind you in your servitude. Perhaps this is a necessary system, with most of us concerned only with or own comfort, and unwilling or unable to take the steps necessary for self governance. That we have not the intellect or fortitude to make our own way in the world, without the benefit of our handlers. This is what our masters would have you believe, and it is in fact what most of us do believe, whether consciously or subconsciously. We follow, because we do not have the confidence to lead, and whether or not this is influenced by those who wish power over us, it is ultimately our failure, not theirs, they only capitalize on it.
My enemy Myself
What to do you ask, this is a system thousands of years in the making, and short of living in a cave somewhere, there is no choice but to take your place at the oar, and do your best to distract yourself from the full realization of it. You would not be blamed for doing so, the lesson is hard, and is quite able to break your spirit. The question is, whether or not it has already been broken, or at the very least diminished. Revolution? We have done so in the past, when the ruling class has gone too far, and yet somehow, whoever replaces them, is ultimately doomed to become them. How then to redirect this great engine of servitude? The answer is simple, the implications hard, by serving of course.
Service and Self
Not serving under the threat of fear, but genuinely serving, yourself and your fellow human beings. Those who have power over us, wield it through our own compliance. They play on our fears, our greed, and our inherent reluctance to change. Should we overcome such things, no power on earth could control us, we would then assume control of ourselves. To truly be in service, is to understand the necessity for making life better for all, and by doing so, it then becomes better for you. All of the great teachers have spoken of this, and yet we still do not see. We keep allowing ourselves to be lead under the false pretence, that we must get all we can in the brief span of our lives, to be considered a person of worth. A worth that can only be measured against someone of less worth. Forgive me for stating this, but in my humble estimation, the more you keep for yourself, the more things become what is worthy, and without them, you are nothing. What is fair market value, for a human being? I am quite sure there are many variables to be calculated when coming to that conclusion. Let us say for the sake of argument, that he is your basic human, a clean slate if you will, does the calculation of worth, include potential?
False Worth
Sadly, his worth is what some fool is willing to pay for him, no more, no less. In this current system, we are assigned worth by what we are willing to give. Give all to your ambitions to acquire, and you will acquire all, and late at night, sitting in a room surrounded by these meaningless trinkets, perhaps you will find some measure of self worth. The question must be asked however, who’s worth will be diminished, so that your’s may grow?
Comments
26th May 2011 (#)
aden, so simple, just give to each other and it helps gain freedom for all. I hear ya dude, love the message and I agree 100%. Very powerful read. Your photo, you know I love it. Hell, that's a given. Great read. Thank you for sharing.:)
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26th May 2011 (#)
Denise, I think many of us are unaware that our quality of life, Two cars, large house, toys and technologies, have come at huge price for others in the world who have nothing. We see that these people suffer, but do not equate it to our own greed. I do not doubt that people like us would live within a more modest means, if we knew it meant a better life for others, we are not the problem however, it is the ones who want many times more than they could ever spend in one lifetime, their excess has poisoned the minds of the young for many generations, so that the ambition to change the world, has become a cliché for those who do not “ have what it takes” to be a huge success. Observe a conversation sometime, where someone has stated that their occupation is about charity, of course everyone will agree that it is a good thing, but some will show there true feelings, that it is a wasted endeavor, and why can’t these people help themselves. It is not always quite so obvious, but when you read between the lines, what you see is a mild form of disdain. As if to say, do not remind us that we are shallow, our possessions are evidence of our validity.
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26th May 2011 (#)
very nice aden, check out something similar: http://www.wikinut.com/you-are-the-ultimate-value%3a-recognize-it/h7wd8z9b/1im-tl53/
and also, another one called "Put Yourself First and Save the World".
You will enjoy these, for sure.
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26th May 2011 (#)
Thank you Mr. Run, I will make sure that I check them out.
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26th May 2011 (#)
Insightful article, Aden, and beautifully presented as always. Another well deserved Star Page...
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27th May 2011 (#)
Thank you Songbird, honestly I thought it would create more of a stir, I put it in the business section, in the hopes that someone would call me on it. I am interested in what defense they would give, for a culture that has become about the bottom line only. Ethics, if there ever was such a thing, have gone the way of the Dodo, and “greed is good,” is definitely the mantra of modern business ideals.
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27th May 2011 (#)
http://www.wikinut.com/when-should-business-equal-family/vvx4a1u-/-f5dlqk_/
http://www.wikinut.com/the-american-business-mind%3a-only-the-strong/97igi.5x/1x9tynue/
here are a couple along the same lines
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28th May 2011 (#)
Isn't this considered spam?
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28th May 2011 (#)
I'm with you brother. What we glorify and aspire to is frightening.
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28th May 2011 (#)
Agreed James, the eternal optimist in me, cannot help but remain hopeful that the vapidity of our current reality, is in fact propelling us towards change. With most of us it is only on the peripheral, but it is still there, and will become the impetus to finally take the next step in human evolution. I know that you hold this secret hope for mankind, the thoughts that you express, speak volumes about your love for this imperfect creature.
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30th May 2011 (#)
Just like the yin-yang, where as the dark reaches it's zenith it's already changing into the light, I believe humanity will eventually evolve and 'graduate' from its fixation on material wealth and learn to covet and cherish INTERNAL wealth, which includes selflessness and true service.
Good article, Aden. Well penned and relevant.
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30th May 2011 (#)
I agree Rama, there is a general sense out there, that the way we have been living is unsustainable. Many people are taking the time to get to know their spirit, and those who may be still asleep, are on the verge of waking. When we have all emerged from our slumber, then the true business of living can begin.
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1st Jun 2011 (#)
This is sad, but true. I do, however, believe that more and more people are waking up. I always find solace in this quote by Ghandi: When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS!
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1st Jun 2011 (#)
Agreed, love is truth, and all that is not love, is only our search for the truth.
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1st Jun 2011 (#)
kinsman, we are going to start from scratch and it is going to be beautiful.
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1st Jun 2011 (#)
Right on, Robert!
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