In a capitalistic economy, most people will do what is best for their short-term economic interests, even if their behavior damages or destroys the environment and undermines the long-term interests of our entire species. This is why so many laws exist that restrict individual behavior. They have arisen to protect the long-term interests of the web of life against the short-sightedness and self-serving behaviors that capitalism promotes. I continue to explore the dynamic conflicts that arise between short-term individual interests and long-term social interests, and the costs to society of promoting systems that do not reconcile these interests other than through the punishment of individuals who act in their own short-term personal interest. I continue to wonder what society would feel like if the short-term personal interests of people were more closely aligned with the long-term social interests of the species. Wouldnt it be fascinating to live in a society where we didnt have to choose BETWEEN doing what is right for the world, and doing what is necessary to keep ourselves alive? Wouldnt it be lovely if we didnt need to choose to behave DESPITE the fact that doing so made it harder for us to thrive?
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 14:56:24 +0000
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