I've written quite a bit about the human tendency either to wallow in the past or fret about the future. Some individuals spend their lives focused on what has already happened and can't be changed. They become so fixated with what's over and done with that they just can't seem to enjoy the present. Others -- and I sometimes fall into this group -- spend so much time and energy being anxious about the future that they too can't enjoy the simple pleasures of the here and now.
Taoism teaches each of us to concentrate on the now and to do so like a child -- free from prejudices, expectations and control.
Unfortunately, like individual humans, some systems (thought patterns and practices created by humans that, after a while, may operate without specific human direction) seem to be unable to follow this simple advice either. Religion, in general, and Christianity, in specific, seems to fall prey simultaneously to both of the human preoccupations cited above.
On the one hand, much of Christian doctrine is focused on the past. Adherent's eyes are told to fixate on Moses, the Prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus and Paul. The other main portion of Christian belief is aimed toward the future replete with visions of heaven, hell and judgment by the almighty. The present only serves as a temporal springboard to look backward or forward.
There is one system that, on the surface, appears to take Taoist perspective to heart -- capitalism. This economic system seems to focus the vast majority of its attention on the here and now with little time left over to look back or forward.
Under capitalism, the goal is to reap the greatest profit today. The past has already come and gone. The future will take care of itself in its own time. But there is an element missing in this equation -- capitalism does NOT view the present in a child-like manner. Instead of allowing things to unfold as they will, this economic system is about control. Consequently, capitalism lives in the here and now at the WILLFUL expense of the future.
The individuals and organizations of today's capitalism realize that many of the strategies they employ today to maximize profit in the present will cause future headaches and misery. With extreme prejudice, they don't give a damn because THEIR today is deemed more important than anyone else's tomorrow.
What brought on this little tirade, you ask? An article by Matt Renner in today's TruthOut:
Taoism teaches each of us to concentrate on the now and to do so like a child -- free from prejudices, expectations and control.
Unfortunately, like individual humans, some systems (thought patterns and practices created by humans that, after a while, may operate without specific human direction) seem to be unable to follow this simple advice either. Religion, in general, and Christianity, in specific, seems to fall prey simultaneously to both of the human preoccupations cited above.
On the one hand, much of Christian doctrine is focused on the past. Adherent's eyes are told to fixate on Moses, the Prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus and Paul. The other main portion of Christian belief is aimed toward the future replete with visions of heaven, hell and judgment by the almighty. The present only serves as a temporal springboard to look backward or forward.
There is one system that, on the surface, appears to take Taoist perspective to heart -- capitalism. This economic system seems to focus the vast majority of its attention on the here and now with little time left over to look back or forward.
Under capitalism, the goal is to reap the greatest profit today. The past has already come and gone. The future will take care of itself in its own time. But there is an element missing in this equation -- capitalism does NOT view the present in a child-like manner. Instead of allowing things to unfold as they will, this economic system is about control. Consequently, capitalism lives in the here and now at the WILLFUL expense of the future.
The individuals and organizations of today's capitalism realize that many of the strategies they employ today to maximize profit in the present will cause future headaches and misery. With extreme prejudice, they don't give a damn because THEIR today is deemed more important than anyone else's tomorrow.
What brought on this little tirade, you ask? An article by Matt Renner in today's TruthOut:
Ask most people on the street how much money taxpayers are using to save banks and you will probably hear the number $700 billion. The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) passed by Congress at the urging of the Bush administration and then Treasury secretary Henry Paulson, allocated an unprecedented sum of taxpayer money for the sole purpose of propping up the financial sector in its darkest hour.You see, Wall Street (with our government as their accomplice) is willing to bankrupt our future to insure they get their own mega profits today.
But the actual number is much bigger. The current block of taxpayer money that has been pledged by the US government and the Federal Reserve to prevent the system from collapsing, according to an analysis by Bloomberg News, is roughly $12.8 trillion as of March 31. This money has been lent, spent or guaranteed to prevent a systemic collapse. The Bloomberg report and a chart showing broad categories of where the money has come from and the programs it funds can be found here... [emphasis added]
=)
ReplyDeleteSee, now I think capitalism is actually focused on the 'future'... If one were truly 'focused' (as you say) on the present, then the whole system of capitalism fails.
They want to milk extra money today for a secure future...
As for concerntrating on the present-- present? What present? The idea of 'present' is only relevant when you think of past and future. ;)
Interesting observation, but I don't think I fully agree. While I will say that capitalists are focused on the immediate future (next few weeks and months), I don't think they are looking beyond that. If they were, I would think that they would realize that bankrupting the system now is perilous for the coming years.
ReplyDeleteC'mon Rambling Taoist, future is future. Short and long-term, again, words established within the system of capitalism to measure when they reap those benefits.
ReplyDeleteI see the whole system based on the concept of 'future', so 'sow today reap tomorrow'... Tomorrow can be the next day or 7 yrs from now.
The reason they don't 'acknowledge' the upcoming collapse is a bit of greed. I think they see it, but you can be a pigeon that shuts his eyes when he sees the cat. That's what they've done.
Of course, you are more than entitled to your opinion. I simply disagree.
ReplyDeleteOf course, you're entitled to disagree. And I have no issues with your opinion either.
ReplyDelete