So, I found a post today, one on the topic of human behavior and that is easy to stoke me into endless discussions because of those...passions of old and passionate times of the Big Now.
The post was written by 
.
I started to reply...and it went batshit-crazy-long. So I think it's only fitting that we spin-off from there and continue the discussion. But first, I think I need to make it short, again. More thought-provoking, less explanative, more readable, etc.
The Author (that would be
Most people live lives of quiet desperation
If you're ever looking for an asset that is more scarce than gold or Bitcoin, then its will power...making positive change is too hard, long-winded and no guarantee so we stimulate it temporarily...
It's how we tick. I am a huge fan of Zen philosophy but that does not mean I have the will to be a Zen practitioner and do away with desire. I want things.
So, two ways to have them — in fact, or in fiction. Fiction is easy. And people sell it everywhere. Fact needs work. More work than working for the money to buy fiction. It also means decisions, risks, thinking, the pain of failure, the pain of sacrifice. Those who have achieved the fact, the position of power to sell us fiction, they went through some of these if not all of them.
The funny thing is, once you have power, power is also addictive. It becomes self-important. You become self-important. Delusional, although in other ways than Fictional Power users. Yet similar.
They say Power means responsibility. Perhaps, if you are a fictional superhero. If you are in fact in power, to whom do you owe responsibility? People give their freedoms and dreams away because they fear responsibility. We generally prefer others to be responsible for our well being. That is, we prefer to never grow up. Others prefer to play parents. To play providing for the rest. To play control.
And it's simple, and ancient, and still working.
Behold, The Author has said it!
Give them bread and circus
As they said in ancient Rome, give them bread and circus and they will be obedient...
...We would rather overpay Beyonce millions for another shitty album and keep it financially viable than spend capital on things that actually generate wealth and a better society.
So what you need this control for? What control? Over an army of couch potatoes to fight some aliens with? If you want to deal with external threats, you need fit people. People in top shape and in good moral, physical, financial, whatever condition. Forget threats, the same applies to progress. Towards whatever's good for Humanity. It might even mean progress in delaying progress-at-all-costs. Because it's actually profit-at-all-costs.
Profit beats Progress in Power's Priorities. And the costs shall be paid. We're actually paying them. We've been for a while.
The Man Sold The World a long time ago.
He never lost control.
Did he really have control, though?
Control is an illusion, as a Zen master would say. So, control the illusion, and don't let the illusion control you. (And I am obviously delusional enough to think that I know that.)
Your life is your responsibility.
By all means, have fun! But not by all means. If you get my meaning.
And tell me what you think, I dare you ;)
Peace!
Manol
