In recent
weeks there has been much activity, dissent, speculation and opinion about
anything you care to name – political, social or economic. To my mind the sum
total seems to be captured in the expression: “I’m right, you are wrong.”
Modern
telecommunication has made it possible that events and opinions can be put
before the viewing (and, perhaps to a lesser extent), the reading public within
seconds. For illustration, I refer to television these days as ‘voyeur-vision’.
Every viewer
and reader views and reads from a distinctly individual perspective, based on
upbringing (family background), education, personal experience, ambition and
expectation. In short: their philosophy.
In other
words, it is highly likely that any two people seeing and hearing the same
thing at the same time will draw separate personal opinions about what they saw
and heard. Their different opinions will separate them from each other and instead
lead them to those of like mind; and that’s how a political party, an association,
a club, a church, any neighbourhood group comes into existence. By their
friends and works shall you know them. In
its simplest form it is called tribalism. (That’s another ‘–ism’ which divides
while it unites adherents).
I’m reminded
of a statement by the late Jim Rohn: “Leaders must not be naive. I used to say,
"Liars shouldn't lie." What a sad waste of words that is! I found out
liars are supposed to lie. That's why we call them liars - they lie! What else
would you expect them to do?”
He also
said: “Leaders must understand that some people will inevitably sell out to the
evil side. Don't waste your time wondering why; spend your time discovering
who.”
* * * *
Many years ago,
in an ice cream parlour in Dubai, I read a sign on the wall that I’ve never forgotten.
But consider
if you will what John Ruskin said about price. We who consider price first and
foremost are ‘the lawful prey’ of those who sell by price rather than quality.
QUESTION: Are we the lawful prey when we believe those who preach economics, jobs and job
security? Are we the lawful prey of those who promote austerity?
I hear you
answer: ‘I can’t buy quality if I haven’t the money.’ Yes, that’s true. But this doesn't necessarily mean that an object/person for hire is expensive. Rather, it means that it is beyond my reach
because I haven’t sufficient money, which is a whole different problem. That’s
how a £3 donation by someone in UK can feed a family in Yemen for a week. Maybe
our philosophy about money and life needs to be reviewed. Clearly, simply raising
the minimum wage isn’t going to improve things, is it?
If that last
sentence is true, why would some politicians argue for a raised minimum wage?
And why would those who are otherwise unable to provide adequately for
themselves and their family conclude that raising it is a good idea? ANSWER: It places the
burden of responsibility to feed, clothe and house my family on the shoulders
of someone else. If that is true, maybe I should review my philosophy and work
to change it – myself.
Reviewing
what I’ve written today I can confidently report: ‘Houston – we have a problem’.
1. The world operates on the philosophy
of I’m right, you are wrong. This is combative and unhelpful.
2. Tribalism separates rather than binds a people together. Tribalism is endemic.
3. Economics and Jobs aren’t the
essentials to a happy life that economists and politicians make them out to be.
4. Marketing men and politicians aren’t
always truthful. Neither are those who are protective of their institutions.
5. Value and cost aren’t the same thing.
6. My philosophy is mine to keep or to change, not the government’s to
regulate or legislate about.
So, where
should the changes begin? Clearly, we aren’t talking about instant
gratification brought about simply by tinkering with this and that. It couldn’t
be that simple. (And every time you hear someone say ‘what we need is. . . .’ you are listening to someone who is right
while you are wrong; who seeks instant solutions and instant gratification and,
mostly, hasn’t a clue what he or she is talking about.
Moving on
WHAT IF
some solutions to the
problems of the world (admittedly, not all solutions) can
be discovered if we examine ourselves
and consider the changes that must happen to
us in order to bring about the changes and improvements we seek?
Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying; ‘Be the change you want to see in the
world.’ (Not so, according to an opinion piece by Brian Morton in the New York Times
some years ago entitled: Falser Words Were Never
Spoken). How’s that for crushing a newly borne desire
for change?
So, is it
just a matter of education? I don’t
think so. I think the
change must reach far deeper than that.
I offer you a not entirely popular
philosophy:
Cause no harm
Be honest
Be peaceful
It beats the
heck out of ‘I’m right, you are wrong’. And they can’t touch you for it.
www.bloodlessrevolution.co.uk
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