The great characteristic of our time is that we know everything important about human nature that there is to know. Yet never has there been an age in which so little knowledge is securely possessed, so little a part of the common understanding.
The reason is precisely the advance of specialization, the impossibility of making safe general statements, which has led to a general imbecility.
--Ernest Becker
The reason is precisely the advance of specialization, the impossibility of making safe general statements, which has led to a general imbecility.
--Ernest Becker
"As many have noted, the mass of men and women lead lives today of unquiet desperation.
A frantic busyness ("business") pervades our society wherever we look—in city and country, among young and old and middle-aged, married and unmarried, all races, classes, sexes, in work and play, in religion, the arts, the sciences, and perhaps most conspicuously in the self-conscious cult of meditation, retreat, withdrawal.
The symptoms of universal unease and disease are apparent on every side."
-- Edward Abbey
A frantic busyness ("business") pervades our society wherever we look—in city and country, among young and old and middle-aged, married and unmarried, all races, classes, sexes, in work and play, in religion, the arts, the sciences, and perhaps most conspicuously in the self-conscious cult of meditation, retreat, withdrawal.
The symptoms of universal unease and disease are apparent on every side."
-- Edward Abbey
Plato is boring. In reality, my distrust of Plato is fundamental. I find him so very much astray from all the deepest instincts of the Hellenes, so steeped in moral prejudices, so pre-existently Christian...
Plato is a coward in the face of reality—consequently, he takes refuge in the ideal.
-- Nietzsche
Plato is a coward in the face of reality—consequently, he takes refuge in the ideal.
-- Nietzsche
"Most of us are living far below our potential… We are creating this work, not because it has to be done, but because we are busybodies and do not know how to swim on the river of life.
I think it would be much, much better if people were told to be lazy, to shake the job, to be idlers, to enjoy, to relax... not care, not worry.
I don’t say to be quiet and do nothing. I don’t say that at all. But I say it should make sense, it should have meaning what we do."
~ Henry Miller
I think it would be much, much better if people were told to be lazy, to shake the job, to be idlers, to enjoy, to relax... not care, not worry.
I don’t say to be quiet and do nothing. I don’t say that at all. But I say it should make sense, it should have meaning what we do."
~ Henry Miller
Modern Man: Monk or Businessman
Capitalism is the new religion. And perhaps, religion was the world's very first capitalism.
It sounds controversial. But if you look closely, both systems are built upon the exact same human psychology–fear, hope, identity, and desire.
Religion says:"Sacrifice today, and you shall be rewarded tomorrow."
Capitalism says:"Grind today, and you shall be successful tomorrow."
Only, heaven has been replaced by a penthouse.
Once, humanity chased salvation. Today, it chases financial freedom, luxury and passive income.
And the most fascinating part is that both systems operate on the invisible.
In religion, there is karma, fate and the divine plan. In capitalism, there is market value, brand value and future growth.
Have you ever actually seen the "market"? No. Yet, the entire world trembles at its mood swings. Just as you have never seen God, yet you believe that an invisible force orchestrates everything. It operates exactly like faith.
Even the rituals are astonishingly similar. Religion has its prayers, fasting and pilgrimages. Capitalism has its morning routines, networking, productivity hacks and hustle culture.
Once, people went to temples in search of purpose. Today, they scroll through LinkedIn and listen to startup podcasts.
And both systems execute one more trick with absolute perfection. First, they plant an insecurity deep inside you. Then, they sell you the salvation from that very insecurity.
Religion dictates: "You are flawed, but redemption is possible."
Capitalism dictates:"You are not successful enough, but buy this course, follow this lifestyle, consume this product."
Ultimately, neither system controls people directly. They simply play the role of the "guide."
Because human beings do not seek money alone. They seek meaning. A reason to rise from bed each morning.
And perhaps that is why, within every modern person, a businessman and a monk are constantly at war.
One demands, "Achieve more, grow bigger, climb higher."
While the other gently whispers, “Let go of everything… and simply be alive.”