"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Only, heaven has been replaced by a penthouse.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.”
"We have a deficit of wonder. I think it’s because of computers. When I ask people questions now, they get on their computer – `Gimme a few minutes and I’ll let you know….’ And I’m, like, ‘Nooooo!’ I want them to wonder about it, man! I don’t want to know the answer. I just want them to wonder about it."
-- Tom Waits
-- Tom Waits
“Nothing evokes the end of the world more than a man running straight ahead on a beach, swathed in the sounds of his walkman . . . Primitives, when in despair, would commit suicide by swimming out to sea until they could swim no longer. The jogger commits suicide by running up and down the beach. His eyes are wild, saliva drips from his mouth. Do not stop him.”
—Jean Baudrillard, America
—Jean Baudrillard, America