tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659629904404268107.post3034266018578181539..comments2013-10-19T01:33:43.271-07:00Comments on The Right Twigs: Capitalism book drafts: IntroductionSam Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09705125505111284597noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659629904404268107.post-40254448831429383732012-01-27T06:03:22.127-08:002012-01-27T06:03:22.127-08:00Like the idea of some vignettes of life under capi...Like the idea of some vignettes of life under capitalism, both illustrate the disparity between different lives (the really extreme level of inequality) and also are nice (or indeed nasty) stories to appeal to readers who may be less familiar with the philosphical/political content. basically like pictures. pictures are good. <br /><br />one of the banners we made at climate camp years ago was 'Capitalism IS Crisis'. This was in response to the 'capitalist crisis' in 2008. The point is, with an essentially profit-orientated economic system, wars, hunger, extreme inequality etc. are not occasional crises, but part of the essential framework that puts bits of precious metals in the offshore bank accounts of already stinking rich people. This banner was re-used for the OccupyLSX protests, until some of the liberal types complained, arguing for some form or other of 'good' capitalism. it was replaced with one saying 'End Usuary'. This isn't enough though; we cannot possibly have infinite growth on this finite planet. i despise this idea of 'blind' progress and what is essentially a defence of the status quo. when you are rich, perhaps you can afford to just 'go with the flow' but the flow is going over the edge of a fucking waterfall and we are still worrying about how to arrange the deckchairs!<br /><br />as much as the strictly human arguments, the ethical problem of capitalism is the environmental one. it is not OK to trash the planet in order to profit, and then pay an enviroment tax or whatever. As long as profit is the highest goal this will be the case. <br /><br />end of standard rant. for me the key is as you put it to be "critical from multiple human perspectives". sat in our seminar room, it is fine to praise capitalism, fine, but rather wilfully blind. from a different equally human perspective, capitalism means privatised (and price-hiked) water, monocrops that are useless to those who grow them, patented seeds etc. For me the argument in favour is basically "wow, i was very lucky to be born where i was as are most of those i meet and talk to." Which is bullcrap, but at least honest. I would prefer it if people just said "actually, I don't care if other people have bad lives, mine is OK." I think that is the most honest argument in favour! of course it is unethical, but perhaps that is the reality we are faced with... <br /><br />Anyhow I like this very much, and look forward to more discussions. The downside; i am now faced with the dilemma that if I find work I shall not be able to attend!bone idlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17322362385096667242noreply@blogger.com