Who is concerned that the world is being consumed by Greed?

[Stevicus]

You can never have enough ocean-going yachts.

And now they're building spaceships. They're going out there to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no billionaire has gone before.

 

[PureX]

I find it concerning that our world leaders are off in the weeds, despite the many, many issues that are having a great impact on people, the world and its ecosystems. Would love to get some perspective as it feels as though everyone is either disinterested, impotent or naive. I know this isn't the case so wanted other peoples insight.

I am greatly concerned and saddened that modern human culture has become so obsessed with greed; because greed poisons everything it encounters, including ourselves. It is pathologically toxic to a collective, cooperative species like humanity. And yet somehow it blinds us to this toxicity even as it continues to poison and destroy us. And worse then that, it's contagious. The more greed begins to effect the behavior of those around us, the more we are forced to become more greedy, ourselves, just to survive in that toxic climate. In time all this greed and the fear and aggression that it generates becomes 'normalized', and we think it's simply inevitable. Like gravity, or weather. Some of us even begin to see it as virtuous: thinning out the herd, and so on (kindness, generosity, and collective responsibility being seen as weakness.)

 

[Secret Chief]

And now they're building spaceships. They're going out there to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no billionaire has gone before.

Indeed. And then plunder these worlds, exploit the life forms and destroy the civilisations.

 

[Secret Chief]

And just about any other animal on the planet.

What a thoroughly odd view of the rest of the animal kingdom, which lives in ecological harmony with its surroundings.

"a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed."
- Definition of GREED

 

[Hockeycowboy]

I find it concerning that our world leaders are off in the weeds, despite the many, many issues that are having a great impact on people, the world and its ecosystems. Would love to get some perspective as it feels as though everyone is either disinterested, impotent or naive. I know this isn't the case so wanted other peoples insight.

Greed has always been around; but the gulf between the rich & poor is growing.
Just watching the news last night, the network w/ Norah O’Donnell....there was a segment about parents shopping for Back To School items, and the parents were shocked at the higher prices, and Ms. Norah said they were getting “a lesson in economics”.
I looked at my wife and said That’s not economics, that’s just greed.
All prices are rising.
Grief, when one person raises their prices, we say they’re greedy....but when the entire commercial sector does it, it’s called economics.

And the gulf widens.....

 

[Peter Griffin]

And just about any other animal on the planet.

Do you have any examples of how greed manifests itself in other animals?

 

[stvdv]

I find it concerning that our world leaders are off in the weeds

I am not sure this is true, they just "rule" or maybe play their games to gain more power, $$$ etc.

despite the many, many issues that are having a great impact on people, the world and its ecosystems

Egoistic people don't care about these things, unless it profits them, then they might act as if they care

Would love to get some perspective as it feels as though everyone is either disinterested, impotent or naive

I think everyone is "impotent" when it comes to changing the game "world leaders play", exc. those who instruct them how to play the game

 

[Peter Griffin]

I am greatly concerned and saddened that modern human culture has become so obsessed with greed; because greed poisons everything it encounters, including ourselves. It is pathologically toxic to a collective, cooperative species like humanity. And yet somehow it blinds us to this toxicity even as it continues to poison and destroy us. And worse then that, it's contagious. The more greed begins to effect the behavior of those around us, the more we are forced to become more greedy, ourselves, just to survive in that toxic climate. In time all this greed and the fear and aggression that it generates becomes 'normalized', and we think it's simply inevitable. Like gravity, or weather. Some of us even begin to see it as virtuous: thinning out the herd, and so on (kindness, generosity, and collective responsibility being seen as weakness.)

I too am greatly concerned as I see this motivation seems to almost have been engineered into our society. It seems to manifests itself under disguises like "hard work", "motivation", "go getter". If you don't participate, then you are lazy, liberal, looking for handouts. I am concerned that we are coming to a crossroads in our history where we will fail or we will have to change. Climate Change, COVID, Education, Health and Well being are all being put to the test. We have so many people out of work and so many people without health care and so many people with out food, while 3 of our richest race to space. I honestly don't see how this can continue. We have either lost all sense of compassion, lost all sentiments of Christianity or just don't care as long as we have ours.

 

[Peter Griffin]

I am not sure this is true, they just "rule" or maybe play their games to gain more power, $$$ etc.


Egoistic people don't care about these things, unless it profits them, then they might act as if they care


I think everyone is "impotent" when it comes to changing the game "world leaders play", exc. those who instruct them how to play the game

As long as everyone is divided and becoming more divided because of income, education, religion, politics, etc, the majority will never be able to "play". It is an unfair game, with unfair rules and cheating players.

 

[Nakosis]

Without greed, we'd probably all still be living in the trees.

 

[Shaul]

Capitalism, self interest and power, are just subsets of Greed.

No they aren’t. You are just tossing random brickbats.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

No they aren’t. You are just tossing random brickbats.

And you denying reality.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

And just about any other animal on the planet.

Most pack, here and hive animals rate cooperation far higher.

 

[InChrist]

Nonsense. Capitalism isn’t based on greed. It is based on self interest. Those are different things. There is just as much greed in non-Capitalist systems. Arguably more.

Definitely true.

 

[Shaul]

Of course greed is a characteristic within our human nature. A system based, as you say, upon self interest will inevitably promote the expression of this characteristic. Capital accumulation, the pursuit of profit (at the expense of others), the concentrating of power amongst those who are the wealthiest and the exploitation of others are all features of capitalism that promote greed.

No it won’t. Greed is just one component of human nature among many. Enlightened self interest constrains against wanton wholesale greed. True Capitalism promotes self interest but constrains greed.

This article might interest you; Greed Is Not Good, and It’s Not Capitalism | AEI

 

[Secret Chief]

No it won’t. Greed is just one component of human nature among many. Enlightened self interest constrains against wanton wholesale greed. True Capitalism promotes self interest but constrains greed.

This article might interest you; Greed Is Not Good, and It’s Not Capitalism | AEI

Thanks, I did read it. An opinion piece from a rightwing "think tank" written by the author of "Money greed and god: Why capitalism is the solution and not the problem."
I'm convinced.

 

[stvdv]

As long as everyone is divided and becoming more divided because of income, education, religion, politics, etc, the majority will never be able to "play"

True

It is an unfair game, with unfair rules and cheating players.

From our restricted POV all this seems indeed to be unfair

Though, seeing the perfection in this huge Universe, I can only believe that all is fair, when seen from the bigger picture

 

[Secret Chief]

As long as everyone is divided and becoming more divided because of income, education, religion, politics, etc, the majority will never be able to "play". It is an unfair game, with unfair rules and cheating players.

If the division becomes too great, and those at the bottom have no legal ability to change the system that is oppressing them, then these are the conditions which historically have led to at least civil unrest and at most, revolution.

 

[Nakosis]

No it won’t. Greed is just one component of human nature among many. Enlightened self interest constrains against wanton wholesale greed. True Capitalism promotes self interest but constrains greed.

This article might you; Greed Is Not Good, and It’s Not Capitalism | AEI

While I agree greed is not capitalism I see greed as a necessity for the advancement of civilization. The obsession with more. It's greed which drove our ancestors out of the trees in search for more.

We are not all obsessed with getting more and not all capitalists are greedy, but it's the greedy who want more that drive civilization to advance, that advance technology. The rest ride on the coattails of the greedy.
Capitalism does not require exploitation nor profit at the expense of others. In fact these things are detrimental to capitalism. These things are the flaws of human nature, not capitalism.

Capitalists are not all greedy but thank God for the ones that are.

 

[Wildswanderer]

What a thoroughly odd view of the rest of the animal kingdom, which lives in ecological harmony with its surroundings.

Often by consuming each other. I guess if you want to call that harmony!