As much as I disagree with many aspects of the system, it has been brought to my attention that it is the system driven by a market economy, (interdependently with science, technology, and globalization), that is responsible for much of the advancement in individual well-being we have seen in the past two centuries. As illustrated by the facts of improved health, increased average lifespan, declining violence, fewer individuals living in extreme poverty, and an exponential growth in both individual and collective knowledge; and despite contradictory accounts from doomsayers and fearmongers; the well-being of Humanity has improved. I'm not here (this week) to argue that point. All doomsayers and fearmongers, please exit now. This week I want to better understand the working parts of our market driven economy as they relate to my sense of well being.
If the goal of Humanity, (both individually and collectively), is to battle disorder in an effort to not only survive but also to feel empowered and purposeful, then the system has indeed aided in this effort. And it is difficult to argue against the concept of entropy as the ultimate villain. This week the system has boosted personal satisfaction. This week I saw my highest credit score I have seen in more than five years. This week I have managed to sell a car, come to terms on a new home rental, secure a car loan, secure a line of credit, and purchase a new car. All very orderly; and empowering. This week I feel in control. This week I feel in charge. Why is this different than a week in which contact with bureaucracy is at a minimum. Why is this different than the week I lost a job and saw my credit score begin a downward spiral? Why is this different than the week I had a heart attack and discovered I was fat? Or the other week, (only five years later), when I had another heart attack and, (though no longer fat), discovered I was mortal? The answer to these questions may appear to be obvious---(bad things vs. good)---but in many cases, bad things are beyond one's control and simply a matter of odds that dictate a certain liklihood of disorder. So if there are indeed "so many more ways of being disorderly than of being orderly," (as stated by Steven Pinker in his newest book Enlightenment Now), then why do I feel responsible and/or feel a need to assign responsibility / blame for bad things? Instead, I should be working to understand possible causes leading up to the "bad thing" so I may change future actions and behaviors, and let go of those elements beyond my influence.
Looked at in this way, striving for order should not be so compelling that it encourages blame and slows progress. Additionally, striving for order should not be so compelling that it results in unnecessary complexity; complexity often implemented by power working to cement personal security.
Regardless, the system has eliminated the threat of debtors prison. The system has provided better access to better health care, and based on its trajectory, it will continue to improve. The system, (with some small hiccups), has provided incentive for decreasing violence on both large and small scale. The system provides opportunity for an individual to correct past mistakes.
Regardless, the system needs improvement. The system provides a (sometimes) crushing stigma for those with low credit scores. The system has created a superweb of health care inefficiencies. The system often encourages divisiveness regarding political leanings that impact multiple areas, including, (and perhaps most devastatingly), the potential for small and large scale violence. The system provides ample opportunity for an individual to make mistakes. And the system strongly discourages individual disagreement with the system.
Regardless, the system is responsible for much of the advancement in individual well-being we have seen in the past two centuries.
Much of the written thought above was thought and written early in the week. On Friday I was reminded that I am not in control. A planned c section and carefully orchestrated travel plans were derailed by a grandbaby seeking an early exit. A minor annoyance well worthwhile for a healthy daughter and granddaughter; and they are (thankfully) healthy. With Moxie and a degree of impertinence, my beautiful new granddaughter has given me an opportunity to reorder disorder.
So I understand that a system (by definition) creates order and imbues a sense of calm necessary for maintaining order. What I must work to break free from is the frustration inherent in clamor and chaos. Reminders such as this week's written thought are helpful, but this week I am thinking and writing in the midst of a relatively calm and empowering set of circumstance.
I just realized that all of this thought may simply be a reiteration of the popular sweatshirt slogan, Keep Calm and Carry On. Or perhaps it is a reminder to differentiate between calm indifference resulting in quiescence and stagnation, and calm transformation resulting in ordered progress. Though I believe this thought has, (in varying ways), been presented before, I like the reinforcement.
So what about the "market driven" portion of our system? Does it add to, or detract from, progress? I believe, depending on circumstance, it can do both. I believe there must be some competition to reward advancing order. I believe that our current system, (though it has moved us forward, and it is continuing to contribute), includes some misaligned components: specifically money and power. I believe the playing field must be leveled. I believe that "this previous written thought" could provide a starting point.
So perhaps this week I have simply reordered and reinforced, with little new thought. Regardless, with some Moxie and impertinence, perhaps I can encourage new action, resulting in ordered progress.
