Greed and hoarding is a sign of mental illness and poor mental health. We have to return our society to a healthy and sane state by normalizing cooperation and giving. To sing in perfect harmony.
I watched a segment of the Hoarder’s Show because a local lady was featured. The psychiatrist helping her said most hoarders hoard to guard themselves from exposure. The things bring them security. This can be said of those hoarding all the money, land and resources in the world.
I'm not sure how tiny, that minority of outliers is. I hate to imagine how many psychopaths there are, but I do ruminate on it occasionally. I think the maladies of mental health, of mental wellness as Dr. Fromm puts it, are widespread around the globe and on the rise. Dr. Goyal relates genocide to disgust. It is interesting to see the trends for the use of the word as mentioned at https://www.etymonline.com/word/disgust - There has been a steady rise in the use of the word since 1980 when it began a slow rise from an all time low. I image the past was pretty disgusting, so it's natural use of the word would decline over time as things became less disgusting, but the sudden rise from the 1980's onward is alarming. It seems to coincide with the rise of the information age, now the disinformation age. We are blind to the things that disgust us. We turn away from them refusing to acknowledge their existence. These blind spots make us vulnerable to manipulation. Large populations have been hoodwinked by psychopaths who take advantage of these blind spots. In addition to loving and caring for each other, we must not shy away from examining the darkness of our times. We must try to see the good in the people we have been taught to hate. When it comes down to it, we are all pretty much the same - again there are exceptions - and at the same time, we are vastly different. We approach problem solving in many different ways though many different traditions. But at our core we all want to love and be loved. We share a common humanity.
Thank you, John. I agree; it is true that we all want to be loved, including the love of self. It is my thesis that many perhaps all) of the billionaires were not loved as children, hence their insatiable desire for money acting as a poor replacement.
It is, without a doubt, a mental illness: greed. This aspect of humanity needs more widespread discussion. How money has replaced love in a capitalistic society and, as a consequence, there is a deep malaise in our society. There are reasons why "silly love songs" are popular.
Everything we possess came to us through the gifts of Nature. While we stack up those gifts in our homes which also originated from Nature, we get farther and farther from Nature itself.
our homes and our lives are in Disharmony, and the easiest of cures is Time in Nature, just appreciating the beauty. That is why they do not want us out in Nature, because Nature would heal us from our stress, and open our eyes to Beauty, to living Beauty!
"They got the guns, but we got the numbers, C'mon" (Jim Morrison). But how to best use the power of the masses? My answer is via 'consumer power'. Here's my favourite quote from Percy Redfern (founder of the co-operative movement in Manchester).
“In our common everyday needs the great industries of the world take their rise. We – the mass of common men and women in all countries - also compose the world’s markets. To sell to us is the ultimate aim of the world’s business. Hence it is ourselves as consumers who stand in a central relation to all the economies of the world, like the king in his kingdom. As producers we go unto a particular factory, farm or mine, but as consumers we are set by nature thus to give leadership, aim and purpose to the whole economic world. That we are not kings, but serfs in the mass, is due to our failure to think and act together as consumers and so to realise our true position and power.”
Percy Redfern’s quote on the power of the consumer, (Issue:1, The Ethical Consumer Magazine, 1989) — {original may have been quoted from Redfern’s book “The Consumer’s Place in Society”, 1920].
Thank you for sharing this with us, Perry. The video with Fromm is compelling, “…of seeing the truth and at the same time not despairing…”. I find the real challenge is in embracing this and understanding, in my own life, that I am a part of the natural world and this is the way forward. You also know that I’m a strong advocate for Beavers and love that photo. So much can be restored with them. Keystones.
Thank you, Heidi. There is a nice community of people here on Substack who appreciate that we are a part of the natural world and who agree that this is a good way to see ourselves. Ah, yes, beavers, amazing water engineers.
lovely read and apporpriate cuase 'tis the season to contemplate us -the individual- and us -a member of society-. Like you and so many others nature offers speritituality as does music to center me in these very uncentering times.
Nice essay, Perry. I think the key is that technology has destroyed communities, and we no longer need each other as much. If I have a little problem with my house, I can look up a tutorial online whereas before I might have asked my neighbour. If I need to know how to write some code, I can ask AI whereas 20 years ago I might have emailed my friend. If I need a tool, I can just get a cheaply-made one on Amazon instead of borrowing one from someone I know.
If we had strong, local communities, we would rely on each other more and be more generous and giving because we would have a place to do it. We need an outlet to give, because we have the need to build community. Now, we have been trained to develop technology to satiate our needs. We have been conditioned to expect a technological solution, and that is our new way of life. And that fosters greed because we need to be greedy to obtain our shiny new toys.
I agree with you, especially the cheaply made from amazon instead of borrowing - that's the truth !!!!!..... I'm a kinesthetic learner, so no matter how many youtube videos I watch, I can't learn it and it leaves me frustrated. I don't know the percentage of others like this but, aside from information, I find this technological world incredibly difficult. I use an app to find a handyman sometimes and half the time it doesn't work, half the time it price gouges and all the time it delivers poor quality and incomplete work. I'm remote so it's difficult to find workers. If I had all the time in the world I could sign up for carpenter classes, but things never break in convenient timing and I'd rather not spend time in those classes as it's just not where my focus or purpose should be spent. The technology breaks....and in the process it breaks connections with it....you are right about the greed to obtain shiny new toys....I wanted a land line and they won't install it....I really want to go back to the 80's or an earlier time just so I never have to see a QR code ever again. Ha!
For 500 years, each new technology has been heralded as 'progress' and about to eradicate poverty. Recently the AI guys said AI would help solve the climate crisis?!?Yeah right. The 'technological environment' is just as uncertain as the 'natural environment'. Technology promises much, and always under-delivers.
So true, Joshua. The more I read about technological progress, the more I see it as a sham. I think we both have come far from our engineeting school days.
I'm currently reading "The Relgion of Technology" (1990s by David Noble). It charts an interesting history how technology became (through Catholisicism, then Portestantism) to become associated with 'progress' - building a [technological] heaven on Earth by developing God's gift of technology to redeem being thrown out of Eden. That's why in America there is so much religiosity pushing technological development to 'do God's will' making the New Earth.
Ok; this makes sense. The Tech Bros are the priests of tech; Musk the high priest. And Trump is the messiah-king. Imagine what Monty Python would do with such a narrative? It would be great satire and quite funny.
Yep, and it's nothing new. In the 1800s certain engineers considered themselves 'superior' the the common man (& women) because as engineers they were at the vanguard bringing in the 'New Earth' through their technical exploits.
Excellent essay Perry. The system of greed we are in today seems to be a daily spiral that feeds on itself. The system incentivizes greed as the system itself is greed personified.
Even the photo of the beaver and our flag sadly reminds me of the greed spawned from the desire for the beaver pelt. At least more of us are now aware and awake to the issue of greed these days.
I like the message of yours in that "Nature will always strike the right chord." Thanks for sharing
Thanks Perry! Yes to giving and sharing! Here is to health! I love that song! Lets build the world a home and furnish it with love indeed. I love those Canadian beavers too! ❤️
Thank you for this beautiful piece, and well timed for Christmas.
Yes, it is—a reminder of giving and the gifts that can make a difference in.our lives. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas Perry and Arya. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I watched a segment of the Hoarder’s Show because a local lady was featured. The psychiatrist helping her said most hoarders hoard to guard themselves from exposure. The things bring them security. This can be said of those hoarding all the money, land and resources in the world.
True, Charlotte. Hoarding is also one result of a lack of parental love while growing up. Things replace people. Or animals.
I also saw a few episodes of the show; it is quite sad what hoarding does to famalies, especially children of hoarders.
It’s so heartbreaking. The lady here in my hometown featured was RuthAnn who passed away about 5 years ago. She suffered from terrible trauma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l3Qt3XUSCw
Yes, trauma.
I'm not sure how tiny, that minority of outliers is. I hate to imagine how many psychopaths there are, but I do ruminate on it occasionally. I think the maladies of mental health, of mental wellness as Dr. Fromm puts it, are widespread around the globe and on the rise. Dr. Goyal relates genocide to disgust. It is interesting to see the trends for the use of the word as mentioned at https://www.etymonline.com/word/disgust - There has been a steady rise in the use of the word since 1980 when it began a slow rise from an all time low. I image the past was pretty disgusting, so it's natural use of the word would decline over time as things became less disgusting, but the sudden rise from the 1980's onward is alarming. It seems to coincide with the rise of the information age, now the disinformation age. We are blind to the things that disgust us. We turn away from them refusing to acknowledge their existence. These blind spots make us vulnerable to manipulation. Large populations have been hoodwinked by psychopaths who take advantage of these blind spots. In addition to loving and caring for each other, we must not shy away from examining the darkness of our times. We must try to see the good in the people we have been taught to hate. When it comes down to it, we are all pretty much the same - again there are exceptions - and at the same time, we are vastly different. We approach problem solving in many different ways though many different traditions. But at our core we all want to love and be loved. We share a common humanity.
Thank you, John. I agree; it is true that we all want to be loved, including the love of self. It is my thesis that many perhaps all) of the billionaires were not loved as children, hence their insatiable desire for money acting as a poor replacement.
It is, without a doubt, a mental illness: greed. This aspect of humanity needs more widespread discussion. How money has replaced love in a capitalistic society and, as a consequence, there is a deep malaise in our society. There are reasons why "silly love songs" are popular.
Thank you, Paul McCartney.
Thank you for this beautiful piece Perry. Erich Fromm was a wise man. He certainly could see the 'mental health crisis' coming...
And this sweet song by the New Seekers. It seems like a life time since I've heard this music.
All best wishes and blessings for a happy holiday season xx
Thank you, Veronika. And a happy holiday season to you, as well.
I loved that song growing up!..
Everything we possess came to us through the gifts of Nature. While we stack up those gifts in our homes which also originated from Nature, we get farther and farther from Nature itself.
our homes and our lives are in Disharmony, and the easiest of cures is Time in Nature, just appreciating the beauty. That is why they do not want us out in Nature, because Nature would heal us from our stress, and open our eyes to Beauty, to living Beauty!
Thanks for the Post Perry!
Absolutely, Karafree. Nature can heal us from stresses caused by our modern life, much of it artificial.
"They got the guns, but we got the numbers, C'mon" (Jim Morrison). But how to best use the power of the masses? My answer is via 'consumer power'. Here's my favourite quote from Percy Redfern (founder of the co-operative movement in Manchester).
“In our common everyday needs the great industries of the world take their rise. We – the mass of common men and women in all countries - also compose the world’s markets. To sell to us is the ultimate aim of the world’s business. Hence it is ourselves as consumers who stand in a central relation to all the economies of the world, like the king in his kingdom. As producers we go unto a particular factory, farm or mine, but as consumers we are set by nature thus to give leadership, aim and purpose to the whole economic world. That we are not kings, but serfs in the mass, is due to our failure to think and act together as consumers and so to realise our true position and power.”
Percy Redfern’s quote on the power of the consumer, (Issue:1, The Ethical Consumer Magazine, 1989) — {original may have been quoted from Redfern’s book “The Consumer’s Place in Society”, 1920].
Very true; in a capitalist system it is us--consumers--who hold real power, but only when acting as a collective.
I agree, Perry. It's so normal to give and co-operate. Thanks for that lovely throw back to the 70s.
I also remember the Coke commercial (Hillside singers) that led to this song. I am not a big fan of ads, but that one was memorable.
Thank you for sharing this with us, Perry. The video with Fromm is compelling, “…of seeing the truth and at the same time not despairing…”. I find the real challenge is in embracing this and understanding, in my own life, that I am a part of the natural world and this is the way forward. You also know that I’m a strong advocate for Beavers and love that photo. So much can be restored with them. Keystones.
Thank you, Heidi. There is a nice community of people here on Substack who appreciate that we are a part of the natural world and who agree that this is a good way to see ourselves. Ah, yes, beavers, amazing water engineers.
lovely read and apporpriate cuase 'tis the season to contemplate us -the individual- and us -a member of society-. Like you and so many others nature offers speritituality as does music to center me in these very uncentering times.
lol Happy Holidays
people
planet
peace
Happy holidays.🦜🐦🕊
Nice essay, Perry. I think the key is that technology has destroyed communities, and we no longer need each other as much. If I have a little problem with my house, I can look up a tutorial online whereas before I might have asked my neighbour. If I need to know how to write some code, I can ask AI whereas 20 years ago I might have emailed my friend. If I need a tool, I can just get a cheaply-made one on Amazon instead of borrowing one from someone I know.
If we had strong, local communities, we would rely on each other more and be more generous and giving because we would have a place to do it. We need an outlet to give, because we have the need to build community. Now, we have been trained to develop technology to satiate our needs. We have been conditioned to expect a technological solution, and that is our new way of life. And that fosters greed because we need to be greedy to obtain our shiny new toys.
I agree with you, especially the cheaply made from amazon instead of borrowing - that's the truth !!!!!..... I'm a kinesthetic learner, so no matter how many youtube videos I watch, I can't learn it and it leaves me frustrated. I don't know the percentage of others like this but, aside from information, I find this technological world incredibly difficult. I use an app to find a handyman sometimes and half the time it doesn't work, half the time it price gouges and all the time it delivers poor quality and incomplete work. I'm remote so it's difficult to find workers. If I had all the time in the world I could sign up for carpenter classes, but things never break in convenient timing and I'd rather not spend time in those classes as it's just not where my focus or purpose should be spent. The technology breaks....and in the process it breaks connections with it....you are right about the greed to obtain shiny new toys....I wanted a land line and they won't install it....I really want to go back to the 80's or an earlier time just so I never have to see a QR code ever again. Ha!
For 500 years, each new technology has been heralded as 'progress' and about to eradicate poverty. Recently the AI guys said AI would help solve the climate crisis?!?Yeah right. The 'technological environment' is just as uncertain as the 'natural environment'. Technology promises much, and always under-delivers.
well said, basically, it is the crisis
Precisely.
So true, Joshua. The more I read about technological progress, the more I see it as a sham. I think we both have come far from our engineeting school days.
I'm currently reading "The Relgion of Technology" (1990s by David Noble). It charts an interesting history how technology became (through Catholisicism, then Portestantism) to become associated with 'progress' - building a [technological] heaven on Earth by developing God's gift of technology to redeem being thrown out of Eden. That's why in America there is so much religiosity pushing technological development to 'do God's will' making the New Earth.
Ok; this makes sense. The Tech Bros are the priests of tech; Musk the high priest. And Trump is the messiah-king. Imagine what Monty Python would do with such a narrative? It would be great satire and quite funny.
Yep, and it's nothing new. In the 1800s certain engineers considered themselves 'superior' the the common man (& women) because as engineers they were at the vanguard bringing in the 'New Earth' through their technical exploits.
Excellent points, Jason.
Excellent essay Perry. The system of greed we are in today seems to be a daily spiral that feeds on itself. The system incentivizes greed as the system itself is greed personified.
Even the photo of the beaver and our flag sadly reminds me of the greed spawned from the desire for the beaver pelt. At least more of us are now aware and awake to the issue of greed these days.
I like the message of yours in that "Nature will always strike the right chord." Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Neil; yes, there is more awareness of the greed problem. And awareness will lead to change, I hope.
Thanks Perry! Yes to giving and sharing! Here is to health! I love that song! Lets build the world a home and furnish it with love indeed. I love those Canadian beavers too! ❤️
Me too, Jamie.