Five thoughts, ideas, insights, or quotes to power up your mind to think differently and creatively about life and who we are. Put all previous thinking away and open up a brand new world of the Supermind. YOUR SuperMind.
This week – Capitalism.
Since the 1950’s Capitalism has been the means by which most societies function and run. This is where private operators create and manufacture products, goods, and services that are then offered for sale in free markets with the price eventually decided by supply and demand. After World War 2 it was seen as the shiny new concept that would guarantee a better standard of living for all and greater financial freedom for the majority.
Yet, here we are a matter of only a few decades later and millions around the world are suffering from this very same system that was meant to alter their life for the better. And that means SuperMind Saturday has to turn its thinking onto the subject.
1. Who has really won?
Capitalism sold itself as the way everyday people could improve their life. If they ‘bought’ into the system – produce, purchase, profit, produce more, purchase more and so on – they, and all of us, would end up winners. But the end result today is more everyday working people and families in debt and struggling. Winners once have become losers now despite following the capitalistic way. Which leads us to the stark question that must be faced.
Who has really won from Capitalism? And who will keep winning if we continue to follow it?
2. Capital end game.
The design of any system is to achieve a goal. Some goals are included in the overall plan. They are part of the structure of the system so that the overall targeted result occurs more efficiently or readily. So, bear that in mind whenever you are told about ‘the system’ you may get involved with or brought into. Now, let’s look at capitalism. Yes, it’s about a wider range of production that is freely available. This is part of the structure as mentioned above. But what is the end game? Where is it all leading?
Is Capitalism merely for the few to have more capital? Is that its real end game?
3. Done to debt?
There is a well known phrase which says, credit where credit is due. In real terms this means credit given to those that have worked and earnt it. But in finance circles it has become credit where credit is available. This change in ready made credit has been what has driven all of the extensive consuming in the last few decades. But that credit for those who have less earnt it has only added to spiralling debt as people purchase to keep up with others (I have looked at debt separately in SuperMind Saturday). Truth is we’ve been done to death financially and become drowned in debt.
Has Capitalism just been an excuse to increase debt? And who do we all owe to and pulls the strings?
4. Technological threats.
We are all well aware of the growing use of technology. Technology has been expanding in almost every area of our lives. It’s promoted as being helpful to us; giving us more time away from tasks and duties so that we can live more and enjoy it. But……if technology is replacing what we did, it means we don’t do it anymore. And those tasks we don’t do are jobs and employment. From technology to AI, what people did high-tech is taking over from humans. Capitalism is funding and leading this. Less people to pay and support, less administration and costs. What does that REALLY lead to? More profits and even more money!
Has technology become the reverse threat to us under Capitalism?
5. What ‘Ism’ would work?
Capitalism has been the widest ‘ism’ in use for modern life. It has taken over the others that existed at various times in history and in various parts of the world. There has been socialism where everything is in collective ownership and puts social welfare for all as the priority rather than private profits for some. Of course there has been communism too. This promotes a classless state with common ownership (usually by rulers) and resources distributed to meet need. Plus, at the other end of the spectrum we’ve seen fascism and idealism to name but two. But, we are in a mess and need something soon before it all collapses. To the end…
What ‘Ism’ should we now adopt? What hasn’t been tried or what new idea could there be?
Ok, that’s another SuperMind Saturday done. Thank you for being here for the SuperMind time. Keep thinking about these. We need more minds thinking about this issue and the others issue on SuperMind Saturdays. Why? Because it’s needed. Because the world requires new thoughts and ideas. Perhaps YOURS!!
See you next time for more super thinking.
Image – Free to use under Pixabay Content License byFinance_and_investing and luxstorm.
