The PH45 doesn't like Capitalism thread

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

We will need a cite for that.

I was going off of what UG said.

In reality, I would doubt there is a huge difference in happiness between the rich and poor, but I'm guessing the stress levels are the main difference is but I wouldn't know for sure. Humans tend to have an ability to stabilize no matter what class situation they are put in, which is kind of what I am getting at. If we want to find happiness, we have to look at other aspects of life than capital gain. Though I think Maslow might have had another definition of happiness than what I am talking about because I know there is difference, I just can't place my hand on it.

But what if people decide to get high all day?

I haven't really thought out what I am looking for yet but I am assuming you will have to work to get those needs. If the community gives to you, you will have to give back. And just to make this clear, I am not thinking of a revolution type society, just a progressive one that can be smoothly transitioned from capitalism. And what I am not looking for an extremely far left society either.

I am not trying to sound blindly optimistic either.

Have you considered living in an intentional community?

I haven't really looked into those, but I am almost positives those wouldn't work for me but again, I haven't looked into them.

The main problem I have with most socialist schemes is that at their core they use the force of the state to make sure everyone participates.

I am not looking for revolution. Revolution will not change minds; it has to be the product of changed minds. Like I said earlier, I am just looking for a smooth transition to something else more communal but not authoritarian.

For example, a good idea would be getting rid of the GDP as the top rating of countries and replace it with something that would focus more on how things in the actual country are (education, health care, poverty, etc).

[Griff]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

I haven't really looked into those, but I am almost positives those wouldn't work for me but again, I haven't looked into them.

What these communities do is create a micro-society to experiment with various schemes. The difference being that they are voluntarily entered into, so they are populated by the types of personalities who find planned economies attractive.

I am not looking for revolution. Revolution will not change minds; it has to be the product of changed minds. Like I said earlier, I am just looking for a smooth transition to something else more communal but not authoritarian.

By my definition government is force. Socialist schemes which are smoothly implemented rely just as much on the use of force as a revolution does. The amount of force used may be different but it is still essential to the program.

For example, a good idea would be getting rid of the GDP as the top rating of countries and replace it with something that would focus more on how things in the actual country are (education, health care, poverty, etc).

Noone is stopping measures from being made, but measures of material wealth can be made more objectively than most. The UN makes a measure like you are suggesting, but it leaves out a lot of things that Americans treasure, because those making the measure have their own agenda. There are lots of measures made, it is the audience which decides the value of the measure.