And, maybe, it is not too late.

by nvrgnbk 37 Replies latest jw friends

nvrgnbk

And it is also time to end the nightmare of slavery to the diseased ideals of mindless growth, rapacious consumption, and the utterly insane notion that unrestrained self-interest ought not be controlled. Though the fundamental Freedom to pursue one's own interests is absolutely vital—even sacred and must be protected—we must stop justifying the cruel, unrestrained pursuit of wealth and power. We must stop Glorifying Greed with the now popular lie that unfettered avarice is our best guide down the Path of the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number!
It is time to heal, to restore ourselves, our communities, and our planet. It is time to remember and reclaim our power, to awaken and celebrate our spirit. It is time to discover and learn, to teach one another, and to share the truths we can each perceive with our own minds using our own eyes and our own ears. It is time to put our world back right.
And, maybe, it is not too late.
[The above is an excerpt from the The Myth of Ozacua as found on the yoism website(www.yoism.org)]
Peace to all,
nvr
ninja

I thought this was the lyrics to crazy train by ozzy
jgnat

Bunkum. Unadulterated bunkum. That's my first reaction. There are so many trigger words, hyperbole and assumptions in these few paragraphs.
Trigger words
- designed to make the reader react. Instead of think.
Hyperbole
- make the sentence sound more dramatic than it's plain meaning.
Assumptions
- back them up with facts after you state them!
And it is also time to end the nightmare of slavery to the diseased ideals of mindless growth, rapacious consumption, and the utterly insane notion that unrestrained self-interest ought not be controlled. Though the fundamental Freedom to pursue one's own interests is absolutely vital—even sacred and must be protected—we must stop justifying the cruel,unrestrainedpursuit of wealth and power. We must stop Glorifying Greed with the now popular liethat unfetteredavariceis our best guide down the Path of the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number!
It is time to heal, to restore ourselves, our communities, and our planet.
It is time to remember and reclaim our power, to awaken and celebrate our spirit. It is time to discover and learn, to teach one another, and to share the truths we can each perceive with our own minds using our own eyes and our own ears. It is time to put our world back right.
And, maybe, it is not too late. [I particularly hate this one. This causes the chicken-little syndrome, with a bunch of people running around like little chickens with their heads cut off. Unreasoned, frenetic action without cause. Where's the urgency?]
Let's take out the trigger words and hyperbole and see what is left:
And it is also time to end the ideals of growth, consumption, and the notion that self-interest ought not be controlled. Though the fundamental Freedom to pursue one's own interests is vital—and must be protected—we must stop justifying the pursuit of wealth and power. We must stop [using consumerism and the pursuit of wealth as] our best guide.
It is time to heal, to restore ourselves, our communities, and our planet.
It is time to remember and reclaim our power, to awaken our spirit. It is time to discover and learn, to teach one another, and to share the truths we can each perceive with our own minds using our own eyes and our own ears. It is time to put our world back right.
Now, let's look at the assumptions:
1. Growth, consumption, consumerism, and the pursuit of wealth is bad.
Why?
2. Growth, consumption, consumerism, and the pursuit of wealth interferes healing and the sharing of collective truth.
What does one have to do with the other? Can't I heal and share in spite of consumerism?
3. To pursue our own interests is a fundamental freedom, and must be protected.
Why?
4. Our power has been taken from us by the pursuit of growth, consumption, consumerism, and the pursuit of wealth.
What power? The power to speak? That hasn't been taken away. The power to change? How has consumerism taken that away from me?
5. Our world is not right.
Our world is plenty right, with a few things wrong. Prove me wrong.
Why do I have the feeling that the author is going to advocate some sort of radical action, such as boycotting certain corporations, lobbying for new legislation, or, heaven forbid, ask for a donation to the "cause"?
I would agree that it is good for each of us to re-evaluate our priorities, live noble lives, and connect to people in a genuine way. I would also agree that in North America at least, these higher ideals tend to be drowned out by the cacophony of a media-driven consumerism. It's a fight to live a great life. But I don't think there's a handy cabal, consipiracy, corporation, evil empire, or Darth Vader that we can rightly blame for where we are today. If our society is sick, it's by accident. If we want to make it well, it must be by individual choice and action.
I also firmly believe that most wealthy people deserve to get there. They have some sort of knack of collecting confidence and people to an enterprise. They spur innovation and give more people jobs and opportunities where before there were none. Take for instance, the founders of the early car rental agencies. No-one else had recognized or addressed the need until they did.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/business/25avis.html?ex=1335240000&en=2990d96e3fc35289&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
http://www.car-fanatics.com/Car-Rental-Companies.html
Hortensia

jgnat, I agree with you. Couldn't have said it as well, though.
nvrgnbk

Hello jgnat!
I'm a small-business owner. I've got nothing against money or self-improvement. But I have a reputation for over-paying those who work for me. I'd rather lose a little, than be guilty of exploitation.
Having said that, do you really think that the out-of-control consumerism in the world today is a good thing?
I've posted plenty here to indicate that I don't buy into the hype that the world is worse off today than ever. I too agree that much is right.
I am hopefeul about the future, about humanity. But we're on a dangerous course. I don't count on God to fix it. I think people can and will. It begins with awareness.
I shop at Wal-Mart when I have to. I'm no better and no worse than anyone else. But slavery, a word you find objectionable because of the negative connotation it carries, is alive and well in the world. I'm sure you're as frustrated about that as I am.
I didn't post the above excerpt because it's "the" truth. I just think much of humanity is asleep. And you and I and whoever else cares have the right and privilege to give little nudges now and again.
Repectfully,
nvr
changeling

nrvgnbk: I totally understand you, and I feel the same way. My new, free life as a no longer JW has turned me into a "bleeding heart liberal". I want to celebrate life and people and the earth and art and music and.... you get the picture. I feel passionate about protecting the planet and championing causes that defend the oppressed. Where I have no problem with wealth, I feel we all need to give back and be responsible. We need to use the resorces we have available to help and protect others and to protect and heal the environment.
nvrgnbk

I want to celebrate life and people and the earth and art and music and.... you get the picture. I feel passionate about protecting the planet and championing causes that defend the oppressed. Where I have no problem with wealth, I feel we all need to give back and be responsible. We need to use the resorces we have available to help and protect others and to protect and heal the environment.
Amen! Amen! Amen! Good to know you changeling!
changeling

You're my new best friend!
eclipse

Bunkum. Unadulterated bunkum. That's my first reaction. There are so many trigger words, hyperbole and assumptions in these few paragraphs.
Trigger words
- designed to make the reader react. Instead of think.
Hyperbole - make the sentence sound more dramatic than it's plain meaning.
Assumptions - back them up with facts after you state them!
And it is also time to end the nightmare of slavery to the diseased ideals of mindless growth, rapacious consumption, and the utterly insane notion that unrestrained self-interest ought not be controlled. Though the fundamental Freedom to pursue one's own interests is absolutely vital—even sacred and must be protected—we must stop justifying the cruel,unrestrainedpursuit of wealth and power. We must stop Glorifying Greed with the now popular liethat unfetteredavariceis our best guide down the Path of the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number!
It is time to heal, to restore ourselves, our communities, and our planet.
It is time to remember and reclaim our power, to awaken and celebrate our spirit. It is time to discover and learn, to teach one another, and to share the truths we can each perceive with our own minds using our own eyes and our own ears. It is time to put our world back right.
And, maybe, it is not too late. [I particularly hate this one. This causes the chicken-little syndrome, with a bunch of people running around like little chickens with their heads cut off. Unreasoned, frenetic action without cause. Where's the urgency?]
Let's take out the trigger words and hyperbole and see what is left:
And it is also time to end the ideals of growth, consumption, and the notion that self-interest ought not be controlled. Though the fundamental Freedom to pursue one's own interests is vital—and must be protected—we must stop justifying the pursuit of wealth and power. We must stop [using consumerism and the pursuit of wealth as] our best guide.
It is time to heal, to restore ourselves, our communities, and our planet.
It is time to remember and reclaim our power, to awaken our spirit. It is time to discover and learn, to teach one another, and to share the truths we can each perceive with our own minds using our own eyes and our own ears. It is time to put our world back right.
Now, let's look at the assumptions:
1. Growth, consumption, consumerism, and the pursuit of wealth is bad.
Why?
2. Growth, consumption, consumerism, and the pursuit of wealth interferes healing and the sharing of collective truth.
What does one have to do with the other? Can't I heal and share in spite of consumerism?
3. To pursue our own interests is a fundamental freedom, and must be protected.
Why? 4. Our power has been taken from us by the pursuit of growth, consumption, consumerism, and the pursuit of wealth.
What power? The power to speak? That hasn't been taken away. . The power to change? How has consumerism taken that away from me? 5. Our world is not right.
Our world is plenty right, with a few things wrong. Prove me wrong.
Why do I have the feeling that the author is going to advocate some sort of radical action, such as boycotting certain corporations, lobbying for new legislation, or, heaven forbid, askfor a donation to the "cause"?
radical as a huge protest rallies, spray painting the large corporations with red paint, kidnapping the CEO's to get people to listen????.
Nvrgnbk, thank you for sharing this with us.
nvrgnbk

Thanks for the solidarity eclipse!

And, maybe, it is not too late.

Share this