- Re: we need to end growth now or we are heading for huge death tolls. Archived Message
Posted by dereklane
on May 6, 2020, 9:22 am, in reply to "Re: we need to end growth now or we are heading for huge death tolls."
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Hi dan, I think your point is that you were fortunate before, but this event and you getting ill has prompted a re evaluation that has made you fully notice that fortune (loving family, nice place, walks in the park and sunshine etc). All good things to be fully aware of every day- life is not something to be taken for granted. But the things you describe are at the heart of what makes it desirable; the sensual pleasures. Touch and love of those we care about, sun on your face etc. Many do not have those things (many are very alone). It might be a symptom of capitalism but it is also a symptom of life. Remove social interaction and you remove the meaning and hope of life. Even some of the most oppressed in places like Palestine have each other. Under capitalism, more than not seem completely alone, and more so now than ever. I live on a Main Street and smoke outside the flat and once every 6-7 days if I'm lucky I see a friend walking by and we chat for a bit. It's my only sanity, so I feel luckier than many. I'm on my own but I have a lot of friends who I can't see. But really positive human interaction is the thing which drives me. I suspect it's the same for a lot of people. In those I've talked to, people are definitely outwardly showing signs of breaking now for that reason. I know a few with fairly severe anxiety and they are complaining about continuous anxiety (accelerated heart rate, hyperventilating etc) now. I suspect a lot of that comes from not being able to deal with unknowns. Things like their job or business, rent issues etc. But a lot of it is more primal; nothing calms more than interaction with friends or loved ones, and online conversation (either video or like this) is good, better than nothing (though my internet is broken ATM!) but it's a placebo really. There is of course a place between on extreme and the other. I'd never propose business as usual, or the Tory plan which is probably big business as usual and screw everyone else, and though it would be the death of music, even the reopening of bars and clubs probably isn't a great idea. But continuing to officially prevent people gathering together is killing us who are not where we want to be slowly. At this point if I wasn't going to get grief (by authorities and individuals who saw it as irresponsible) I'd consider organising a party in the woods, just so all us loose ends could get some real interaction with others again. If that all sounds a bit self serving, it probably is. But I'd guess at the heart of it that's where a lot of the motivation to get out of lockdown is coming from. We are simple social beasts that are not made for isolation without end. Another reason why our attitudes toward prison are collectively so wrong. But also telling I think that in aboriginal society the greatest punishment for wrong doing wasn't execution but exile. They recognised (as I think the worlds best example of social society) that that was the worst penance anyone could be expected to pay. |