Enough!

Hello everyone and welcome back to this first post of 2015 (kind of).

In the past few days/weeks, a video is circulating in Facebook. A tidbit from Jon Stewart’s show that highlights a little story about Salt Lake city in Utah. Go ahead, watch it right here. It’s no problem. I’ll wait.

Done? Good, cause I’m only getting started here.

Why do we have homelessness? How did that start? People down on their luck? People being financially irresponsible? People being lazy? People being swindled out of their money? Is it the economy, stupid?

Why are there hungry people in Africa? So we can tell our kids to finish their meal? Is it because they’re backward out there in the wild?

Why are some people suffering under the weight of the economy, while others swim in money (some quite literally)? Is it because the latter are more gifted? More financially savvy? went to an ivy league university? are whiter?

The economy (whatever the hell that really means) seems like a game played with a finite number of resources. The way it is preached in recent history, one would think that it’s simply a competition over the short blanket, and whoever manages to pull harder gets to have a roof over their head. The bottom line, according to these rules, it seems to the layman (read: me) is that there are either too many people or too little resources.

The world is always in some sort of shortage. Water, oil, rice, blonds. Whatever.

Is it true though?

Is there really not enough water in the world for all of us? Is there really not enough food? Is there really not enough money on the planet to support everybody?

Excuse my French while I call bull fucking shit.

As it is, without changing a single thing, there are enough resources, both natural as well as financial, to ensure that not a single child stays hungry by sunset. There are enough resources to house every individual on the planet in a matter of days. There are enough financial resources to spread the wealth between us all. And if there’s a lack, there’s a very simple way to create more. And please people, please don’t say inflation on this here discussion. I care not for this insult.

Now I know that this would normally trigger the whole capitalism Vs. Communism Vs. Socialism Vs. Whateverism debate. But again. don’t care for any ism at present. All of these are control methods without exception.

We’ve been conditioned to believe in scarcity instead of wealth.

Instead of encouraging growth on all levels, both on population as well as the ability of the individual to produce resources for one’s self. You got to wonder why, don’t you? Would the personal growth not contribute to the abundance of global product? would it not help increase the amount of resources available to man kind? would it not reduce dependency of people on “the economy”?

Say you want to help these poor Africans who starve to death. What would you do? donate a couple of Dollars to some charity organization? one of those non-for-profit (except the profit of the chairman)? Would you parachute some food crates in he middle of the African jungles?

Would it not be wiser to help the people who live there by showing them new ways to sustain? cause we enlightened westerners have all the tricks, why not share?

Why would we not simply give homes to the homeless, like done in Utah? Why would we not help the people who’ve been pushed by whatever ism to the streets? Why would we not spread the wealth? Why wouldn’t we make sure that no one stays hungry?

Because that would change the way things are. No one would be able to feel superior to these “weaklings”.

Because that would be too communist.

Because that would encourage these lazy bums.

Because “why should I?”.

Because I’m entitled to the billions I made and who are you to tell me what to do with my money?

Because I pay my taxes.

Because greed. No one ever has enough. Not enough to eat, not enough money, not enough. more, more, more!!!

Because if you’re such a bleeding heart, why don’t YOU give?

Because there’s absolutely no interest, not really, to change this reality. changing it serves no one. Well, no one of any significance.

The American Dream V2.0

Why the high drama?

Because we’re here to talk about shiny, flashy, glittery matters. We’re here to talk about the evolution of the American dream. We’re here to talk about the new way of living. About consumerism and narcissism. About capitalism and other isms.

The “pilgrims” who came to America to start a new way of life would’ve never imagined just how similar their “New England” would be to the old one. On the other hand, it is nothing like the motherland.

The distance between the first settlements and today’s vast cities, the likes of New York, LA and Chicago is huge. Add the richer suburbs to the mix and you might want to start celebrating the glory of the American Dream! Oh, the land of endless opportunities. Every Tom, Dick and Harry can make it in the states!

Well, we know that is bull shit. Not only riches are reserved for the rich, this gap between the very rich and the very poor seems to only grow with time.

The descendants of the people who severed their ties with the Monarchy, have surrendered to oligarchy.

Within this blinding oblivion, the people are sucked in, deeper into the newest of religions. Consumerism. New-er, mind you. It wasn’t born today, but in the large scheme, it’s a religion in infancy. Sure, its roots go far and deep back into the darkness of history, but it’s celebrated and practiced in all its glory in our fine times.

I won’t dive too deep. You know it. You live it. To an extent, I live it, whether I want to or not.

So why the high drama?

Just, since I observed an evolutionary (not Revolutionary, just Evolutionary) development in the area I live in.

The modern American model living is a small, clean, if possible – green little suburb. You got your piece of grass with a house on. A mall, some strip malls, restaurants and other “facilities” to make sure you don’t die of boredom. Parks, a pond or two, and other shiny things. Ah, the American Dream. It can’t get any better, can it?

Sure it can.

Because the Avalon “Mixed development” (That’s how they call it) is the American Dream V2.0.

So you live in your little suburb and after a while, you’re a little sick of driving all of 10 minutes to the mall. You’re exhausted just thinking about travelling 15 minutes to try a new fusion restaurant. And how about driving the same 10 minutes to the cinema? Please… I’d rather die.

But hold on! There’s Avalon!

Avalon is a place, where for a measly 800K $ to 1.5 Million $ you could purchase your  home right inside this shiny, glittery shopping center! It’s a steal ladies and gentlemen! And why the hell wouldn’t you pay every penny you ever saved and will save for the chance to live in a place where you can spend the rest?

Ah, capitalism in all its might and glory! The rich will take your money and in return, they will give you the golden opportunity to pay them more of it for the shiny stuff they’ll ever so altruistically peddle right outside your door! What about that trickle down effect? We’re glad you asked! We’ll be happy to pay your kids minimum wages to bust their asses selling as much of our shit as possible to you and yours.

See? It works!

God bless America!

Join our cult today! buy more stuff!

Of course, feel free to speak your mind right here!

Just Russell Brand being “facetious”

Hello everyone and welcome back.

You know, I like comedians. I love Louis C.K. and Lewis Black and Russell Peters to name a few. All intelligent and crazy funny. But the more I listen to Russell Brand, the more I like him,

According to Merriam Webster dictionary

fa·ce·tious

adjective fə-ˈsē-shəs

—used to describe speech that is meant to be funny but that is usually regarded as annoying, silly, or not proper

Here’s a perfect example of a “Serious” interviewer, questioning the validity of arguments brought up by his guest, simply because the man is a comedian. It’s also a perfect example of said comedian showing the aforementioned “serious” man that one can be funny and intelligent (not to mention compassionate) all at the same time.

An interviewer (and not for the first time), chooses to patronize Russell Brand or label him as a “Comedian”, instead of really listening to what he has to say. He asks his questions and gets really interesting answers, but because it’s “Just an actor” with some “ridiculous” ideas then he’s just being facetious.

But let’s hear what Brand is saying and treat him with just as much respect as we’d expect people to give to our opinions.

• economic disparity grows and no one makes a real effort to resolve it, or even think about a way to resolve it. Instead, some might attempt to maintain it.
• Abusing the environment – no real change is taking place. Semantics and minor adjustments is all there is out there.
• Governments are apathetic to the public (The 99%)
• voting hasn’t brought change (real change) so far, so why vote?

Have I quoted something outrageous here? Did Russell say anything that can be considered outright disconnected from reality? Or did Russell Brand, again, hit the nail right on the head?

Economic inequality has been pretty much the focus of political debate over the past 8 years. Brand didn’t re-invent the wheel here. As he says in the interview, he’s simply trying to draw attention to these topics. But excuse him for cracking a joke at the expense of the people who aren’t struggling to make ends meet. Yes, the rich and the governments.

Then of course, when one can’t argue the validity of his guest’s opinions, one has to fire the so cleverly sounding but ridiculous question – So tell me (Russell Brand) the specifics of the revolution you’re advocating. Tell me here and now, specifically how we’re supposed to change,

Now who’s being facetious?

Luckily, Brand didn’t fall for this one too. Rightfully so, he simply stated that the purpose of him voicing these ideas is to start a discussion, raise awareness and get the ball rolling.

The one thing we can specifically say at this moment is that the current system is full of shit. And excuse me for being facetious about this.

Let me know what you think right after you watch the full interview below:

Until we meet again,