Friday, January 02, 2009

Capitalism and the "narcotic of consumerism"

This is from an article entitled "The Absurd Persistence of Domination: Of Speciesism, Capitalism, and Shaking Their Foundations" by Jason Miller:

Capitalism, the systemization of greed, selfishness, subjugation, and exploitation camouflaged by the narcotic of consumerism, the irresistible illusion of equal opportunity for all, and its ostensible compatibility with liberal democracy, has seduced hundreds of millions of people into ignoring its contradictions, injustices, and malevolence.

Capitalism has inflicted deep wounds upon the Earth and is the persistent infection that must be eradicated to avert the sixth mass extinction, the ongoing torture and murder of billions of non-human animals, an acceleration of Climate Change, further economic collapse, mass starvation, severe shortages of potable water, perpetual resource wars, and a host of other catastrophic events.

I wish I were more optimistic but I really don't think the "sixth mass extinction" is going to be averted. It's all terribly tragic.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:16 AM

    I agree that it is extremely difficult to be optimistic...I try to remember to tell myself that I am a "child of (this) illusion" and am here to learn to be happy and develop a good hear and help to others do the same, despite the terrors of the day.

    Happy New Year to all!
    annie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:17 AM

    that's "a good heart"
    annie

    ReplyDelete

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