“In a society in which nearly everybody is dominated by somebody else’s mind or by a disembodied mind, it becomes increasingly difficult to learn the truth about the activities of governments and corporations, about the quality or value of products, or about the health of one’s own place and economy.
In such a society, also, our private economies will depend less and less upon the private ownership of real, usable property, and more and more upon property that is institutional and abstract, beyond individual control, such as money, insurance policies, certificates of deposit, stocks, and shares. And as our private economies become more abstract, the mutual, free helps and pleasures of family and community life will be supplanted by a kind of displaced or placeless citizenship and by commerce with impersonal and self-interested suppliers…
Thus, although we are not slaves in name, and cannot be carried to market and sold as somebody else’s legal chattels, we are free only within narrow limits. For all our talk about liberation and personal autonomy, there are few choices that we are free to make. What would be the point, for example, if a majority of our people decided to be self-employed?
The great enemy of freedom is the alignment of political power with wealth. This alignment destroys the commonwealth – that is, the natural wealth of localities and the local economies of household, neighborhood, and community – and so destroys democracy, of which the commonwealth is the foundation and practical means.”
Thomas Berry
Each morning our skies on the eastern horizon are filled with smoke. Air quality is poor and the color is repulsive. We do have a short period of time, 3-5 minutes when the sun is a bright orange orb through the smoke, but other than that it is disheartening. This was yesterday morning’s sunrise. ☹️
6 Comments
Earl
Tomas Berry, how very relevant to todays world…but that’s why you quoted it! 😉 And some shout about their freedoms, what freedom? How sad it may all end with a whimper. Thanks for this post, Monte.
Monte Stevens
You’re welcome, my friend. I have not always wanted to share my words on some issues because our differences in opinion rise to the surface, bringing up conflict. There is something within me that desires to express what I believe rather than what I think. My opinion is often is based on thinking and my ego. When two people have difference of opinion the sharing is lost. If we could only share what we believe in our hearts rather than what we think! The poet, any writer, seem to share from deep within rather than from what they think.
Mark
I am glad you included a lot of open space in that photo because, man, that quote needs a lot of open space to breathe and contemplate!!! I’ve given a lot of thought to those concepts over the past few years and a lot comes from being in a country so much more privileged than others, yet so behind others in so many ways.
Monte Stevens
I believe as you do. One thing I came away with after my years as a flight attendant was the entitlement people carry with them on the plane. Yes, we are a privileged country in areas of selfishness and self-centeredness. The simplest example I can think of now is the light switch. We just expect magic to work.
Tom Dills
I doubt you will find many (if any) readers who don’t share your concerns and philosophy. And if so, that’s OK.
We saw our first sign of fall today, although I suspect it’s a tease. Low 60s, few clouds and crispy clear air. We’ll take it while it lasts!
Monte Stevens
Yes, it’s okay if they don’t.
We are getting a hint of fall here. I’ve noticed a few trees are beginning to turn colors and cooler mornings. Must say I welcome it this year. I don’t always.