Young Hippies: Ready for a Revolution?

Facebook is evil, freedom is fun

 

First things first, lets keep this civil. I don't want this debate to descend into an inane flame war.

I was once unenlightened to the ways of the world yes, but I don't think anyone that knows me would ever call me trend-whore. More of an apathetic stoner who didn't feel that he could make a difference, so he just kept up the status quo.

Introspective, entheogenic mushroom experiences and study of philosophy is what inspired me to try to make a difference.

You are completely right, the system has only the power that we give it.

Canada implemented those anti-greed laws that you wish for your own country after the great depression. The problem is that the elite are the most proficient in manipulating the laws to their advantage. They have created such a political atmosphere that they can do whatever they want and legally justify it.

The problem with the redistribution of wealth is that some clever and greedy individual will always find some way to make it to top of the stack, at the cost of everyone else. Sure, it would be nice if we implemented some sort of socialist policies that even out the distribution of wealth but there will always be winners and losers.

Why should we settle for such a system? Our descendants will just have the same problems to deal with in the future.

You say that I am arguing against human nature.

All things are in a state of constant change. Why is our human free will set in stone? If we are to survive on this planet we need to learn to evolve beyond our "human nature".

People gather wealth because they think it will give them stability. This is false because as your gain more wealth, you convince yourself that you need more and more expensive things. Almost everyone who wins the lottery ends up wasting it all. We all see those super rich elites and think that they have to be insane to keep amassing wealth they could never possibly spend.

Are they really that different from us?

We gluttonously eat meat several times a day in huge portions even though the canadian food guide says we only need one serving a day of animal protein. We are somehow able to rationalize that having a tasty meal is more important than the future of our planet.

Think about the luxuries that we think we need.

The rest of world probably thinks we are just as insane as we think the 1%ers are.

If we stop caring about money, those who have the most have the most to lose.

They would never understand it.

Why try to meet the successes of the 1960s? Why not strive for so much more?

 

all the goody two shoes use facebook.. This isnt their real lives. Its a fake misrepresentation of the lives they wish they lived..

 

Human nature is (at least, for enough humans to cause a problem) to take more than you need. Greed.

The more unbridled a capitilistic society is, the more this causes a problem, because first some get lucky, then use their sway to hijack the system.

The less capitalistic a society is, the more this causes a problem, because the system will be hijacked by those who run it.

The solution is a middle ground. And as you said, it will not preserve itself..... nothing goes on forever, without being renewed. The people may not become apathetic once an acceptable system exists, but must keep fighting to make it better, because those fighting to make it worse never stop either.

This isn't exactly the place, but I just thought.... what if we abolished ALL taxes on living people, but also taxed 100% of the monetary portion of every estate? If your billionare uncle dies, you can have his ferarri and land, but the government takes every cent of this money.... It would encourage people to be more generous, as it reinforces the fact that you can't take it with you, but when that failed, they would still have to give it up. And yeah some would just buy gold for their kin or whatever, but it would still be better than just letting it be passed on with no effort by disgustingly rich familys.

 

What about all those poor families, who the parents work like dogs just so their kids have a chance at a better life?

 

The basic motivation in life is to live forever and the closest we can come to that is to pass on our legacy to our children.

We are the result of thousands of years of people working towards building a better future.

From the hunter-gatherer societies to the modern era. This is the most basic impulse, probably older then we have existed as a species.

I think humans taking to much from the environment is just the logical extension of this impulse. Why not kill five buffalo instead of one and my family will be all the better off?

If we can truly show that this is detrimental to our legacy as species and that people need to cooperate not compete to succeed, perhaps maybe we will be able to truly make our species immortal.

 

Thats it. Seems money is freedom. Freedom from want and from having to spend most of our days doing something were told to do. Freedom to go places and experience new things all takes money. WE cant travel or move around without money unless we're traveling monks or indigant. Hell the homeless are freer then most people.

Indeed, out values must change and in a big way. It seems like western civilization or human needs move us to desire things and to acquire things. We value things.

 

How about a NUDE IN. Things like that with some women involved were always well attended. And often led to fun times and on and on. ...Oscar

 

Lol so true man

 

I like facebook....I guess cause I can stay in touch with people (but I find writing letters is way better). But it does annoy me.....and I have to say there does seem to be a lot of superficial stuff on it.

I'm also down for some be-in type stuff, if I could get to Ohio (or wherever else). I know I'd like to spend some more time in the Austin Occupy scene till then.

 

And roorshack, you are right about there being good reasons to go to college.

 

College isn't for me, because I feel that school contracts me. But for someone who feels expanded going to college then great for them! I don't think college is evil, like what's been said: it can give you more opportunities to work at a job you enjoy. I'd rather not have my whole life and career planned out, especially when I'm still in high school, planning leaves little room for adventure in my opinion && for facebook, I will admit that it does feed my ego. I've tried to stop going on, but it makes it a lot harder to organize Be-Ins and peace gatherings. I'm working on getting on ONLY for organizing events instead of my random thoughts

 

You think college doesn't give you enough room, but use facebook? If that's not a contradiction I don't know what is.

Most people who say shit about college have only been to high school, and have NO idea what college class and life is like.

College doesn't demand more planning than committing to a semester of classes that look fun to you. You're busy planning events over facebook that no one will attend, they just want another "hip" lookin "like" or "friend". Meanwhile, the real deal is happening with occupy campus movements.

 

I've got a bunch of ideas, and have been taking more and more action as I can.

I'm going to take a giant step early next year

I'll start posting about it more here on Hipforums

 

If you recall, I didn't say anything negative about college, I think it is a wonderful opportunity for those who enjoy school or would like to work at a ncie job that they enjoy, but it is just not for me. And actually, about 100 wonderful people attend the events I psot on facebook. I know it's not a lot, but it's definitely more than "nobody", and we have a fun time jsut enjoying the day and music together. I would love to be apart of the Occupy protests, but I'm 16 and cannot drive yet. I'm not sure why you can't post your views without trying to belittle others. I respect your opinions and you as a person, I wish you could do the same for me.

 

&& sorry for all of the typos I think you no what I mean.

 

I'd love to hear your ideas! Thanks for sharing the spirit!

 

peoples suffering is leading us to horrible circumstances. the people that can help are too busy making money off the poor. the general consumer is abused by advertising to the point where they don't even know what they want anymore. Capitalism is a failing system and money is forcing us into a greater divide. What we need is a global enlightenment. And not a drug enlightenment I mean a true spiritual one. Where every person on earth is awakened to truth. Its not so much that everything about the world is terrible its really that the people in power have created a system where its almost impossible to be free and love each other. Our leaders are holding hands with corporations too tightly. While one man drinks water from a puddle another drinks 500 dollar wine and spits it out.

but what can we do?

Seeing as we cant force people to change we can only change ourselves and lead by example.

becoming a conscious consumer is a good start.
getting a great career in a organisation that helps communities is another.
being educated is great.
spreading the word.
treating people with respect at all times.
what about refusing to support those corporations.

every aspect of your current life can be analysed.

you cant change the system itself perhaps
you might have to pay rent
buy food
pay for transport
but you can do small things that cut down on pollution and waste and perhaps that means you will have to cut back on what you consume

think about every object in your life
what can you do without
what are the problems with each object
a plastic cup
a toothbrush
your car

we need a total restructuring of products and services
it is up to the consumer to demand this

 

Again, you don't even know what school is, read the part about "16" again. How could you say it's not for you, if all you've attended is state-funded "no child left behind" day-care? Busywork for some tyrannical jerk in public high school is NOT the same as work for a class that you choose to take because it looks interesting. You can take college education any direction you choose, from theatre to psychology to trees.

Just sayin'. It seems that a lot of people throw away a chance to learn what they need to know to spend their life both making a living wage and doing things they love, because they're convinced they don't like school, you have this "if you like school" attitude, but higher ed is NOT "school" as you know it.

.....so.... yeah. Toodles.

*edit* about occupy, it's going to start going down on campuses, increasingly, I'm pretty sure. The 99% isn't too cool for school or some stupid shit, we know we need to stop letting the profiteers raise the prices on what should be affordable for everyone, and an increasing number of student bodies are protesting. Hopefully mine will be soon.

 

I really do appreciate your view, you do make wonderful points. I've visited some colleges, and from what I can see: It's not for me. I have some other plans. I know, I'm probably not going to be the definition of what society calls success, and I probably won't make that much money, but I'm pretty sure I'll be happier with what I have in mind. Thank you for your thoughts.