There is absolutely nothing “natural” about capitalism. Quite the contrary, capitalism goes against the very core of our human nature.
Humans VS. Capitalism, a thread 1/11
Humans VS. Capitalism, a thread 1/11
Empathy was the evolutionary glue that bound us together, compelling us to look out for one another & take care of each other. Our very survival as a species depended upon it.
Empathy was our first hope for survival. It may be our last. 2/11
Empathy was our first hope for survival. It may be our last. 2/11
But capitalism punishes empathy & compassion. Instead, capitalism inherently rewards callousness & heartlessness.
The less you care about the effects of your actions on others, society & the environment, the more you profit from externalization. 3/11
The less you care about the effects of your actions on others, society & the environment, the more you profit from externalization. 3/11
Capitalism is a zero-sum game. It undermines our natural empathetic tendencies by pitting us against one another through institutions that *require* us to trample on one another to get ahead.
Caring people finish last. The most callous move up. 4/11
Caring people finish last. The most callous move up. 4/11
We also have cognitive abilities including consciousness, which allows us to abstract thoughts about our actions apart from the actions themselves. We can recall relevant memories, assess present conditions & forecast outcomes, all in our mind’s eye. 5/11
We naturally want to grapple & engage with the decisions that affect our lives.
But capitalism requires that about 80% of workers have no say in any workplace decisions, leading to pervasive alienation in capitalist workplaces. 6/11
But capitalism requires that about 80% of workers have no say in any workplace decisions, leading to pervasive alienation in capitalist workplaces. 6/11
Humans have an innate conception of fairness & justice. When the benefits & burdens of our relationships are inequitable, meaning the lion’s share of the benefit goes to one party while the lion’s share of the burden to another, we feel injustice. 7/11
But capitalism is inherently inequitable. Capitalism doesn’t reward things we have control over, like how hard we work or our level of effort or duration of work.
Instead, capitalism rewards bargaining power. 8/11
Instead, capitalism rewards bargaining power. 8/11
What could be more human than creativity, innovation, imagination & self-expression? Our inner drive to create defines who we are and brings meaning to our lives. 9/11
But capitalism curtails our creative potentials. Capitalist workplaces inherently exclude the contributions of about 80%. On top of that, most of us are fighting daily for mere survival amid poverty, stress, and anxiety of economic injustice. 10/11
Capitalism inherently diminishes our fulfillment & curtails our potentials. We can do better! 11/11
