A Dose of Sanity: Part Twenty-One

…And then it hit me…

The American culture of today offers young Americans (and more and more the youth the world over), the “choices” of fundamentalist religion and fundamentalist consumerism.

All varieties of fundamentalism narrow one’s focus and inhibit critical thinking.

While some progressives are fond of calling fundamentalist religion the “opiate of the masses,” they too often neglect the pacifying nature of America’s other major fundamentalism.

Fundamentalist consumerism pacifies young Americans in a variety of ways. Fundamentalist consumerism destroys self-reliance, creating people who feel completely dependent on others and who are thus more likely to turn over decision-making power to authorities, the precise mind-set that the ruling elite loves to see.

A fundamentalist consumer culture legitimizes advertising, propaganda, and all kinds of manipulations, including lies; and when a society gives legitimacy to lies and manipulative-ness, it destroys the capacity of people to trust one another and form democratic movements.

Fundamentalist consumerism also promotes self-absorption, which makes it difficult for the solidarity necessary for democratic movements

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- #ethics
- #religion
- #politics
- #money
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- #consumerism
- #fundamentalism
- #human behaviour
- #human thinking
- #human nature
- #pacify
- #culture
- #opinion
- #thoughts
- #ideas
- #ponderingthoughts
- #ponderinthought
- #photo
11 months ago
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thehelplessmind likes this
ponderinthought posted this

Ponderingthoughts..

About

Just what exactly is Ponderingthoughts all about. In a nutshell it is about...life.

Contradictions (through words) are the basis of much of our thought process, and what drives me at many times to continue my quest to see, read, hear and learn as much as I can about this speciies that calls itself human. I love the study of the use of words and how they connect to thought.

It often amazes me how much two opposite sides are alike (in terms of what they ultimately seek).... it is the journey to get there that causes the conflicts/misunderstandings and contradictions.

I say what I mean, think what I say... and understand it is all self-important bullsh@t at the same time. Did I say bullsh@t?! I meant, MY truths... and being I am a human they may often seem like a contradiction.

I invite people to comment, and join the conversation, for my purpose here is also to hear from all of you, and to have others hear you as well. One thing I do ask is if when commenting you could refrain from using profanity. Of course I use it in my life, but dropping the F bomb to prove ones point seems pointless in a real conversation. Respect and thanks.

All thought derives from somewhere (I believe) it is rare anymore that we have a TOTALLY new thought (comments?), so I never actually think "wow, my thoughts are so new, so individual" They are... thoughts. Mashes of all I see, hear, read, study and experience.... They are all of you.

My purpose for this blog is to share my thoughts (based on all things I see, hear, read, do and so forth), and to also post ideas from others greater than me in their thinking (to which I would give the credit)

To those whom may read my randomness, I thank you... you honor me. Thought I probably will not reply to comments posted about what I post, I highly encourage all to add their own ideas to whatever I may post. That in itself is a main purpose of this blog... to keep the conversation going. Like-mindedness is not necessary (for me) to engage in thought and sharing and I always enjoy reading the thoughts of others... agreement or not.