Coping with the world

How many people could you meet in the course of a lifetime back in the Stone Age? Not that many, I guess. So remember the mismatch. We are not adapted to living in a world where you can get information about the suffering of millions of people around the world. So what can you do? If you were to actually be aware of the situation of the world, of the absurd and useless poverty and suffering of so many people (think protectionism, drug laws, etc), the fact that we could all be living in marble palaces or the like it it weren't for socialism, constructivism, etc., not to mention the likewise inhuman treatment of animals, the most sane reaction would probably be to go berserk.

So what can you do? Become insensitive, read about all that misery, pain and injustice and not actually do anything about it? Or spend your life trying to convince people that aggression is wrong? Why not become a kindergarten math teacher, too?

Or, try to live your life as it should be lived. As if there were no state. Enjoy the earth in all of its incredible beauty, the wonderful music that humans are able to produce, the (all too rare) great movies, and of course a vegan meal with a good wine. Above all, don't read the news. But of course, if you spend money the way you could hadn't the state robbed generation after generation of economic growth, you won't save that much.

2010-03-21