Hopeless

[Nihl]

Human society, organizationally speaking, is shaped something like a pyramid, or perhaps a tall, narrow cone, with a small proportion of society living at the top possessing most of the wealth whilst the majority of society wallows at the bottom with little opportunity and negligible wealth; and it is an irony of society that these factors are only more extreme in socialist countries where the common folk live in extreme poverty working to achieve nothing but the enrichment of the ruling classes and whatever local flavor of oligarch happens to exist in their neck of the woods.

And yet everyone from the government to the many self-help guru’s to those who exist to proselytize to us about the wonders of our society (the media, etc.) would like to have us believe that hard work and constant self-improvement will lead us to prosperity in the future, a wonderful world where the “cone” is somehow miraculously flipped on its head, where everyone currently at the bottom of society is somehow “wealthy” insofar as they can afford to pay their bills and own a home and retire early, before decrepitude ultimately consumes them … just tell that to the people dependent on tips to survive in the USA or those working in pseudo-slavery in China or those trying to get by on near starvation wages working for companies like Amazon, or even someone like me in Australia who had an average education in various schools, famous more for their violent students or incompetent teachers (I had a teacher who didn’t even know what century it was) and who have survived up until now in low-paying jobs that increase their pay rates just enough to keep in line with inflation, and sometimes, not even that…

The truth for me and most people of my generation is that I will have to work until I die, and due to the fact that I am single I will never be able to afford a home of my own, no matter how hard I work. Don’t tell me that this can be fixed, we live in a society that is created by, maintained and wholly exists to maximize profits and enrich an already wealthy minority, the struggling majority is paid half-sneering lip-service and little else by those in government who should exist to create a livable future for all society, not just the ones who eat off of golden plates with platinum cutlery…

I don’t come here looking for solutions to my problems, I know I am ultimately doomed, I have no illusions. We have been betrayed by those who claim to care for us, we are alone, and we will die alone.

[Guest_9989]

I hear your frustration and understand how disheartening it can feel. The disparity in wealth and opportunity is a harsh reality for many, and it’s incredibly difficult to remain optimistic in such a system. It’s important to acknowledge your feelings and seek support from those around you, whether it’s friends, family, or communities that share your experiences.

While systemic change is daunting, remember that you're not alone in this struggle. Many people are working towards a fairer society, and finding solidarity with others can make a difference. Taking small steps to improve your situation, focusing on mental and emotional well-being, and staying connected with supportive people can help, even if it doesn’t solve everything.

Take care,

[sbella02]

Nihl, 

Thank you for your post. You write very well, firstly. To make something so egregious sound markedly poetic is a skill, and I think there's something to be said about your ability to treat even the most demoralising of concepts, like the depressing reality of capitalism, with such eloquence.

I've had this mindset before and in my experience, it can breed a lot of resentment towards the good things that do happen in the world in spite of this incessantly repetitive system. It may seem logical to dwell on the somewhat mundane, conveyor-belt nature of life in a capitalist society, and it is blissful yet poignant to imagine a world in which governments and other authoritative bodies can facilitate more livable conditions for all civilians. But in and around all that is not good in the world, it is important to recognise that there is still good to be found. 

While normalcy isn't necessarily a bad thing, my view is that the uniqueness of humans themselves, along with the beauty that exists within nature, are the things that make life most meaningful. In the event that existence persists beyond the physical form, I think I would want to remember the beautiful, fulfilling connections with other people that I've made during my time on Earth as well as the picturesque places I've been to. I've grown to love the people that I surround myself with. And spending time in nature feels so peaceful and connective. Relishing in these kinds of moments as they happen makes existence worthwhile, in my opinion.

I do not intend to downplay the reality of what you've said, either. I too will often find myself worrying about the acquisition of financial security and even true financial independence later in my life, knowing that regardless of what career path I pursue, I am a nonconsensual pawn in a large-scale game of economical chess, like everybody else. To me, dwelling on the doom and gloom of systems that are beyond our control is futile, because it can be taxing to be thinking so much about something that doesn't have a feasible, tangible resolution. For our emotional wellbeing, I think it seems far more worthwhile to focus on our individual happiness and the impact we can have on others with our words and actions. 

Feel free to let us know your thoughts, if you'd like to chat some more. 🙂

SB