Money is the exchange for what we want; but what if we don’t know what we want? Everyone needs a certain amount of money merely to function in our culture. This is convenient and healthy. It could be difficult to make change for the chicken you carry in your pocket with the intention of buying the loaf of bread you need. Supporting oneself and family is fundamental in the human world, if not among all living creatures.
The joy and pride we get from this responsibility is, to a certain extent, a measure of human worth. Money can also be a prod to encourage others to act in accordance with the wishes of another.
This brings to mind a funny segment from the TV sitcom “The Big Bang Theory”. Leonard Hofstadter’s girlfriend, Penny, was an annoyance to Sheldon Cooper. Sheldon used the technique of rewarding Penny for good behavior (in Sheldon’s perspective) by tossing a chocolate candy into Penny’s mouth. This is, of course, a technique for training a dog.
After money is earned to cover the basic lifestyle needs, I would suggest money is used in a similar manner as is the chocolate candy in the Sheldon skit. Someone is reinforcing continued acceptable behavior in order to encourage results the payer of the money wishes.
What would make the payee accept these terms? What is the level of maturity that must be avoided to continue to accept this circumstance? Is desperation a part of the mentality? How does one explore their human possibility at the same time they are dealing with personal desperation?
Is desperation too strong a term? Is the relationship truly similar to the dog-training scenario? If it isn’t, why is “The Big Bang Theory” skit so funny?
Advertising plays a big part in setting otherwise intelligent and thoughtful people on a path of the ridiculous. We are dictated to by others as to what our lifestyle should look like. Invariably, it involves ever more money. Debt is a frightening and ever-present specter with which to live. Debt can turn the modern family into anything but a nurturing and loving unit.
Municipalities themselves have asked too much of their householders. As the householders carry a heavy debt, municipalities may raise taxes to support a system that has become onerous to the householder. The value received may be insignificant as compared to the burden imposed.
Why are people compelled to live in the municipalities? Jobs, schools, and grocery stores are often located within the boarders of the city. Proximity to jobs is a big issue. The cost to motivate to work to earn the money to maintain this lifestyle is continually increasing.
Communities can be set up that are people-friendly. They can be small, walk-able, perhaps with car sharing that will reduce costs, or public transit that will enable heads of families to spend more time with partner and children. A good question to ask at the next town meeting you go to is, why are tax payer’s dollars spent on creating peace and plenty for the municipal workers, instead of creating livable communities for the householders.
What will this mean to the family? Perhaps the breadwinner can ease off a bit. Maybe Mom and Dad can spend more time with the kids, lessening the burden on the municipality to maintain a strong police force and jails to keep the kids in line.
How would a peaceful night’s sleep feel? If the burden is lessened for the family, the heads of households might feel less stressed. How many people have you heard describe their attempt to get a good night’s sleep, but who inevitably awaken at 3:00 AM with worry on the mind, instead of floating within dream-time that makes for a healthy psychic life.
Money is a convenient tool for modern life. We may forget that it is a tool to create the life we choose, and instead becomes that which purchases the status symbols that have little to do with true wealth.
Autonomy is achieved when money is nothing but an emotionless tool used to build a meaningful life. Many messages are sent that encourage people to act like Penny in response to Sheldon Cooper’s training. Living within a prison of this training precludes the depth and maturity that will allow a person to reach their full potential.
When money is used to provide a space for character values such as freedom, thought, love, and play, money is fulfilling it’s best potential. It is being used in the service of human development, not to pander to the economy.
No comments:
Post a Comment