Hello, we’re rich

Dear all.

Sorry for the delay in posts, life seems to be getting a little bit ahead of me right now. I had wanted to write something longer on the themes below, but alas I have no had time to create something other than a woroni version. This version then missed the deadline, and the editors had forgotten I had already submitted a different piece ahead of time. Oh well...

One thing I have not included in the article below is the following related thought, which will definately get its own article in the near future:

Modern society is largely perfect and this does not sit well with our existential needs. We no longer need broad scale, sweeping structural reform in the developed world. We are wealthy, the welfare safety net nearly everywhere is high, our quality of life is good. Unfortunately, man typically needs ideals to fight for and causes to back and so we are now seeing the increasing radicalisation of what are essentially centrist policy issues. The Tea Party, for example, is turning taxation in an ideological issue rather than a case-specific matter. In Norway, some nutbag considered centrist political youth the spawn of Satan. This is a situation that needs careful investigation. My preliminary thoughts are that helping people to recognise just how good we've got it while simultaneously educating our populations on how to achieve a meaningful existence through something other than group affiliation (e.g. football hooligans and rioters, narrow minded politicians, religious extremism, nationalism etc) is imperative. I think it is similarly important that we recognise that equality of opportunity is a much more worthy and attainable cause that equality of everything. Having a class-based society is not a disaster if the lower classes are still affluent, happy and can exercise political agency.

Now for the original article...

Australian’s don’t seem to realise how good we’ve got it. We’re one of the world’s richest countries. Our educational standards are very high. The minimum wage is epic and yet the economy sustains it easily. Getting a well-paid job with good career prospects and relatively interesting tasks (such as public service gigs) is common. Even students, historically the poorest social class, have enough disposal income to keep themselves entertained through shows, eating, partying and books. Most of us can even afford to go overseas on a semi-regular basis.

Compare this to the situation in say, Eastern Europe, which is a mid-level region economically. A top of the top graduate in Hungary earn approximately $1000 euros per month. A typically APS grad position earns that much is less than a fortnight, and works a whole lot less hours to get there.

Similar situations exist with career prospects. Some people would kill to be working in a law firm while still in university, yet the number of people who bitch about how they’re far too talented and important to be doing the photocopying seems to be multiplying faster than john Howard’s ear hairs. We want everything and we want it now.

This inability to be satisfied with the treasure trove we already have runs deep in our culture. Consider the attitude of many to the Carbon Tax — it is going to hurt the economy. Hello! Did you forget how we’re one of the world’s richest countries? We can afford it!

I assume it is human nature to always want more than you have, but I hope that pointing out the ludicrousness of the situation will encourage people to be more reasonable and generous. We must remember to keep a relative view of things — to the past, other countries, and other members of our society. It is also important to keep in mind that many things that cost us personally benefit us socially. Considering the situation vis-à-vis American Ghettoes and recent riots in London, I see a great many reasons for fostering social harmony over individual greed.

Nietzsche has a useful quote here. The most beautiful and advanced society is one which can say: ‘what are my parasites to me?’ Let them grow and prosper, I am strong enough for that!” Taxes? No worries. South East Asia for 3 months instead of Europe. That’ll do. A few more refugees? We can handle it.