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You're 100% correct, and I'm sure if the founders could see the world today, they would agree as well. They believed in democracy amongst equals, not democracy for literally everyone. Democracy when you're part of the same group and generally on the same page in terms of abilities/contributions is fine, but otherwise it's garbage.
Also in the modern world, one of the main reasons we see so much support for our current system, is because people are hyper-materialistic consumers. Our democratic and capitalist societies are definitely good at producing cheap goods. But, people are just glutinously consuming all of these goods in order to try and fill the void in their lives left by the destruction of our nations, traditions, spirituality, families, etc, which are things that actually fulfill human beings on a core level.
Interesting take on consumerism. Possibly, technological progress can cheapen goods faster than the system can self-destruct, leading to a fully consumerist culture (or lack thereof). Reminds me of the distant future imagined by Iain M. Banks if you have ever read him... basically technology is so advanced that nothing costs anything, and people live centuries-long empty hedonist lives playing games and entertaining themselves, under the protection of godlike AI's. Ironically called the "Culture" series of novels.
Are you more anti-consumerist? I've been trying to simplify things myself.
I'll check it out, sounds interesting. Reminds me of Brave New World as well. People would just burn out on drugs all day because there was nothing with actual real meaning left in society.
Yeah I'm anti-consumerist and anti-materialist. That's not to say I want to sell all my shit and live in the woods. I just think material and economic gain shouldn't be a societal priority over things like family, spirituality, and community involvement.
Also I think most people would benefit from some minimalism. When you reduce the amount of shit you have, you spend less and stress less.
Right on, you are speaking my language. I sort of recently turned a corner on this front and clarified things in my mind, definitely agree with you on family/spirituality/community. Need to improve on the spirituality and community involvement though.
I'm just on the first Culture series book, it's a lot more goofy and fun than I thought it would be.
The consumerist depiction of the future that springs to my mind is the one in Cloud Atlas where consumption levels are mandated and humanity lives in a giant dome that scours the toxic wasteland of earth gobbling up the resources.
Culture series means a lot to me. Take your time and enjoy.
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