We humans are multi-talented. Which of our talents develop and which remain dormant depends upon our culture and our status within it. Cultures are guided by ISMs: Capitalism, communism, Catholicism, Islamism, etc. ISMs may be led by prelates, by potentates or by politicians each having organizational and personal agendas, each shaping humans to suit its own needs. ISMs preserve themselves by myths and lies: that leaders are wise men dedicated to public service, that true believers are morally superior to followers of other ISMs.

Our ISM is capitalism. We mythologize our leaders as great while many are misguided or corrupt. Our mantra, “We live in a dog-eat-dog world,” each person competing to be more productive (cooperation is OK if it lets the team be more competitive). We deny the environmental and social costs of capitalism for we must continue to grow to pay debts incurred building non-productive war machines.

Capitalism is in crisis because our productivity is no longer needed (others can do nicely by themselves) and because capitalism’s rewards, unavailable to the poor, no longer suffice. The public is escaping into chemical or virtual realities or suicide. What happens to humanity in this time of transition is up to us. We can let our leaders dismantle social safety nets and resort to force using a militarized police force and a privatized army, or we call upon our dormant talents to build a cooperative society. A painful re-evaluation of our myths will be required starting with our idea of man’s nature. Human nature can’t be defined by any ISM. Search within yourself and find the compassionate, cooperative nature that drew early Christians to Jesus before there were churches, priests and Bibles. Build on that. It’s our only hope!

 

John E. Gibson

Owatonna