"What's in it for ME?"

I’ve grown increasingly critical of Capitalism as I’ve grown older. In large part that’s due to the fact I’ve seen it lurch towards an ever uglier reality. When money in and of itself becomes the only real goal, no belief system in which humans are valued above material possessions can survive. We are seeing increasing evidence of this around the world and particularly in the US today. Whether it’s banks literally charging fees for NOTHING or pharmaceutical companies developing treatments for symptoms rather than actual cures, the unquenchable thirst created by unbridled greed is bad for Earth, humans and other living things. I’ve written before about the evolution of Capitalism into a world view that amounts to viewing every thing on the planet and beyond in terms of its value in generating material wealth. Today I’m hoping to explain how and why the end result of Capitalism can only be the death of our planet and our species.

When Europeans first arrived in the Americas they came not seeking adventure, glory or a safe and secure homeland but rather seeking fortune - and nothing more. In the Americas they found the original inhabitants growing crops they’d never seen before such as chocolate, corn, tomatoes and potatoes. They saw the inhabitants using “precious” metals as something other than a form of currency. The original inhabitants clearly didn’t understand the “value” of the enormous resources in and under the land but the Europeans were quite sure THEY understood.

Another concept the Europeans brought was the “me first” mentality that ultimately required the plunder of land and water. Without those things one couldn’t possibly satisfy the need for fortune that would bring about the “luxury” lifestyle revered by so many to this day. Capitalism isn’t concerned with “sustainability” or preserving cultural traditions. Unlike the Europeans the original inhabitants didn’t value material things in the same way. While they typically had hierarchies within their communities they were nothing like those of the Europeans. Some of the groups in the Americas had significant social structures but, even then, a genuine relationship with the Earth and the resources it provided was essential to a group’s survival, safety and security. In Peru, the Inca himself would plant the first Quinoa of a growing season in deference to its importance as a food source.

Making matters worse for the Europeans was the “religion” of the indigenous Americans. In general, their religions were tied to their relationship with the planet. Indeed, even as quantum physicists are finding that even atoms may enjoy some level of consciousness few of them go the next step and acknowledge it was and is the understanding of the interconnectivity of all things that was (and is) at the heart of virtually every indigenous “faith.” Put simply, to call Earth our “Mother” is not only a pleasant way of viewing our relationship with her but an acknowledgment of our dependence on her for our very existence. Capitalism however views the Earth as nothing more than a ball of dirt and water ready made for exploitation and the “discovery” of shiny things.

Today some descendants of European colonizers have started to embrace the ways of America’s indigenous people. One of the ways in which they are doing so is via the use of organic medicines such as ayahuasca, peyote and psilocybin mushrooms. While, increasingly, evidence is showing these substances can literally heal those with mental health challenges or brain injuries the reality is that until “Capitalists” figure out a way to convert these substances into grotesque profits they will be denied to the average person.

Frankly, I’m now far from certain our species will survive. Money, yachts, planes and mansions may have great value for some however none of them are food, air or water. Most of all, none of them are human beings. If, however, humans will not rekindle their relationship with Nature, upon whom we all depend for the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat, then we must be prepared for a very bitter and unpleasant end. The Earth is our home and without her we truly have nothing.