What’s Wrong With the World — and What We Must Do About It

Photo by Nikola Jovanovic on Unsplash

So, there are these wonderful, charming theories about communism and capitalism, and how — by following the principles of (one of) these systems — we can live in a world of justice and plenty. But the reality of these systems falls short of the promise by a wide and expanding margin.

The fact is, many people are deeply attached to one or the other of these theories. And these people opine that the principles aren’t being followed. Others say that the systems ARE working and many of us just don’t appreciate how good we’ve got it.

I only care about the reality. I have no attachment to any economic or political ideology. I want people to be happy and to be kind and to be sensible. I don’t expect people or their lives to be perfect. But it’s obvious to me that we live in a world where anxiety and fear and cruelty and greed are ascendant. We can and must do much better.

This starts with learning to care about human beings and the Earth and those who share this planet with us. Because these ideologies — all of them — are toxic distractions from what really matters. What we do each day and how we treat each other, that is what matters.

My father said I’ve thing that stayed with me: “It’s all a bunch of crap. Just be a good person.”