More Thoughts on Harmony...

Over two hundred years ago, our Founding Fathers formed this nation on the idea that people had inalienable rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". For them, this seemed to involve issues like the right of the people to govern themselves democratically, apart from the British monarchy, to form their own militias, worship as they choose, enjoy freedom of speech, and enjoy the fruits of their labors. First the colonial, and then the expansionist/frontier nature of our young nation seemed to create a strong independent spirit and belief in individualism. The more recent development has been "a society based on the search for personal comfort and privilege" (David Gordon Howe).

When did we come to believe, as a culture, that ample leisure time and play equates to happiness? It seems clear to me, and many others, that this is wrong, and even damaging. A quick look at our society reveals pervasive signs of unhappiness and distress. Our culture appears dis-eased. Most people who have been found to be truly happy say it derives from doing meaningful work, and doing it well, and from having a healthy social circle/support system.

Presumably, our current disharmony is a derivative of the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. As the acquisition of power and profit came to assume an all-important place in our society, via the magic of efficiency, our priorities began to skew. If I understand correctly, our current model is based on inflationary economic theory. Natural models seem to work on balance and homeostasis. How can a model based on unending or infinite expansion (through the use of finite, or limited, resources) ever achieve balance and harmony? It should expand, becoming ever more unstable, until it is spread too thin and collapses upon itself. Anyone who has ever chewed bubblegum knows this simple lesson. You can blow a bubble bigger and bigger, but it will eventually pop. There's only so much gum to work with.

Pity people have forgotten this...a collapsing culture/economy is going to hurt a lot worse than a bubble popping.

(Originally posted on my Syntropy and Synergy blog, on 18 March, 2009)