It’s probably true to say that unless something remains profitable it may well not last. We could safely make such a claim regarding any enterprise, whether personal or commercial, if we spend more than we earn poverty may well catch up to us. Thus the notion of profit above everything else, after all our survival depends on it. But does it?
Are profit societies really all they make themselves out to be, or are we in fact living in such a world where nearly every one spends more than they earn. Oh! If not for those credit cards, invented for our benefit by those champions of profit, the big banks.
Profit for them and poverty for those who use them to spend more than they earn. Profit may be good for those mega enterprises such as the big banks and their esoteric executives, yet such profits bring scarce benefits to anyone else.
If profit were regulated we would have a far more equal world. But the sheer thought of suggesting such a thing would have us instantly labelled as some kind of a nutter. Even those who aren’t rich would object.
You see limiting profit would put the breaks on this thing called greed. If you live in a bay city like I do you learn to appreciate the incoming tide as it rolls in and beautifies the foreshore. Even a very high tide usually isn’t a problem. Yet when the tide turns into a tsunami it creates unimaginable havoc.
Limiting the profit levels of both corporations and persons makes critical sense, even nature agrees. Greed like a tsunami left unchecked is one of the main causes of global inequality and human unrest.
If society limited the profit capabilities of people and corporations, monopolies like Microsoft, Google and others would never have the ability to get a foot hold. The misconception of profit societies is that those who promote them actually believe in their virtues.
One only has to go back to the late nineteenth century when young girls were sacrificed to white phosphate ‘match factories’. The owners of which looked only to the God of profit while handing those poor girls over to the miseries of the dreaded Phossy Jaw.
Profit that disregards human capital through exploitation or sanctions the greed of the few for the struggle of the many is a great sickness. A sickness we all live amongst.
How to combat this disease is a question we all must address. When any entity embarks on a quest for unlimited growth or profit, it’s like imagining a tree growing higher and higher without ever stopping. The proponents of growth and much profit are always proclaiming to be doing good for others (creating jobs) yet the profligacy that emerges, only ever benefits the few. Whilst spending less than we earn is a good idea for anyone, unconditional profit is a life destroying sickness.
Because most people are repelled at the thought of limiting wealth the disease continues to spread, its main symptom being discontent which in turn fosters unhappiness.
Several suggestions come to mind that could help stop profits advancement.
- Put a wealth limit on yourself as an individual and when you reach it make sure you don’t exceed it.
- Always earn more than you spend as this is a logical way to remain happy.
- Split your activities between both profit and non-profit ventures. If 50%of your time is spent earning money start by spending 25% doing activities of a benevolent nature that benefit others. Practice giving.
- Pursue and discover activities that require no capital at all. Things that can be done without money or very little money.
The idea of getting rich and then becoming a philanthropist is a foolish notion. The misery that your journey brings upon others and the pittance that most give back in return makes it an unworthy option.
Profit and growth of any entity human or capital should never become unconditional much like a tide should never become a tsunami. While the experts may say the analogy is misplaced time will ultimately decide the issue.
Limitations are designed to protect order and peace while profit and greed ultimately destroy the very thing they claim to be promoting, the betterment of us all.
The pursuit of small2great continues. It always works because it comes from him who created all things. Oh! How I love that sequoia tree.
Good bye and good night
