In late 2008, I finally decided to do something about my lifelong debt.
As with most things that I become interested in, I immersed myself in this process somewhat obsessively.
I read Dave Ramsey’s plan for becoming debt free. I read the Early Retirement Extreme blog. I read a bunch of blogs and books on minimalism like The 100 Things Challenge and The Story of Stuff.
I studied minimalism, stoicism and meditation. I became acutely aware of how much marketing and advertising had influenced my life.
I was disappointed in myself. I had been lulled into a consumerist lifestyle that drove me to spend live beyond my means.
Since becoming aware of this, I’ve taken up yoga. I left the gym and returned to hime workouts. I spend a fair amount of time alone with my thoughts. I am much more thoughtful when I consider the information I receive from the news, TV, and the Internet.
Often, I wonder, “Why is a person or company or government acting that way? It doesn’t make sense to me. What could possibly be the reason?”
It’s almost always because of the money.
As usual, this might be obvious to you, but it wasn’t always to me.
The News. Why does the news over dramatize every event? Why did they predict epidemic levels of Ebola and then later Zika in the US which turned out to be nothing? Why does news always lead with tragedy and report “What you need to be afraid of?” Because networks want viewers to watch so they can sell generate more advertising revenue.
The US government. Why are both Democrats and Republicans in congress so ineffectual? Why do they focus on emotional issues and platitudes instead of trying to solve the difficult problems we have in our country? Because politicians want to be re-elected so they can continue to enjoy the salaries, benefit and perks of their jobs.
The US War Machine. Why does our military spending keep increasing regardless of which party is in power? Why are we engaged in endless wars throughout the world? Because the people and companies that make up the US industrial military complex want to make more money supplying the US. Their lobbyists and PR people gather support from the politicians and the public to ensure this.
Social Media. Why does Google offer so many great products for free (seemingly)? Why is Facebook designed to be addictive? Why are feeds for Twitter, Instagram and YouTube tailored to keep us online and engaged with their platforms? It’s not because these companies want to good in the world. They want to make more advertising revenue by selling our attention to the highest bidders.
Your Boss. Your Employees. The Grocery Store. The Aggressive Driver. When I pause to deeply consider the reasons behind many people’s actions, it often comes back to the same thing. They did it for the money.
I suppose this comes across as a pessimistic and jaded view of society. But actually, it doesn’t make me feel that way.
Instead it helps me make sense of some of the crazy or irrational things I see in the world.
I know that some people are truly crazy. And I understand that we do not always make rational decisions.
I see good in most people. I believe in the power of friendship, family and love. I see people demonstrate kindness, selflessness and altruism every day.
But, when I am puzzled by someone’s actions, if I spend some time reflecting, I find that many things come back to the money.