Interesting Article

Takes some reading and goes all over the place but makes some interesting points along the way.

I follow his argument and agree with some points to an extent. Will be interesting to see what people make of it.

Revenge of Global Finance -- In These Times

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Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you
High mountains are a feeling
I don't need to sell my soul, he's already in me

i have always had the feeling that money doesnt actually exist

kinda 'emporer's new clothes'

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"....if you're ever attacked by someone armed with a banana, your first thought has got to be to eat that banana. Thus leaving him unarmed and defenseless." - ace

Well -- money never has really existed. Money is an intermediary representing the value we place upon something (an object, a concept, etc.), and can be anything -- clamshells, cows, grass, whatever.

Anyway -- I think his premise was interesting but he wrapped it up far too early and insisted on drawing a conclusion (we should all follow the Christian line to remain balanced) when he should have ended with a question (Christianity or Buddhism?).

He also just had too much going on. Drawing the pop-culture parallel would catch the attention of casual readers but I think it ultimately weakened the argument. Plus I don't think George Lucas wussed out with his explanation of how Anakin turned dark; I think he didn't know what to do with what he had, period.

He makes one very compelling point that I think should be explored much more in-depth: that the effect of global market decisions impacts the everyman much more severely than ever before. And IMO he completely left out the warning that might compel westerners to care: that we are very close to sinking (back) to the horrible working conditions that up-and-coming countries like China impose on their people.

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"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

Yeah, it felt like part of a much larger argument. The conclusion wasn't really justified by the path taken to it. I suspect that taken in the context of his other work the article would make more sense.

“	we are very close to sinking (back) to the horrible working conditions that up-and-coming countries like China impose on their people	”

Yes, I think there was an argument there but not developed that by chasing "detachment" from money and the impact it has we make sure those working conditions continue and spread.

Also, by oposing Christianity and Buddhism I think he is likely to produce the wrong reaction - given that he isn't talking about either in the very narrow sense most people understand them.

If we put our heads in the sand and anounce money as illusory (all the time taking home the biggest cheque we can balance with our desired lifestyle) our scitzophrenic behaviour results in appalling inequality. But that's ok, because inequality "isn't really real" either.

It's like the people who turn up at yoga, ***** about how India is "so expensive now" as though no longer being able to holiday cheaply on other's poverty was a terrible thing, do a class where their "positive energy really helps people" and they "think of other's who are suffering" and then go back to their overpaid job in PR and plot which lies to tell the public next week.

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Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you
High mountains are a feeling
I don't need to sell my soul, he's already in me

ooooooooo your so cynical at times john

honestly i think you need some sort of cuddle therapy

from a radionic crystal healer

to allow the positive vibes in man

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"....if you're ever attacked by someone armed with a banana, your first thought has got to be to eat that banana. Thus leaving him unarmed and defenseless." - ace

I agree - many Buddhists are too wrapped up in worrying about the right chants to say at their shrine, or which prayer flags to drape in their lovely suburban homes to give two figs about doing something as mundane as alleviating suffering in the "real" world. Buddhadasa was an inspirational reformist that drummed up quite a following (and a lot of monastic/political opposition) - urging Buddhists to become more active in combatting the material causes of suffering in conjunction with developing samadhi. Personally, I think there is a middle road...of course.

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Cling to nothing, except your Lego...

I suspect his target is not "buddhism" and he is not championing christianity. You could make all the same criticisms of all too many "christians" (or sikhs or hindus or atheists). I think he sees a turning point in "western" cultural history where a view of the individual as responsible for society and their part in it was replaced by a view that the individual bore no responsibility.

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Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you
High mountains are a feeling
I don't need to sell my soul, he's already in me

I think you got the kernel of the thing, john100. While I don't necessarily agree with his opinion of what eastern thought is doing to western cultural attitudes, I think the point he's trying to make is more important -- as you explain, the idea of the individual not being responsible for how the world runs is far too readily adopted by some people.

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"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...

“	Originally Posted By: john100 I suspect his target is not "buddhism" and he is not championing christianity.	”

I know, I was just bemoaning that attitude among some of the Buddhist laity. I don't think he was having a pop at suburban yogi's either eh?

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Cling to nothing, except your Lego...

LOL, I was thinking "he's definitely got it in for chi hippies."

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"Pain can be a great teacher of compassion and humility."~ Unkotare-san

"Whatever the case, it proves that countless disasters can be prevented by simply assuming everyone you're working with is a moron." ~ Adam Brown, 5 Tiny Mistakes...