The Significance of When and Where You Live

Much like how I resigned on matters such as holding

onto some fantastic dream that fame and fortune

makes one happy I have resigned to the idea that

there exists any pristine glory

in a society. There was a time when

I was obsessed with becoming a singer. I

wanted to sing because I had a passion

for singing. I soon learned about

the classical music of

Puccini from a university

choir (3 years). Had I lived in 1907 the

mainstream music would have been opera, sonatas, and real piano ballads.

One is defined and ‘packaged’ (whether he/she likes or desires) by

very few factors. One has dignity and respect depending on one’s

i) career (as an occupation)

ii) money (whether ‘earned’ or ‘inherited’).

In the case of i) he or she is often under the

misinformation that there is a

choice when it comes to what one does

for a living (this same note can be

made and extended to multiple other aspects

of life such as the company that

one might enjoy in his or her social life). This

sociological point is an

unfortunate one. One is judged on one’s talents

and his/her value comes

from the perception of those who are

influential enough to

care (or matter). If one has no money-one

shall be demonized.

There seems to be the case that

a huge gaping gap is

present. The apparent sacrifice

is one of so many

shameful aspects of society. One

can be admired and revered in

some particular aspect or field. One

can sell himself out for the

purpose of making money and obtain

respect not as a smart,

serious, or influential thinker but as some object of

entertainment for a large

audience. The following is

a shared opinion of multiple

scholars. Capitalism can

be blamed for this trade off. “Capitalism allows

one to

be free and independent” is spewed

day in and out by

pundits.A real analysis of Capitalism

allows for one to

see the truth clearer. It is intuitive and

yet it is still not a

fact that anyone (would) want(s) (to)

confront and

come to terms with. Capitalism does

not allow for one to

make real progress in a society. Capitalism, however

does allow for one to replace “chattel slavery with wage

slavery…” (Noam Chomsky).One rents himself out and gets

paid (a small amount) to make an individual on top of some

hierarchical system more wealthy. Once hard labor

is done- what is left for management to do?

One cannot afford to develop his

talents in mathematics

because he is busy at a patent office

(for instance). Einstein, luckily

did (unlike many individuals) manage to

find time to develop his ideas.

Money allows one to focus on

getting the money to survive

and also the money to fund

ambitious studies. If one does

not have a reputation to uphold (and hence not have to

worry about the money

to live and struggle to survive) then

would one venture out into

studying topics that are fringe? One

might decide that progress could be made in less respectable

realms. For instance, the perception of many scholars (today)

within the realm of paranormal studies is one of disdain

and, oftentimes contempt. These attitudes would easily

be discouraging to anyone who would wish to venture

out and properly investigate. One example would be in

physics. There are still mysteries in the realm of physics.

I do not know of orthodox scholars who would put

their careers on the line to consider venturing into

why we have a measurement problem? Everett’s interpretation

of physics was (at one point) not taken to be a serious

interpretation of quantum mechanics (QM). Today, to

some, it feels as though it might be the only sensible

interpretation. If money were no object, would the

study of black holes have

progressed more or less? Black holes are seen

as being a key to quantum gravity. Think of how many

criminals would be in prison.

Large banks got bailout and the heads of the banks

did not go where they

belong, in prison. Imagine

the quality of life without legalized bribery

in politics [e.g. corporate entities buying politicians

(in America)] (see Citizens

United vs USA

Supreme Court 2010)

In conclusion, one (obviously) has

no choice about where and when in

space-time he will live- ‘choice’ is limited. On

some deeper level “free will” is a whole different topic. This was

explored by John Rawls (see the Veil of Ignorance

for more). In essence philosophy allows for

investigations into status quo, ethics, technologies. We

need progression and we need

compassion, we need philosophy.