Why is Wealth Important? LO8296

Beatrice Tay (bea@moe.edu.sg)
Thu, 4 Jul 1996 14:03:43 +0800 (SGT)

Replying to LO8287 --

BEWARE!! novice dipping a toe in l-o ocean:

[Host's Note: Welcome Beatrice! C'mon in! The water's fine! ...Rick]

On Wed, 3 Jul 1996, Ben Compton wrote:
> > I understand the Chinese tradition held 'The mandate of heaven' moved.

The mandate of heaven was deemed to have moved whenever there was a
confluence of unbearable suffering inflicted by reigning emperor and
natural calamities. Perhaps the latter(rampaging dragons) was the more
noticeable because people were looking out for _A Sign_.

> I perceive that the "poor" need living models of success they can emulate.
> . .except that when I talk to many of my neighbors about
> personal growth, and about how they could creatively live their life and
> achieve their dreams I get a blank stare.

too esoteric - too far from their immediate concerns.
who was it who said that only the rich can live economically - the poor
can't afford to buy quality (costs more, but lasts) - only cheap stuff
which they have to replace often. after awhile, that becomes a mindset
that ensnares one's thinking - that's the cultural system which one is
sometimes so enmired in, one can't see beyond.

Speaking of systems of cultural ideation and stereotyping, here's a
raciist puzzle about selling crabs - no flames please - my extended
family is more multi-racial than most.

PUZZLE: Why do crab sellers cover the baskets of C-type crabs, while
those of B- and A-type crabs can be left open?
C-type crabs would quickly scramble out of the baskets to freedom.
B-type crabs are content to sit at the bottom of the basket.
A-type crabs would be too busy pulling down compatriots who get ahead
of them.

Actually, C-crabs have a historical memory of privation and are motivated
by fear of famine - very material preoccupation.
where I come from, what's happened is that B-type crabs have since been
infected by the materialist virus and become more like the C in behaviour.
B-crabs next door however are taking pains to remember that there are
other values apart from the material chase.
C-crabs have always believed is that one gets ahead through one's own
effort - no abstract dreams for those whose day-to-day concerns are
bread-and-butter survival issues.
Many in my generation grew up in financially impoverished homes. The
primary expectation their parents had of them was that they study hard -
that was seen as the way out, and children's responsibility was just to
study. No talk of greatness - just the working towards a better life
materially, and yes, with an astute government, many are much much better
off - except that many have not learnt to stop and reflect on what they
are on this earth for.

> But mankind has to come to know him/herself before we can make any
> noteworthy progress.

But as I've implied, oh, so difficult for most to even begin to think on
such things.
quote from Annie Savoy in the film _Bill Durham_
"The world is made for people who aren't cursed with self-awareness."
I'm one of the cursed and sometimes think it would be so much more
restful were I to think less and "see" less.

> leads me to believe there is some validity to Theory X, but the thought
> frightens me, as it gives credence to Plato's theory that society should
> be governed by a Philosopher King! And such a notion I cannot accept.

would a true philosopher presume to be so vain!!
other people see life and the world differently - why they live
differently - to understand is to first experience.
Unless I can get the faintest feel, how can I begin to understand what
they are about, their concerns, worries, difficulties... Have you had
people turn around and retort: "It's easy for you to say!"

so we talk, but no one listens
everyone goes on about their own agenda, but no one cares to understand.
people impute hidden motives on others and
the whole becomes like a power game - don't you advice because you despise?
and on it goes ... futility ... till someone pauses to listen
...and work together with.

<too long already<blush>>
Beatrice Tay
(born with silver spoon but whose uncle chose to work with the poor)
<LURK>

-- 

Beatrice Tay <bea@moe.edu.sg>

Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>