The concept of the “big break” pervades our society. It is what the lottery system thrives on – just one inexpensive ticket and you will receive Nirvana (1) forever. It doesn’t happen quite this way, does it? The post-Millennial generation, more than ever, however, is addicted to the “big break theory,” to use my terminology. We see it in the instantaneous superstars, the successful bloggers, and the, so-called, influencers. They seem to have achieved success effortlessly. This is a generation that has seen this illusion thrust upon it, but it can’t be so. (2) It is a false and misleading perception.
Be different, be yourself
What happens when you are unconventional? You become different: you step into a world that is distinct from your confreres. Now, this presents a wide kaleidoscope. This uniqueness can extend from acts of criminality to simply wearing unorthodox clothes or dying your hair green.
Our capacity to think
A person sits in a curious position in the current era. We know that the end of civilization is upon us, or at least that is what we are told. Environmental collapse, social implosion, and runaway terrorism are the bedfellows of modernity. In fact, there are two militants hiding under my desk as we speak. All of this is, of course, pure and utter nonsense. Not that the world is not in dire straits: it is! We have arrived at the “biosphere emergency room.”
The simplicity of life
The other day, I bought a new vacuum cleaner. The box was inordinately large for such a small item. Trying to do my duty as a good citizen of the earth, I asked if I could leave the packaging behind. “No,” I was quickly admonished. “What if you have to bring it back: what about the warranty?” There are logical flaws in this line of thinking. Firstly, I don’t want this much cardboard to clutter up my personal recycling system. Secondly, do they not make a product that is good enough to withstand failure? Should their product, it is only a vacuum after all, not be of such quality that it can withstand collapse for a year?
The alienation of having a job
The other day, I watched a group of disheveled and obviously disgruntled construction workers performing their perfunctory tasks: their efforts were without ambition or, could one say, love. Should not our endeavors be stimulating and enjoyable? The answer from the vast herds of humanity is, “no!” This led me to reflect on the idea of work. What is a job and what does it entail? A job, essentially, is a contract between two individuals; a business may be one of these entities: in the United States, for example, a company is considered a person. (1) This, unfortunately, is a relationship that many people do not want, once they realize the truth.