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Started from the bottom now we here (lemmy.ml)
submitted 6 months ago by to c/ManufacturingConsent@lemmy.ml
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[–] 4 points 6 months ago (1 child)

Isn’t there some optimization point where you grow your wealth and status throughout life, presumably using the machine of exploitation, then at some point begin “paying it back” through means such a charity, helping around your community, or (depending on how well you did) exerting industry or political influence for change?

I find it hard to believe opting out of the economy is the best way to foment change, especially when there are so many out there without any such scruples, happy to scoop up what you’d carve out for your ethical ideas.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago

    To answer your first question, that sounds to me like arrogance and selfishness. It shows a belief that you think you know better than others, and because of that you can put those resources to a better use than the people who were exploited would have. I think that that attitude is often harmful even in people who think they have good intentions.

    You should try to use your best judgement to decide how to best spend your resources, but you should not force those choices on others by taking their resources and redirecting them towards what you think is better.

    As for "opting out of the economy", I didn't advocate for that. To survive, a person has to interact with the economy as a worker and a consumer. However, a person does not have to interact with the economy as a shareholder.

    There is no ethical consumption under capitalism, but you must consume anyways. There is no ethical investing under capitalism, and you can choose to put your money elsewhere. That is the difference.

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