Posted by: chupacabra
I just disagree with the idea that obsession of wealth and power is a defining part of our culture. I believe it is a symptom of our success. It is only a select few sociopaths within our culture that are actually pursuing either, so how can that define the other 99.9% of us? It is the opposite of what most of us teach our children. Corruption and greed show up in all cultures and especially once we live in large enough communities that the ruling class can live separate lives so they don't have to face the consequences of their actions. In a lot of ways we have improved how we treat the environment in our lifetimes. That is why oil and mining companies would rather do business outside of our borders in places where they can get away with more.
In a nutshell I think we live with Western guilt that doesn't allow us to see how far we have come and identify our strengths. We can recognize the people we stepped on along the way while also accepting that we now have a responsibility to lead all of humanity into a better future whether it is standing up to dictators or moving mountains to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. I feel like there is a perception on the left that the west needs to step aside, but I think we need to step up and make up for the damage we have caused.
Obsession with wealth and power doesn't have to happen on a grand scale, it affects day to day lives of all the little people too. How often are mobile phones, computers, tv's etc replaced? How often are our purchasing choices influenced by looking like one of the cool kids? It may not be what our children are taught, but we are constantly bombarded by the messaging of needing to have the cool things. Western society has positives, but at it's core Western society is still about exploitation - of people and the planet. That needs to change in a hurry, and if we don't do it willingly then it will be forced upon us by the planet herself.
