Why are we taught the point of life is greed and status?

[Lost Magic]

Now I know that people do charitable deeds (and that is noble) but it seems to me that greed and status is deemed successful and good. So if we are not able to compete in this rat race then are we considered bad and failed? Could you imagine how much better this world would be if we were all conditioned to collectively build communities and strive to help one another? Instead, a lot of badly taught humans: hoard wealth, start wars and riots, gut safety nets, pollute the planet, divide people, don't pay taxes, all with shit eating grins on their smug faces. No wonder everything is fucked. There is too much evil going on and they are doing it more and more in plain site. Wankers!!!!!

 

[Euthanza]

Life is indeed absurd and irrational.

 

[Darkover]

the rules of this world weren't chosen by everyone but a handful of people

 

[Tmbass]

Always baffled me how people deem us the apex of evolution. we took stone and made houses, created cars, the internet and ice cream and that means we're so superior. If the point of any species is to survive, then why are we the only ones to actively be the cause of our own destruction? The dinosaurs roamed for millions of years, modern man who created civilisation won't even make it to one million. You're right. The traits and ideals a lot of people have, run us into the ground and it seems to go against every logical strategy for a species to just survive.

 

[wljourney]

Because if everyone aims for the same, it makes that "same" even more valuable.

It's in the very interest of people who already have wealth and are in positions to assign status to hold on to the status quo.

Self preservation of the rich and powerful.

 

[Superdeterminist]

Is it learned, or innate? Either way, a lot of suffering comes out of it. Those who enjoy high wealth and status no doubt enjoy their positions, so there's some joy for a few people as well. But overall more people are hurt than are harmed I think.

Everyone wants to be 'on top' but only a few are. The whole game is pretty pathetic when you think about it . I would rather not exist than worry or think about it. While I'm living I unfortunately care too much. I am just too bothered by having less than my neighbour, to ignore it.

 

[whatevs]

Because that is the path of least resistance. We all understand that it isn´t optimal and that certainly it leads to an awful, likely unsustainable society, but the easiest way to secure your place in the world is to take from others all that you can, but doing it cunningly enough so that you aren´t deemed a criminal.

 

[hankbank3928]

You're so right, greed and status are what people strive for. Our society is sick.

 

[tilsleepcomes]

Witnessing how sick our western pinnacle of civilization is actually pushes me to want to OPT OUT of it all and CTB.

Destroying ourselves, and other less fortunate people around the world even harder, makes me want to not be part of this world.

 

[HopefulButPrepared]

Now I know that people do charitable deeds (and that is noble) but it seems to me that greed and status is deemed successful and good. So if we are not able to compete in this rat race then are we considered bad and failed? Could you imagine how much better this world would be if we were all conditioned to collectively build communities and strive to help one another? Instead, a lot of badly taught humans: hoard wealth, start wars and riots, gut safety nets, pollute the planet, divide people, don't pay taxes, all with shit eating grins on their smug faces. No wonder everything is fucked. There is too much evil going on and they are doing it more and more in plain site. Wankers!!!!!

personal gain for yourself and your family is the most powerful drive that exists - that drive has improved the world so unbelievably over the last 1000 years, I don't think it should be looked down upon - but I agree, once you have security for yourself and your family, the next thing to do is help others - THAT'S the climax of personal success, or should be

 

[Sprite_Geist]

The greed for money is partly what drives the current economic system; social status, and the potential to upgrade it, is an incentive to participate in this said system.

If no one took on jobs working for entities, such as large businesses, then nobody would earn the money required to purchase resources necessary for their own survival; these resources which are monopolized, and sold by the same businesses that people work for in the first place.

Those who are at the top of the social hierarchy are unable to obtain luxuries without the labour produced by you, and you are unable to live without basic necessities earned by running in their hamster wheel. There is a reason why this system is sometimes referred to as a "rat race".