The profit flaw

inherently within the idea of profit is inequality... that one person can give their energy.... and receive less back in exchange for it... thus the surplus is given to someone else - they are thus receiving more energy than they are giving.... thus perpetuating their power to do so.

I am not saying that those with great ideas or specials skills shouldn't be compensated....hmmm I'll have to think more on this one.

A walking dollar abroad....

I don't want to buy things, in that I don't need things, i prefer experiences. If certain things can enhance my experience then perhaps I might be inclined to, but as experience is within, that would be quite rare.
In general, overconsumption is one of the largest plagues in modern times - a distraction from ourselves, our connectedness, along with a misuse of our spent energy (often doing something we don't like) - while depleting the earth's resources and often through unequal strategies and practices.

My Chilean friend, whom I met wandering around Vietnam by myself and looking at various intrigues along the streets.... a fellow young traveler, gorgeous, open-minded, and exciting. He said we should spend money here because the people are so poor.

In many senses, I agree - as it is a redistribution of the wealth - they work harder and for less, and we reap the benefits in our world, as the exploitation often returns back to the power source whether through governments or corporations or the IMF. I don't mean we reap the benefits only in that we get to buy some cheap things abroad.

Is it thus my duty and responsibility as a being in this world who's position automatically enables me to so easily reap the energy of those in different positions... born or granted?
Perhaps instead, I can focus my energy dual-fold - giving back, but not through the purchase and consumption of said goods which burden me with "things" but through spending my energy working to decrease the inequalities, and changing in any way possible the root cause - the energy system of the world - of give and take and power.

Perhaps then, I can give them money - however, that in the larger sense promotes laziness and dependency - a reward for doing something positive in their lives - change - or an incentive to make positive changes would make more sense.

The balance is hard to find - how do I properly give energy back that I have been given without a cost? Do I give them my time... my smiles... my positivity.... my listening... will they value that?

What is Selling Out?

selling out.... what does it mean?

I realized a couple of months ago that part of my definition of "selling out" was making money - and my immediate reaction was how silly that was. Then it spurred me to wonder what i want my definition to be.

I think a better definition would be:

Spending energy/time on an activity that inherently goes against your values - only with the object of money.

For example, I struggle with the knowledge that doing any promotional jobs (handing out free product samples) for $25/hour, is essentially selling out under that definition because I am spending energy perpetuating the consumer culture.
Or am I educating consumers and giving them options?
Perhaps I am enabling them to try out a product so they have experience not just advertisements to go on?
Doesn't everyone like free products?

So perhaps it depends on the angle. Tricky.

Perhaps then it's all about the benefits and costs and must be applied on a case-by-case basis.

Am i supporting Coca Cola, a horrible company, by having them pay me $20/hour to promote Fuze - their natural vitamin drink?