By now, I am sure people will
have experienced this type of conversation:
Person A: We have severe economic
and social problems going on. We need to do something!
Person B: It's not that bad.
Person A: Yes it is! Millions are
in poverty, we get no vacation time, and a whole bunch of other things.
Person B: Hey, at least we're not
[insert country people tend to portray negatively]. Be grateful for what you
have, because people over there have it much worse.
This has got to be on of the
saddest kinds of current phenomena.
Are you facing financial troubles?
Hey, it could be worse; you could be in the Third World and not have anything
but minimum clothing on your back. You're worried about the behavior of your
leaders and the wealthy and powerful people in your society? Hey, at least
they're not a dictator, rounding up people into camps and killing
them!
So, essentially, our standards
for progress consist of simply making sure that we are not the absolute worst we could
possibly be.
This is status quo Stockholm Syndrome at its finest. Not only is this type of mentality unbelievably cynical
and unhealthy, it's incredibly dangerous.
I wonder just how much longer it
will be until the time comes where people decide that there's no need to be a
good person, because simply being just above a complete monster will suffice as
an incredible achievement that few people can reach.
Other people being worse or
having more difficulties is not a valid reason to pat yourself on the back for
being a better person or for not dealing with your problems; it's a pathetic
sign of you being too afraid or unwilling to grow up.
It's like Malcolm X once said:
"You don't stick a knife into a man's back nine inches, and then pull it out three inches, and say 'See? We're making progress!'"
This applies on the scale of all
of humanity as well. "Lesser evil" will not help us face the
challenges that are coming. We either grow up and thus recognize that
"lesser evil" still puts us in the shithole and we must work for the
best state of things possible, or we die. Period.
