Last night I watched a mainstream moving that set my mind in motion, and it dawned on me how many movies exist on the theme of finding ones self or seeking satisfaction beyond just financial achievement. While I tend to think of Hollywood as materialistic and very money orientated, it seems that there really are quite a few movies out there that encourage people to think about what actually matters in life and to head for a life that is fulfilling in ways other than success as society tends to see it.
So all of this swarmed through my head today as I trekked down to campus for a group meeting this morning. I had forgotten how dead downtown is even late on Sunday mornings. There are the occasional people out for breakfast, the photographers trying to get pictures of the city without many people, those headed to Saturday Market, and those that are headed for the churches that are located downtown. But in comparison to a weekday morning, downtown is pretty empty. And it made me think about how ironic that people come into the city to do their work or other business, but on days when they aren't required to do so--it seems that most people avoid the location of that part of their life.
Originally cities were created as a means of commerce, and it seems that continues to be the primary function of it today. Yet....what would things look like if commerce changed? What if society actually enabled people to not have to care about money....or allowed people not to have to work a job that they didn't enjoy? What if we could all find positions that actually benefited others as much as ourselves and brought fulfillment on more than one level? What if markets took into account externalities?
So I'm left with this thought....I wonder if everyone on this planet was asked what they'd truly like to do with their life.....what would their responses be?
2 comments:
I think Hollywood and the movie industry tap into our deepest dreams which is why we see the movies about people bucking the trend, going against the mainstream, etc. However, those movies are always perfect, there's rarely hardship (that isn't eventually smoothed out) and rarely permanent failure...
I hope for a day when commerce changes, but I also hope for a day when our "jobs" even if they bring fulfillment don't define us or our motivations.
Great thoughts and I can honestly say I've pondered over many of them for a long time.
have you read atlas shrugged by ayn rand ? Might give some insight for that train of thought.
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