Thursday, January 22, 2009

UPDATED: Social Entropy

All systems in the universe approach a state of total chaos. In this vein of thinking, the very function of civilization is to keep the human species from dissolving into a state of chaos. Can you imagine what the world would be like with six billion people and no laws or social customs? In order to prevent this anarchistic state, a very small minority of people carve out the tenets of society through cultural customs, religion, and judicial processes. However, the actual execution of these rules has a two-fold effect.

The first effect of this social organization is that of bringing people together harmoniously. As examples, charity work and life-saving medical research, which may seem unrelated, are actually the offspring of well-intentioned individuals who were organized into a group and thus able to pool their efforts and maximize their effectiveness. This is the boon of ordered structures of social interactions. However, this positive effect is overshadowed by the dark side of organized society.

People collaborating their efforts in large groups with little control over one another can be a very fruitful experience. However, inevitably in all types of civilizations, which are truly crafted and controlled by a global ruling class, the common person follows social rules and examples for no better reason other than the fact that they exist. This sheep-like activity allows the ruling class to exploit and abuse the masses with little to no consequence.

The ruling classes of various countries have developed methods to quell any retribution for their self-serving behavior. For instance, in the United States, the “American Dream” is an indoctrination tool whereby people are told that if they work hard and apply themselves, they actually have a chance of becoming rich and prosperous and able to control their own destiny. Thus, generation after generation, the American working class plods along in unrewarding and degrading jobs, allowing the economic elites to ravage the country and economy. The working class allows this behavior of the ruling class because, in their ignorance, they believe that it is acceptable to desire and have those privileges for themselves once they rise through the ranks of society. In less-developed and smaller nations, such as certain countries in Africa, a military dictatorship is sufficient to allow a small group of people to exploit the citizens of the controlled nation.

A most poignant observation, upon accepting this view of human society, is that capitalism as it is practiced today belongs on the dark side of social entropy. The very idea of most of the wealth in a society being controlled by a minority of its members is categorically at odds with a morally justifiable view of the world, unless every member of the society has an equal opportunity to gain their share of said wealth. In order to allow every person an equal chance to gain a level of wealth that is proportionate to their contribution to society, several things must occur.

The first necessary change to society is the abandonment of categorizations for people. For instance, the idea of separating people by race, religion, nationality, physical attributes, mental ability, or any other similar factors must be overcome in our society. Until we no longer judge a person by any qualities that he or she cannot control, we cannot legitimately consider ourselves to be magnanimous.

The second necessary change is to end all inheritance of wealth in any form. The purpose of capitalism is to allow members of society to gain a share of wealth that is relative to their motivation and ingenuity. If we allow wealth to be passed down through generations, it negates the point of capitalism. Inheritance allows a person to gain wealth without making a proportionate contribution to society. In addition, all living people should be given equally strong motivation to strive for human progress. Any members of society who inherit wealth are arguably no longer motivated to make progressive achievements in any field of human endeavor, because they are no longer forced to earn their own living. How many important discoveries or inventions have been made by somebody who inherited a trust fund?

As soon as we implement these changes, societal progress will be boundless. The distribution of wealth in the world will become more just and discrimination will end. For the first time in human history, we could be proud to be members of the human race.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Lost in Lost

With the season 5 premier of the television show Lost, I figured I'd write a little bit about the show. I'm late to the draw when it comes to Lost. I only got into it within the last few months, which is about four and a half years after the show's premier. My cousins talked about how good it was right when it came out, but for whatever reason, I didn't start watching it. I do remember seeing a few of the initial season 3 episodes two summers ago though. The problem was that Lost has such complex story lines and character developments, that those episodes were so out of context that I didn't grasp much of it. Lost isn't a show like Seinfeld or Entourage where you can watch it whenever and easily enjoy and understand it.

Lost is one of the best television shows I have ever seen. It is extremely well written, well acted, and has amazing twists and turns. The cinematography is absolutely fantastic as well. The show is filmed in Hawaii, so whether you see shots of the jungle or the beach your eyes are having a party.

Now, the majority of the characters are great. There are a few characters who are annoying, but to my surprise they have had redeeming qualities. I love how the cast is not only diverse, but have a wide range of personalities and traits. I enjoy the power struggle between Jack and Locke, and also the tough guy antics of Sayid and Sawyer. The flashbacks chronicling the back stories are also extremely well done. I don't want to give much of any of the plots away, as this show is built on twists. It's an absolutely amazing show, one of the best in years, and I highly recommend it.

As I write this, I'm watching through the third season, trying to get up to date before the season 5 premier. I haven't disliked any of the seasons, and I'm throughrouly enjoying the third so far. I can't say enough good things about this show. I have to thank my friends, Matt, Nick, Ryan, Cindy, and Rita for getting me into this great show. Lost is amazing...and I'm "Lost" in it haha.