>>
>> So the only thing I find really hard isnt really having to compete
>> with other people at work, but rather having to compete in society with the
>> increasing number of those that dont have kids, work too much, have lots of
>> money to spend and developed this dangerous
>>
>> *who-cares-Ill-not-be-here-anyway-when-the-whole-thing-blows up* mentality.
>>
>> Now that *is* hard, I tell you!
>>
>> Adelaide
>
>I wish we lived in a more cooperative, rather than competitive society.
>I hope you are not suggesting that only people with children can and do
>care about the earth. My experience is quite different from yours and
>Jaynes. I don't believe that you do not need to have children of your own to
>care for and help with the rearing of the next generation. In fact,
>denial of your own "selfish genes" through adoption and caring for
>relatives and neighbors may provide for a more diverse and deeply
>connected community. I think the popular age of the "nuclear family" is
>over (if it ever existed in the first place). I think most feminists agree
>that the "nuclear family", isolated and confined to gender-oriented
>division of labor doesn't generally work in women's or communities' favor.
>I wish we had a world in which children didn't rely strickly on siblings
>for playmates, but were friendly with children of many different ethnic
>and cultural backgrounds. Sometimes children can even bring adults
>together. Wouldn't it be wonderful if instead of parents feeling that
>they were alone in caring about their children, we considered children to
>belong to their community as a whole and cared for by all the adults?
>Not only would parents feel more connected to other adults, but people
>who are childless (either by choice, medical infertility, or because of
>sexual orientation) could share in the learning experience of being a
>parent.
>Also- if increasing number of people are not having kids, then perhaps
>your kids will not have to compete as hard as you.
>Regards,
>Michelle
I agree with you Michelle. In order to avoid a competetive society and
have a cooperatively based one I believe we need to look at the philosophy
of Ghandi. Non-violence is essential. Non-aquistiveness (my spelling is
bad it should mean to not want to aquire things). And to live a simple
life. I would just add to Ghandi's list the Buddist philosophy - the
belief that the most happiness you can find is by working to make others
happy, and you can't be happy any other way. Basically this goes against
what our societies are based on. Competition and consumerism. I guess
also that this idea would be anti-American. A bit reds under the beds. If
no one replies I'll know youre all too scared. :)
Respectfully,
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Interesting: Your people glorified organised violence for 40 centuries,
but you imprison those who employ it privately."
Mr Spock. Star Trek 'Dagger of the Mind'
