The poor have lost, for decades

I’ve never seen myself as a noble person, not even close. But as I’ve grown older, the feeling of emptiness and nihilism has grown deeper in my heart. I don’t think this is a problem unique to me. Please allow me to explain.

Considering the fact that I live in China, a country run by a communist party where people aspire to accumulate wealth, it is somewhat ironic.

Truly, the past decades of economic miracles have been driven by the acceptance of the idea of a “Free Market”. People who were under oppression and strict control of planned economies in decades were eager for an opportunity to live a better life. It may sound like a problem unique to China, but unfortunately, this problem is not only occurring in China.

But who’s to blame? That is a great question.

Some people argue that celebrities should be blamed, especially in China where they often represent the wealthy class, born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Their income can even make Hollywood celebrities blush. With little to contribute and such high payrolls, they are often the object of resentment.

However, I disagree. As someone has said, with higher responsibility comes higher pay. Sounds reversed? Never mind. The burden of being an Asian celebrity is the kind of stress no one wants to share. To be a celebrity, you have to be politically correct, behave elegantly, and play nice with each fan. Not to mention, you cannot do drugs, drink alcohol, or even get divorced. The misfortune of a failed marriage can do harsh damage to a “star.” Does it sound crazy? Not really. To live a life with houses and Lamborghinis, these are the extra conditions of their work contract.

Perhaps entrepreneurs should be blamed. Capitalism. Especially in a communist country. It is pure evil. Look at companies that produce high margins and share no responsibility. Aren’t they greedy? Do they even have a bottom line?

However, it doesn’t appear that way. Companies are an essential and integral part of a healthy society. The economy is driven by the production of tens of thousands of private businesses, both large and small. The competition and versatility brought by these businesses are crucial, which is why the free market always works. An invisible force balances society, and the government should act as the last defense and the catalyst for the people and organizations.

It’s easy to point fingers and assign blame, but the reality is that the issue of wealth inequality is complex and multi-faceted. It’s a problem that has been brewing for decades, and there are no easy solutions. Perhaps we need to take a step back and examine our values as a society. Do we truly value equality and fairness, or are we willing to accept the widening gap between the rich and poor as a necessary evil? These are difficult questions, but they are ones we must confront if we want to create a more just and equitable society.

Modern people are lost, in poverty, in lust and in the uncertain future.

The successful and beautiful history of the United States tells us that a country peaks in economic, civil happiness, and power when it advances in technology, has a healthy population, and a high-efficiency and incorruptible government. However, this is not currently the case for the United States, and it is also not the case for other countries.

The cruel fact is that sometimes the under-educated are the happiest. Modern education is intended to align people’s thoughts towards the true elites. However, the reason why elites are elites is because not everyone can become one. Not everyone can be a CEO, financially free, or become who they want to be.

When there was no Internet, people simply accepted their fate. Those who were not capable of becoming what they wanted to be usually lived the same lifestyle as their fathers for generations. With technological advances and increased productivity, people are constantly improving their lives. This doesn’t seem to be an issue. Even with Uncle Sam promoting the American dream, there is nothing that can worry an American dreamer every day.

With the rise of the internet, television, and social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok, things have changed. People are slowly realizing that it’s not just Bill Gates or the rich kid in their neighborhood living a better life than they are. There are a significant amount of people living better lives than them, and this realization, although they may not understand why, becomes a mystery to them.

Then, the education system shifted. Although the public school system still caters to the elites, they no longer focus on creating more. Their goal is for the next generation of poor people to only look up to the elites, but not become one themselves. They instill false realities into children’s minds and seal them. To me, this is where the tragedy begins.

I am surrounded by hard-working people who put in long hours from 10am to 10pm, without any respite. They use their hard-earned money to buy things like houses and cars, believing that these possessions will lead to a better life. Unfortunately, there are times when people become obsessed with these things.

They fail to understand how, what, and why these luxuries can make a difference in their lives. The false belief that owning better things leads to happiness is not going to change anything. And gradually, without the guidance of religion, or guidance of a healthy society, things started to lose control.

People resort to whatever methods necessary to complete tasks assigned by their leaders, driven by the pressure from higher-ups to increase productivity. This leads to even harsher oppression of society, resulting in nothing but dystopia. This is the reality of capitalism.

I am not a communist or Marxist, but I firmly believe that there is something wrong with the current approach. To me, the solution lies in educating people to rethink what the essence of happiness truly is. Years ago, I worked hard with the same mindset. However, now I am left with a tired and unhealthy body and I am getting older. Things need to change, worldwide.

I believe that religion can be one of the many answers that people turn to, along with science, to understand the mysteries of the spiritual world. However, consciousness and our ability to comprehend the unknown remain enigmatic phenomena that we have yet to fully understand.

People often suggest that others should step back and look at the bigger picture, assuming that this will solve their problems. However, this has never worked for me. People who are lost will not find their way simply by taking a step back. Following this kind of advice may cause someone to quit their job and become financially disabled. Instead, I believe the correct approach is to stay alert and rely on one’s own judgement.

This may sound philosophical, but I truly believe in the power of philosophy. However, it’s important not to overanalyze and lose sight of the meaning of life. While philosophy can be associated with depression, sometimes it’s beneficial to view things through a philosophical lens. It helps to filter out the noise and get to the essence of things.

My original intention in writing this is not to attack people or complain. Instead, I believe that humans have been following a strange path for several decades. Somehow, the advancement of technology has accelerated the pace of each cycle, driving us into the unknown. Although our lives have generally become safer and more comfortable, we have lost more and more of our humanity. If there is anything worth discussing, this should be it.

With my limited knowledge and understanding, this is the most effort I can make to awaken people and help them truly realize the world we live in. Let’s not be misled by false “wokeness.”

Instead, let’s believe in ourselves and strive for a brighter future.