Ancestors

Written by Brian Davis on 2025-01-06 at 21:31

I went for a run and had time to think.

There is a cancer at the root of many problems in American culture that I call the extractive mindset. It's often couched in terms of maximizing value, but it boils down to "what's in it for me?" I see it crop up in everything from public land use policy to relationship advice. Infrastructure spending to education priorities. Parenting philosophy to investment strategy. "How can I benefit the most from this interaction, situation, resource, or relationship?" It is destroying our society, our planet, and us as individuals.

The antidote is not asceticism. The answer is stewardship.

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Toot

Written by Brian Davis on 2025-01-06 at 21:40

The extractive mindset considers the self an isolated system, separate from the world and looks for resources to extract, to move those resources from the system of the world to the self. It is inherently zero-sum and non-sustainable. Stewards recognize that there are no truly independent systems. All things are interconnected. When I improve one system, all others, including myself, benefits.

I consider it a major step in my journey when I felt the truth of "you get out what you put in", in regards to an educational experience, a job, and a relationship. But this principle is widely applicable, to a nearly universal degree.

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Descendants

Written by Brian Davis on 2025-01-06 at 21:46

That's not to say we shouldn't be discriminate about where we focus our personal energy and resources. We're finite and must necessarily be wise about it. But the shift in mindset from "What can I extract?" to "How can I invest?" is what's needed.

It's tempting, when I see the wealthy and powerful, through greed, engage in destructive behaviors, to want to disengage, take what I can and get out. But this is a false choice. We're all here in this together, and there's no where to "get out" to. The choice is only between, "try to make it better" or "make it worse."

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Written by Duane Johnson :verified: on 2025-01-07 at 04:50

@intrepidhero These thoughts are so insightful, thank you.

Perhaps related: someone once asked me how I deal with the fact that I will die one day. (Based on some Buddhist philosophy,) I said that if I'm doing it right, as I get older, the sense of "me" will grow into and include my children, and my extended family, and my community, until it doesn't seem like such a loss when one part of "me"--this body--is no longer.

I still believe that. It is very reassuring, in an honest sort of way, to consider the reality that the inner separation and outer separation is a sort of illusion.

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