All symptoms of living in a broken society. Prices keep going up because the parasitic regulators drive prices up. Our regulatory agencies no longer exist to serve and protect us, but instead to advance their own careers and financial status at our expense. The number of new regulations on the meat industry is incredible and cuts into farmer's profit, forcing them to raise the price just to stay afloat and prevent bankruptcy. Similar regulations drive the cost of fuel and energy up. That is why there are so many people making 6 figures per year living paycheck to paycheck without any partying. They have no money to invest or party with, but only enough money to feed themselves and pay their taxes. I get late Roman Empire vibes more and more about our current civilization in the west. Either it improves and its governments start serving the people, or it will siphon off so much energy and resources from ordinary people and stifle so much innovation that it collapses under its own weight.
Unfortunately, the more I learn about history of different civilizations, the more I think elitist feudalism is the default state, thanks to something called "social parasites." Capitalism is great because it allows innovation, and I think true capitalism is something to strive toward, but unfortunately, I am realizing more and more that true capitalism is impossible. So is true communism, which in my view is inferior to capitalism because it does not reward innovation the same way capitalism does. Instead, feudalism is what we inevitably end up with.
The strongest part for me is the distinction between irresponsibility and “the weird math of being alive right now.”
The piece shows how money can disappear not through drama, but through ordinary life asking for it in too many small places...
Man that is so true! Its like a juggling game to stay above water. Especially on a fixed income. Good article.
“Money lands in your account looking like freedom. Then, within a few days, it turns into upkeep.”
That shift felt painfully accurate.
Not really about money alone, but about how quickly life turns possibility into maintenance.
All symptoms of living in a broken society. Prices keep going up because the parasitic regulators drive prices up. Our regulatory agencies no longer exist to serve and protect us, but instead to advance their own careers and financial status at our expense. The number of new regulations on the meat industry is incredible and cuts into farmer's profit, forcing them to raise the price just to stay afloat and prevent bankruptcy. Similar regulations drive the cost of fuel and energy up. That is why there are so many people making 6 figures per year living paycheck to paycheck without any partying. They have no money to invest or party with, but only enough money to feed themselves and pay their taxes. I get late Roman Empire vibes more and more about our current civilization in the west. Either it improves and its governments start serving the people, or it will siphon off so much energy and resources from ordinary people and stifle so much innovation that it collapses under its own weight.
Unfortunately, the more I learn about history of different civilizations, the more I think elitist feudalism is the default state, thanks to something called "social parasites." Capitalism is great because it allows innovation, and I think true capitalism is something to strive toward, but unfortunately, I am realizing more and more that true capitalism is impossible. So is true communism, which in my view is inferior to capitalism because it does not reward innovation the same way capitalism does. Instead, feudalism is what we inevitably end up with.