In a capitalist world, it can be hard to remember this. But despite what you are pressured to think, your value as a person does not come through what material value you create for others.
In a capitalist world, it can be hard to remember this. But despite what you are pressured to think, your value as a person does not come through what material value you create for others.
In a non-capitalist environment, like living on a commune, you are still valued on your contribution to the community - fixing, building, planting, harvesting, cooking, cleaning, playing music, child care. Even without currency, you need to do something of value to others.
Unless you want to go live on your own. In that case you’re right - you determine your own value. Though I think you may still devalue yourself if you fail to provide for yourself.
But people who cannot do those things are not “valuelesss.” That is ableist and still informed by the Protestant Work Ethic. People can still have value even if they can’t do labour.
People do work in non-capitalist situations for the betterment of the community. The value is not measured by metrics, but by how fulfilled people feel by it.
They probably don’t care, they just said the quiet part out loud - society, and many in it, simply see us (disabled people) as having no value whatsoever and as being nothing but a burden.
A perfect example of why fighting the class war without also fighting all the other oppression capitalism relies on (ableism, racism, sexism, and so on) will never gain equity and equality for all, but only for those already more privileged than others.
That’s a bit of an uncharitable assessment considering they’re just stating how things operate now.
We don’t have post-scarcity yet (even if we could somewhat) and neither do we have survival lifestyle where strength-in-numbers means practically anyone will boost survival of the group as has happened in the past (see healed fractures in ancient bones). Plus land ownership/availability and resources are much different, money and process tangle everything now.
Particularly in USA, it also doesn’t help that preventable/treatable health issues are such a big problem (also public transportation, zoning, wages/benefits, law, lack of socialization, and 100 other issues combining together), leaving people behind to suffer.
Just FYI, I agree that materialist value is not the only value to look for in other people, but “The value is not measured by metrics” doesn’t make sense because metrics are by definition measured.
I’m saying it isn’t measured quantitatively.
While you’re correct, we still need to reevaluate what counts as “value” and how value is quantified. Art is valuable, humor is valuable, empathy is valuable; but these things are generally compensated at a low rate in free market capitalism.
The “capitalism” part of that is the problem. What puts the most resources into the control of the ownership class gets compensated the most (and even then, horribly unfairly). Free markets are fine. Concentration of resources to the ownership class is not.
What does an infant contribute? How about a paralyzed person? How about a developmentally disabled individual? What is the value of an elderly, dementia-stricken grandparent?
An infant contributes nuclear family stability and inspires extra strength from both parents - nesting instincts and other achievements. Most people who can walk are capable of basic labor like irrigation, digging, carrying or delivering items. The elderly contribute wisdom, though with dimentia, they can’t do much of that. They’ve already contributed a great deal in their lifetime, and if they haven’t, they probably won’t be taken care of.
So what is your solution for the paralyzed, the crippled, and the terminally ill? Are they a drain on the system, better off put down like animals?
The OP was seemingly complaining that capitalism can make an individual feel worthless, and they were reminding readers not to value their worth by what they’re compensated for. I suggested that regardless of compensation or societal system, they will feel valued and worthy by helping others. Some people, like those you’ve mentioned, will not feel valued. They will likely have mental health issues like depression accompanying their condition. Thus, it will be important for those who love them to make them feel valued some way.
You’re taking my words way to far to suggest that I am in favor of any kind of society lacking compassion.
Anyway, I think if people who don’t earn a lot of money are struggling to feel valuable or useful, they should focus on helping others. Many studies have shown this to be one of the easiest ingredients to happiness.
I apologize for having misconstrued your meaning. In this day and age, where people legitimately argue in favor of such things, it can be hard to tell. I agree with your intention as you explain it.