I hear these comments for not wanting to help people, and it feels like we’re worshipping individuality to the detriment of community, which is necessary for survival.

  • “I don’t want my money going to ___ .”
  • “This is not a democracy, it’s a constitutional republic!”
  • “You don’t have any freedoms under socialism/communism.”
  • “They’re just looking for a handout because they’re lazy.”
  • “I’m a self-made man. I didn’t need anyone’s help.”
  • “Empathy is not a virtue.”
  • “I don’t see how that’s my problem.”
  • umbrellacloud@leminal.space
    5·
    19 hours ago

    OK instead of looking at it that way, think about how you feel about other people and what other people mean to you.

    If someone new is born, does that mean you have a new resource, or a new competition for resources?

    Back in the day, a new person meant a extra pair of hands, not just another mouth to feed.

    If I died tomorrow, would you care in any material way? I’m not talking about your subjective, passing emotions, I’m talking about if you would feel my loss materially. Would anything be different about your life?

    • fruitycoder@sh.itjust.works
      1·
      7 hours ago

      I would. Even just the comment you left here impact my world in a positive way. You probally work too (visable or invisible labor). Your existence, your voice creates space for others.

      But that is in sharp contrast to have been told people are just wicked and evil all day and that people just take from the deserving and give nothing back.

      • umbrellacloud@leminal.space
        1·
        4 hours ago

        I actually do work in a field which benefits others.

        I was able to work full time because so many people in my industry quit or died during covid. I probably wouldn’t have a steady paycheck if it weren’t for the deaths of thousands of people. I just couldn’t get my foot in the door. This goes for all industires. The job market has been terrible and way too competitive for my entire adult life. For me to own a home, thousands more would need to also die. Please do not retaliate against me for informing you of this. It’s not my fault, my doing, or my preference.

        There aren’t enough housing units to accomodate the population, and for this to change, some people are going to have to either reliquish their property or build more properties. I didn’t set it up this way and me pointing it out doesn’t mean I’m evil or that I want it to be like this.