The Machine That Is Greed

Concerning the recent financial meltdown, who are we to blame? Of course we must blame somebody or at least something. And how could we not? Isn't this one of humanity's most cherished and, dare I say, obligatory pastimes?

How about blaming “greedy” executives? O.K. Now we seem to be getting somewhere. But deep down I can't help but think much of their greed is motivated and fed by a collective greed which includes, I am afraid, all of us.

What presumably would be the primary motivation for these upper echelons we so readily pin the blame on to engage in “greedy” practices? To maintain their jobs. And what would be the most fundamental criteria by which to “grade”, say, a money manager? His or her character? Integrity? Attractiveness? Alma Mater? Intelligence? Political philosophy? Sense of humor? Favorite professional football team? Religion? Sex? Sexual orientation? Not likely!

The only thing the majority of us gives a damn about in this case is his or her ability to produce return on our investment. Why? Because we like money! And why would we not? Money is good! It is the love of it that is a sin, supposedly. But where does this “love of money” begin? It is just like “greed”. It brooks no discrete, definable answer! Needless to say, if not for “fat” returns, we would all too happily withdraw our money and put it in the hands of somebody more capable, or should I say “greedy”.

Before one blames “greedy” executives for the ills of the economy, I feel compelled to ask this: would you willingly accept an 8% return on investment if you could easily obtain a 10% return on investment given the same (purported) level of risk? If you say yes, you are either in the minority or a pathetic liar.

So the fact that the typical person would promptly take his money elsewhere will likely encourage money managers, greedy or not, to “push the envelope” so as to increase returns to the max and make their customers happy. I say greedy or not because, obviously, for the sake of remaining competitive, would not a money manager be almost obligated to play by similar standards lest he be run out of business?

And so ensues an “arms race”, in turn seducing money managers to take ever riskier chances to compete with “the guy next door”. Then, KABOOM! An explosion of biblical proportions splatters, ahem, shrapnel of the stinkiest kind all over everybody! The proverbial shit hits the fan!

Who will we blame? Whoever is caught with their pants down.

With this in mind, I often wonder how many of us might be at least as “greedy” as the ones caught naked? Perhaps the shit has not hit our fan just yet.

Who among us might be at least as greedy? How are we to know? Therefore, do not judge lest ye be judged!

The Ultimate Scapegoat?

In my opinion, the idea of Satan is contrived to explain the many problems of the world beyond our control and, more importantly, to diffuse blame for humanity's problem. What problem? I suggest the fundamental “problem” with humanity is EGO. Each of us has one and it is just something we have to accept and, dare I say, appreciate. It is a “gift” we have as a result of our self-awareness.

When one is conscious, it is apparent the ego is nothing more than the animal instinct within each of us hell-bent on competing, dominating, feeling superior, prettier, wealthier, better, smarter, wiser, more right(eous), etc. And this is fine. After all, this drive enables us to travel along the “frontier of progress” like no other animal ever has. At least here on Earth! But as such, we are aware beings capable of seeing the havoc this type of egoistic behavior commonly leaves in its wake. Just look around the world and see the corruption and disharmony throughout.

The ego needs to see things as absolute in order to feel right at the expense of others who are wrong and it unconsciously wants enemies because it helps the ego feel good or at least better about itself. For example, wars are only ever fought because each side believes it has the truth or moral imperative. “God and His principles are on our side!” it is often declared. But if there is an absolute way to look at God and His principles, why do we not all reach the same conclusion(s) about God and His principles? If He is there but fails to make it perfectly clear who is right, why would I or should I feel compelled to believe He is good? Each competing side believes God and principles are with it and, as such, I find it difficult to demonize the “incorrect” side if it honestly believes it is right.

Furthermore, depending on the perspective embraced, there is no absolute method to evaluate who is right and who is wrong anyway. Therefore, it doesn't matter to me whether one side is correct and the other incorrect, whatever that might mean. As long as each side believes it's correct, I can not label one righteous and the other evil. When one is conscious, this is readily apparent.

The way I see it, one can only do evil if he consciously recognizes it as such. If an unconscious person does something evil, the worst I can say about him is that he is unconscious. The problem I have with labeling him “evil” or in any other negative way is that it will only serve to aggravate him thereby creating more conflict and disharmony. The problem is not that he is evil per se, it is that he is unconscious. Evil is simply a manifestation of unconsciousness.

The idea of Satan is among other things simply a by-product of competing egos unconsciously proclaiming their righteousness by demonizing others simply because they disagree.