What is the underlying motivation ?

motivate /ˈməʊtɪveɪt/

verb

1. 1. provide (someone) with a reason for doing something. "he was primarily motivated by the desire for profit"

Hmmm, it seems that definitions are often a good place to start. The above was what was returned in a google search. The example usage of the word is coincidental and telling.

Alan Watts, in the video above points out the way our lives are directed towards an outcome.

I first saw that video quite a few years ago and to be honest it invoked an emotional reaction in me. It nearly brought me to tears to have such a clear picture painted of what was really happening to humanity by way of the system we have put in place. Again it isn't mysterious or subtle, it is clear and obvious in fact, if we want to look. His video does that, shows us and for a moment draws our focus toward the reality.

For me, and I think for the majority of us it is something that we already know. So if we can accept what is being shown to us and if we inherently know that it has at least some degree of truth, then why do we just roll with it ? Worth noting too is that Alan Watts was born in 1915 and died in 1973, so the insight he provided has been available for a long time.

There is an underlying issue within the human system we have created. In an earlier blog I pointed out that there was a natural system in place before humanity arrived in the picture. It, as its motivator has only the act of life expression as a consideration. That sadly is not included in mankind's system. (refer to my blog "How much of you do you own").

Instead we support a way of life that directs us towards "success", implying that we are not able to make anything meaningful of ourselves without satisfying the bench marks of our system. But what are those benchmarks ?

Success Concept

Description Success is the state or condition of meeting a defined range of expectations. It may be viewed as the opposite of failure.

The above comes from wikepedia, and once again it is telling.

So our "defined range" of expectations are what ?

When I look I notice that more often than not, we are expected to succeed materially. Our income, our social status, our education, our popularity, our appearance and our desire to "fit" the template.

If our motivation is "success" and success is defined as above, where is the inclusion of time for Alan Watts "dance" ? Sadly we relinquish it, but why ? Why, even though we acknowledge and see the issue, do we let it be ?

Within the system we choose are so many examples of a pattern of exclusion of basic human needs. Machines put humans out of work, algorithms replace human thinking, productivity replaces compassion. The pressure on our limited natural resources is another equally important issue as disposable replaces permanent . All in support of the business balance sheet and economic growth.

So in effect we have knowingly and purposefully replaced our own innate need to express our lives by the artificial need to uphold the system that is destroying humanity. We are now in a situation where we are so ensconced in our flawed creation that we feel powerless to change things. Our identities, our businesses, our status, our investment and therefore our survival relies on us holding up the very thing that is crushing us. We simply can't keep carrying it. It has become too heavy (and keeps getting heavier), too demanding and too destructive and unless we acknowledge that we are trapped.

At the core of all this is the simple truth that our motivation is the flaw.

We can change that, after all, we created what we are now facing.

The problem is in how we rebuild human society when we can't seperate ourselves from what we already have.

Clearly we can't just tear thing down, we unfortunately are too reliant and indentured in what we have. But we can start to build alternatives. A bit at a time.

The flawed system we have can only exist if we keep buying into it. It is reliant on our input and our focus on the "defined range of expectations" we spoke about.

Can we start to redefine them as individuals. If we use human life expression as a primary motivator and include business only to the point where we need to and where possible it would start a change.

How to do that ?

Simply as I previously mentioned we, the end user, the consumers hold up the system. Our devotion and support towards it is vital.

It needs to start where the consumer makes the difference then. Where we shop, what we buy and how we shop, what we chose for recreation are all things we as individuals can control and change and they are things that do not require huge shifts in lifestyle.

How do you feel about the additives in your food ? How do you feel about the the control and influence that big businesses and duopolies have ? What about costs and negative environmental impact of transport logistics ? Social media ? Do we like our democratic system of weighted votes and preferences ? The mountains of rubbish that we choose to allow ?

Those are things that rely on our support, if we stepped back collectively and refused to buy into whats on offer it would instigate change. No doubt there would be a response.

Along with stepping back, opportunities for alternatives would be created. Imagine a world with no giant supermarkets, hardware chains or superstores. Small business would flourish. Locally owned, personalised, where decisions based on what the consumer wanted would be the main consideration. They would succeed by listening to and caring for the human aspect of trading. The consumer would regain relevance and influence where as the current system allows the mega-business to control the consumer. We could change that.

We have models in place already. There are examples of communities that thrive without the attachment to the man-made system. Some are based on religion, but the model is sound regardless of spiritual belief. The focus is on a community that works and provides for one another while reducing or eliminating the inclusion of unnatural interventions. Could we have a global community that focused on those ideals ?

Shop locally, as much as possible support the human aspect, the little guy, not the business entity. Re-humanise your choices. If you want healthy natural food, buy organic, locally grown where possible, of course the cost is an issue, but that will change with the attitude of the consumer as demand grows over time. Little steps.

Turn off notifications on your social media apps. Avoid clicking on anything that connects to or promotes negative images or videos that try to induce impulse buying of things you don't need. Your news feed will change in response. The algorithms will react. Do click on and share positive uplifting formats, imagine a world where that is all there is and then create it in your own online viewing. You can do that, no one can stop you, it costs nothing. Watch the Netflix documentary "The Social Dilemma". Make it important, it does matter.

Work from home if you can or for small businesses. We have proved that it is possible to do that. We would not have made that as a choice under different circumstances, which just shows that we are capable of changing the way things are if our motivation is strong enough and our thinking changes. Don't look to go back to the way we were, look to find better ways.

Invest in humanity not economics. Look for ideas, businesses, alternatives that put the people at the top of their agenda and most importantly that work with the natural system. Anything that is destructive or damaging to it is not in the interest of human growth or survival, remember humanity and nature are part of the same system. Grow that, don't undermine it.

To start to implement a changed thinking will make you a black sheep. You will think its too hard, too big a problem. It may be uncomfortable at times to be that, but it is unavoidable, somewhere along the line people need to step out from under the shadows. It is clear at this point in time that changes are not only desirable but necessary.

Change your motivation, make it matter more than money as much as you can. Not everyone is in a position to do that right now, but everyone can shift the focus, be outspoken about what matters and the need for change. Motivate others. Start to imagine how things could be, no matter how far off that might seem.

Your thinking is what matters the most, it is the starting point and the catalyst for change.

Imagine it, think about it, want it to change, be motivated.