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An Aristocratic Future

15 Apr ’10 7 Comments Written by Juliet Bennett

‘If a single phrase could encapsulate society in 2015 it would be “more difference and starker differences”.

Those differences will be between individuals and households: those with high skill levels and those without; those with property-related inherited wealth and those without; those who are fit and healthy and those who are not; those in traditional households and those who are not.

There will be differences between communities: those that are ethnically mixed and those that aren’t; those with access to employment opportunities that match the new global economy and those without; those that are casualties of environmental pressures and those successfully responding to them.’

Phil Swann in The Guardian, Wednesday 10 May 2006

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2006/may/10/guardiansocietysupplement.localgovernment1


It’s crazy to imagine the growth and speed of life continuing at this increasingly exponential pace. If Sydney prices keep rising as they are, which they probably will if the population continues to increase as it’s supposed to, then soon young people will NEVER be able to buy into the market. That means you either inherit property, or you rent for life. And I guess the more people who want to rent, the high the rents will be. And if income separation continues it we will simply see greater and greater division between the haves and the have-nots, even within our own society. Either your born wealthy, or you’re not. I’m not so up on the political lingo but isn’t that an aristocracy?

I guess one response to this would be to freak out, try to earn as much money as possible, and buy into the market while we still have a chance – “secure” a future for ourselves and our children. But then again, what happened to the aristocracies of the past? Doesn’t aristocracy lead to revolutions of proletarians and heads being chopped off? I need to read up on my history so don’t quote me on this one!

I do know that if we continue down the path we are going the planet won’t be habitable for that much longer. So I say screw it! I really don’t feel like becoming a stress pot with a mortgage – I’d rather live my life, enjoy the moments, and putting my efforts toward bigger futures than the securing of a couple of generations of property inheritance. I could spend my life aiming at owning a house and waste my life in the process. No one what’s going to happen in the future: currencies can be worthless overnight; countries can be invaded; heck, aliens or meteors may even be headed our way. Either way with population rates I doubt our lifeways are just going to potter along without much change. Change is our only certainty.

That being said when my book becomes a best-seller I might just buy a little apartment, or an island (with mango trees, a few wood-cabins, and not much else), and if ends up being the later then you’re all invited 🙂

Picture Credits:

Melissa Smith

http://www.melmelsmith.com/

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7 Comments

  1. Donald
    15 Apr ’10    

    Jet,
    Is not the purest luxury pure simplicity?
    Wealth of health, community, and spiritual centeredness cannot be bought.
    I find a minimalist lifestyle with simple quality to be pure luxury.

    It’s been a beautiful sunny 83f. day in Iowa!!
    The aristocracy haven’t cornered that yet.
    😀
    db

    Reply
  2. sawan
    15 Apr ’10    

    one must never give up the struggle. On the contary, the aristocracy have cornered also the weather, look at the so-called “natural” disaster and the H.A.A.R.P. yes, they have the technology to temper with nature, and many other form of mind munipulations, and physical control. They want us to hide and put our love away! And what they plan to do in 2015 is just wrong, and we must not let the truth die. Check out Edward L. Bernays and his work. This is a mass democracy for the sheeple. thanks jules for the post
    love from thailand

    Reply
    • Juliet Bennett
      15 Apr ’10    

      oh man, the weather, really???? what motivates such things?
      2015 – i thought it was all happening at the end of 2012? thanks for the links i’ll check them out!!!
      hugs from sydney xoxo

  3. bob
    15 Apr ’10    

    the hunt is on! they gonna get rid of 4 billion people by 2015! one way or another, natural disaster, outbreak, mini war, food! yes even food! our water and toothpaste and salt contains fluoride which makes us passive and numb. perfect people if you want to run a tight ship….control is the issue here and the individual freedom is at risk here. watch out for the new age 2012 end of the world propaganda, and the collectivism movement. these are dangerous time and we are living dangerously!
    love from the yonder

    Reply
    • Juliet Bennett
      16 Apr ’10    

      that is ridiculously scary 🙁

  4. bob
    18 Apr ’10    

    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5266884912495233634#
    please watch

    Reply
    • Juliet Bennett
      18 Apr ’10    

      Thanks Bob ;D

      I watched this codex alimentarius link… not sure what to make of it. isn’t codex alimentarius is just a global standard for labelling, hygiene, limited pesticides etc, which is a good thing right?

      Coming back to motivations… Don’t the most powerful ppl still share the same food chain as all the rest of us? I just don’t think it makes sense for them to poison their own food chain…

      If they were going to kill us all off, why would they wait? They have the weapons so if they were going to do it, wouldn’t they just do it and be done with it?

      I understand why ppl freak out and are worried about the future – there’s lots to be worried about – i’m just not so sure think there are ppl at the top who are planning global homicide. But maybe i have to much faith in mankind…

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Rights of Indigenous Peoples: A Personal Statement

As a "non-indigenous" Australian living on what was once the land of the Cadigal and Wangal Wangal communities, I wish to acknowledge the inter-generational responsibility that I feel toward the colonial past. As a beneficiary of "White Australia", to the Eora people of Sydney, I request your forgiveness. I stand in solidarity with your rightful demands to self determination and active participation in governmental decisions, and I hope I may learn from your eco-spiritual connection. May we, as Tom Trevorrow of the Ngarrindjeri puts it, learn to 'respect, care and share' the gifts that our planet offers us.

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