Mental Illness and Capitalism

[Sam Slater]

Olay/Archy would be a good commentator on this. What does everyone think? An element of truth?

[fudgeflaps]

Not read the article right through, but my initial thoughts are that acquiring wealth is highly pressurised, some mad capatlists attempt to acquire unrealisitc levels of riches- wherupon, in a lot of cases, they burn out, become highly depressed or when the 'final straw breaks the camel's back' they mentally buckle and snnnaaaaaaap.

A lot of highly intelligent, successful, wealthy capitalists/ actors/ etc etc are mental.

'Mental?' Too derogatory, un-PC: I meant 'mentally ill' in some way.

[Pervert]

Well, not being under contract to express someone else's opinion, I will express my own and know that it is what I honestly believe at this time.

The "greed is good" philosophy of the 1980s helped (note, helped, not caused) accelerate the decline of community and family. The abiding message from Thatcherism and Reaganomics was you have to take care of yourself first, and fuck everyone else. And so we revert to our baser, animal instincts where we do what we can to get what we want. Will there be some residual, sub-conscious guilt over that? Not with everyone, certainly, but with a good number of people.

Even those who aspire to do well for the sake of their family find themselves working long, intense hours, possibly allied to difficult travelling journeys to and from work, leaving little time to enjoy the family life they are supporting. Neighbours are just strangers that live nearby. Friends are people you catch up with every few months over the phone. You may have the job, the position, the money---but what else do you have.

Find a lifestyle that suits you: a balanced compromise of what you want. Few people get everything, so work out what's most important for you. Would I like to be earning a six, seven or eight figure salary? Yes. Would I like to travel into central London daily to get that, be available to my employer 24 hours a day via a mobile phone or beeper and expected to drop any personal plans to put the job first? Fuck no.

Put someone in the pressure work situation, and their mental health will suffer. Some will be able to relieve the stress via other outlets, but many will feel the weight of the work and expectation on their shoulders all the time, and then the cracks will show.

As I say, just my view. Not dictacted to me by an employer, nor forced out of me due to any contract. Free speech, it's wonderful. And it lets you tell the truth as you see it

[Sam Slater]

And what of the people who are stuck in the dirty, menial jobs? Is this why we have to draft in migrants from elsewhere, and why the chavs don't want work?

We've been told to 'aim high' for that long that anyone who doesn't achieve their own personal goals blames themselves.

Are the average person's aspirations too high? Unrealistically high aspirations means a lot more people feeling failures, and being embarrassed about themselves. Is this why they're angered by society and think it's funny to claim benefits, while being a general nuisance?

This isn't a post to excuse such behaviour, as we all make our own choices, but if modern capitalist society encourages such a mindset, society must take some of the blame.

[Sam Slater]

[quote]Well, not being under contract to express someone else's opinion.......[/quote]

Ha-ha! I like it Mr Invisible Wizard.

Some good points, that I agree with.

[Sam Slater]

Oh, btw, you missed all our caption competitions. They were made for a Fudgey like you.

[fudgeflaps]

You've summed up modern Britain there, Carac: and, as you highlight, Britain is burning out. 'Burnt-Out' Britain has a new epidemic: stress, which in turn is leading to mental illness.

I enjoy a good living, but I prize peace-of-mind over money, definitely. That's why I've chucked the rigs, and back on land- even though that's generally always my philosophy nothing that makes you unhappy is worth it, hence my choice. Money means fuck all in this type of instance: you wouldn't live in a prison for Premier Laegue Footballers salaries, would you?

Peace-of-mind is the new 'wealth'; contentment is the new 'rich'; total happiness is the new Lottery jackpot.

IMO.

[Sam Slater]

All true Fudgey, but saying that to someone who's broke will always come across as cack, so they keep thinking they need things to be accepted.

[fudgeflaps]

"We've been told to 'aim high' for that long that anyone who doesn't achieve their own personal goals blames themselves."

I think 'aim high' comes from within the individual; Britain has a very negative culture and mindset, when we are collectively programmed at school from infancy. Just as the smart kids in the class become conditioned not to answer out in class/ put their hand up when they realise that they stand out, that the other kids don't like it, we, as a nation, do not like to see other people excel and do well. This is exemplified from the savagery of the tabloid press to the bitter employee missing out on promotion. We have a blame culture too, where, IMO, there is a tendency to blame everything else excepy oneself.

"Are the average person's aspirations too high? Unrealistically high aspirations means a lot more people feeling failures, and being embarrassed about themselves. Is this why they're angered by society and think it's funny to claim benefits, while being a general nuisance?"

I wouldn't say the average person's aspirations are too high; the benfits folk you mention just want to get by, I don't think they expect to own a mansion and feel worse for it- realistic things, like having a job, may be weaering them down; having an income, a sense of purpose and pride, a feeling of equality and self-esteem aren't unrealisitc, surely??

"Unrealistically high aspirations means a lot more people feeling failures"

I wouldn't say this is a CAUSE, but the ONSET, a symptom of illness.

Just my 2p, !wink!

[fudgeflaps]

I know, shame!!!!

!tears!