roachboy

if you assume that there really is only one set of possible motivations behind EVERYTHING, then the choice becomes which way of directing that one set of possible motivations does the least damage. this desire to do the least damage--to oneself, to others, to one's surrounding--can be an expression of that one possible set of motivations---you feel balanced, but only because you see others as unbalanced, you treat other people and your environment as museum pieces. and the interest in a more sustainable life can be an expression of narcissism just as much as compulsive consumption can--but if in the aggregate, the former points toward an alternate way of living and that alternate way of living makes more sense than its opposite, then fine.

or you could say that the idea there's only one possible set of motivations is a fairy tale that folks use to rationalize all choices so they don't have to think about all choices, something which is mean easier because the particular one-size-fits-all motivation structure above is that assumed by the conservative defenders of capitalism uber alles. so you don't even have to think about that.

or you could say that adopting the idea that there is one set of motivations "feeds the ego by being different from the herd? You can stand out by saying "look at me! I'm a special little snowflake!" The same base desire to feed the ego can be sated by acting responsibly'" is 'just an attempt to fit in/keep up.'

or you could say that the claim that "you could say that adopting the idea that there is one set of motivations 'feeds the ego by being different from the herd? You can stand out by saying "look at me! I'm a special little snowflake!" The same base desire to feed the ego can be sated by acting responsibly'" is 'just an attempt to fit in/keep up.'

__________________
a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite