Comments on: Having It All, Except for the Things That Matter http://larison.org/2005/11/14/having-it-all-except-for-the-things-that-matter/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:55:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Daniel Larison http://larison.org/2005/11/14/having-it-all-except-for-the-things-that-matter/#comment-110 Tue, 15 Nov 2005 18:44:25 +0000 http://larison.org/2005/11/14/having-it-all-except-for-the-things-that-matter/#comment-110 Yes, his criticisms were shallow, but then it is a rather shallow position he is holding. At least he didn't say, "You can't turn back the clock!" But his position is no more profound than that. It is simply this: progress means an abundance of material goods, and we should all be glad that we have an abundance of material goods. Of course, there is nothing inherently bad about having an abundance of material goods--what is deeply wrong with the entire way of life is that many, such as Mr. Tucker, make the mistake of thinking that an abundance of material goods is inherently good and any system that provides those goods must also be morally superior, while also instilling a corrupt mentality that acquisitiveness as such is a kind of virtue. I imagine Mr. Tucker doesn't want to work for Wal-Mart (he doesn't mind if the kid in the picture does, but I bet he wouldn't like it--one day it's going to become one of those jobs "Americans won't do"). I suspect he just wants to have a cheap shopping experience for his groceries and suchlike, so he's not going to bite the hand that provides him the products of exploited foreign labour. He doesn't quite comprehend that, gradually, his blessed division of labour will undermine the very economic security on which he and his think tank rely, and that eventually he or his children will be fortunate if they can land the better quality jobs with the Wal-Marts of the world. Yes, his criticisms were shallow, but then it is a rather shallow position he is holding. At least he didn’t say, “You can’t turn back the clock!” But his position is no more profound than that. It is simply this: progress means an abundance of material goods, and we should all be glad that we have an abundance of material goods. Of course, there is nothing inherently bad about having an abundance of material goods–what is deeply wrong with the entire way of life is that many, such as Mr. Tucker, make the mistake of thinking that an abundance of material goods is inherently good and any system that provides those goods must also be morally superior, while also instilling a corrupt mentality that acquisitiveness as such is a kind of virtue.

I imagine Mr. Tucker doesn’t want to work for Wal-Mart (he doesn’t mind if the kid in the picture does, but I bet he wouldn’t like it–one day it’s going to become one of those jobs “Americans won’t do”). I suspect he just wants to have a cheap shopping experience for his groceries and suchlike, so he’s not going to bite the hand that provides him the products of exploited foreign labour. He doesn’t quite comprehend that, gradually, his blessed division of labour will undermine the very economic security on which he and his think tank rely, and that eventually he or his children will be fortunate if they can land the better quality jobs with the Wal-Marts of the world.

]]> by: Michael Brendan Dougherty http://larison.org/2005/11/14/having-it-all-except-for-the-things-that-matter/#comment-109 Mon, 14 Nov 2005 22:27:40 +0000 http://larison.org/2005/11/14/having-it-all-except-for-the-things-that-matter/#comment-109 You beat me to this by a few hours. I couldn't believe the shallowness of Tucker's criticisms. I frankly just don't trust someone who would rather be in a Wal-Mart than out in their own field. Does Tucker understand the difference between working on the land one owns and working for Wal-Mart (or should I say Chinese manufactures?) I guess I just fail to see that capitalism is the greatest good, ever ever ever. Poor me. You beat me to this by a few hours.

I couldn’t believe the shallowness of Tucker’s criticisms.

I frankly just don’t trust someone who would rather be in a Wal-Mart than out in their own field. Does Tucker understand the difference between working on the land one owns and working for Wal-Mart (or should I say Chinese manufactures?)

I guess I just fail to see that capitalism is the greatest good, ever ever ever. Poor me.

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