Making the Choice... Not to Choose - @ecotrain Question of the Week
View this post on Hive: Making the Choice... Not to Choose - @ecotrain Question of the Week
View this post on Hive: Making the Choice... Not to Choose - @ecotrain Question of the Week
I feel sometimes that the idea that we have choice is illusory, and the choices that are presented to us are framed in a way that obscures the type of choice they are. The focus is on this consumer good or that consumer good rather than do you need this stuff and what is the cost to you, how are you prevented from making more critical choices because your time and attention is caught up in something which is marginal, really.
It drives me mad this idea of choice of ... energy providers and the drive to constantly be swapping tariffs: I would prefer fewer providers offering good service at a reasonable price and leave me alone. I've got reading and thinking to do, and I need all that time for doing nothing.
Ha ha, I feel what you're saying with this one... especially here in the UK. Can't get away from the constant energy company swapping, no matter your financial circumstances ;-) I'm not a huge fan of consumerism if I'm honest. Being, relatively, quite low income ironically allows me a good distance from most of that illusory choice as I just buy food/goods that are cheapest and don't think about it. Lol, for example the last time I bought clothes was nearly a year ago. I just don't think about that stuff anymore, like shopping for pleasure... it just doesn't register. I shop only out of necessity. Sometimes I do miss that feeling of being able to just buy whatever I want, but when I worked a salary job I ended buying a load of crap I didn't want or need just out of dissatisfaction and stress relief.
This has been an interesting topic to read the different takes on! I think I would agree with you in your assessment, in that I am not quite sure how to feel about some of it, haha! I definitely think having options is a good thing, but then too much really can be overwhelming. I would say in certain aspects I would prefer less choice. Like in clothing--I am definitely trying to embrace more minimalism in my wardrobe, though it is hard in the Western world where you are bombarded with fast fashion. It definitely simplifies my week when I just go ahead and pick out my outfit for each day and don't have to worry about it the rest of the week. I do also think less choice with food can be a good thing. I love to meal prep on Sundays/Mondays, so just like with the clothes I don't have to think I can just grab and go knowing I have healthy meals ready. But then when I go to the farmers market I love having options to buy all kinds of different fresh local produce, so in that case lots of choices are awesome. In that case, too, just having the choice of buying local vs going to the chain supermarket is a wonderful option to have. There are a whole lot of other areas I could think about, but I don't want to write a full post in your comment section, haha! Thanks for getting me to think about my own opinion on this, though. :)
Yeah, I agree. Being, relatively, quite low income ironically allows me a good distance from most of that cosmetic choice I mention, as I just buy food/goods that are cheapest and don't think about it. Lol, for example the last time I bought clothes was nearly a year ago. I just don't think about that stuff anymore, like shopping for pleasure... it just doesn't register. I shop only out of necessity. Sometimes I do miss that feeling of being able to just buy whatever I want, but when I worked a salary job I ended buying a load of crap I didn't want or need just out of dissatisfaction and stress relief.
Choice is a double edged sword I think, I do also think that the mainstream drive of consumerism causes a lot of people to spend most of their lives swimming in a sea of constant distractions of choices. So many people are completely wrapped up in the things they identify with. They spend a lot of their lives focusing on these cosmetic choices, living quite a superficial life.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment @plantstoplanks. It's made me confirm my thoughts about this subject beyond what I expressed in the article :)
Hi @raj808. I appreciate your ambivalence, but in this instance disagree :) Give me choice, and more choice. I'm not confused or distracted by the multiplicity of opportunity...because that's how I see choice. My needs are simple, my wants centered mostly around family and need.
I am, as you are, inclined toward nature. That's where I grew up, my early years. The city was confusing at first, all the noise and people. Unending. That's the thing that struck me most. On the other hand, my rural surroundings were suffocating, because there was little choice.
In a rural community you are pretty much defined by family and place. The community decides informally what your choices are and you have to struggle to be free of that. Which is why, I think, the children of farmers often gravitate toward the city.
That was an interesting essay. I'm so intrigued by this question, I may write a small essay myself :) First I have to finish an art entry, and get started on a science essay.... So many choices 😁
Ahh, but you are older than me agmoore. You told me you were over sixty once. I'm 39 today :) it's my birthday.... and I have to admit... I'm very drunk right now lol
To be honest, my ambivalence to choice doesn't really come from a sane place. I'm far from sane. I know that most people wouldn't have a similar obfuscation about any of this, but the last 2 years for me has been about getting gaining control over the negative chatter in my mind and learning not to identify with those thoughts. I guess this is easier without the kaleidoscope of choices the modern world bombards is all with.
Every day is a battle, to not be distracted. This is why the novel isn't written. This is why I have to limit my steem-life. My focus is none-existent. It's been like that for a long time, slowly it's getting better as time goes by :) And I work on it. Nature does help a lot, but since I lost my car I rarely get out of the city tbh, I guess I'm feeling it 🤣 I need to get on a train and get out to somewhere wild.
I look forward to reading your entry to this question of the week challenge.
I'm older than that! I may be the oldest person on Steemit. But I remember 39. I had not yet 'found' myself, either. Some of us take longer; some of us are really complicated :))
I hope you get on with the book. You know, I wanted to write all my life and never really did. And then, when I was over 60 (!!) it started to flow. I learned that if I didn't dwell on the project, but just began an outline, somehow the tension was broken and the words came to me. It's just a little trick, but if you sit down and don't think of it as a book, but merely as an outline, you may find yourself in the middle of something really productive.
I'm not underestimating your struggle. But you haven't given up. That's the important part. As long as you're fighting for what you want, the road is open.
I didn't write anything in response to the choice question. Got hooked up on trying to insert the picture of a child into a seascape. Hours and hours of that. But it's done. Never, ever give up :)).
Hope you have a peaceful day.
Your friend,
AG
"I guess the simple answer is that I function better with less choice, but value the liberty of choice highly."
There are so few real "either-or" situations and answers, right? Nice contribution to a great discussion.
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I agree that there are very few 'either or' situations. Most things in life are shades of grey.
This week's ecotrain question is really interesting because it's such a personal thing. I've read one or two posts from people who are far away from my perspective on choice, which is cool. It's great to read all the different views and gain an insight into someone else's perception on reality 🙂
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Well, I have to tell you, some people don’t even realize they have a choice! Many blindly accept their circumstances, never considering another option!
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Yeah, there are some places in the world where people have little choice. I recognize how lucky many people are to have so many choices :)
Yes! I’m a very easy going person until someone tries to control me! 😉
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I feel you on the ambivalence with this question :)
It's a double edged sword for sure ;-)
I'm with you on not wanting all those superficial choices and much prefer the simplier life in the forest as in the concrete cities! Also as I age i'm valuing my time more too and don't care for the distractions! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on choices!
Hi @porters... yeah, give me the forest over the city anytime. One of these days when health improves I will take the steps to find a path to live and work out in nature. It is something that has been brewing in my mind for a while :)
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