The Economics Deception
Oikonomia is the Greek word for economy. Oikonomia means household management. Over time, the term "economy" evolved to encompass the management of a society's material outputs and natural resources.
In the field of economics, economists ask important questions like: What is the true value of a honeybee? A mountain stream? A mangrove tree?
The problem with these questions is that you can’t put a value on life. Life is, in fact, sacred. As the world became more Westernized and less indigenous, humanity's consciousness began to forget ancient universal truths. Consequently, we started creating mass hallucinations on a global scale. One such hallucination is that nature is disposable.
It’s a hallucination because it requires a fundamentally irrational mindset to want to harm oneself. The ancients understood that we are one with the divine. That's why our ancestors taught—and the elders continue to teach—that without clean air, clean water, and healthy soil, there can be no life. These are part of the universal laws of Earth. I dare you to survive with unclean air, dirty water, and polluted soil. So the insanity of humanity lies in creating the deception, the false truth, the great lie that you can destroy nature and “put a price” on it.
The Pseudo-Science of Economics
Modern economics often portrays itself as an exact science, relying heavily on mathematical models and quantitative analyses. However, Daily argues that the oversimplification of complex ecological systems and the disregard for the interconnectedness of nature render these economic models insufficient and, at times, misleading. The deterministic nature of traditional economic thinking fails to capture the unpredictable dynamics of the environment and society.
Gretchen Daily, an esteemed economist, sheds light on this issue in her thought-provoking article, "Economist of the Environment: Accounting for the Future" (published on December 26, 2023). Daily addresses the critical flaws within the existing economic framework, emphasizing the dire need for integrating indigenous wisdom and fostering a sense of integrity to prevent economics from devolving into a mere pseudo-science.
Daily delves into the prevalent economic models that dominate policy-making and decision processes worldwide. She highlights the inadequacy of these models in accounting for the environmental costs associated with various economic activities. The exclusive focus on short-term gains and neglect of long-term consequences has led to environmental degradation and an alarming depletion of natural resources.
Why Economics is a Big Fat Lie
Economics, as traditionally practiced, is a big fat lie because it fundamentally misrepresents the reality of our relationship with nature and the true costs of human activities. Here are some key reasons why:
Reductionist Approach: Traditional economic models often reduce complex ecological and social systems to simplistic equations and numerical values. This reductionist approach fails to capture the full scope of environmental degradation and social impact. For example, placing a monetary value on a honeybee or a mangrove tree oversimplifies their intrinsic value and the complex ecosystems they support.
Ignoring Externalities: Economics frequently ignores or undervalues externalities—costs or benefits not reflected in market prices. Environmental degradation, such as pollution and deforestation, is often treated as an external cost rather than an integral part of the economic system. This leads to a distorted view of economic progress, where short-term gains are prioritized over long-term sustainability.
Short-Term Focus: Modern economic thinking tends to focus on immediate financial returns rather than long-term consequences. This short-termism results in policies and practices that may boost profits temporarily but lead to significant environmental and social harm over time. The focus on quarterly earnings and annual GDP growth overlooks the long-term impacts on ecosystems and communities.
Misplaced Values: The economic valuation of natural resources and ecosystems often fails to reflect their true worth. For instance, placing a price on a forest might only account for its timber value, ignoring its role in biodiversity, climate regulation, and water purification. This misplacement of values leads to decisions that are detrimental to the environment and human well-being.
Dehumanizing Nature: By treating nature as a commodity with a price tag, traditional economics dehumanizes and objectifies the environment. This view perpetuates the illusion that nature can be exploited indefinitely without consequences. It disregards the intrinsic value of natural systems and their role in sustaining life.
Lack of Holistic Perspective: Economic models often lack a holistic perspective that integrates ecological, social, and spiritual dimensions. This narrow focus fails to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all life forms and the importance of maintaining ecological balance. Indigenous wisdom, which emphasizes harmony with nature, is often excluded from mainstream economic thought.
Ethical Shortcomings: The pursuit of profit and economic growth can sometimes come at the expense of ethical considerations. Practices that prioritize financial gain over environmental protection or social justice create a deceptive version of economics that disregards the well-being of people and the planet.
The traditional economic framework is a big fat lie because it oversimplifies, undervalues, and misrepresents the complex and interconnected nature of our world.
The Missing Element: Indigenous Wisdom and Integrity
One of the critical insights that Daily brings to the forefront is the absence of indigenous wisdom in contemporary economic thought. Indigenous cultures have thrived for centuries by maintaining a symbiotic relationship with nature, emphasizing sustainability and interconnectedness. Integrating this wisdom into economic frameworks could provide a more holistic understanding of the intricate balance between human activities and the environment.
Furthermore, Daily underscores the importance of integrity in economic practices. The pursuit of profit at the expense of ethical considerations has led to a distorted version of economics that often prioritizes short-term gains over long-term sustainability. Restoring integrity to economic decision-making is essential for creating a framework that genuinely serves the well-being of both humanity and the environment.
How to Reverse Economics' Moral & Ethical Decay
Granting Human Rights to Mother Nature
Harvard researchers state that the United States is no longer a functioning democracy. I personally realized this when the Supreme Court of the United States declared that a corporation could be considered a human being. A corporation, which can exist with the sole purpose of exploiting and harming people and nature, being deemed equivalent to a human being, is how I knew America was no longer a democracy. In spiritual terms, what SCOTUS did was create a vessel for entities acting in opposition to divine principles to be recognized as equal to humans. Bravo!
To rectify this, one solution is to extend human rights to living life-forms such as oceans, rivers, forests, lakes, and animals, granting them the same rights as non-human corporations (many of which operate in ways contrary to ethical principles). The good news is that the will of the Creator is so bright that this is exactly what is starting to happen.
It is 2024. There are very few countries with access to clean fresh water. All the water in the world, including the clouds, is polluted with microplastics. The air is dirty, lowering global IQ, and the soils are ravaged. All because we are guilty, as am I, of believing the lies of economics and business. Now, we all must act together; therefore, we are both the problem and the solution. There is no judgment for what was; there is only what comes next.
Resources:
Last updated
