[ryetoasthumor]

I don't disagree with this gentleman's sentiments about the chasm between "our economy produces and what you might call a meaningfully well-lived life."

But I do not buy into his appeal to ancient Greek intellectual culture nor to his take-away that members of society today are..."the inheritors of a tradition not just older — but more humanistic, constructive, nuanced, dynamic, and perhaps just a little bit wiser — than we know."

Looking back on Greek history, we are subject to survivor bias that amplifies the culture's intellectual contributions. It is always difficult to ascertain the nuances of everyday life, consumption habits, etc. The types of people who would have written down this information were neither literate nor able to write, and those with the requisite resources were largely concerned with more interesting and valuable uses of their time. We have come a long way as a society with literacy rates etc. which democratize both access to knowledge and freedom of expression. Each generation has iteratively improved on these cultural building blocks. So, to say that we inherit traditions from a more nuanced, dynamic, humanistic time is provably wrong.

Democratizing knowledge leads to the formation of nuanced, dynamic, humanistic traditions. Just because the many outlets of human expression and creativity seem banal to us currently, doesn't make make them any less dynamic or humanistic than past traditions. We live in a time of unprecedented cultural growth.

Is this growth for the benefit of humanity?

No one has any idea, but with all things our cultural values and traditions will evolve in response to changing technology. We have a responsibility to future generations to constantly evaluate the tools we have and constantly revise them and envision new ones.

P.S. If this is unclear or someone has suggestions where I can refine a point, I would appreciate the input.

[cnorgate]

Yea, I don't think he's hit everything spot on, but the sentiment is definitely on point.

I hope he's correct in terms of the evolving consciousness, because what the world needs is less glorification of conspicuous consumption and a greater appreciation for things of true worth. Less flash, more substance.