Capitalism, My New Hobby: a Post Work Out Ramble

My latest mini-obsession has become business as an art. I don't really think we're going to see Capitalism go anywhere (I sort of buy into Fukuyama's thesis; at least as far as I understand it) so progressive types are going to have to start building companies that can compete and win against the cigar chomping death culture dealers.

Barring a major revolution where we end up a planet full of Democratic Agrarianists connected to each other by the internet, intent on providing equality for all, that is.

I understand and agree with the arguments from people like Derek Jensen that basically say as long as we have Capitalism we will be screwed. I also get the idea that corporations are basically sociopathic entities (like Skynet).

I'm fairly sympathetic to anarcho-primitive ideas, but I'd say they're more or less a fantasy. I mean, don't get me wrong, I fucking love the idea of folks living in the ruins of civilization as some kind of post-apocalyptic tribe.

When you add in ideas about Social & Deep Ecology, combining my favorite things about Dave Foreman and Murray Bookchin's philosophies to some righteous Ted Nugent style bow hunting, leather clothes that'll last you a life time and hot dred-locked warrior women, you basically can sign me up right away.

After I read The Wild Shore by Kim Stanley Robinson my professor, Dale Carrico, asked me whether or not I considered it a Utopia or a Dystopia. My 28 year old self immediately replied, "Utopia". I mean, after all, I was doing Crossfit. I was fucking strong. What could possibly go wrong for me in a post-peak oil wasteland?

My teeth. That's what. I had to get two crowns after major cavities did their handy work. No matter what those paleo diet folks say, I'm happy to have shoes and doctors.

I understand and agree with the arguments from people like Derek Jensen that basically say as long as we have Capitalism we will be screwed. I also get the idea that corporations are basically sociopathic entities (like Skynet). That doesn't mean we shouldn't try to change them.

Check this idea out: there's this theory called the Stoned Ape Theory that basically claims that hominids didn't evolve or give a shit about each other until they got a hold of some psychedelic mushrooms. Then they started feeling connected to each other, developed tools, complex social groups and got some traction. If you've ever taken mushrooms, you'll be receptive to this theory (which doesn't mean you have to believe it). If you haven't, go take some mushrooms.

Now think of a corporation as a kind of super organism made up of people. If you have one made out of assholes, you're probably going to end up with an asshole corporation. What if the corporation was made out of people who wanted a more efficient, connected, psychedelic planet?

There aren't too many rad large companies (Patagonia comes to mind). However, there are a ton of cool small to mid sized companies. If we can grow those companies, get them big enough to lobby as strongly as the bad guys. We win.

I work for a pretty big player in the so called Green Capitalism scene (my previous employer was also pretty well known in that circle as well) so I've got a good amount of experience with it. Is it perfect? Fuck no. Could it be better? Fuck yes.

So what I'm up to is embarking on a personal mission. I want to be a very successful businessman. I want to fight people like the Koch Brothers and all the rest of the bastards. I want to crush them, see them driven before me and hear the lamentation of their women.

Here's my plan: I'm going to spend the next two years learning as much as possible using a DIY business school learning plan and I'm going to start my own business using the principles I learn.

This shit is not going to be easy.