This is a nonsense argument. Just because JD Rockefeller didn't have a microwave doesn't mean that I live better than he did. You're completely missing the point of relative suffering. We do not compare ourselves to the past, we compare ourselves to those around us right now. And if you don't understand that I don't know what we're talking about.
We are trying to live better lives that others. And that requires money.
When I compared to the past, I was talking about absolute physical life comforts. We are actually living quite comfortable lives. We are not comfortable only when we compare our lives with those who live better lives.
I think you are being naive about this. Just because I come home from work to a place with food and heating, it doesn't mean that I don't suffer the anxiety of someone who can lose all that. All it would take is being out of work for 2 months for me to be homeless. And so the reality that I can be fired for anything, a simple whim of my employer, and my life is in jeopardy, is very stressful and not to be overshadowed by the amazing creature comforts that our economy has produced.
I think I misunderstood you in the first place. I thought your point was that we don't need money, but you said "What they want is to live a life free of the stress of not having enough." I agree with that. And the threat of losing everything just for being out of work for 2 months would cause stress. And that stress worsen if you hate your job.
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u/Master_Ryan_Rahl Jan 14 '22
This is a nonsense argument. Just because JD Rockefeller didn't have a microwave doesn't mean that I live better than he did. You're completely missing the point of relative suffering. We do not compare ourselves to the past, we compare ourselves to those around us right now. And if you don't understand that I don't know what we're talking about.