The Neo-liberal programme is the very antithesis of class consciousness and solidarity. The hyper individual focus of neo-liberal dogma forever places the systemic problems of society out of reach, while at the same time insisting that the Pyrrhic drive to better oneself (see self recrimination and loathing) is the only solution.
“This is a kind of neo-liberalism of the emotions, in which happiness is seen not as a response to our circumstances but as a result of our own individual mental effort, a reward for the deserving. The problem is not your sky-high rent or meager paycheck, your cheating spouse or unfair boss or teetering pile of dirty dishes. The problem is you.
It is, of course, easier and cheaper to blame the individual for thinking the wrong thoughts than it is to tackle the thorny causes of his unhappiness. So we give inner-city schoolchildren mindfulness classes rather than engage with education inequality, and instruct exhausted office workers in mindful breathing rather than giving them paid vacation or better health care benefits.”
2 comments
May 17, 2017 at 6:11 am
robert browning
And subconsciously you know you are doing the best that you can so any blame must be an those others as “they” say. “They” will never say, The capitalists in charge might be at the root of the problem.
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May 17, 2017 at 5:57 pm
lovetruthcourage
Sure, but mindfulness and breathing really are beneficial. They just aren’t substitutes for the other listed things. One must know which of many problems they are attempting to solve. If even one of those intercity kids thinks twice before shooting innocents, then the disparaged mindfulness classes are worth it. Of course, educational inequality would remain a major issue. The right tools for the corresponding job…
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