#it is extremely fun to ad lib their personality and motivations and stuff

[undercover-bun-etc]

Love when my attempt at making a one-off character for a "campaign" with my brothers ends with a new blorbo (/genuine)

[blogkeenstudenttiger]

Day 2 9/5/18

Cultural

This morning at work (Vertical Endeavors) I was cleaning and consumed several chemical based cleaning agents and nitrile gloves. Western culture places high value on “clean” things, which is best achieved by using harmful aerosols and chemicals. It seems comfort is once again placed above the very world we live in; aesthetic (of cleanliness) is more important than a healthy world around us, I think that says a lot. As someone who participates in actively destroying the world we live in, it seems almost impossible to change such a culture. In the end, it is a classic case of the tragedy of the commons. This concept was developed by economist and philosopher Garrett Hardin and refers the behavior of taking more than needed of any limited resource in an effort to get it before the next person does; in essence, a flawed “getting your fair share”.

Economic/Cultural/Society

For lunch I ate quinoa with squash, eggplant, yams, onions, peppers, chilies, and carrots. I added an egg and some saurkraut and bacon in, as well. I usually make my meals in large quantity to both save time and money. There’s a weird cultural thing about foods like quinoa etc. I hear a lot of satire about these different food fads, almost more than I actually hear anyone talk about it. When I was buying it, I felt kind of funny; almost like I shouldn’t be buying quinoa out of the principle of not being a stuck up food prick. But, it’s weird that none of that was ever my idea and how heavily influenced even basic food decisions become when one is part of a society. 

Culture

To get to class I drove instead of taking the bus, in order to save a bit of time. It is the reinforcement of the prior post; I place the convenience of driving over the economic and environmental harm being done. 

Cost: <$1.00

Society/Culture

I consumed (I really am enjoying “consumed” instead of other verbs) a YOST class today in order to fulfill my last few lib ed requirements. We did an ice breaker and the question was: would you cut off all communication with friends and family for $200 million dollars. I was the only person in the class (to my knowledge) that said I would take the money. However, the stipulation was I wouldn’t keep the money, rather give it to friends, family, good causes and keep only enough to set myself up on a self sustaining farm in a far away land. Socially, family is extremely important to most/many people; in a strange way, I don’t believe I value family as much as many other people. It isn’t that I’m ungrateful or don’t like my family/friends, rather I simply do best inside my own head; which, for most people I believe is a strange thing. However, media/society have drilled the importance (after family/friends of course) of the aforementioned into my brain, so I ended up feeling kind of guilty. This is another strange moral purgatory I find myself on the precipice of. 

 Economic

After class, I rushed home and had some more quinoa stirfry that I had for lunch, then I was headed to my other job, REI. I work in the footwear department and help people pick out what they need for hiking trips etc. I drove, which took <10 minutes. I could have taken the bus (1hr) or ridden my bike (40min). But, the convenience of ~50min. was taken in loo of reducing my impact on the environment. Simply math tells me the following: I make at most 13$ an hour, after taxes I see about 10$. So, 50 minutes of my time is worth about 8.33$. So, $8.33 is worth more than a cleaner environment. In reality, it is most likely worth even less. However, If I had not worked and stayed at home, which I much rather would have done; I would have saved the environment the harmful effects of my vehicle, but would have cost myself the money I would have made by going to work (say 40$). This is where things become kind of strange. If I had stayed home and not gone to work, there would have been repercussions and at worst I would have lost my job. This would have then cost me some unknown figure in the thousands of dollars. This fact makes it difficult to do cost analysis, as the figures in comparison are hypothetical and unknowable. However, one thing remains true in both instances; money was the motivating factor and in each case was the essence of my decision. At no point did I ever consider a cause or reason greater than monetary value. This makes me sad. 

Cost: <$1.00

Society/Culture

Work was slow, helped a few people. Threw away some plastic, which is always a nice feeling. I considered collecting plastic, but saving the environment isn’t something I care for deeply. I know, you’re probably saying, “uhhhh literally 90% of what you say is environment this, or environment that.” I’m more or less shaming myself, but have no intentions to try and reverse (the damage done) or educate anyone. Is it because I’m one of those people who enjoy bitching and moaning about everything that’s wrong in the world, yet take no responsibility? Probably. However, in social life, I never talk about this stuff to anyone; why? Because I know nobody cares and bitching about it doesn’t do squat. Yeah, actions speak louder than words, but my iota of contribution toward a cause as backwards as the environment is wasted energy. Not only does it piss me off, but it sucks the happiness and fulfillment out of my life. As an extremely selfish individual (like many others) I would like to fill my life with joy and fulfillment. None of that comes from fighting against other people who’s joy and fulfillment comes from the mastication of our environment. Rather, I fall victim to the tragedy of the commons and simple Game Theory. 

Society

I received an email about it being national cheese pizza day, and as an avid consumer of all things pizza, I had to have one. After work I went to the store to buy a pizza, some eggs, tortillas, 5lbs of beef, and 3 bags of egg noodles. I plan to make a large batch of meat and pasta for the upcoming weeks. I wouldn’t have eaten pizza, had it not been for the little notification on my phone. 

Cost: $32.27 and the dignity of eating a Wal-Mart pizza

Cultural

I really enjoy that my phone tracks my footsteps. During the summer I was quite proud of my 2nd percentile status of samsung users in regard to distanced walked weekly. I think these personal stats are quite fun; but, in essence I simply like comparing myself to other people. I now find it less amusing, now that I am in school more and have much fewer steps. Another “stat” I enjoy looking at is my weight. I am not intentionally trying to lose weight, but keeping an eye on it is important for me. As an avid rock climber, one’s weight is very important. The heavier you are, the more weight you must bring up the wall/rock. So, weighing less is almost always better. After a recent trip to Colorado (where we were climbing 7-8 hours each day plus hiking with a ton of shit) I lost between 3-7 pounds. Knowing some of it was water weight, while some of it was probably muscle, the lowered number caught my amusement and joy as I returned home. I am weary, however, because I know that in the back of my mind I am subtly controlled by the media’s unrealistic standards. I have ulterior motives aside from climbing when it comes to weighing less, and it bothers me; even when I know I don’t need to lose any weight, losing weight would be nice. Self image is so heavily influenced by what we see, it’s hard to imagine a self without others; which makes me question my originality or unique nature. What constitutes originality, when everything is/was/will be influenced by something in an infinite regression.