From Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra, conveying the idea that often "social justice" is a facade hiding an underlying envy that wants to destroy and gain power: "But, naturally, the tarantulas would have it differently. ‘That the world may become full of the storms of our revenge, let precisely that be called justice by us’ - thus they talk together. ‘We shall practise revenge and outrage against all who are not as we are’ - thus the tarantula-hearts promise themselves. ‘And “will to equality” - that itself shall henceforth be the name of virtue; and we shall raise outcry against everything that has power!’ You preachers of equality, thus from you the tyrant-madness of impotence cries for ‘equality’: thus your most secret tyrant-appetite disguises itself in words of virtue. They resemble inspired men: but it is not the heart that inspires them - it is revenge. And when they become refined and cold, it is not their mind, it is their envy that makes them refined and cold. Revenge rings in all their complaints, a malevolence is in all their praise; and to be judge seems bliss to them. Mistrust all those who talk much about their justice! Truly, it is not only honey that their souls lack. And when they call themselves ‘the good and just’, do not forget that nothing is lacking to make them into Pharisees except - power!" ~ Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra
gforced777 1 but What about indignancy towards a system that is unfair and unjust, not an envy directed towards any particular individual??? You can't demonize that!
Nietzsche, nor this video, conveys the message that indignation toward a corrupt system should be demonized. In the video it is stated that indignation is a virtue. The obsession with "equality" is THE issue. Why are so many people obsessed with that ideal, when it is clearly undesirable in some cases and impossible in others (even equality of opportunity is unrealistic if one reflects on what things create valuable life opportunities). Is not freedom a better ideal to strive for? A truly free society sounds like a better ideal scenario than a truly equal society. So why this deification of equality? Could envy be at its roots? Who benefits most from it being deified - could it be those who are granted the power to deal with it?
Jordan Q how ofcourse humans need ideals and we need goals. for freedom to be a goal it first needs to be defined, and conditions have to be applied. and it should be a moral freedom. not a one where animal tactics make you the winner, but rather something more intellectually ideal. envy does not have to be the motivation towards power, however often we do see envious people succeed in wealth and power.
Jordan Q ~"..indignation toward a corrupt system should be demonized" ? Merely demonizing a system 1. does not show us HOW a system is corrupt, or. 2. in relation to what; is the demonizer an indignant '3rd Little Pig' or an envious 'Big Bad Wolf' (eg. demonizing Capitalism 9/11 style)?
gforced777 1 ..I missed 'facade', oops,..I only envy your ability to compliment the video with a nice quote in this comment section..I'm emulated,thank you.
I remember for months after the murder of George Floyd, social media was full of people getting berated for simply living their lives and talking about anything that connoted joy or light. You were considered a bad person if you weren’t engaging in some form of wallowing, genuflection, or self-flagellation (particularly if you had the wrong skin color).
Yes when I told the principalof my son's Junior highschool I will be filing a Human Rights Complaint for violating our Canadian Constitution by discriminating against kids for their religious and political views for teaching BLM in the classroom, the principal began by stating we all must apologize for our white priviledge. He was later shocked to learn my husband is brown. Idiot.
...my momma taught me not to count other people's money ... my momma taught me never be jealous, never be envious... my momma taught me to be happy for others she said in return you'll find own happiness ... I love my momma. I miss her.
I really like that phrase "don't count other people's money". I will definitely hold onto that. I think it's very poignantly wise, and perhaps something I need to take into consideration more personally lol
@Andrew Cummings Good example: though this wouldn't have been true 60 years ago, the situation of the Black person in America today is at least as much an issue of personal misconduct, as it is systemic racism and historical contingencies.
“Envy is the religion of the mediocre. It comforts them, it soothes their worries, and finally it rots their souls, allowing them to justify their meanness and their greed until they believe these to be virtues. Such people are convinced that the doors of heaven will be opened only to poor wretches like themselves who go through life without leaving any trace but their threadbare attempts to belittle others and to exclude - and destroy if possible - those who, by the simple fact of their existence, show up their own poorness of spirit, mind, and guts. Blessed be the one at whom the fools bark, because his soul will never belong to them.” ~ Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Angel's Game
NonLuminousFlame White supremacist garbage. It's impossible to remove confounding factors like culture and environment to say definitively that any given race is biologically predisposed to intelligence. Hell, it's impossible to genetically classify any given race.
Why do you poor white guys love the rich and powerful white guys so much that you identify with them (white identity), vote with them (against your own economic interests), and will die for them in war (so they can profit)?
Envy is a disease in our society. It took me years to realize that I was the envy of my friends and family. I worked hard, studied into the wee hours of the mornings to accomplish my goals. Yet at the end i was made to feel ashamed of the fruits of my labour and dedication to improving myself. It's clearer to me now but the discovery and the realization that i was being envied shook me to my foundations.
When i used to play guitar around my "friends" who all secretly wanted to be rock stars, because i was very good and had hard won skills and knowledge they didn't have the energy to chase, the most envious of the groups would be like "you're such a dick, why the fuck are you so good??" or the more common "fuck you" as a response to me jamming to myself. This was thinly veiled behind a doomed attempt to turn it into a joke, they were just kidding....but no there was a wish underneath their harsh words (directed consciously at someone with extreme social anxiety and an inability to take harsh words lightly) to bring me down to the realisation that if i just quit chasing greatness, i would be more accepted amongst my peers. Well luckily they aren't in my life anymore, i'm still not "great" by my measure, although i believe I've achieved a likely ticket to success with my hard work. I'll always remember the look on their faces when i would play and the inevitably put downs that ensued, they looked offended and downright pissed off, often shaking their heads. Small people. They still suck on guitar lol, i offered to teach them for free but of course that would require effort.
A prerequisite for genuine envy is that the object of one's envy must be of the same station as yourself--you must have been capable of having achieved what this other person has achieved, and failed. But in an unjust society such as ours, it is rarely the case that one person has identical opportunities to another person. Thus what you see is that instead of suffering from envy, most people are agitating for justice. Justice is practically necessary for true envy to even be possible to experience.
@@xxcrysad3000xx luck has a lot to do with it. Right place right time Taking chances etc etc. Are you talking about monetary gains? That's nothing in the grand scheme of things
Thank you for this. Now I know why some people try to pull me down and hamper me even when I'm trying to do something eminently good. My virtue shames them. I will no longer be ashamed of my virtue.
Virtue is the contract we make with ourselves...to do what we beleive to be right, in the face of all that is not. Do our thoughts and actions seek to lift up...or to tear down? That is the question that gives us a more clear indication of the authenticity of what we beleive to be right. On this path, there is great resistance, as most, even those closest to us, would chose the path of least resistance. Stay strong, have hope...and even though it may seem that you are the last sane being in a world of madness, you are not, and the time will come, when those who have stood strong by way of virtue, will help to lead others back into the light.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram all fuel Envy even more than media. This video is a must watch for high school kids cuz teachers foster envy in a big way 🔥
I had to realize that many of my existential struggles center around envy. This video very neatly solidifies what I've been wondering about it myself. I've grown up in a very unfortunate environment, disenfranchised, full of dreams but seemingly without means of facilitation, if you saw it, you could easily understand the anti-elitist streak and bleeding-heart socialism of my youth, and even commend me for it. But I've observed myself gradually moving from indignant yet driven to ever more stagnant, lethargic and envious. At some point I was so wrapped up in my perceived injustice of the world, I was adamantly convinced that people from my social standing/class/background were never meant to become anything more than working consumers, and that my ability to think on these things was an error in the system. Grandiose? Hell yeah! But it did, in a Camusian kind of way, help me find my footing in reality again. It is easy to feel better about yourself when you're convinced that your mere existence and awareness of your surroundings is a revolt against fate. In retrospect, it still kind of feels as if I was being bred to becoming miserable, angry, populist, and in my self-rightous rage ultimately non-contributive to society, but also ultimately harmless to it. And while I wouldn't want to give up responsibility over my actions by stating this, one cannot deny that an angry, deluded mind is easier to control than an analytical one. That doesn't change if you multiply that one mind into a crowd, a niche, a group, a class or a nation respectively.
Watch the video about our school system on this very same channel. It is good that you reflect, but the change we must make is pressing. Otherwise we either land in perpetual slavery (1984/brave new world, also a video on this channel) or drive ourselves back to square one. The presenter always speaks eloquently, but sometimes really contradicts himself in regard to the other topics presented. That we must stand up to those who wish to enslave us fully in the years to come is a necessity. No envy for the richer, their power will crumble as its solidity unmasks itself. Our society hangs by a thread. I wish we all had less so we had more time to invest into what is not material.
Distraction is the key to one very effective technique I have quite effectively employed, distract away from those comparing thoughts and then compare what we have now to what our ancestors had, my grandmother had an AM radio and a black &white tv. I have a million channels that connect to a good sound system.
I have never been envious of anyone or anything! It has always puzzled me why people feel envious of others, I'm not wealthy or the best looking...but I am happy, satisfied and content with myself. I feel that envy is the result of lack of love for yourself. True wealth comes from within. It really doesn't matter how rich or poor you are. I'm also happy for everyone who is successful.
Wow. This one was really good. I can’t imagine being an envious person! Thank goodness! I like to emulate the people I look up to. When I was a wedding photographer there was a fellow competitor that envied me. I was better than him at the time and he talked shit about me all the time. He hated me. Never even met him. I didn’t care though. I was focus on learning and emulating the best wedding photographers in the world at the time. 4 years later, in 2008, I was DWF’s International Wedding Photographer of the Year. I think that other guy went out of business. Don’t be envious! Emulate!
Indignation is the genus; envy is a species. Indignation is the emotion aroused by something observed as unjust. This is characteristic of envy, but with the additional characteristic where that something is observed to be unjust because the envious lacks that something. This is why envy is based on a fallacy: Something is unjust because you lack it. So in other words, indignation that is caused by lacking something is envy. The justification of why that something is unjust is fallacious, thus envy is a false alarm (in fact, it's misleading and thus--and as explained in the video--harmful). Indignation is justifiable if the justification for why that something is unjust is sound.
I suggest that we can tell the difference by examining the actual historical or sociological causes of the thing which we are bothered by. If one group's happiness or prosperity can in fact be shown to have been achieved through the unjust exploitation of others, and if that exploitation is really what bothers you, and not the people's happiness itself, then I'd think you're legitimately indignant. On the other hand, if you don't care about the historical facts or circumstances (if you don't care about whether someone's happiness was unjustly gained or not), and if you instead just want what someone else has, or you resent their happiness or prosperity in and of itself or merely because they have it and you don't, then I'd suggest you're probably envious.
But isn't your definition exactly what social justice is about? He seems to define positive indignation, which is exactly what social justice is about, and then decry social justice as being envious. I find the philosophy on this channel strong, but the politics generally confused.
@ksmokrt27: well said. All to often the accusation of envy is used by the rich in order to deflect from the fact they exploit people for their own gain.
From my experience, there are basically two ways. First, if one does not go down to one's reasons while preaching equality, one usually envies, because people are much less willing to expose their arguments to critical counter arguments when built feeble and precarious. Second, if one defends absolute equality regardless, one is more likely to envy than to be indignant. This can be an alternative to compensate the first way. If you argue for absolute equality regardless, then this might be a cover for the weak basis of your arguments. I once watched a video where a feminist and peterson were discussing and at one point she said she didn't know why the pay gap between man and woman existed but it existed whatever the reason and this was offensive. Now this is one of the most preposturous arguments I had ever heard because think about it. I work for 15 hours and you for 1 hour and I take 3k dollars while you take 2k, and you come up by this argument and say this pay gap is offensive regardless of the reasons (I do not imply women work less than men. I am giving a hypothetical situation to show the absurdity of her argument). This to me seems much more envy than indignation.
2:33 Thats really smart: If u believe what others have obtained, and what u lack, is the reason for your unhappiness, then you will be envious. When, really in most cases its not.
@Josiah Sepulveda No. Though Kierkegaard said, "Envy is hidden admiration", it's wrong to propose that envy is a *necessary* impetus towards self-reform. For some it may be the case, but at best it is not an ideal solution- just as likely to become a trap- and just as many can simply admire great men and work to be like them, and then perhaps become greater.
I have always been surrounded by shitty, envious people. I long for my escape from them. Meanwhile, I look at some other guy and think to myself: "That guy is AWESOME" because I really appreciate something he does. Why do humans have to be so terrible??
Not to be flippant but, en français, 'C'est la vie.' Humanity, and life, are not perfectible. Just improvable, slightly. Be satisfied with the improvements you can make to yourself and hope not to be murdered young.
The envious shine a defining light onto themselves. Their envy shows the relationship that are having with themselves that is expressed as the life they are living.
The only people they should envy are those void of envy. Paradoxically, they then switch into envying their advanced state of mental growth (should they have the mental capacity even to do that).
Best antidote for envy is distraction. I've researched it and applied the cognitive behavioral technique to simply shut down the simple practice of comparing myself with others, distraction being a key part of it. The classic work I have seems quite pessimistic about any relief from it but I beg to differ, have shut it down almost entirely with good results in only a few months.
This is one of the most cogent and concise responses to the regressive left's social justice identity politics that I have ever heard. More people need to hear this.
I've hated myself for 2 emotions: jealousy and envy. The way these two emotions made me feel was awful. It did springboard me into actions. A goal was achieved, but that, looking back, was not necessarily a good thing. No one knows the outcome of a decision until later
This criticism of egalitarian/political/social justice envy only works when society is truly meritocratic. Yes, improving yourself is the only way to succeed and become better and everyone, no matter their context and upbringing, should strive to do that. Blaming all of your problems on oppression by one group is a total cop out and failure of will. But we must admit that we don't live in a society with at least equal opportunity. We live in a society where certain groups are actively oppressed by more powerful ones. Make society a place where everyone is free to improve themselves and get ahead based solely on merit and then we can talk about egalitarian envy.
Equal opportunity to do what? This drops any context of reality. This is an evasion of each individuals right to his own life and a hidden demand for sacrifice enforced by govt. A carpenter who loves his work does not need the opportunity to be an industrialist or stock broker. This is an attack on mans independent mind, an attack on mans need to accept the risk of independent judgment. Egalitarians fear the responsibility to choose to focus their minds. Political power is not economic power. A dollar is not a gun. Production is not destruction. Capitalism ,not our mixed economy, is the only protection of each individuals opportunity to create opportunity. There is no fixed pie of opportunity in capitalism. Capitalist opportunities constantly increases. Where was the opportunity to be a video game designer before capitalism? Where was the opportunity to leave primitive farming before capitalism? Where was the opportunity to be a professional intellectual before capitalism? Capitalism has decreased ancient, global poverty to 8%. A vast number of higher paying jobs was created by capitalism. Even Vietnam is becoming capitalist as poor farmers want the opportunity to be unequal to other poor farmers.
That Nietzsche quote at the end gave me chills. We are already there. The miserable against the happy... perfectly sums up Critical Theory Marxism Social justice. And from over 100 years ago. Wow.
I think what scares a lot of "haves" is that the "have nots" are actually the "want nots" (ie, they actually *don't* envy you b/c they're living by a completely different set of *values*). M4A is a great example of that. I support it b/c I value the wellbeing of everyone I love *above* all the yachts, vacation properties, luxury cars in the world. There is literally no *THING* in this world that I desire more than the health of my friends & family, and that makes me a very difficult person for the ruling class to control, because I'm not interested in the "prizes" that their game has to offer to it's "winners". I would rather play a different game altogether (different rules/different "prizes"). And when millions of people feel the same way, the result is a categorical rejection of the status quo. In sum, envy is only a social dynamic *if both parties want the same thing* & social justice ultimately refers to fundamental conflicts of interest & values between parties.
If you were not envious you would not look at what others had and resent it. Your comment about not desiring " more than the health of my friends and family" appear to me to be virtue signalling because you go directly into how this makes you hard to control by "the ruling elites". How are you actively contributing to the health of those you claim to care for? Desires are fine when not much effort is involved. Do you contribute materially towards their health? Are you an activist working to help those who are underserved by community resoures? I would urge you to be more content with your lot in life and modest in your desires for wealth as this is only possible according to our personal circumstances and not by taking what others have.
This video didn't annihilate social justice any more than he redeemed the status quo of modern society. He has - rightfully - cast doubt on very basic and common assumptions about how "social justice" is expected to effect social change, but without actually defining what "social justice" is, and what particular form of it he's critiquing, he's basically just constructing a straw man. The idea that envy works the same way in every culture is an assumption conditioned by the hegemony of the Christian West. Nietzsche does not make sense in any other context, and it's an error to extrapolate and project his thoughts onto other cultures. All societies pursue justice in their own ways, almost always through a combination of legal and extra-legal means. The "common sense" idea espoused by most of the critics of "social justice" is that justice should be left solely to the judges. "Law and order" are suddenly beyond question. That is, until you try to regulate fire arms or fossil fuels, then the same state opposed by the "social justice warriors" magically transforms into a tyrannical form of government in the eyes of the "libertarian" far right. But you don't need to develop your sense of envy to conclude that the people supporting the Bundy ranchers cared just as much about "social justice" as the people who supported Standing Rock. We all desire justice and just-ness, it's just that some of us desperately need this to be seen a zero-sum game in order to feel good about themselves.
Cowards will hide behind the words of others, and sensible people will use their minds to try to make sense of the whole picture. Thank you for your clarification; it was much needed.
Travis Wysote thank you for summarizing, this is my first listen to his opinion regarding this subject and it came across to me as really insidious. I’d consider myself as anything but a part of or an enabler of some form of ruling class and I was shut out not even halfway into the video.
Thank you AOI! Now I realized all these years what has been holding me back: hanging around with envious *******s has stifled my pursuit of my goals (I know I don't have anyone to blame but myself, but in the end it's really up to me decide how to live my life and choose which direction). Lesson learned. Can't thank you enough, keep up the good work!
Seems like we’ve reached the point in time when the good people aren’t happy and the happy people aren’t good. I never trust a smiling face at this point. I let myself appear miserable so only I know my happiness, I don’t show it to others. It ain’t safe.
@@googleprofiel6814 It has been my experience that there are many people who would like to throw bad energy at you, and to be negative or undermine your success, if you appear too happy or successful. It applies to a lot of things though. For example, if you do some good in the world, don’t boast, move in silence. If you have big plans, or if you are working on a big project (for example I write, poetry and screenwriting/scripts) then move in silence. Also, words are powerful, although not as powerful as intent. I’m not saying that every single person will react like this, but a majority will and a lot of times it will be someone you don’t expect.
"While one who sings with his tongue on fire Gargles in the rat race choir Bent out of shape from society's pliers Cares not to come up any higher But rather get you down in the hole that he's in"-Bob Dylan
Wish this was taught in schools. I surely lack the finesse to word this idea like it was here, but it is true and these ideas always runs through my mind. Funny, though those wont like it, liberal politics pushes this idea of equality which in turn has created a great deal of envy. The most ironic part is that in the past, and they still claim to fight for the common man and woman, however that is not the case anymore.
The more central left would be very bothered. The far left could find value in it. A reminder that our politicians are utilizing a desire for equality as a tool for manipulation hurts no one. I wouldn't mind (out of sheer curiosity) seeing what racial and sexual equality would bring about in terms of envy. Would we then see eyes turned towards rich? I've always been under the impression that this is the reason for the dual political parties. If we are polarized, we cannot work with one another to see violations of the law and rights already in place enacted by those in positions of power who we should be holding accountable. We cannot remove them from positions they are not fit for. Instead we are hypnotized by their puppetry. Surely both sides have individuals within their parties who they feel are unfit for their positions. (As someone who would be classified as more left, I would like to see Hillary kept as far from running for any office. Better options are available.) Just a thought, but in short, yes it should be taught.
That is not what school is for. If anything, school is to make sure that one of the collective values of the citizenry is that of envy so that they become and remain obedient consumers throughout their lives.
@@monsterhunter445 Jealousy is fear of losing what one has to another, eg a jealous lover afraid of losing their partner to another person. Envy is the displeasure at what another person has that one desires but does not have, eg a poor man envious of the wealthy.
To say "envy" is painful in itself, so many just say jealous to compensate. It also is too that they don't actually know the difference, ergo, say one word to have two meanings instead of using them separately.
I've been following Academy of Ideas for years, and I think this essay is probably the one most off the mark. The notion that Social Justice is an envious man's con game to take stuff from the rich and successful is patently absurd, not to mention insulting to victims of state and societal oppression. Demanding that the state take its knee off of peoples' necks has nothing to do with forcing everyone to have the same balance in their bank accounts.
You forgot to mention that envy often exists because some one does not feel that they can get these things themselves. Or .... if they.... that there are only limited resources, and it's a competition to fight for them, by taking from others.
I really love your channel. It helps me reflect about myself. Sometimes, I cannot make actions because I'm always doubting my motives. Your videos help me rationalize my thoughts.
This is perfectly factual. Anyone who has unfortunately lived alongside the hatred and targetting of the envious will attest to this. The deep insecurities and dullness, along with a distorted super ego, leads these beings to destroy everything about a person they envy, so they can rob every attribute for themselves. They hate those they envy, but love everything about that person they aim to destroy, for daring to have about them what the dull lack. And social justice is riddled with it. Short-sighted in thinking the act of envy can last with those who rob it, or have the imagination to keep it. I've always said from very young. Everyone is different, and that's a good thing.
The description of Social Justice Warriors is spot-on. It also applies to Antifa and to countless "community activists," and seems to define the progressive wing (nearly a majority) of the Democrat Party.
The alt right is also affected by a type of envy. It's misdirected towards hardworking immigrants or "different" on a surface level. Most members of the Alt Right have a profile of being disenfranchised and of the working class. Yet what they fail to realise is that their resentment is a cover up for entitlement based on arbitrary things like race.
No you weren't infuriated by the injustice,you were infuriated because you were on the loosing side of the injustice you were infuriated because you were not one of the banksters
This video was ridiculous. I think it's pretty hollow that you don't even allude to the possibility that people might have other motivations aside from a trifling emotion to seek justice in their communities. When you look at things like preterm births, unemployment, addiction, access to quality goods/services, and community violence (oft perpetrated by gatekeepers from outside those communities). Indignation is fine, it fueled me in a career for years..... but I guarantee you, what people feel in all these social justice movements is a hell of a lot more intense than envy. You better believe people are fighting for a life.... and not just the one they are told they are allowed to have....
Exactly lol. How far up your ass does your head have to be to believe that the reason people join together to attack whaling boats, for example, is because they're *envious* of people who are slaughtering innocent creatures to extinction for no other reason than to satisfy their taste buds & make a buck? The system perpetuates all manner of disgusting, amoral, and straight up diabolical behavior in the name of hedonism & profit. Anyone who thinks that speaking up against an INHERENT systemic injustice is plagued by "envy" or moved by mere "indignation" is revealing just how bankrupt, selfish, & pathetically accommodating they are to it all. It's revolting, honestly. (but no, I'm sure I'm just envious of this popular channel and wish I had one just like it, but without having to work for it, because I'm so lazy, too. I'm sure about these things because I'm sure that everyone on the planet is either as vacant as I am, or is simply less than, and I can't IMAGINE what anyone could possibly see wrong with my line of reasoning because apparently *I have no imagination* either :)
The comments echo the wisdom here ... Priceless content all around... Cheers to everyone that chooses gratitude and thankfulness over bitterness and resentment....
What an amazing video; more thoughtful and thought-provoking than hundreds of others on the subject of social justice. And the presentation was such that the 10 minutes went by so fast, it left me wanting more! Keep up the good work. There's just too much chaff out there today, and we need more wheat!
While some parts and some people can take social justice with the wrong approach, the foundation of reducing inequality is not rooted in envy. As a trans woman, I do not envy cis people, I want cis people to not hate me or hurt me because I am different. Minorities seeking understanding and empathy do so in efforts to dismantle systemic or cultural bigotry to afford themselves fair treatment or simply reduce bullying and social exclusion. Often, when enough social capital is gained we enact laws to prevent the outlying few who hold on to the bigotry to tell them this is not okay, as with laws requiring desegregation, equal opportunity employment, or women's suffrage. I can appreciate how a person interested in social justice who hold not just envy but contempt for those with more privileges is more likely to express an unhealthy form of social justice, projecting their insecurities onto the powerful, and furthering the divide. I feel like the video fails to capture this element of those who desire social change for the systemically oppressed. It comes across near the end of the video that if a society does eliminate material forms of inequality, it is then inevitable people will turn to envy traits unchangeable, therefore suggesting we are better off keeping material inequalities intact. I am unconvinced this would be the case. As if the culture rejects envy, propping healthier forms of acknowledging differences, those who falls prey to these weaker forms of envy would be few and not greatly impact the society at large. I hope you find time to address my comments in an update video.
To me it was more around the lines of -we won't make envy disappear by eliminating material inequalities, That is not the solution. And anyone that implies that it is, is either willfully or unwillfuly misguided. We make envy dissappear by growing ourselves, by evolving ourselves as individuals, surpassing envy.
I have yet to meet more people like you in the social justice group, although i would like to meet.. ....i guess those who has more influence and recognition in that sect of people (social justice warriors) and hence,has more people listening to them and religiously following their way of acquiring social justice do not resonate the ideas and ways you shared here,but more on the extremists side who claims to have solutions but when they are given powers they resort to violence.
Absolutely brilliant and wholly accurate. This is also what Tolstoy noticed about the bourgeoisie in Marxist places: Their “love” for the poor was actually their hatred for those richer than them in disguise. And as comedian Tom Papa said, “No one has an easy life. No one.” Envy of another from afar is always a mistake.
This is SO good. Exactly what I was looking for to try to rationally explain the current madness pushing what is left of Western Civilization ever closer to the point of no return.
what helps me deal with envy is to first notice it and then recognize that whatever it is that I want that the other person (who is the target of my envy) seems to have, is something I can develop. Then I learn whether or not I really want it enough, either way I see them as a role model.
It takes a thinking man to self reflect enough to recognize his own faults and correct them. The sad truth is that the average Social Justice Warrior or Communist is not a thinking man, but a feeling man. A leftist mind is a feminine mind, with maternal instincts and intuition. The right wing mind is a masculine mind, with logic and perception. Naivety plagues the leftist mind, where foresight blesses the right wing mind.
You have almost echoed an idea I had in which the Left was emotion and the Right was logic . Somewhere in the middle is a balance where we need to be. Too far left and you soley become rage, anger, emotion, passion .....too far right and you become cold , methodical and psychopathic. .... I agree with the feminine / masculine aspect you have. ...I'm left leaning ( a lot less than I thought I was 4 weeks ago) , but as someone who is creative and therefore Right Brained ....then being in touch with intuition and emotion ( female energy ) would make sense from my persepctive ......I've tried to put this as an art project, but unfortunately the rabid Post Modernist Feminists just want everything to be about identity, and have turned every discussion into gibberish about political activism ....So it's just an idea so far.
Thank you so much for everything you share. I am sharing more and more of it. I only wish I could lend you more support. You hard work makes it easier to try to engage in constructive dialogue. What you do is so very valuable. 🙏
There's certainly food for thought here but, I'm sorry to say, it is too simplistic. It does not escape the bias it pretends to expose in others. For one, it provides no basis for the distinction between indignation and envy. While social justice movements are vulnerable as well to baser motivations, social justice is, above all, a recognition that certain recurring social dynamics are predicated upon violence. Yes, unjust happiness is a matter for indignation, as per the definition that was provided in the video itself. If a system inherently does violence to some of its members for the benefit of others, this is the basis of indignation. Ironically, the arguments in your video really only make sense in just such an egalitarian structure as you argue against, because you presume a level playing field except for the inherent qualities or gifts of individuals. You simply assume that they, more or less, all got their on their own merit. And if you admit that 'the rich' or 'the elite' did not get where they are based on their own merits, then you fail again show the difference between indignation and envy. Furthermore, and perhaps most insidiously, all of this rests on the assumption that the present state of affairs is based on something like natural law, i.e. that the dynamics of society can be taken for granted as 'natural'. Thus agitating for social justice amounts to going against nature. But whom does this argument really benefit in the long run? Whose interests does it play into ultimately? The same kind of reasoning can be used to justify any form of caste, debt peonage, slavery, and oppression ever to appear in the history of civilization. So ultimately I say your premise is based on some kind of essentialist and naturalistic assumptions about our society. But there is in fact nothing necessary or natural about it. Case in point: study the history of money, markets, and debt. They were entirely contingent and represent no fundamentally natural laws. Moreover, as to their origins, they were absolutely born of violence. I probably can't emphasize this enough: debt plays a huge role in this. A lot of what social justice struggles against, even if vaguely and unknowingly, is the injustices visited upon human beings en masse because of the notion of debt. But your philosophy here is predicated on the idea that society represents just the merits of each individual. Thus it can only serve to prop up the violence visited upon the oppressed by the powerful. It distorts the idea of the self into the modern, isolated individual, and also keeps the less fortunate feeling guilty or inadequate because their lot in life is de facto their own fault, the result of their own lack of merit. Though you think this can be converted into something positive, it's only inevitable that when they fail, they will harbor resentment or feelings of inadequacy because they intrinsically weren't good enough in comparison to their meritorious and objectively better superiors. In other words, people better off deserve it for who they intrinsically are (they're better, even morally superior), while those on the lower tiers of society deserve what they get for the same reason (they're intrinsically inferior, and yes, that inferiority is a moral inferiority as well). This is evident from the fact that in our capitalistic system, wealth and moral-uprightness go hand in hand. Poor people are morally inferior. Hello caste system! At best, you've arrived at that pseudo-intellectual Ayn Rand.
Jay Bird Nah, the OP's comment had like 2 decent points yet was mostly pseudo-intellectual sophistry and rationalization. 'Western' "SJWism" is not and will never be good or just bud, wise up.
@@snowfrosty1 Then why not actually identify and address the "2 decent points" instead of making unsupported assertions? I thought this was about philosophy. It's been a while, so I'll summarize (to quell that ironic whining about 'sophistry' which in turn says nothing meaningful) here's what I'd like to see you refute: (1) that the video, on its own premises, fails to distinguish indignation from envy, and (2) that the video rests on a naturalistic fallacy about the structure and order of modern society. I'll not accept straw-man arguments about 'SJWs' (since in my original post I already noted that social justice movements, like literally any movement, are vulnerable to baser motivations.) So how about in good faith arguing about what social justice actually means -- that is, the social agitation to abolish slavery, debt peonage, caste, and other forms of overt or covert oppression, as when "a system inherently does violence to some of its members for the benefit of others." If you have the moral clarity to understand why something like slavery is obviously a social justice issue, you'll begin to understand why this whole video, resting as it does on the same naturalistic fallacies which could justify any form of oppression, falls apart.
Love the part about emulating. Because that's the only way to greatness. Don't hate a teacher because he knows more then you, learn from the teacher because he knows more then you. It's the only way to get better.
The reason why there is no conflict in the comment section is because those who are poisoned by envy won't even come across this video or this channel as a whole, it's a safe place for those who seek improvement and enlightenment and ask the bigger questions.
True social justice is a positive-sum game, with the happiness of the less privileged being improved to equal the happiness of the more privileged without diminishing the happiness of anyone.
I subscribe to the basic tenets of Nietzscheanism, in this respect, whereby the greatest error made was the adoption of Platonic-Judeo-Christian values, - church and eventually state dictated that one must strive to 'deny' their 'evil' side, live their lives according to asceticism, and generally condition oneself to be inauthentic and deny one's nature. Nietzsche explained that the truth about humanity is not in line with Judeo - Christian approximations and doctrines, in fact dangerously far from it. And that ultimately the greatest case of 'ressentiment' was against those warrior castes who warred and enslaved with other tribes, especially the Jews. They hated their masters and envied them. However, the dissemination and cultivation of the values of Judaism, then Catholicism and neo-Platonism turned the perception of the situation on its head. Now those who were enslaved labelled their enemies 'evil', in need of forgiveness, compassion and were barbarians to be pitied and punished. This created the moral culture that we still live in today. Once upon a time, people did not feel pity, remorse or such things, and the pre-Socratic Greek tragedy was the authentic, alive and empowering experience, in which all took part, the gods were relatable, Part human part superhuman. This enabled people to stay connected with the 'Apollonian' and 'Dionysian' parts of themselves. The great omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent god who demands and forgives is a great hoax. The ancient Greeks spiritual beliefs were there to simply inspire, humble and unite them among other things. Thier gods possessed both dark and light characteristics. The greatest tragedy that mankind took on the path was to deny who he really was, to suppress those parts of him that were entirely natural, and start to believe that 'being good' was the path to happiness. Well there is no happiness, salvation or redemption. We are certainly biologically driven perpetually which makes us restless, and suppression, asceticism just leads to guilt, shame and frustration. Nietzsche warned about 'tearing down the many just to satisfy the few'. What we ought to do is cultivate Genius, cultivate great leaders to lead us, But the problem is I suspect Nietzsche's road back to authenticity will never be realised. Nihilism, Transvaluation of all values, post - nihilism in the form of Amor Fati, and treating oneself as a work of art, to beauty existence.
" you can either be equal or free, you cannot be both." We already have equal rights. That is your tool to succeed. Capitalism has its problems, but it has been the best system in which a person can rise out of poverty or a rich man can end in the streets. It is based on self ownership. Own your thoughts and deeds.
-..."Some people has great stories, pretty stories, that takes place at lakes with friends, boats and noodle salad. Nobody in this car, but a lot of people. What makes it so hard is not that you had it bad, but that you´re so pissed that so many others had it good."... - Jack Nicholson in As Good As it Gets
This is the first video to come out since I've become a patreon supporter of Academy of Ideas. And the first one with which I disagree. I'm not saying this video is wrong, I'm saying it is very sloppy about something very important. I disagree with it because it is irresponsible about what it emphasizes implicitly and explicitly. Namely, it begins by carefully defining societal envy and then begins tuning all of its language to seem to be addressing SJWs, thereby implying that all SJW protest is envy driven. I more-or-less am either indifferent to SJWs or find their complaints mostly silly. But their right to protest is, for me, unquestionable, and this is where this video gets important things wrong. How are the thoughts and feelings that lead to rightful dissent addressed in this video ? Do I need to measure my feelings and see if I am envious or indignant ? Won't I just decide "indignant" if I care to check at all ? This video conflates social justice with social justice warriors, and rightful complaint with envy. Did MLK insight envy to protect the black vote ? Did the activists who established child labor laws actually care about children or were they just envious of corporate moguls ? The corporate moguls might have said to the protesters like at 2:35, why are you tying your happiness to 'pulling us down' ? (making us less profitable by having to abide by child labor laws). Please note that there is protest driven by envy, and there is protest that is simply moving to change an unfair system. We can't guess from the outside of a protest which it is. Seeming character assassination may have been added to the mix secondarily for morale, unity, etc. Is a protest 'indignant' when you or I or Academy of Ideas agrees with it and 'envious' when it does not ? This video is really, really in need of a follow-up video about the role of rightful protest, rebellion/revolution/resistance and political activism. This video is 10 minutes of making anyone considering political awareness and activism doubt themselves, unable to tease out if they are envious or indignant, or if they consider a) people as evil or b) a system in place as unfair. Normally I consider Academy of Ideas as fairly subversive in its message of questioning power and taking steps to address it. This video is so Ayn Randian it makes my head spin. This is the first AOI video that seems to be saying, "Quit hating (protesting). The established system is in place for a reason. Y'all just jealous (envious)." Which is the opposite message of all their other videos. Remember : Social justice warrior (as term of modern web slang) = bad Social justice as a concept immemorial = good. By the way, my opinion is perfect and right because I have determined it to be indignant. If you disagree, you are wrong, because I have deemed your argument envious. I learn quickly. Thank you Academy of Ideas. You've made me think harder than usual. I await your future videos, and remain a supporter.
@Lovesretrogames m Can you share an intelligent, logical, reasonable, knowledgeable and informed source which you would suggest to someone who disagrees with your assertions? Thank you in advance.
It is then, in my view, the mission of the happy to never back down. To observe and understand the envious so that the happy may peacefully and effortlessly counteract the affects. To never give up on the truth of their own lives even when faced with the miserable truths of another life.
just remember to think critically while watching this video and reading the comments, this is a limited and simplistic view of a multifaceted issue. Don’t pick and choose quotes from philosophers and thinkers to fit your narrative, put yourself in your “opponents’s” shoes and try to argue from their side. Careful of echo chambers
so what is it called when mary sees lucy with a diamond ring, loves the ring, wishes she had a similar ring but wouldn't deprive lucy of lucy's ring? or someone who visits a home with lovely architectural design and wishes they had a house like that, but wouldn't try to take a home from someone else? it's not envy or indignation, but i can't seem to find a word for it.
Materialistic admiration? It's not necessarily the admiration that is an issue but if mary prioritizes material wealth above her social, health, psychological, developmental pursuits/possessions, she has cheated herself out of enjoying and cultivating what are objectively and immeasurably the more valuable things in life. If I were mary i would ask myself "if i lost my sight tomorrow and became blind, would these items be of any value to me?" To reprioritize true value.
Crime is an irreversible act. Nothing can be worse than that. Almost everything else can be repaired, but a dead man can not be brought back to life, whatever you do.
I've always thought that people who were envious of me should optimise their envy and go be jealous of really rich people or celebrities. It just didn't make sense. Then from this video I learnt envious people won't direct their emotion from a distance. It is always directed to people within their own community. Beware those who would laugh when you slip up. They've been waiting silently for a chance to do so.
Great video. No matter how civilized we think we are in the end nature always wins, people will always resent and envy those who are better than them and will want to destroy them.
@@Craig121000 Hhhmmmm....this makes me think that you are depressed. Hey, listen you are not alone, okay! I had been told too that I have to stop caring about my feelings. But you must understand that this is not healthy, nor for us and nor for everybody else because of the damaging consequences from which you can end with it. I encourage you to find a way to work on your feelings before you end up with some bad mental health issue. Good luck!
To all the cowards hiding behind the words of great minds, "injustice is not ok". We may argue about how to achieve social justice or at least lessen the effects of injustice. The fact that some calling for justice are extreme in their ways cannot be used to justify oppression. Nuance is of the essence. Would someone abandon legal justice just because some would argue that we are doing it the right way?
crowncliff No that's definitely a mix of jealousy and envy, unfortunately misdirected at foreigners and immigrants instead of towards the given governments and other established institutions that knowingly subvert and polarize a respective State-society. Contemporary 'Western' leftist, "open border" advocates, feminists, etc.....are still undoubtedly more envious and detrimental than a basic 'run of the mill' conservative can hope to be.
Thank you, I'm one of them foreigners! I got nicknames like 'Little Miss Perfect', 'Stick Insect' (because I'm slim - I cook from scratch), 'The Dyke' (because I'm not interested in anything else but lifelong relationships - quality, not quantity!), I got told I was 'arrogant' (because I liked reading 'pretentious' books during my lunchbreak)… I've been reading Richard Wilkinson and Michael Booth and I think I really ought to relocate to a Nordic country!
I think of the envy that some "oppressed" have when an "industrious" legal immigrant comes to a country makes good and does their civic duties instead of playing the victim card!!
My 2 cents on this idea: For one, I don’t know anybody who is "envious" in the way that is described in this video. Envious to the point of HATING another person for their perceived happiness or success. This may just be my naiveté, but I don't think it's very common. Sure, a few people like that may exist, but I just don't think it's as common as this video would imply. In Jamaica we have a term "badmind", which basically means you're being grudgeful, but it's usually used in a light-hearted way. I don't think the average person when feeling envy thinks "I hate that person and I want to bring them down", I think they think "that should be/ could have been me so I can't be happy for this person but I'll work to get there". At least...that's my opinion. And then secondly the link between social justice and envy is not well fleshed-out I think. I do believe there is valuable criticism of social justice to be made, but rooting it in this all-encompassing, blinding hatred-type envy, doesn't make much sense to me. Again because I think...not many people are like that. I believe there is a case to be made for inequality (which is inevitable socially) and contentment with one's life circumstances (which is a virtue, personally). But the "envy" argument kinda lost me...
Based on what you said it seems like in Jamaica envy is kept under control by social institutions, beliefs, and practices. In the west, it is raging out of control. There are groups and mobs who are taking over universities and ruining the lives and careers of professors who they falsely claim are racist (they are clearly not if you listen to what they said or read what they wrote). In Canada there are tyrannical bills being passed compelling people to use certain gender pronouns under the threat of imprisonment. Young children are being brainwashed with unscientific ideas such as the fluidity of gender and the non-existence of biological sex. Envy in North America and Europe is out of control, you're lucky where you are it is just a "light-hearted" issue.
Every time a politician says, "the rich must pay their fair share" that is hatred fueled by envy. What is truly meant is that because a person is exceptional in their profession, they should pay more than everybody else. And by "pay" they mean have it taken away with violence if necessary.
@@ekpurdy this ain't no meritocracy. People obtain vast amounts of money by taking advantage of other people, and that is their ONLY talent and it is only right to seize the funds and give them back to the people they stole it from through social programs. Anyone with a sense of morality will never become exhorbitantly rich. No one is exceptional enough to deserve more money than they could spend in 5 lifetimes. It's called greed and hoarding wealth and that destroys our planet and is more harmful than this "envy" argument that's giving you capitalists who think you might be billionaires yourselves one day boners.
Actually life, economy, and politics are all meritocracies. Even the in most socialist or communist countries, people only succeed by winning political contests. Unless someone has been proven by law to have illegally obtained property, nobody else has the right to take that property away. Nor is it moral to stop someone from making profit because they provide a service that other people voluntarily pay to receive. What is immoral is to interfere with a voluntary transaction between two parties that will benefit both of them. Rockefeller, Ford, Hughes, Gates, Jobs and many others made fortunes by creating products that improved prosperity and living conditions for the entire world. That is not greed. That is progress.
Bill Gates has said something like "using vaccines to get rid of/remove overpopulation" Evil and corruption are bigger problems than claiming to get rid of/remove overpopulation and publicly not admitting that it is to get rid of/remove potential oppositions of evil and corrupt politicians etc. because there would be less humans to go against evil and corruption etc. No human has gotten one or more billions of money without being too evil and corrupt etc. for example a member in one or more very evil and corrupt secret societies, all of them gather to some secret area(s)/place(s) to conspire etc. with evil intentions
The only time I ever feel envy is when someone catches a bigger fish than me! But that’s the competitive side of me, it just spurs me on to one more cast. Great video, envy surely is the worst sin.
Indignation can be a vice as well. When one is constantly soaking in feelings of indignation at the unjust behaviors of others, they've no time or energy to look in the mirror. If you don't recognize an addiction to self-righteous indignation in SJWs, you're not looking very closely.
Regarding envy I think it would be worthwhile to study how the secret police operated in soviet russia and eastern europe during the cold war. I haven't experienced it myself first hand homewer people were encouraged to inform on others for talking badly about the government or having any sort of behaviour that did not agree with the main party norm and ideology/doctrine. Obviously the presence of envy in class struggle (especially in a post revolution socialist state) is also worth looking at That's only for the first half of the video, for the rest while I'm not in the know with politics today (I didn't understand why you included a picture of Merkel for instance) it seems to me like you are responding to a strawman of what social justice is. I don't think you made a good case for why it isn't indignation and what it has to do with envy. I guess people more in the know than me would ask you to stop dancing around the issue and just outright state what's your opinion of social justice, what you think it is, etc
From Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra, conveying the idea that often "social justice" is a facade hiding an underlying envy that wants to destroy and gain power:
"But, naturally, the tarantulas would have it differently. ‘That the world may become full of the storms of our revenge, let precisely that be called justice by us’ - thus they talk together.
‘We shall practise revenge and outrage against all who are not as we are’ - thus the tarantula-hearts promise themselves.
‘And “will to equality” - that itself shall henceforth be the name of virtue; and we shall raise outcry against everything that has power!’
You preachers of equality, thus from you the tyrant-madness of impotence cries for ‘equality’: thus your most secret tyrant-appetite disguises itself in words of virtue.
They resemble inspired men: but it is not the heart that inspires them - it is revenge. And when they become refined and cold, it is not their mind, it is their envy that makes them refined and cold.
Revenge rings in all their complaints, a malevolence is in all their praise; and to be judge seems bliss to them.
Mistrust all those who talk much about their justice! Truly, it is not only honey that their souls lack.
And when they call themselves ‘the good and just’, do not forget that nothing is lacking to make them into Pharisees except - power!"
~ Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra
gforced777 1 but What about indignancy towards a system that is unfair and unjust, not an envy directed towards any particular individual??? You can't demonize that!
Nietzsche, nor this video, conveys the message that indignation toward a corrupt system should be demonized. In the video it is stated that indignation is a virtue. The obsession with "equality" is THE issue. Why are so many people obsessed with that ideal, when it is clearly undesirable in some cases and impossible in others (even equality of opportunity is unrealistic if one reflects on what things create valuable life opportunities). Is not freedom a better ideal to strive for? A truly free society sounds like a better ideal scenario than a truly equal society. So why this deification of equality? Could envy be at its roots? Who benefits most from it being deified - could it be those who are granted the power to deal with it?
Jordan Q how ofcourse humans need ideals and we need goals. for freedom to be a goal it first needs to be defined, and conditions have to be applied. and it should be a moral freedom. not a one where animal tactics make you the winner, but rather something more intellectually ideal. envy does not have to be the motivation towards power, however often we do see envious people succeed in wealth and power.
Jordan Q ~"..indignation toward a corrupt system should be demonized" ? Merely demonizing a system 1. does not show us HOW a system is corrupt, or. 2. in relation to what; is the demonizer an indignant '3rd Little Pig' or an envious 'Big Bad Wolf' (eg. demonizing Capitalism 9/11 style)?
gforced777 1 ..I missed 'facade', oops,..I only envy your ability to compliment the video with a nice quote in this comment section..I'm emulated,thank you.
That last portion really caught my attention about those that make others feel guilt for happiness, and train them for misery
Yes, unfortunately they are teaching courses on how to shame and humilate people in University. It's called Whlite Privilege..
I remember for months after the murder of George Floyd, social media was full of people getting berated for simply living their lives and talking about anything that connoted joy or light. You were considered a bad person if you weren’t engaging in some form of wallowing, genuflection, or self-flagellation (particularly if you had the wrong skin color).
Yes when I told the principalof my son's Junior highschool I will be filing a Human Rights Complaint for violating our Canadian Constitution by discriminating against kids for their religious and political views for teaching BLM in the classroom, the principal began by stating we all must apologize for our white priviledge. He was later shocked to learn my husband is brown. Idiot.
Narcissism (NPD). It's rampant.
@@brandowhitemusic silence = violence😐
This channel is smarter and more interesting than me. Time to tear it down.
Lol
Your comment has more likes than mine.
clever irony. I'm jealous. cancel you.
😂😂🙏🏽
I am a little suprised the ministry of truth hasn't shut it down already
Envy is the lack of appreciation for your own life
Yes, a lack of gratitude with a big plate of entitlement..
Knowledge without experience is just information
cold hearted helper? too bad! executes socialist lairs as well as lighting them up as well for China.
Hey! I like the guitar.. GIB ME DAT!!!
I can see why ideologies like communism appeals to nihilist kids.
...my momma taught me not to count other people's money ... my momma taught me never be jealous, never be envious... my momma taught me to be happy for others she said in return you'll find own happiness ...
I love my momma. I miss her.
Ur mama was a very intelligent woman from the sound of it.
My mama wasn't so nice. Therefore I resent you bitterly.
I really like that phrase "don't count other people's money". I will definitely hold onto that. I think it's very poignantly wise, and perhaps something I need to take into consideration more personally lol
Sounds like you had a really good Mom ❤
It might be about indignation not envy
"The wicked envy and hate (and seek to destroy what they envy and hate); it is their way of admiring." - Victor Hugo
Amor Fati do you love fate? Has time and chance placed you anywhere treacherous? Has envy and hate consumed you to hating God?
@Andrew Cummings Good example: though this wouldn't have been true 60 years ago, the situation of the Black person in America today is at least as much an issue of personal misconduct, as it is systemic racism and historical contingencies.
Blasphemy! We must save the helpless black and brown people
LOL "their way of admiring" is such a pithy quote. I guess they love straight white men in secret.
Nice quote 👌👌
“Envy is the religion of the mediocre. It comforts them, it soothes their worries, and finally it rots their souls, allowing them to justify their meanness and their greed until they believe these to be virtues. Such people are convinced that the doors of heaven will be opened only to poor wretches like themselves who go through life without leaving any trace but their threadbare attempts to belittle others and to exclude - and destroy if possible - those who, by the simple fact of their existence, show up their own poorness of spirit, mind, and guts. Blessed be the one at whom the fools bark, because his soul will never belong to them.”
~ Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Angel's Game
well done video. Thanks!
In this context, who are "the mediocre"? Black people? Gay people? Women?
NonLuminousFlame White supremacist garbage. It's impossible to remove confounding factors like culture and environment to say definitively that any given race is biologically predisposed to intelligence. Hell, it's impossible to genetically classify any given race.
Why do you poor white guys love the rich and powerful white guys so much that you identify with them (white identity), vote with them (against your own economic interests), and will die for them in war (so they can profit)?
+OnceVitriolic "In this context, who are "the mediocre"?"
Individuals.
Your tendency to view people based on their group identity is disturbing.
Envy is a disease in our society. It took me years to realize that I was the envy of my friends and family. I worked hard, studied into the wee hours of the mornings to accomplish my goals. Yet at the end i was made to feel ashamed of the fruits of my labour and dedication to improving myself. It's clearer to me now but the discovery and the realization that i was being envied shook me to my foundations.
Feeling you 🙌
Yea and you definitely envy others far better than you. It's a human natural trait
When i used to play guitar around my "friends" who all secretly wanted to be rock stars, because i was very good and had hard won skills and knowledge they didn't have the energy to chase, the most envious of the groups would be like "you're such a dick, why the fuck are you so good??" or the more common "fuck you" as a response to me jamming to myself. This was thinly veiled behind a doomed attempt to turn it into a joke, they were just kidding....but no there was a wish underneath their harsh words (directed consciously at someone with extreme social anxiety and an inability to take harsh words lightly) to bring me down to the realisation that if i just quit chasing greatness, i would be more accepted amongst my peers. Well luckily they aren't in my life anymore, i'm still not "great" by my measure, although i believe I've achieved a likely ticket to success with my hard work. I'll always remember the look on their faces when i would play and the inevitably put downs that ensued, they looked offended and downright pissed off, often shaking their heads. Small people. They still suck on guitar lol, i offered to teach them for free but of course that would require effort.
Envy cripples .
As the old saying goes:
"Misery loves company."
Indeed. Those who seek failure to others are simply failures themselves. Learning from one's mistakes is the beginning to finding one's success.
Can't do company, sorry misery. How about a smack in the face instead?
It's not a saying, it's a song from Paramore. I hate those pricks. 'Ooooh look at mee, I'm in a rock band ooooohh.'
Envy is self-hatred projected on those you perceive to be superior.
A prerequisite for genuine envy is that the object of one's envy must be of the same station as yourself--you must have been capable of having achieved what this other person has achieved, and failed. But in an unjust society such as ours, it is rarely the case that one person has identical opportunities to another person. Thus what you see is that instead of suffering from envy, most people are agitating for justice. Justice is practically necessary for true envy to even be possible to experience.
Yes, envy is projection from those lacking the self-awareness to see accurately.
@@xxcrysad3000xx hmm
@@xxcrysad3000xx luck has a lot to do with it. Right place right time
Taking chances etc etc. Are you talking about monetary gains? That's nothing in the grand scheme of things
Remember the term indignation also was prestented
Thank you for this. Now I know why some people try to pull me down and hamper me even when I'm trying to do something eminently good. My virtue shames them. I will no longer be ashamed of my virtue.
Virtue is the contract we make with ourselves...to do what we beleive to be right, in the face of all that is not. Do our thoughts and actions seek to lift up...or to tear down? That is the question that gives us a more clear indication of the authenticity of what we beleive to be right. On this path, there is great resistance, as most, even those closest to us, would chose the path of least resistance. Stay strong, have hope...and even though it may seem that you are the last sane being in a world of madness, you are not, and the time will come, when those who have stood strong by way of virtue, will help to lead others back into the light.
as long as your virtue doesn't make you look as if you are being envious over the joy, passion and success of others...
Keep on doing the good. Inspirational what you wrote thankyou.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram all fuel Envy even more than media. This video is a must watch for high school kids cuz teachers foster envy in a big way 🔥
You ain’t a kidding.
I had to realize that many of my existential struggles center around envy. This video very neatly solidifies what I've been wondering about it myself.
I've grown up in a very unfortunate environment, disenfranchised, full of dreams but seemingly without means of facilitation, if you saw it, you could easily understand the anti-elitist streak and bleeding-heart socialism of my youth, and even commend me for it.
But I've observed myself gradually moving from indignant yet driven to ever more stagnant, lethargic and envious. At some point I was so wrapped up in my perceived injustice of the world, I was adamantly convinced that people from my social standing/class/background were never meant to become anything more than working consumers, and that my ability to think on these things was an error in the system.
Grandiose? Hell yeah! But it did, in a Camusian kind of way, help me find my footing in reality again. It is easy to feel better about yourself when you're convinced that your mere existence and awareness of your surroundings is a revolt against fate.
In retrospect, it still kind of feels as if I was being bred to becoming miserable, angry, populist, and in my self-rightous rage ultimately non-contributive to society, but also ultimately harmless to it.
And while I wouldn't want to give up responsibility over my actions by stating this, one cannot deny that an angry, deluded mind is easier to control than an analytical one. That doesn't change if you multiply that one mind into a crowd, a niche, a group, a class or a nation respectively.
Thank you for being honest.
This is very honest and poignant. I commend you. I feel I'm on the same path finally at 37....
Excellent!
Watch the video about our school system on this very same channel. It is good that you reflect, but the change we must make is pressing. Otherwise we either land in perpetual slavery (1984/brave new world, also a video on this channel) or drive ourselves back to square one. The presenter always speaks eloquently, but sometimes really contradicts himself in regard to the other topics presented. That we must stand up to those who wish to enslave us fully in the years to come is a necessity. No envy for the richer, their power will crumble as its solidity unmasks itself. Our society hangs by a thread. I wish we all had less so we had more time to invest into what is not material.
I wonder if the expectation of justice isn't the root of an awful lot of suffering.
The cure for envy in my life has been becoming truly grateful ,its life changing impact.
Distraction is the key to one very effective technique I have quite effectively employed, distract away from those comparing thoughts and then compare what we have now to what our ancestors had, my grandmother had an AM radio and a black &white tv. I have a million channels that connect to a good sound system.
You sir are talking with the voice or reason and common sense. I admire your skill to transmit these ideas in such a clear way.
I have never been envious of anyone or anything! It has always puzzled me why people feel envious of others, I'm not wealthy or the best looking...but I am happy, satisfied and content with myself. I feel that envy is the result of lack of love for yourself. True wealth comes from within. It really doesn't matter how rich or poor you are. I'm also happy for everyone who is successful.
Wow. This one was really good. I can’t imagine being an envious person! Thank goodness! I like to emulate the people I look up to. When I was a wedding photographer there was a fellow competitor that envied me. I was better than him at the time and he talked shit about me all the time. He hated me. Never even met him. I didn’t care though. I was focus on learning and emulating the best wedding photographers in the world at the time. 4 years later, in 2008, I was DWF’s International Wedding Photographer of the Year. I think that other guy went out of business. Don’t be envious! Emulate!
how can i separate envy and indignation?
most of the time people convinced themselves that their envy is some kind of indignation.
Indignation is the genus; envy is a species.
Indignation is the emotion aroused by something observed as unjust. This is characteristic of envy, but with the additional characteristic where that something is observed to be unjust because the envious lacks that something. This is why envy is based on a fallacy: Something is unjust because you lack it.
So in other words, indignation that is caused by lacking something is envy. The justification of why that something is unjust is fallacious, thus envy is a false alarm (in fact, it's misleading and thus--and as explained in the video--harmful). Indignation is justifiable if the justification for why that something is unjust is sound.
I suggest that we can tell the difference by examining the actual historical or sociological causes of the thing which we are bothered by. If one group's happiness or prosperity can in fact be shown to have been achieved through the unjust exploitation of others, and if that exploitation is really what bothers you, and not the people's happiness itself, then I'd think you're legitimately indignant. On the other hand, if you don't care about the historical facts or circumstances (if you don't care about whether someone's happiness was unjustly gained or not), and if you instead just want what someone else has, or you resent their happiness or prosperity in and of itself or merely because they have it and you don't, then I'd suggest you're probably envious.
But isn't your definition exactly what social justice is about? He seems to define positive indignation, which is exactly what social justice is about, and then decry social justice as being envious. I find the philosophy on this channel strong, but the politics generally confused.
@ksmokrt27: well said. All to often the accusation of envy is used by the rich in order to deflect from the fact they exploit people for their own gain.
From my experience, there are basically two ways. First, if one does not go down to one's reasons while preaching equality, one usually envies, because people are much less willing to expose their arguments to critical counter arguments when built feeble and precarious. Second, if one defends absolute equality regardless, one is more likely to envy than to be indignant. This can be an alternative to compensate the first way. If you argue for absolute equality regardless, then this might be a cover for the weak basis of your arguments.
I once watched a video where a feminist and peterson were discussing and at one point she said she didn't know why the pay gap between man and woman existed but it existed whatever the reason and this was offensive. Now this is one of the most preposturous arguments I had ever heard because think about it. I work for 15 hours and you for 1 hour and I take 3k dollars while you take 2k, and you come up by this argument and say this pay gap is offensive regardless of the reasons (I do not imply women work less than men. I am giving a hypothetical situation to show the absurdity of her argument). This to me seems much more envy than indignation.
2:33 Thats really smart:
If u believe what others have obtained, and what u lack, is the reason for your unhappiness, then you will be envious.
When, really in most cases its not.
A fool will envy greatness. A wise man will aspire to it.
@Josiah Sepulveda No. Though Kierkegaard said, "Envy is hidden admiration", it's wrong to propose that envy is a *necessary* impetus towards self-reform. For some it may be the case, but at best it is not an ideal solution- just as likely to become a trap- and just as many can simply admire great men and work to be like them, and then perhaps become greater.
Tautologies
I feel that somedays... like I can’t be open about how happy I am. This is so true.
I have always been surrounded by shitty, envious people. I long for my escape from them. Meanwhile, I look at some other guy and think to myself: "That guy is AWESOME" because I really appreciate something he does. Why do humans have to be so terrible??
Hi Terry, agreed
Not to be flippant but, en français, 'C'est la vie.' Humanity, and life, are not perfectible. Just improvable, slightly. Be satisfied with the improvements you can make to yourself and hope not to be murdered young.
The envious shine a defining light onto themselves. Their envy shows the relationship that are having with themselves that is expressed as the life they are living.
The only people they should envy are those void of envy. Paradoxically, they then switch into envying their advanced state of mental growth (should they have the mental capacity even to do that).
Awesome video, so well pieced together.
I would suggest the antidote for envy is gratitude.
Best antidote for envy is distraction. I've researched it and applied the cognitive behavioral technique to simply shut down the simple practice of comparing myself with others, distraction being a key part of it. The classic work I have seems quite pessimistic about any relief from it but I beg to differ, have shut it down almost entirely with good results in only a few months.
This is one of the most cogent and concise responses to the regressive left's social justice identity politics that I have ever heard. More people need to hear this.
You re right, lets use Nietzsche's words against the oppressed because that's exactly what he intended.
@@hteur1 whom are you talking about?
This is one of those videos you have to listen to over and over again it’s so powerful
I've hated myself for 2 emotions: jealousy and envy. The way these two emotions made me feel was awful. It did springboard me into actions. A goal was achieved, but that, looking back, was not necessarily a good thing. No one knows the outcome of a decision until later
This criticism of egalitarian/political/social justice envy only works when society is truly meritocratic. Yes, improving yourself is the only way to succeed and become better and everyone, no matter their context and upbringing, should strive to do that. Blaming all of your problems on oppression by one group is a total cop out and failure of will. But we must admit that we don't live in a society with at least equal opportunity. We live in a society where certain groups are actively oppressed by more powerful ones. Make society a place where everyone is free to improve themselves and get ahead based solely on merit and then we can talk about egalitarian envy.
Equal opportunity to do what? This drops any context of reality. This is an evasion of each individuals right to his own life and a hidden demand for sacrifice enforced by govt. A carpenter who loves his work does not need the opportunity to be an industrialist or stock broker. This is an attack on mans independent mind, an attack on mans need to accept the risk of independent judgment. Egalitarians fear the responsibility to choose to focus their minds. Political power is not economic power. A dollar is not a gun.
Production is not destruction. Capitalism ,not our mixed economy, is the only protection of each individuals opportunity to create opportunity. There is no fixed pie of opportunity in capitalism. Capitalist opportunities constantly increases. Where was the opportunity to be a video game designer before capitalism? Where was the opportunity to leave primitive farming before capitalism? Where was the opportunity to be a professional intellectual before capitalism? Capitalism has decreased ancient, global poverty to 8%. A vast number of higher paying jobs was created by capitalism. Even Vietnam is becoming capitalist as poor farmers want the opportunity to be unequal to other poor farmers.
That Nietzsche quote at the end gave me chills. We are already there. The miserable against the happy... perfectly sums up Critical Theory Marxism Social justice. And from over 100 years ago. Wow.
This is a great video. I wish all the world could watch it.
Share this video with as many people as you can!
I think what scares a lot of "haves" is that the "have nots" are actually the "want nots" (ie, they actually *don't* envy you b/c they're living by a completely different set of *values*). M4A is a great example of that. I support it b/c I value the wellbeing of everyone I love *above* all the yachts, vacation properties, luxury cars in the world. There is literally no *THING* in this world that I desire more than the health of my friends & family, and that makes me a very difficult person for the ruling class to control, because I'm not interested in the "prizes" that their game has to offer to it's "winners". I would rather play a different game altogether (different rules/different "prizes"). And when millions of people feel the same way, the result is a categorical rejection of the status quo. In sum, envy is only a social dynamic *if both parties want the same thing* & social justice ultimately refers to fundamental conflicts of interest & values between parties.
Cheers mate . That is very relevant to me.
Very good point.
If you were not envious you would not look at what others had and resent it. Your comment about not desiring " more than the health of my friends and family" appear to me to be virtue signalling because you go directly into how this makes you hard to control by "the ruling elites". How are you actively contributing to the health of those you claim to care for? Desires are fine when not much effort is involved. Do you contribute materially towards their health? Are you an activist working to help those who are underserved by community resoures? I would urge you to be more content with your lot in life and modest in your desires for wealth as this is only possible according to our personal circumstances and not by taking what others have.
To the person/people who moderate this channel: where is the reply I just posted?
@@dawnemile4974 Hi, I replied to you just a minute ago & it disappeared. I'm just replying again to see if it has to do with the tag.
This video didn't annihilate social justice any more than he redeemed the status quo of modern society. He has - rightfully -
cast doubt on very basic and common assumptions about how "social justice" is expected to effect social change, but without actually defining what "social justice" is, and what particular form of it he's critiquing, he's basically just constructing a straw man.
The idea that envy works the same way in every culture is an assumption conditioned by the hegemony of the Christian West. Nietzsche does not make sense in any other context, and it's an error to extrapolate and project his thoughts onto other cultures.
All societies pursue justice in their own ways, almost always through a combination of legal and extra-legal means. The "common sense" idea espoused by most of the critics of "social justice" is that justice should be left solely to the judges. "Law and order" are suddenly beyond question. That is, until you try to regulate fire arms or fossil fuels, then the same state opposed by the "social justice warriors" magically transforms into a tyrannical form of government in the eyes of the "libertarian" far right.
But you don't need to develop your sense of envy to conclude that the people supporting the Bundy ranchers cared just as much about "social justice" as the people who supported Standing Rock. We all desire justice and just-ness, it's just that some of us desperately need this to be seen a zero-sum game in order to feel good about themselves.
Cowards will hide behind the words of others, and sensible people will use their minds to try to make sense of the whole picture. Thank you for your clarification; it was much needed.
Travis Wysote thank you for summarizing, this is my first listen to his opinion regarding this subject and it came across to me as really insidious. I’d consider myself as anything but a part of or an enabler of some form of ruling class and I was shut out not even halfway into the video.
Communisim has its roots in envy .
You have just given me a subject to write my thesis for my masters.. You’re great, keep up the quality videos!
Thank you AOI! Now I realized all these years what has been holding me back: hanging around with envious *******s has stifled my pursuit of my goals (I know I don't have anyone to blame but myself, but in the end it's really up to me decide how to live my life and choose which direction). Lesson learned. Can't thank you enough, keep up the good work!
Seems like we’ve reached the point in time when the good people aren’t happy and the happy people aren’t good. I never trust a smiling face at this point. I let myself appear miserable so only I know my happiness, I don’t show it to others. It ain’t safe.
Yes Vanessa! Move in silence, that’s what I’m trying to learn to do.
@@christinapaterno5585 And why is that the good thing to do?
@@googleprofiel6814 It has been my experience that there are many people who would like to throw bad energy at you, and to be negative or undermine your success, if you appear too happy or successful. It applies to a lot of things though. For example, if you do some good in the world, don’t boast, move in silence. If you have big plans, or if you are working on a big project (for example I write, poetry and screenwriting/scripts) then move in silence. Also, words are powerful, although not as powerful as intent. I’m not saying that every single person will react like this, but a majority will and a lot of times it will be someone you don’t expect.
@@googleprofiel6814 It also gives your higher self a chance to kick in and a chance for you to listen to it better
''The law can represent people equally but it can not make them equal , not even nature could ." ~ Honore Balzac.
This is EXACTLY how I feel about social justice warriors of today.
My goodness, this sums up modern politics so perfectly it's scary.
"While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole that he's in"-Bob Dylan
@@arlodante1163 It's Alright, Ma (I'm only bleeding)
Wow! And they said Dylan was a commie!
Wish this was taught in schools. I surely lack the finesse to word this idea like it was here, but it is true and these ideas always runs through my mind. Funny, though those wont like it, liberal politics pushes this idea of equality which in turn has created a great deal of envy. The most ironic part is that in the past, and they still claim to fight for the common man and woman, however that is not the case anymore.
The more central left would be very bothered. The far left could find value in it. A reminder that our politicians are utilizing a desire for equality as a tool for manipulation hurts no one.
I wouldn't mind (out of sheer curiosity) seeing what racial and sexual equality would bring about in terms of envy. Would we then see eyes turned towards rich? I've always been under the impression that this is the reason for the dual political parties. If we are polarized, we cannot work with one another to see violations of the law and rights already in place enacted by those in positions of power who we should be holding accountable. We cannot remove them from positions they are not fit for. Instead we are hypnotized by their puppetry.
Surely both sides have individuals within their parties who they feel are unfit for their positions. (As someone who would be classified as more left, I would like to see Hillary kept as far from running for any office. Better options are available.)
Just a thought, but in short, yes it should be taught.
One finds that virtue is typically avoided in most school curriculums, the idea being that it's bad for business.
That is not what school is for. If anything, school is to make sure that one of the collective values of the citizenry is that of envy so that they become and remain obedient consumers throughout their lives.
Too many people use the word "jealousy" when they mean "envy" I've noticed. "Jealous" seems to be a buzzword.
Yeah me too
Words are not static. They are both to me synonyms
@@monsterhunter445 Jealousy is fear of losing what one has to another, eg a jealous lover afraid of losing their partner to another person. Envy is the displeasure at what another person has that one desires but does not have, eg a poor man envious of the wealthy.
To say "envy" is painful in itself, so many just say jealous to compensate. It also is too that they don't actually know the difference, ergo, say one word to have two meanings instead of using them separately.
@@ansheng9833 Exactly, my friend. A marked difference between the two meanings.
A very explanatory view into the current psychosis of the modern social justice warrior .
I've been following Academy of Ideas for years, and I think this essay is probably the one most off the mark. The notion that Social Justice is an envious man's con game to take stuff from the rich and successful is patently absurd, not to mention insulting to victims of state and societal oppression. Demanding that the state take its knee off of peoples' necks has nothing to do with forcing everyone to have the same balance in their bank accounts.
Clarence Ewing I gave you a thumbs up not that I agree with all you say but I do feel your kindness. Take care.
It's only patently absurd to you.
Well said.
You forgot to mention that envy often exists because some one does not feel that they can get these things themselves. Or .... if they.... that there are only limited resources, and it's a competition to fight for them, by taking from others.
While there is much to discuss in this video, it's still very enlightening and thought provoking. Great work.
I really love your channel. It helps me reflect about myself. Sometimes, I cannot make actions because I'm always doubting my motives. Your videos help me rationalize my thoughts.
This is perfectly factual. Anyone who has unfortunately lived alongside the hatred and targetting of the envious will attest to this. The deep insecurities and dullness, along with a distorted super ego, leads these beings to destroy everything about a person they envy, so they can rob every attribute for themselves. They hate those they envy, but love everything about that person they aim to destroy, for daring to have about them what the dull lack. And social justice is riddled with it. Short-sighted in thinking the act of envy can last with those who rob it, or have the imagination to keep it.
I've always said from very young. Everyone is different, and that's a good thing.
The description of Social Justice Warriors is spot-on. It also applies to Antifa and to countless "community activists," and seems to define the progressive wing (nearly a majority) of the Democrat Party.
The alt right is also affected by a type of envy. It's misdirected towards hardworking immigrants or "different" on a surface level. Most members of the Alt Right have a profile of being disenfranchised and of the working class. Yet what they fail to realise is that their resentment is a cover up for entitlement based on arbitrary things like race.
The Holy Bible:
Proverbs 14:30- “A sound heart is health to the body; but envy is rottenness to the bones.”
I wasn't envious of the banksters in 2008.
I was infuriated by the injustice.
The purposeful indifference as well as the injustice
Hell, yeah. This bullshit criticism of "envy" is an excellent rise for ruling class theft.
No you weren't infuriated by the injustice,you were infuriated because you were on the loosing side of the injustice you were infuriated because you were not one of the banksters
@@cv4809 Don't presume to tell me how I feel.
Flippin' Jackhole.
@@cv4809 Spoken like a true head-up-his-asser.
That last passage from Nietzsche has eerie echos of the outcome from ‘white guilt’
This video was ridiculous. I think it's pretty hollow that you don't even allude to the possibility that people might have other motivations aside from a trifling emotion to seek justice in their communities. When you look at things like preterm births, unemployment, addiction, access to quality goods/services, and community violence (oft perpetrated by gatekeepers from outside those communities). Indignation is fine, it fueled me in a career for years..... but I guarantee you, what people feel in all these social justice movements is a hell of a lot more intense than envy. You better believe people are fighting for a life.... and not just the one they are told they are allowed to have....
The error the video makes is in conflating those who are clamoring against injustice (a moral virtue) with people suffering from envy (a petty vice).
Exactly lol. How far up your ass does your head have to be to believe that the reason people join together to attack whaling boats, for example, is because they're *envious* of people who are slaughtering innocent creatures to extinction for no other reason than to satisfy their taste buds & make a buck? The system perpetuates all manner of disgusting, amoral, and straight up diabolical behavior in the name of hedonism & profit. Anyone who thinks that speaking up against an INHERENT systemic injustice is plagued by "envy" or moved by mere "indignation" is revealing just how bankrupt, selfish, & pathetically accommodating they are to it all. It's revolting, honestly.
(but no, I'm sure I'm just envious of this popular channel and wish I had one just like it, but without having to work for it, because I'm so lazy, too. I'm sure about these things because I'm sure that everyone on the planet is either as vacant as I am, or is simply less than, and I can't IMAGINE what anyone could possibly see wrong with my line of reasoning because apparently *I have no imagination* either :)
@@nataliaturner4845 underrated comment
The comments echo the wisdom here ...
Priceless content all around...
Cheers to everyone that chooses gratitude and thankfulness over bitterness and resentment....
What an amazing video; more thoughtful and thought-provoking than hundreds of others on the subject of social justice. And the presentation was such that the 10 minutes went by so fast, it left me wanting more! Keep up the good work. There's just too much chaff out there today, and we need more wheat!
I wonder if the ones who disliked this video, have envy issues.
While some parts and some people can take social justice with the wrong approach, the foundation of reducing inequality is not rooted in envy.
As a trans woman, I do not envy cis people, I want cis people to not hate me or hurt me because I am different. Minorities seeking understanding and empathy do so in efforts to dismantle systemic or cultural bigotry to afford themselves fair treatment or simply reduce bullying and social exclusion. Often, when enough social capital is gained we enact laws to prevent the outlying few who hold on to the bigotry to tell them this is not okay, as with laws requiring desegregation, equal opportunity employment, or women's suffrage.
I can appreciate how a person interested in social justice who hold not just envy but contempt for those with more privileges is more likely to express an unhealthy form of social justice, projecting their insecurities onto the powerful, and furthering the divide.
I feel like the video fails to capture this element of those who desire social change for the systemically oppressed. It comes across near the end of the video that if a society does eliminate material forms of inequality, it is then inevitable people will turn to envy traits unchangeable, therefore suggesting we are better off keeping material inequalities intact. I am unconvinced this would be the case. As if the culture rejects envy, propping healthier forms of acknowledging differences, those who falls prey to these weaker forms of envy would be few and not greatly impact the society at large.
I hope you find time to address my comments in an update video.
To me it was more around the lines of -we won't make envy disappear by eliminating material inequalities, That is not the solution. And anyone that implies that it is, is either willfully or unwillfuly misguided. We make envy dissappear by growing ourselves, by evolving ourselves as individuals, surpassing envy.
I have yet to meet more people like you in the social justice group, although i would like to meet..
....i guess those who has more influence and recognition in that sect of people (social justice warriors) and hence,has more people listening to them and religiously following their way of acquiring social justice do not resonate the ideas and ways you shared here,but more on the extremists side who claims to have solutions but when they are given powers they resort to violence.
Absolutely brilliant and wholly accurate. This is also what Tolstoy noticed about the bourgeoisie in Marxist places: Their “love” for the poor was actually their hatred for those richer than them in disguise. And as comedian Tom Papa said, “No one has an easy life. No one.” Envy of another from afar is always a mistake.
This is SO good. Exactly what I was looking for to try to rationally explain the current madness pushing what is left of Western Civilization ever closer to the point of no return.
what helps me deal with envy is to first notice it and then recognize that whatever it is that I want that the other person (who is the target of my envy) seems to have, is something I can develop. Then I learn whether or not I really want it enough, either way I see them as a role model.
It takes a thinking man to self reflect enough to recognize his own faults and correct them. The sad truth is that the average Social Justice Warrior or Communist is not a thinking man, but a feeling man. A leftist mind is a feminine mind, with maternal instincts and intuition. The right wing mind is a masculine mind, with logic and perception. Naivety plagues the leftist mind, where foresight blesses the right wing mind.
Intuition isn't bad. Just when it's unsupported by facts and evidence, especially when applied to political and sociological matters
You have almost echoed an idea I had in which the Left was emotion and the Right was logic . Somewhere in the middle is a balance where we need to be. Too far left and you soley become rage, anger, emotion, passion .....too far right and you become cold , methodical and psychopathic. .... I agree with the feminine / masculine aspect you have. ...I'm left leaning ( a lot less than I thought I was 4 weeks ago) , but as someone who is creative and therefore Right Brained ....then being in touch with intuition and emotion ( female energy ) would make sense from my persepctive ......I've tried to put this as an art project, but unfortunately the rabid Post Modernist Feminists just want everything to be about identity, and have turned every discussion into gibberish about political activism ....So it's just an idea so far.
Thank you so much for everything you share. I am sharing more and more of it. I only wish I could lend you more support. You hard work makes it easier to try to engage in constructive dialogue. What you do is so very valuable. 🙏
There's certainly food for thought here but, I'm sorry to say, it is too simplistic. It does not escape the bias it pretends to expose in others. For one, it provides no basis for the distinction between indignation and envy. While social justice movements are vulnerable as well to baser motivations, social justice is, above all, a recognition that certain recurring social dynamics are predicated upon violence. Yes, unjust happiness is a matter for indignation, as per the definition that was provided in the video itself. If a system inherently does violence to some of its members for the benefit of others, this is the basis of indignation.
Ironically, the arguments in your video really only make sense in just such an egalitarian structure as you argue against, because you presume a level playing field except for the inherent qualities or gifts of individuals. You simply assume that they, more or less, all got their on their own merit. And if you admit that 'the rich' or 'the elite' did not get where they are based on their own merits, then you fail again show the difference between indignation and envy.
Furthermore, and perhaps most insidiously, all of this rests on the assumption that the present state of affairs is based on something like natural law, i.e. that the dynamics of society can be taken for granted as 'natural'. Thus agitating for social justice amounts to going against nature. But whom does this argument really benefit in the long run? Whose interests does it play into ultimately? The same kind of reasoning can be used to justify any form of caste, debt peonage, slavery, and oppression ever to appear in the history of civilization. So ultimately I say your premise is based on some kind of essentialist and naturalistic assumptions about our society. But there is in fact nothing necessary or natural about it.
Case in point: study the history of money, markets, and debt. They were entirely contingent and represent no fundamentally natural laws. Moreover, as to their origins, they were absolutely born of violence. I probably can't emphasize this enough: debt plays a huge role in this. A lot of what social justice struggles against, even if vaguely and unknowingly, is the injustices visited upon human beings en masse because of the notion of debt.
But your philosophy here is predicated on the idea that society represents just the merits of each individual. Thus it can only serve to prop up the violence visited upon the oppressed by the powerful. It distorts the idea of the self into the modern, isolated individual, and also keeps the less fortunate feeling guilty or inadequate because their lot in life is de facto their own fault, the result of their own lack of merit. Though you think this can be converted into something positive, it's only inevitable that when they fail, they will harbor resentment or feelings of inadequacy because they intrinsically weren't good enough in comparison to their meritorious and objectively better superiors. In other words, people better off deserve it for who they intrinsically are (they're better, even morally superior), while those on the lower tiers of society deserve what they get for the same reason (they're intrinsically inferior, and yes, that inferiority is a moral inferiority as well). This is evident from the fact that in our capitalistic system, wealth and moral-uprightness go hand in hand. Poor people are morally inferior. Hello caste system! At best, you've arrived at that pseudo-intellectual Ayn Rand.
@BeGood 2Me damn he gives a well worded argument for what he believes and this reply is all you got for him? Who is really jealous here?
Jay Bird
Nah, the OP's comment had like 2 decent points yet was mostly pseudo-intellectual sophistry and rationalization. 'Western' "SJWism" is not and will never be good or just bud, wise up.
@@snowfrosty1 No u
@@JayV98
It's not good, deal with it
#Cancelled
@@snowfrosty1 Then why not actually identify and address the "2 decent points" instead of making unsupported assertions? I thought this was about philosophy.
It's been a while, so I'll summarize (to quell that ironic whining about 'sophistry' which in turn says nothing meaningful) here's what I'd like to see you refute: (1) that the video, on its own premises, fails to distinguish indignation from envy, and (2) that the video rests on a naturalistic fallacy about the structure and order of modern society.
I'll not accept straw-man arguments about 'SJWs' (since in my original post I already noted that social justice movements, like literally any movement, are vulnerable to baser motivations.) So how about in good faith arguing about what social justice actually means -- that is, the social agitation to abolish slavery, debt peonage, caste, and other forms of overt or covert oppression, as when "a system inherently does violence to some of its members for the benefit of others." If you have the moral clarity to understand why something like slavery is obviously a social justice issue, you'll begin to understand why this whole video, resting as it does on the same naturalistic fallacies which could justify any form of oppression, falls apart.
Love the part about emulating. Because that's the only way to greatness. Don't hate a teacher because he knows more then you, learn from the teacher because he knows more then you. It's the only way to get better.
Man, can't smash that like button hard enough!
I love this channel
The reason why there is no conflict in the comment section is because those who are poisoned by envy won't even come across this video or this channel as a whole, it's a safe place for those who seek improvement and enlightenment and ask the bigger questions.
please, never stop making those videos.
True social justice is a positive-sum game, with the happiness of the less privileged being improved to equal the happiness of the more privileged without diminishing the happiness of anyone.
I subscribe to the basic tenets of Nietzscheanism, in this respect, whereby the greatest error made was the adoption of Platonic-Judeo-Christian values, - church and eventually state dictated that one must strive to 'deny' their 'evil' side, live their lives according to asceticism, and generally condition oneself to be inauthentic and deny one's nature.
Nietzsche explained that the truth about humanity is not in line with Judeo - Christian approximations and doctrines, in fact dangerously far from it. And that ultimately the greatest case of 'ressentiment' was against those warrior castes who warred and enslaved with other tribes, especially the Jews.
They hated their masters and envied them. However, the dissemination and cultivation of the values of Judaism, then Catholicism and neo-Platonism turned the perception of the situation on its head.
Now those who were enslaved labelled their enemies 'evil', in need of forgiveness, compassion and were barbarians to be pitied and punished. This created the moral culture that we still live in today. Once upon a time, people did not feel pity, remorse or such things, and the pre-Socratic Greek tragedy was the authentic, alive and empowering experience, in which all took part, the gods were relatable, Part human part superhuman. This enabled people to stay connected with the 'Apollonian' and 'Dionysian' parts of themselves. The great omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent god who demands and forgives is a great hoax. The ancient Greeks spiritual beliefs were there to simply inspire, humble and unite them among other things. Thier gods possessed both dark and light characteristics.
The greatest tragedy that mankind took on the path was to deny who he really was, to suppress those parts of him that were entirely natural, and start to believe that 'being good' was the path to happiness. Well there is no happiness, salvation or redemption. We are certainly biologically driven perpetually which makes us restless, and suppression, asceticism just leads to guilt, shame and frustration.
Nietzsche warned about 'tearing down the many just to satisfy the few'. What we ought to do is cultivate Genius, cultivate great leaders to lead us, But the problem is I suspect Nietzsche's road back to authenticity will never be realised. Nihilism, Transvaluation of all values, post - nihilism in the form of Amor Fati, and treating oneself as a work of art, to beauty existence.
Should be required viewing in education. Incredible how people fall for this trap.
" you can either be equal or free, you cannot be both." We already have equal rights. That is your tool to succeed. Capitalism has its problems, but it has been the best system in which a person can rise out of poverty or a rich man can end in the streets. It is based on self ownership. Own your thoughts and deeds.
Somebody drank all the coolaid.
-..."Some people has great stories, pretty stories, that takes place at lakes with friends, boats and noodle salad. Nobody in this car, but a lot of people. What makes it so hard is not that you had it bad, but that you´re so pissed that so many others had it good."... - Jack Nicholson in As Good As it Gets
This is the first video to come out
since I've become a patreon supporter
of Academy of Ideas.
And the first one with which I disagree.
I'm not saying this video is wrong,
I'm saying it is very sloppy about something
very important. I disagree with it because
it is irresponsible about what it emphasizes
implicitly and explicitly.
Namely, it begins by carefully defining societal envy and then
begins tuning all of its language to seem to be addressing SJWs,
thereby implying that all SJW protest is envy driven.
I more-or-less am either indifferent to SJWs
or find their complaints mostly silly.
But their right to protest is, for me, unquestionable, and this is
where this video gets important things wrong.
How are the thoughts and feelings that lead to
rightful dissent addressed in this video ?
Do I need to measure my feelings and see if
I am envious or indignant ?
Won't I just decide "indignant" if I care to check at all ?
This video conflates social justice with social justice warriors,
and rightful complaint with envy.
Did MLK insight envy to protect the black vote ?
Did the activists who established child
labor laws actually care about children or
were they just envious of corporate moguls ?
The corporate moguls might have said to the protesters
like at 2:35, why are you tying your happiness to
'pulling us down' ?
(making us less profitable by having to abide by
child labor laws).
Please note that there is protest driven by envy,
and there is protest that is simply moving to change
an unfair system. We can't guess from the outside
of a protest which it is.
Seeming character assassination may have been
added to the mix secondarily for morale, unity, etc.
Is a protest 'indignant' when you or I or Academy of Ideas
agrees with it and 'envious' when it does not ?
This video is really, really in need of a follow-up video
about the role of rightful protest, rebellion/revolution/resistance
and political activism.
This video is 10 minutes of making anyone considering political
awareness and activism doubt themselves, unable to tease out
if they are envious or indignant, or if they consider
a) people as evil or
b) a system in place as unfair.
Normally I consider Academy of Ideas as fairly subversive in its
message of questioning power and taking steps to address it.
This video is so Ayn Randian it makes my head spin.
This is the first AOI video that seems to be saying,
"Quit hating (protesting). The established system is in place
for a reason.
Y'all just jealous (envious)." Which is the opposite message
of all their other videos.
Remember :
Social justice warrior (as term of modern web slang) = bad
Social justice as a concept immemorial = good.
By the way, my opinion is perfect and right because I have
determined it to be indignant.
If you disagree, you are wrong, because I have deemed
your argument envious.
I learn quickly.
Thank you Academy of Ideas.
You've made me think harder than usual.
I await your future videos,
and remain a supporter.
@Lovesretrogames m Can you share an intelligent, logical, reasonable, knowledgeable and informed source which you would suggest to someone who disagrees with your assertions? Thank you in advance.
Check out the "Philosophy Tube" channel, I think you might enjoy his content as well
One of the best channels on youtube!
It is then, in my view, the mission of the happy to never back down. To observe and understand the envious so that the happy may peacefully and effortlessly counteract the affects. To never give up on the truth of their own lives even when faced with the miserable truths of another life.
just remember to think critically while watching this video and reading the comments, this is a limited and simplistic view of a multifaceted issue.
Don’t pick and choose quotes from philosophers and thinkers to fit your narrative, put yourself in your “opponents’s” shoes and try to argue from their side. Careful of echo chambers
Based burrito
Thank you for existing and creating this bro
so what is it called when mary sees lucy with a diamond ring, loves the ring, wishes she had a similar ring but wouldn't deprive lucy of lucy's ring? or someone who visits a home with lovely architectural design and wishes they had a house like that, but wouldn't try to take a home from someone else? it's not envy or indignation, but i can't seem to find a word for it.
Materialistic admiration? It's not necessarily the admiration that is an issue but if mary prioritizes material wealth above her social, health, psychological, developmental pursuits/possessions, she has cheated herself out of enjoying and cultivating what are objectively and immeasurably the more valuable things in life. If I were mary i would ask myself "if i lost my sight tomorrow and became blind, would these items be of any value to me?" To reprioritize true value.
Envy, the deadliest of sins.
One of the 7 deadly sins of the Christian doctrine.
The only one of the deadly sins that's never any fun...J Epstein😏
There must be an envy between the self made and those who are born into it and think they are above it all.
In bermuda there is a saying; "Envy is worse than Murder". YES YES YES.
Crime is an irreversible act. Nothing can be worse than that. Almost everything else can be repaired, but a dead man can not be brought back to life, whatever you do.
I've always thought that people who were envious of me should optimise their envy and go be jealous of really rich people or celebrities. It just didn't make sense. Then from this video I learnt envious people won't direct their emotion from a distance. It is always directed to people within their own community. Beware those who would laugh when you slip up. They've been waiting silently for a chance to do so.
Great video. No matter how civilized we think we are in the end nature always wins, people will always resent and envy those who are better than them and will want to destroy them.
You've earned my like, good man. And deep down I wish the masses could comprehend the depth of your message.
There is something you forgot about envy.....This emotion always creates more SUFFERING to other people!
@@Craig121000 Could you explain to me why they dont matter?
@@Craig121000 Hhhmmmm....this makes me think that you are depressed. Hey, listen you are not alone, okay! I had been told too that I have to stop caring about my feelings. But you must understand that this is not healthy, nor for us and nor for everybody else because of the damaging consequences from which you can end with it. I encourage you to find a way to work on your feelings before you end up with some bad mental health issue. Good luck!
@@Craig121000 don't say that! Because it's never too late my friend.
To all the cowards hiding behind the words of great minds, "injustice is not ok". We may argue about how to achieve social justice or at least lessen the effects of injustice. The fact that some calling for justice are extreme in their ways cannot be used to justify oppression. Nuance is of the essence. Would someone abandon legal justice just because some would argue that we are doing it the right way?
I think of the envy that someone has when an industrious "foreigner" comes to a country makes good and is accused of "stealing" jobs.
I have no Envy for those that jump to the front of any line...one at a supermarket or one at a nation's border...
crowncliff
No that's definitely a mix of jealousy and envy, unfortunately misdirected at foreigners and immigrants instead of towards the given governments and other established institutions that knowingly subvert and polarize a respective State-society.
Contemporary 'Western' leftist, "open border" advocates, feminists, etc.....are still undoubtedly more envious and detrimental than a basic 'run of the mill' conservative can hope to be.
Thank you, I'm one of them foreigners! I got nicknames like 'Little Miss Perfect', 'Stick Insect' (because I'm slim - I cook from scratch), 'The Dyke' (because I'm not interested in anything else but lifelong relationships - quality, not quantity!), I got told I was 'arrogant' (because I liked reading 'pretentious' books during my lunchbreak)… I've been reading Richard Wilkinson and Michael Booth and I think I really ought to relocate to a Nordic country!
I think of the envy that some "oppressed" have when an "industrious" legal immigrant comes to a country makes good and does their civic duties instead of playing the victim card!!
@@yehmen29 Stay tough and stay true to your values. We individuals are all minorities of ones.
In a better world, videos and ideologies like this would be trending. I can dream...spot on analogy of today's social/ political distress.
My 2 cents on this idea: For one, I don’t know anybody who is "envious" in the way that is described in this video. Envious to the point of HATING another person for their perceived happiness or success. This may just be my naiveté, but I don't think it's very common. Sure, a few people like that may exist, but I just don't think it's as common as this video would imply. In Jamaica we have a term "badmind", which basically means you're being grudgeful, but it's usually used in a light-hearted way. I don't think the average person when feeling envy thinks "I hate that person and I want to bring them down", I think they think "that should be/ could have been me so I can't be happy for this person but I'll work to get there". At least...that's my opinion.
And then secondly the link between social justice and envy is not well fleshed-out I think. I do believe there is valuable criticism of social justice to be made, but rooting it in this all-encompassing, blinding hatred-type envy, doesn't make much sense to me. Again because I think...not many people are like that. I believe there is a case to be made for inequality (which is inevitable socially) and contentment with one's life circumstances (which is a virtue, personally). But the "envy" argument kinda lost me...
Based on what you said it seems like in Jamaica envy is kept under control by social institutions, beliefs, and practices. In the west, it is raging out of control. There are groups and mobs who are taking over universities and ruining the lives and careers of professors who they falsely claim are racist (they are clearly not if you listen to what they said or read what they wrote). In Canada there are tyrannical bills being passed compelling people to use certain gender pronouns under the threat of imprisonment. Young children are being brainwashed with unscientific ideas such as the fluidity of gender and the non-existence of biological sex. Envy in North America and Europe is out of control, you're lucky where you are it is just a "light-hearted" issue.
Every time a politician says, "the rich must pay their fair share" that is hatred fueled by envy. What is truly meant is that because a person is exceptional in their profession, they should pay more than everybody else. And by "pay" they mean have it taken away with violence if necessary.
@@ekpurdy this ain't no meritocracy. People obtain vast amounts of money by taking advantage of other people, and that is their ONLY talent and it is only right to seize the funds and give them back to the people they stole it from through social programs. Anyone with a sense of morality will never become exhorbitantly rich. No one is exceptional enough to deserve more money than they could spend in 5 lifetimes. It's called greed and hoarding wealth and that destroys our planet and is more harmful than this "envy" argument that's giving you capitalists who think you might be billionaires yourselves one day boners.
Actually life, economy, and politics are all meritocracies. Even the in most socialist or communist countries, people only succeed by winning political contests.
Unless someone has been proven by law to have illegally obtained property, nobody else has the right to take that property away. Nor is it moral to stop someone from making profit because they provide a service that other people voluntarily pay to receive. What is immoral is to interfere with a voluntary transaction between two parties that will benefit both of them.
Rockefeller, Ford, Hughes, Gates, Jobs and many others made fortunes by creating products that improved prosperity and living conditions for the entire world. That is not greed. That is progress.
Bill Gates has said something like "using vaccines to get rid of/remove overpopulation"
Evil and corruption are bigger problems than claiming to get rid of/remove overpopulation and publicly not admitting that it is to get rid of/remove potential oppositions of evil and corrupt politicians etc. because there would be less humans to go against evil and corruption etc.
No human has gotten one or more billions of money without being too evil and corrupt etc. for example a member in one or more very evil and corrupt secret societies, all of them gather to some secret area(s)/place(s) to conspire etc. with evil intentions
It is important to distinguish between equality and uniformity . Equal opportunity is important and driving . Uniformity is impotent and depriving .
As Bob Dylan once wrote about envy : " I pity the poor immigrant when his gladness comes to pass ..."
"Those the Gods truly wish to torment are given everything they ever dreamed of." To discover that it can all turn to ashes in their mouths.
Having food and clothing let us remain content.
We must return to the values of our puritan forefathers.
The difference between envy and indignation is subjective. So who's rightfully indignant and who's just envious? Who decides which is which?
brendan Potter
Ugh no, take your detrimental and ignorant moral and ethical "subjectiveness" elsewhere bud.
"It is a shame to be happy. There is too much misery"....haunting
This needs more views. It totally explains what today’s society is like.
The only time I ever feel envy is when someone catches a bigger fish than me! But that’s the competitive side of me, it just spurs me on to one more cast.
Great video, envy surely is the worst sin.
this literally sounds like all social justice movements today.
Indignation can be a vice as well.
When one is constantly soaking in feelings of indignation at the unjust behaviors of others, they've no time or energy to look in the mirror.
If you don't recognize an addiction to self-righteous indignation in SJWs, you're not looking very closely.
Regarding envy I think it would be worthwhile to study how the secret police operated in soviet russia and eastern europe during the cold war. I haven't experienced it myself first hand homewer people were encouraged to inform on others for talking badly about the government or having any sort of behaviour that did not agree with the main party norm and ideology/doctrine. Obviously the presence of envy in class struggle (especially in a post revolution socialist state) is also worth looking at
That's only for the first half of the video, for the rest while I'm not in the know with politics today (I didn't understand why you included a picture of Merkel for instance) it seems to me like you are responding to a strawman of what social justice is. I don't think you made a good case for why it isn't indignation and what it has to do with envy. I guess people more in the know than me would ask you to stop dancing around the issue and just outright state what's your opinion of social justice, what you think it is, etc
I'm happy for successful people , it gives me something to build on .