They Live!

I recently discovered the existence of They Live, a science fiction movie that is considered a cult classic. The star, played by Roddy Piper, steals a pair of magic sunglasses that allow him to see only the subliminal messages hidden in every bit of outdoor advertising, printed material, and electronic media in black and white, rather what normal people would see in color. These glasses also allow him to see our space alien rulers as they are, rather than as normal human beings. The secret messages tell us to consume, reproduce, watch TV, remain asleep, and to never ever ask any questions. Gee! All these years I thought I was the only one with a pair of these sunglasses.

They Live Sunglasses

Am I just kidding?

Sadly, the actual members of the nomenclature and their well paid apparatchiks aren’t space aliens. THEY are just normal humans, like you and me, pursuing their rational self-interest using well understood, legal means, rather than advanced mind control technology from outer space. Well, maybe not. The big green machine that wants you to remain a docile tax donkey and debt slave is pretty sophisticated. THEY want you to comfortably numb, watching TV, consuming, and never asking any questions about the assumptions underlying an economic system based on ever increasing levels of debt fueled consumption.

Who benefits?

Who benefits, when a naïve eighteen-year-old amasses $50,000 in student loan debt while pursuing a worthless degree in a subject like, art history? Who benefits, when a young couple who have problems paying their rent lease a car that they don’t need and can’t afford? Who benefits, when I pay $125 for a pair of shoes assembled in a third world sweat shop? Look at your cellphone. How much do you think it cost to manufacture that thing? Who made it? What were they paid? How much are you paying for that two year phone contract? Who is getting all that money?

As a share holder in both AT&T and Version, I’m getting to dip my beak a little. How about you?

The real space aliens in this story understand that money is about freedom. Typically, they are looking to accumulate more than I need or really more than I want, but that is a personal decision. If all you need to be free is enough money to run an off-the-grid organic farm, that is all you need. But to achieve that goal, or any other financial goal, you need to be awake. You need to ask questions. You need to swim against powerful cultural currents generated by politicians, banks, advertising agencies, marketing experts, computer programs that track your purchases and your preferences. Every time you log onto Facebook, realize you are the only product they have to sell. You are the Soylent Green of the electronic age.

Before you sign on the line that is dotted, before you pull the plastic out of your wallet, ask yourself, “Who benefits?”

If you want to know the truth, follow the money.