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This is not only ridiculous, it may actually be dangerous journalism because it hints at the fact that this may be a conspiracy by the people 'ruling the world'

by rocgf 7y ago

This is not only ridiculous, it may actually be dangerous journalism because it hints at the fact that this may be a conspiracy by the people 'ruling the world'. And it does that with no real evidence. Anything has pros and cons, even if they are not obvious at a first glance. Doesn't mean there is an obscure element to it.

AstralStorm 7y ago
It doesn't. That's your interpretation reading between the clear lines of text. It is being promoted by high stakes journalism and corporations though. No conspiracy needed, as it brings desired results. The motive is clear and not ulterior. Companies want to keep you happy so that you can be exploited more, and if that falls they want you to internalise blame for your own mental state. If you internalise mindfulness, you might be amenable to internalising other values beneficial to the company. Article does say that the practice can make odious status quo palatable, removing a source of discontent and thus activism. There are comparisons between the style McD was sold and mindfulness, but nowhere do I see implication that it is some kind of conspiracy. Article has an ethical dig at neoliberal values at the end, equating them to magical thinking.
- jariel 7y ago
  "Companies want to keep you happy so that you can be exploited more, and if that falls they want you to internalise blame for your own mental state. If you internalise mindfulness, you might be amenable to internalising other values beneficial to the company." This is as conspiratorial as the article. "the practice can make odious status quo palatable, removing a source of discontent and thus activism." Not only are both of these things likely not true, I don't see how they are even related. Mindfulness, I don't think is really going to change many people's lives, and in the grand scheme it's basically irrelevant. It's a soft nice-feeling meme flowing through the world right now that I think is worth at least considering.
- rocgf 7y ago
  > nowhere do I see implication that it is some kind of conspiracy Except in the title, for starters. And then in your comment, which is built on the assumption that mindfulness benefits corporations. Your whole argument is a stretch at best, but even if I were to concede that companies benefit from this, it is hardly proof that they would actively invest time, money and effort into playing this incredibly long game through which their gains are, at best, indirect. I think you're looking for a conspiracy theory where there is none.

by rocgf 7y ago

AstralStorm 7y ago

It doesn't. That's your interpretation reading between the clear lines of text. It is being promoted by high stakes journalism and corporations though. No conspiracy needed, as it brings desired results. The motive is clear and not ulterior. Companies want to keep you happy so that you can be exploited more, and if that falls they want you to internalise blame for your own mental state. If you internalise mindfulness, you might be amenable to internalising other values beneficial to the company. Article does say that the practice can make odious status quo palatable, removing a source of discontent and thus activism. There are comparisons between the style McD was sold and mindfulness, but nowhere do I see implication that it is some kind of conspiracy. Article has an ethical dig at neoliberal values at the end, equating them to magical thinking.

jariel 7y ago
"Companies want to keep you happy so that you can be exploited more, and if that falls they want you to internalise blame for your own mental state. If you internalise mindfulness, you might be amenable to internalising other values beneficial to the company." This is as conspiratorial as the article. "the practice can make odious status quo palatable, removing a source of discontent and thus activism." Not only are both of these things likely not true, I don't see how they are even related. Mindfulness, I don't think is really going to change many people's lives, and in the grand scheme it's basically irrelevant. It's a soft nice-feeling meme flowing through the world right now that I think is worth at least considering.
rocgf 7y ago
> nowhere do I see implication that it is some kind of conspiracy Except in the title, for starters. And then in your comment, which is built on the assumption that mindfulness benefits corporations. Your whole argument is a stretch at best, but even if I were to concede that companies benefit from this, it is hardly proof that they would actively invest time, money and effort into playing this incredibly long game through which their gains are, at best, indirect. I think you're looking for a conspiracy theory where there is none.