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Don't they already? The people in society pay for what matters to them. I think the real truth trying to get out here is that we wish what matters to society we

Don't they already? The people in society pay for what matters to them. I think the real truth trying to get out here is that we wish what matters to society were different.

pencilcode 7y ago
That is a simplistic view. People also pay for what society values, ie systemic pressures, which is why different cultures and in different epochs value things differently. Eg before people would give a monthly donation to church because they believed it would help getting into heaven.
- tchaffee 7y ago
  Fair point. And I'm responding to the simplistic idea that any one individual knows what is best for society. Those who "feel that I should only work on things that matter to society" are not immune to those systemic pressures either. I do think it's a good idea to not just chase money and to work for companies aligned with your own values. But that's about the best you can do. What's aligned with your own values might be someone else's idea of working on things that don't matter to society.
discreteevent 7y ago
Buyer beware. I don't want that. I like the fact that there are building regulations where some official decided what was good for me because I don't have the time or knowledge to work it out.
- tchaffee 7y ago
  You pay for those building regulations in the form of the tax revenue required to pay that official, along with the system that enforces it. I agree with you that it's money well spent.
fulafel 7y ago
He means things that make a better world, not facebookey reinforcement loops and consumerism where the "mattering" is of the manufactured sort.
- tchaffee 7y ago
  Exactly. He has decided to take on what he has decided on his own is better for society. Which is fine. As long as you are aware that much of society has different priorities and might ignore your improvement. Altruistic is something I deeply align with. It doesn't guarantee you're getting it right.

Don't they already? The people in society pay for what matters to them. I think the real truth trying to get out here is that we wish what matters to society were different.

pencilcode 7y ago

That is a simplistic view. People also pay for what society values, ie systemic pressures, which is why different cultures and in different epochs value things differently. Eg before people would give a monthly donation to church because they believed it would help getting into heaven.

tchaffee 7y ago
Fair point. And I'm responding to the simplistic idea that any one individual knows what is best for society. Those who "feel that I should only work on things that matter to society" are not immune to those systemic pressures either. I do think it's a good idea to not just chase money and to work for companies aligned with your own values. But that's about the best you can do. What's aligned with your own values might be someone else's idea of working on things that don't matter to society.

discreteevent 7y ago

Buyer beware. I don't want that. I like the fact that there are building regulations where some official decided what was good for me because I don't have the time or knowledge to work it out.

tchaffee 7y ago
You pay for those building regulations in the form of the tax revenue required to pay that official, along with the system that enforces it. I agree with you that it's money well spent.

fulafel 7y ago

He means things that make a better world, not facebookey reinforcement loops and consumerism where the "mattering" is of the manufactured sort.

tchaffee 7y ago
Exactly. He has decided to take on what he has decided on his own is better for society. Which is fine. As long as you are aware that much of society has different priorities and might ignore your improvement. Altruistic is something I deeply align with. It doesn't guarantee you're getting it right.