PhilGR

@Novac08 Europe is by far bankrupt, and that is the fault of the same neoliberal policies that catastrophically managed the past crisis of 2008, we have become insignificant in the tech domain. Look at Greece, despite the incapable governments and the mistakes , the biggest mistake was Germany's obsession for austerity measures for the masses. Tryin to save the greek banks that basically gave the money back to teh German and French banks. Today the country is under landgrabbing and in the the Economist the talk about Greece as an economic success. Same story in the rest of the South. Now in Germany itself as well. Failed neoliberal policies brought Europe to fascism again. The little cousin of capitalism , history repeats my friend. And regarding US role on that, its quite big. You would think that descions are taken in Brussels but they are coming from Washington to be honest. We are in the same defence alliance anyways. And the social degradation comes along in Europe, once a continent of True spirit, resistance, community and solidarity has now its culture decayed and its people as an audience in the same play they should be the actors. And I come again on my argument. No alternatives... Ps Mario Draghi put out a report that was paid a lot to make, about economic projections etc. and policies. Varoufakis and his political movement have been shouting this stuff since 2019.

Most of the arguments here lack nuance and attention to fundamentals. For start, Marx was writing in mid 19th cent., different types of material conditions then and now. And that is important in Marx, defining the material conditions and as Lenin added we need a concrete analysis of a concrete situation. If we are talking about the past we can see that Lenin did the start of creating the revolutionary conditions that were already based on a concrete situation, the high dissatisfaction to the Tsar. Russia was very behind in the industrial revolution and needed to over through the status quo in order to move forward. An element that an 21st cent. american cannot even comprehend is the participation of the people to this overthrow, the mobilization of the masses, the working class, the simple people, a notion that has disappeared today. Left in US and most of the West today is a joke, we all live under the bourgeois parliamentary democracy with neo-liberal economics. Which is going to deplete our resources, leads us to climate change and the destruction of the collective psyche. Capitalism today, which is basically a Techno-feudalism (borrowing Varoufakis definition) can be critiqued buy different angles on what Marx was talking about. I believe a new critique needs to be made of the system today. Alienation is a thing, homelessness, lack of healthcare, the quantification of self, mental health epidemic, burnout, precarious workers, are all issues of today's capitalism. We have moved from the Fordian model where Marx was basing his critique, and now we are talking about a different mutated system that is on medical support with the shrinkage of middle class and accumulation of wealth in big pockets, and the Cayman Islands. Perhaps implementation of socialism failed, from the inside and the outside, millions died, but that's how dialectics of the history works, to refer to Hegel here, which was marx's main influence. History shows us that internal dynamics and contradictions are always going to exist and move us forward. For now we shouldn't discard marx but learn from him, take his main ideas and create new systems with the knowledge we have. Of course people that made money in this system are going to tell you that everything is great, and its your personal responsibility to create your own wealth, but it does not work like that for everyone. This cure that is provided from the modern day neoliberal gurus is a fraud, getting out of the "matrix" and the rat race, is not going to be achieved by collectively engaging and changing things but by becoming yourself both the slave and the master and hustle your way into success. Perhaps this dream sells a lot in America today which is in the verge of collapse. But true success for the people, communities and achieving anything good for the public, has been done in the struggle, in the street, with solidarity, by being here for each other. Nowadays everyone is so alienated in their bubble, in their couch, in their screens and the lack of alternatives has let people imagine easier the end of the world than the end of capitalism. Read the One-Dimensional Man from Marcuse Psychopolitics by Byung-Chul Han and Capitalism Realism by Mark Fischer p.s the success of capitalism have been build in a lot of blood as well, with colonialism, with wars that still ongoing, with a lot delivery, nothing is build without blood, and dozens of states were capitalism is implemented today there a big failure as soviet union was. Is always some people that pay the price so you can drive your suv sayin how good the system is.

@Alexop hi there! Thank you for the inquiry! Food industry from Farm-to-Fork is a a very complex system that involves countless of actors that hold a say, it faces and it will fave arrange of problems differently in each region of the world. Let's say a few problems are: -Sustainable food production: lowering emissions and nitrogen usage -Food safety: emerging foodborne pathogens because of climate change( that's my thesis on) -Food Safety governance: problems arising by universal food safety laws burdening small scale farmers that can't keep up -Food as a human right is a section by its own -destruction of biodiversity -research in safety of additives in food -exploitation of workers especially in developing countries -food sovereignty vs international trade (thats the mode we running now) and that's why destabilisation from war or catastrophes can impact the supply chain That's some of the topics im interested in Approach must be interdisciplinary so i think is a pro if a person or a team can approach them from many sides. Actors involved - big corporations -big/small scale farmers -local or federal governments, like EU for example where i live has more to say about these topics instead of a state government -ngo's , advocacy groups in food as a human right, agroecology etc. -transnational orgs, WHO, FAO, WB so in a sense I can't be THE guy that solves everything but my purpose is to add my knowledge and passion in the effort of improving food.

Hey everyone! Is been a long ride. Im almost done with my Bachelors and I have to say although young, through you @Leo Gura as a guiding star, through the values I cultivated from actualized.org I feel im pretty damn happy with the vision I have for my life purpose. I’m wrapping up my Food Technology BSc at one of the top agricultural universities in the world while workin part-time since my parents are broke. I originally thought I’d go into R&D at a big food company, but over time, I found myself drawn to politics, philosophy, and social studies. Lab research felt soul-crushing, and I realized I prefer reading scientific literature and writing. I’m also an amateur journalist for the student newspaper. So, I decided to go for a Master’s in Food Law and Regulatory affairs ,after doing a minor on "Freedom from Hunger" , focusing on food safety, a big part of food security. I hope to learn about transforming food systems as a whole. Besides formal education, I’m committed to self-learning through lectures and books on the food system, from farm to fork. In 10 years (I’m 22 now), I aim to be an expert in this field, driving changes in food production and consumption. This might mean working with different companies or organizations to find where I can make the biggest impact. Life isn’t all about studies tho. I value balance in my life so social life, relationships, travel, and experiences are also included in order to have a holistic approach. My exercise routine could be better, but I’m working on it. It’s been a while since I posted here, but I wanted to share an update. Things are going well, and this community has helped me become more aware. I’m still figuring out my vision and potential, and I’m grateful for that. Hope you all doing well during these crazy times we live in.

I think my vision, my communication skills etc are good. But right now Im a scientist and I need to get my degree. whoever studied science will understand. I need to become a machine really, wake up on time, eat well, manage my small budget, clean my room , attend all classes , keep notes, do self-study, work part-time, have a girlfriend, attend social events/parties, exercise and also get time to chill, and read philosophy/politcs etc. That's basically my days and weeks right now. Most of the time I can't achieve all but if I was acting like a machine I would. like with 0 procrastination and distractions it works. At least act like that till I get my degree and then move to my Masters which will be more interesting and focus more on my purpose (still requires studying).

@Nightwise Ι actually agree with you. Maybe from text I seemed liked a megalomaniac, I know I can't change the world or whatever but I figured that I have to dream big to accomplish something valuable for the society in the long run. So my plan was basically finish my BSc in Food Technology do a Minor in Physiology of Consumer Behavior and then do a MSc in Food Law and at the end work somewhere like Food and Agriculture Organization or some EU organization that there I can actually have an impact on policies and regulations that impacts the food people eat. Its a very possible scenario actualy. The problem is that now in my BSc I have to learn this basic science stuff and I mean, I like science ,but when I dream this big I get demotivated and lose my patience. That results not putting my 100% on classes and fail some courses (they are genuinely hard tho). So how the fuck I should stay grounded and discipline myself when my mind is travelling.

I post this here bc I know it's the only community that provides healthy criticism. Some background info. I'm 19, growing up in Greece of the economic crisis from a working class family I didn't witness a healthy social environment around me. I saw social struggle, false promises, uncertainty, protests, killings , fascist parties, destroyed families, famine and immigration and poor education. By family savings and a part-time job I managing to be at the Netherlands studying Food Technology, something that I like. I live in Wageningen, one of the Greenest cities of the world I would say, small city only with progressive/green future scientists living inside and I have met people of all kinds in 2 years. I grew up in a relatively orange/blue family and since I moved the more open-minded I have become. I would like not to hold ideologies but I think as a neo-Marxist lets say. Lately I have been feeling an anger. You know something? The world is unfair, I want to change it, I want through my science to really push the food systems to more sustainable. We really don't have a second planet and billions will need food. If the world is about to transcend to green I want to be one of the people who will bring a significant change. Capitalism is dying or basically is transcending to Techno-feudalism. I want to try as much as I can in my field put I will not be afraid to join a revolt, we have to reinvent democracy here. I don't know how you people feel in the other parts of the world but as I see it the "Green" bourgeoise hippies (most of the activists in Netherlands and western world) are not willing to change drastically. We need drastic change here and we need to unify for that. My problem is that sometimes I fall myself in this trap of idealism. I tend to dream and plan and follow the media and smoke pot and be like a loose person. I'm really believing in my purpose but I think due to my teenage years in Greece I became Green (because of obvious inequality) kind of fast and kind of ignoring some orange/blue values. I came up with this thoughts after watching the Jordan Peterson video. Lately I'm trying to quit pot and try to pass some fucking exams. Sometimes it sucks thinking about politics ,philosophy, social revolution and the only thing I can do about it is pass my Statistics exam ( I'm not touching the part that even my Green university teaching philosophy is how to find the most profitable production ways for companies) Does anybody have similar experience or comments. Please hurt my feelings, I will not change the world if I act like a potato.

@Nahm damn. Really thanks a lot

I was also thinking that maybe I have to start with Tony Robbins style self-help, would that help?

@Nahm This is achieved through meditation and awareness right?

@PepperBlossoms Thanks for you answer, it was honest and compassionate. I knew that this forum could help unlike my friends and family cycle.

Thank you all for your nice thoughts. I really appreciate that some ppl understood and put the effort to help my lost mind from the void. However wants to add something please go ahead.

Hi everyone, So I'm 19, and I'm watching Leo's videos since 16. It changed me as a person I can say , my perspective and everything, and Im so grateful that I am growing up with an open-mind and as a "more" conscious person than the typical teen. Till I graduate highschool I was a Preformance-Swimmer in Greece, lots of trainning , hard working at school etc.( although I always had problem with procrastination). Now I moved in Netherlands and study my passion Food Science in one of the greenest and most progressive Universities in the world. Wageningen UR. So from swimmer I went to a full time student, matured by living alone, trying psychedelics, met tons of inspiring ppl but also started some bad habits like habitually smoking weed, and stopped exercising . This year was life transforming from all perspectives. The problem is that I was lost in my thoughts for a big part and judging myself a lot for not being very productive in uni work. But also I felt very disconnected with ppl, I feel no one can understand me , my problems and my thoughts. Everybody has their own agenda you know... ( and yes Im pretty social). I even thought of starting writing a book in order to express myself and maybe touch some ppl that feel the same and give my perspective to the world. The main questions are How I fight unproductivity to the root, achieve real passion for my studies? I feel Im interested in tons of things and not focusing on food science. How I stop being on the phone and instead build healthy habits? Why am worrying so much that I don't connect with ppl as friends or with my partners? Am I to young for self-actualization? Careful , I've done big research on unproductivity through Leo, others , my therapist and a student trainining cosultant. But still the problem is there , and that disappoints me the most. I can't trust myself anymore. I hope someone in this forum can give me his/her personal experience and inspire me to grow this summer and see finally a radical change. Thanks to whoever puts the effort, peace and love.

I'm not very experienced as others in the group but , I understand things. For my perspective you over stressing the topic and it backfires to you. Try just accepting that you have an ego and there is a reason to be there. Socializing is nice with all types of people because it gives you other perspectives. Take life as journey and live it with passion. Your opinions right now sound narrow , cold and all this denial it brings me negativity/arrogance vibes. Try to work more with your psychology. Do you think Leo and others are stupid to discuss in this forums? Socializing and helping is good because we are still humans. Live your Life bro! Peace and Love , don't misunderstand me , I don't want to sound offensive.

@Dragon Liege I cannot put him as orange , he has a lot of yellow values. The egoism he provokes its not the bad term of egoistic character who does't give a damn about humanity. I believe his points are very deep and is very easy to paraphrase him or demonize him about being egoistic. For me is a lot of yellow.