Quote:

It's very noticeable from the way the question was posed that the 'excellence' side of the coin is uppermost in the questioners mind. But what if we posed the question the other way round?; does the promotion of difference and excellence and the whole emphasis on individual achievement in the west create a problem for notions of equality? ....or to put it differently notions of a less punitive attitude to 'not having' or 'not having enough to get by'.?
Alan



Alan,
you make quite a few very good points. Regarding this first one, I'd have to agree that the western world's infatuation with excellence leads to disdain for anything less.

In times past, cultures reinforced the value of "making do", and of learning contentment.

It is interesting to compare CONTENTMENT to SATISFACTION. Some see them as being the same, but they aren't at all.

Contentment means that your needs aren't fulfilled, but you are OK with that. It is the companion of patience.

Satisfaction means that your needs ARE met.

Both contentment and satisfaction squelch motivation. (if your hunger is satisfied you don't keep looking for food). But the difference is that satisfaction is temporary. You will be hungry again later, or sleepy again later or horny again later.

Contentment, on the other hand, is a decision. It doesn't have to go away, ever. But the world generally considers contentment to be a trait of unmotivated losers. Which raises the bar considerably for anyone who is trying to be "equal enough" to fit in.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ey71h8ep047758h/AAC12jNM0Hz9Q8zsh5iDeqNHa?dl=0