Human Potential/Species Being Sumblog 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyVJsg0XIIk

Marx talked about three main themes that he viewed were the negatives of modern society. One of these, alienation of the "species being" is a powerful thought in regards to our world today. Marx felt that species being was who we are and what we're capable of. Are we achieving in our everyday life actions, socialization, and work the most that we can? Marx felt that capitalism inhibited the species being with inequality through competition. Meaning there will always be winners and losers, and in that people will have to sacrifice their inner desires in order to win. 

There are four main reasons Marx felt that we are inhibiting our species being: 1. Alienation from productive activity 2. Alienation from the product 3. Alienation from fellow workers 4. Alienation from human potential. The song Eyes Wide Open by Goyte helps to illustrate Marx’s first reason- Alienation from productive activity.

“Some people offered up answers.

We made out like we heard, they were only words.

They didn't add up to a change in the way we were living,

And the saddest thing is all of it could have been avoided.

But it was like to stop consuming's to stop being human,

And why would I make a change if you won't?

We're all in the same boat, staying afloat for the moment.

                                   We walk the plank with our eyes wide open”

Many people in today’s society work full time to pay the job- generally speaking a 9-5 where you go in do your work, and get the hell out. There isn’t very much depth to the job besides a pay-check so the bills can get taken care of.  In the process of alienation from productive activity there is no room for creativity.

An example I like to think of is the movie Rudy. His dad worked at the local mill all of his life and Rudy was going to do the same, but all along he had a dream to play football at Notre Dame. Rudy followed in the path of his family and worked in the mill, until there was an accident and one of his dear friends died. In the end he applied for school and got to participate in the football program. Rudy was on the same track as his family, but decided to take a risk in order to achieve his dreams. I personally feel that Marx’s ideas on alienation of the species being are present today more than ever. Many people compromise their desires and personal talents in order to earn a pay-check.