PlainGeets

Remember those days when a fat paycheck and corner office in a towering corporation were the pinnacle of success? Working for the corporate world, and by corollary capitalism, were seen as an open door to comfort ( and even luxury). You worked for one of these organisations, made good money, dressed well, bought a house, filled it with all kinds of goods and gadgets, went on holidays…the grand American Dream, only this was a global dream by then, and a global reality. Sure, there was grumbling about being “tied to the yoke,” but nobody thought that they were selling their soul to the corporate devil.

That was, of course, before the shadows grew longer. Labour exploitation, wealth disparity, environmental concerns – suddenly, the cost of convenience seemed exorbitant. Cue the “woke” generation, amplifying voices against the Sisyphean grind. The dream shifted: meaningful work, societal impact, work-life balance. No more cogs in the machine, thank you very much.

Now, everyone wants out of the corporate soul-suck. We seek organizations with impact, contribution, and purpose. It’s a noble ambition, and I applaud those pursuing it. But let’s talk hypocrisy, shall we?

Every time I hear somebody say that they refuse to sell their soul to the corporate world, while casually holding a high-end smartphone in their hand, and sporting the latest fashion (which often includes a smart watch too!), I bite my tongue. The sale, my friend, happened long ago.

So you think you’re not selling your soul? Let’s check your shopping cart.

It’s not just the gadgets and big brands…every Ramen packet ripped open, every pair of jeans, or t-shirt purchased, every thing you buy to improve your productivity feeds the very beast you claim to oppose. Of course, self-sufficiency isn’t the answer for everyone. But surely, resisting corporate control and the big, bad bosses of capitalism begins with conscious consumption, right?

So, before you make grand pronouncements about escaping the clutches of “evil corporations,” perhaps consider this: the first step to resisting the evil hold of the corporate world is to change the way we consume goods? And failing that, perhaps we should refrain from making these rather tall claims? After all, the biggest imact often starts not with grand gestures, but with the small mindful choices we make every day.