There are countless problems with this model, including the hypocrisy of “leave us alone….then bail us out”, but the biggest red flag is that this version of economics is based on fantasy – it is a theory that cannot be realized. Unlimited economic growth is impossible because it would require unlimited resources and zero political and social barriers, justifying the exploitation of natural resources and people in the name of profit. Why then have we subscribed to this model? For years, the powers that be have been purposely inundating the human intellectual collective with false rhetoric that positions capitalism as a vehicle for freedom. By unequivocally denouncing socialist ideologies, including communism, we are only left with the alternative. In effect, we’ve excluded economic systems that would truly benefit society and promote fairness, sustainability, and equity. As explained by Sophia Sanniti in her piece “Toxic Men, Toxic Earth, Toxic Futures” this narrow-minded approach to economics is fueled and perpetuated by toxic masculinity; this shouldn’t come as a surprise as it has been well documented that men disproportionately represent positions of power within corporations and governments. In fact, only 43 of 538 named executive officers among Canada’s 100 largest publicly traded corporations in 2020 were women¹ and only 21 of 195 countries have women serving as Heads of State or Government, with 119 countries never having a woman leader². 

This ego-driven, make-believe, economic system has fractured our world into two realities: 

• Over 2 billion are drinking water contaminated with faeces³ and 1 in 9 people are suffering from chronic food deprivation⁴. BUT, we have enough fresh water and crops for every single person if we stopped hoarded it for meat production (40% of all crops are used for feeding cattle⁵ and 70% of all freshwater is predominately for animal agriculture).^6,7   
• It has been proven that companies with balanced gender and ethnic diversity on executive teams and boards of directors financially outperform white, male-dominated companies by 21% and 33% respectively. ^{8,9 ,10} BUT, at this rate of change, it will take 257 years to close the global economic gender gap¹¹ and employers in Canada are about 40% more likely to interview a job applicant with an English-sounding name despite identical education, skills and experience.¹²
• There is a 100% scientific consensus from all actively publishing climate scientists that climate change is the result of human activity.¹³ BUT, not one country has achieved its Paris Accord goals.

So, you see, we have the knowledge and resources to make change. But the status quo is good for business. People are struggling because it’s good for business. People are dying because it’s good for business. There is systemic discrimination and climate inaction because it is good for business.

This absence of reality and ethics in our economic system has poisoned all other aspects of society, including our collective culture and politics. As a result, society has transformed in three fundamental ways: 

1. We’ve become desensitized to suffering and accept the idea that there are winners and losers in life, creating the proverbial dog eats dog culture; 
2. We’ve put our needs above the needs of others. In other words, we think at an individual level as opposed to a community level; 
3. Our world view is shaped by short-term thinking as our financial goals are based on quarterly and yearly timelines.

Without realizing it, we have conditioned ourselves to accept certain realities. It’s ok that people are homeless and begging for pocket change because that’s life – there are winners and there are losers. It’s ok that compensation for CEOs have risen by 1000% since 1978 and only 12% for their employees because those are the perks of being the boss – stop complaining and just work harder. 14. It’s ok that there is climate change inaction because we need to focus on the economy – that is our priority. 

What is the single biggest priority of our society? 

Happiness? No. 

Health? No. 

Equity? No. 

Money? Cha-Ching! 

I think it’s important to reiterate that the economy is fictitious – it isn’t real the way water and trees are. It isn’t real the way you and I are. It is a social construct that we use to organize ourselves. Yet, we have been duped into making it the number one priority when we vote, when we shop, and how we live. If, as a society, we prioritize the economy, and strive to meet THAT version of success, then where does compassion and unity fit in? Where does cooperation and collaboration fit it? It simply can’t.