I think human nature is inherently greedy and selfish, and capitalism is best equipped to use this in a way that benefits society. Workers are motivated to work harder and learn new skills to find the most rewarding job they can. Businesses are motivated to create products and run as efficiently as possible. Consumers are motivated to get as much value as the can out of their money. Everyone in the equation is acting selfishly and in their own self-interest (which I believe humans are inclined to do anyway) but when applied on a societal level, everyone benefits. However I will concede that this is a balancing act that requires some level of government regulation to maintain.

On the other hand, I think communism only works when everyone acts altruistically. Which is noble, but unrealistic.

[–] Grayox@lemmy.ml 19 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

Lol, lmao even. Capitalism rewards greed it doesn't mitigate it. You've got it twisted.

[–] Jon_Servo@lemmy.world 14 points 6 months ago (1 children)

It's the inability to see the forest for the trees. We were raised in a capitalist economic system, as were all of our past family members. The failings of capitalism appear to be the failings of human nature. In reality, meta analysis of multiple studies on human greed show that people will be inherently more kind to each other than be cruel. Quick search will bring up many articles on these studies. Plus, exchanges in material goods within communities where money hadn't been invented would show that people didn't barter, they gave their goods away to their neighbors, and the good deed would be remembered and reciprocated in times of need. You can look up "Gift Economy" in Wikipedia.

[–] Grayox@lemmy.ml 9 points 6 months ago

I also highly recommend reading or listening to the audiobook for The Dawn of Everything A New History of Humanity by David Graeber and David Wingrow. It is extremely interesting and eye opening.

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