Unraveling the threads of capitalism
I remember having in depth conversations about what careers we might pursue with my two closest friends at university, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech). Seems like eons ago now.
One mentioned in studying Geology, that the worst option and most likely option was helping oil/gas companies search for or extract petroleum or similar. Sure enough they now work for ConocoPhillips.
The other was in Mechanical Engineering and of course, they pursued a PhD in nuclear engineering, so working within the the military industrial complex might be likely. True enough, they worked for a firm notoriously linked to the Gulf War and now they work for a naval nuclear laboratory.
Sigh.
I remember thinking the worst places for me might be working in some sort of ecoside, bio weapons, or pharmacy where I'd be part of the medical industrial complex, could be for good, but most likely supporting for profit medicine. There was a time when I was heavily recruited by the Marines even before university because my ASVAB scores were top in nearly every category (except machinery).
None of us really stayed in touch. Our paths diverged a year after graduation. I was meant to be married to the mechanical engineer. Even an astrology chart done for me by extended family suggested that I would shortly be married (in my 20s) and had the possibility of becoming a great scientist.
Even fairly recently (2019), there was an alumni event in London and though I didn't know anyone, they all were doing impressive stuff but in ways that uphold capitalism. Undermining this system never seems to cross their minds, especially if it means being less comfortable. I have long felt like an anomaly, a misfit, even amongst these types of intelligent people.
Yet, I think I made a conscious decision to change this specific fate, leaving my abusive relationship, changing my course, finding a new dance teacher (Johanna Hongell-Darsee)/recommiting to Bharata Natyam, signing up for therapy, and getting my teaching qualifications, all in an attempt to find more meaningful work and illuminate and liberate from ways capitalism indoctrinates us.
Grounding myself in dance, in purpose, in education, in the humanities, and in my writing allowed me to hone my voice and explore a new reality.
I jumped paths again when I left the US and moved here, ultimately opening my business. I'm grateful for the opportunity, the resources, but also the steely courage.
Each choice point and action represents a degree of divergence, ultimately changing the trajectory of my life. Each act of us deliberately meeting our needs, following our joy, and asking the deeper questions, matters. Each moment of subversion, challenging what we were told, questioning our part in upholding a system that crushes us, consciously not exploiting the land, connecting with our north star, makes a difference.
Our ability to extend this beyond ourselves, to our work, our relationships, our communities, is crucial. In my work I have influenced the paradigm shifts of many different people, and their own choice points, to the deliberate divergence from upholding the expectations of capitalism to subverting it.
Over to You
Like stray threads being pulled, with each deliberate act, we are unravelling the fabric of capitalism. How are you unraveling the threads of capitalism in your life and work?
In Solidarity,
Anuradha
P.S. If you're ready to unravel the fabric of capitalism in your life and work, let's talk. Anyone who signs up for my Discover 360 service this month, will receive a free Kolbe A index text ($53 USD value) as a special bonus.