Are or Do

Paul Bloom says people are essentialists. Like Plato, believing that all things have an “essence” that define them. We “are” something. “I am angry” rather than “I am doing anger”. “They are a racist” rather than “they are doing racism”. 

We like the baseball that was hit by Babe Ruth, or the jersey that was worn by Kolisi, Smit, or Pienaar. The value (price?) of the jersey goes up if it wasn’t washed! Like there is a permanent spirit in the object. 

I had a coke can collection growing up that I inherited from my older brother, then expanded. I learnt that if you want a valuable can collection, you had to maintain the integrity of the can, unopened, and in its original state. Wasn’t going to happen... so my collection was just for me. 

We start believing that we can be weighed and measured by our essence. That some people are fundamentally better, with more merit, than others. The toxic view that you can gather data points on people till you can discard them because they are not brilliant outliers. The idea that once you have enough information on a person, you can pass judgement on them and decide if they are good enough. 

My view of privilege is that it is part of endurance. It is building up your ability to endure and strengthen your capacity to absorb challenges. Part of that has nothing to do with you and your essence. 

In stilling your money waves, you have to be aware of the impact you have on others, the benefit you receive from others, and the obligations that you have. Part of stilling waves is realising the waves don’t only affect you.