“The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist.”

–John Maynard Keynes

I had a conversation recently which gave me some insights into who I am as a person, and what I value.

I was talking to someone about the week that had past. We were both at a Fall Festival and we were remarking about the beautiful late September weather we were enjoying. The conversation went something like this:

Me: What a great day for this festival. What fun!

Person: Yes. It’s been beautiful all week for the state fair as well.

Me: Oh yes, did you get out to the fair this year too?

Person: I did, and I was glad to see the big crowds. Good for the local economy.

Suffice it to say, this conversation was pretty ordinary. But the thing that struck me is that what started as some nice superficial chit chat about the weather took an economic turn, which of course is fine–and this person’s comment was probably accurate–but it’s just not where my mind was at all.

My romantic view of fairs and festivals have always been about having fun and enjoying life with family and friends. Spending money and supporting the “local economy”–although, of course, it’s something you naturally do at festivals–has always been a peripheral thing for me. That is to say, although I’m aware (subconsciously) that most things in life have an economic dimension, I tend not to pay attention to them.

I suppose I have to confess that, despite how adult or “grown up” I appear to be (or desire to be), I’m still pretty naive when it comes to the ways of the world.

Growing up, money was always grown-up talk, and it bored me to death. So did political talk, and religion for that matter. (It’s certainly funny and ironic that I’m very interested in all three of these things now)

But the question as to why I tend to downplay and/or underestimate the role that money plays in the lives of most people is a good one, and It should be asked (to be honest, off the top of my head, it probably has a lot to do with being brought up in a secure middle-class financial situation [white privilege], or currently being in a financially secure situation [a steady job], or [having witnessed it quite often in my life] just being acutely aware of the fact that money can be very addicting, corruptive and destructive — Maybe it’s all of the above?), but right now, despite sounding like the privileged white guy that I am, I will say that I’m kind of thankful for my naivety. I’m glad that money isn’t a “big deal” for me. That giving it away or spending it (if I have it) isn’t an issue, or that making it doesn’t consume my life. I hope it never becomes that way.

I’m the first to admit that I’m an idealist. So, while I will NEVER be oblivious to economic strife (and I’m aware my privilege allows me to talk like this), I will attempt to remain naive, and I will hold out hope that someday we can go to a festival for no other reason than pure enjoyment.

Tags:capitalismconfessionseconomicsfairsfestivalsfinanceidealismmoneynaivetenaivetysocialsim