Posts » Solving meta problems
Let’s face it, most of us solve meta problems.
My job is to build computer programs for people overseas, which allows them to run learning programmes or survey people.
Then when I get paid, I pay taxes, bills, and buy food (plus others things, but it’s uninmportant for the example’s sake).
By paying taxes I pay others to: administer my country, protect people, or treat those who fall ill.
By paying bills I pay others to: deliver & maintain utilities - electricity, water, or the Internet.
By buying food I pay others to: grow the food I can eat, transport it to a store nearby, or pay the store’s staff.
Everyone involved in all three above also solve meta problems - mine and countless other people.
It’s like a big interconnected web where we all depend on each others’ work and needs, with money as a means of trading one’s efforts for other people efforts.
If we were to ditch the web, we would need to:
- all become farmers again,
- rely on barter to exchange goods and services,
- limit our “wants” and focus on our “needs”.
Our world would be a very primitive, but perhaps a happier place and one much more connected on a human level.
We won’t ditch the web, but let’s not walk ahead blindly as we do.