Let’s begin by carefully defining three terms, to give us consistent and common language when facing down the predators before us:
- Bullies take because they can. They steal openly with intimidation, physical harm and even murder in their predation, if needed. They include conquerors, monarchs, autocrats, gangsters, corrupt officials, and the student who steals your lunch money at school. Even with imposing titles—which seem to lend legitimacy and authority to their roles—they are still thieves. They use intimidation or violence, and hoard what they have stolen. Bullies actually brag about these takings as evidence of their superiority, and make a show of their wealth, but they justify themselves only if needed to preserve their power and plunder. We should always call them by what they are: bullies.
- Parasites take by stealth and deceit. They hide their stealing with misdirection and lies, dressed up in social, business, political, charitable or religious disguises. They may work with bullies to share in their predations, and if it is to their benefit, they’ll assist in preserving the bullies’ power and wealth. They are often apologists, publicists and propagandists for the bullies who then protect and feed them. We should always call them by what they are: parasites.
- Slaves have their work, health, hopes, futures and lives taken by bullies and parasites. These are not just those in literal chains, but all who are held captive by social, political and economic systems that ruthlessly underpay, undervalue and exploit them. The labor of such slaves subsidizes the bullies, who reap what they have not sown, and who credit themselves for the produce of the slaves. Virtually all the great monuments, buildings, roads, systems and institutions of history were built by slaves and credited to bullies. We should recognize what they have been forced to be, and use the right word: slaves.
[EACH OF THESE GROUPS IS COVERED IN DETAIL, IN SEPARATE CHAPTERS WITHIN THE BOOK]
To create mutual care, we must look and fully comprehend each of these in turn: the bullies, parasites and slaves—of history and in our present world. Only then will we be able, together, to evolve beyond them all.
Some of what follows in the chapters ahead will be familiar, and other details and revelations will be a surprise—as you will see. All of it is to make us wise in understanding the methods that keep us enslaved, and the means therefore to break free. That’s the first half of this book: The Problem. Please engage with it fully before moving on.
Beyond seeing the chains, and working to release them, how do we practically build a civilization based on mutual care? What are the foundations, rules, methods, insights and practical skills to make it actually work? That’s the second half of this book: The Solution. Please take it in comprehensively, and then add to it yourself. I’ll provide the means to do that at MutualCare.online.
Mutual care is something we can only do together, so let’s begin.