Feeling blessed and thinking about folks who operate a “hardware store” in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum:

(As I recall, they’d recover rusty screws and bent nails from the pig manure-laden ditches; watched a YouTube video years ago.)

Or less interestingly for some, maybe your experience vs. the top 100 elites’. Though for many of us that gap might not seem too notable (if I can choose where to apply/work, choose what to eat, choose leisure activities, etc., who cares about zero or fifty yachts at that point—not losing sleep).

Monaco (people who care about) Yacht(s) Show:

Yes, the images focus on wealth, but I’m thinking about the freedom and the power, or lack thereof. Perhaps y’all have read good books on this subject. Closing with the Oxford English Dictionary definition of agency:

Action, capacity to act. - Ability or capacity to act or exert power; active working or operation; action, activity. 1606–

  • kassiopaea
    4·
    10 hours ago

    As a US citizen, I sometimes realize how lucky I am to be living here, even with the political climate. I acknowledge that I have less agency than many that are wealthier than I am, but I’m still better off than many who live in other areas or don’t have the support system that I do. Particularly when considering people of similar status in other countries.

    It does feel somewhat precarious, because it seems like the agency that I do have could largely disappear in short notice at the whim of the government or economy… but I’m trying to enjoy it while I can, and live life to the best of my ability without fretting too much.

    Personally, I’d hate to have anywhere near the agency of the “top 100” people, because I don’t want the kind of responsibilities that come with that. I’m fine with my meager existence as a tradesperson, keeping to myself and my community.