"Pilot Error – The Economic Landscape"   [Reflections on Book Capitalism Is  Fallen, Elwin Kettner - Chapter 2] (Matt.6:19-24; 16:24-28; Exodus 20:3+4; Mark 12:14-17)

When we’re confused while we’re in charge,
Things can go wrong, for we’re at large
In open skies – no landing strip
For us to find the end of trip.

Confusion creeps up silently;
It’s not vindictive, though we see
It as a foe on watch for chance
To bring us down with sharpened lance.

One cloud which blocks the landmark – scene
Disorients, so things don’t mean
The things they should, slight shift to right,
And we could crash and end of the flight:

            *****

Some folks trip up on types of wealth –
The “resource” type is good for health
Of larger base-economy;
Extracting it brings all we see.

“Resource” to some starts in God’s hand –
Created, waiting in the land;
To others, that’s of no account,
It’s value there does not amount –

To anything – until some use
For it provides man his excuse
To draw it up through process long
(Or short), each step moves it along.

To others; all has value here,
Though through confusion it’s not clear;
So best for all if we assume
It has a value – give it room –

Within our thoughts and plans ahead
Not scorch the earth by which we’re fed;
Not bank on future polymers
Replacing earth which we bestir.

Some draw the definition’s line
At process points – abortion’s “time” –
“A fetus is a flap of flash”
“No – sperm and egg which soon will mash”.

            *****

As Veblen notes, it’s now machines
Which process resource, which have been
Insistent on a structured life –
Resource and persons fitting right.

Then Geddes notes, “Three-layered cake”
Defines extraction-work – we make
A “Process” by which work is done,
As layer two, on layer one.

“Then culture forms as layer three –
For people have a need to be
In groupings ’round some campfire bright,
At mouth of cave, with clan that’s tight.

So when machine-work started up,
The crafters found the going tough
As “Rules of thumb”, “Heuristics”, skill,
No more found need in modern mill.

            *****

But then arose the business class –
In enterprises built to last,
Which lubricates, keep running smooth
Machine-work done by robot’s fools.

Some “Business” types work in each mill;
But more, between – each gap they fill –
They flex and bend as mill stays straight,
And buffer-soft these folks create.

They bring resources “Just in time”;
Exchange the products from the line
With buyers – wholesale, retail – us;
Reducing friction, weight, and fuss.

These, Veblen calls “The Enterprise”
Of “Business”, which to his surmise
Is master of our universe –
It orchestrates with skills rehearsed –

In schools, and university,
On college campuses – some free,
But often greatly subsidized
Though this is changing ’fore our eyes.

            *****

“Financial resource” is what’s used
By “Business enterprise”, to smooth
And buffer twixt the modern plants
(Now often placed in foreign lands).

That’s “money”, “stocks”, and “bonds”, today;
Along with “bitcoins”, which they say
Our really “shares in Bitcoin Inc.”
We buy and sell with didgi-ink.

            *****

When resource is type “natural”,
And then defined quite late, they call
The early stuff with mocking ease,
“Un-valued externalities”.

            *****

The tools we use to lubricate
The world, machined to thus create
The goods and services desired,
Are useful – like a fragile fire.

So, resting full weight on such tools,
Or chasing some, (as done by fools
Who nimble are, enjoy the risk,
Though often best of life is missed –

While focusing on such delights);
Engaging in some endless fight
To gain more lubricants with ease –
It’s quite addictive chasing these.

            *****

Third layer of Paul Geddes’ cake –
The “Cultures” which all people make
To organize community
In clans, enriching family –

Are parts which take a beating when
We choose more lubricant to gain
Increased advantage – then we see
Our lives impoverished indeed.

            *****

This Kingdom-layer gives a point
Of view – for there we King anoint
With praise – Creator of resource
Who guides our living and each choice.

But living here above the throng
Of people (mix of right and wrong),
Gives us a place to stand and grow
Up into Christ we’ve come to know.

Thanks Lord for this.

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