In Support of Restraint and Control - Reduced Measure or Size of Work

I would like to touch upon the most pressing issue of the times – the greed of us, humans. This is one of the reasons behind increased conflict with oursleves, increased confilct with our near and dear, increased conflict with nature, increased conflict within economies, increased conflict within communities and increased conflict within nations. As the greed increases, the conflicts increases – there are no two ways about it. When the size or measure of human hunger increases beyond a threshold, it becomes the size of human greed. The modern human pathways or the journeys have been laid out to travel in the path of nurturing greed. When we can be satisfied with ourselves by eating biscuits, greed sets us in the path of acquiring golden biscuits and if possible diamonds ones as well. If we can control ourselves and take care of greed, a lot of spikes can be neutralised and a lot of conflicts can be ended. In some ways, the unchecked measure of human progress in a linear straight line can be reflected as the measure of human greed. 

Greed begins at personal level and becomes national instrument wreaking havoc on everything else. Let me recount my personal example in an honest manner. Ever since I came to U.S., I work every day by going outside. You need not do it all 365 days a year and all 7 days a week. It can be properly planned for 2 or 3 days of work per week and have remaining time for yourself. In the same way, I had been writing 2 blog posts every week ever since I came to U.S. In a normal world, this can be adjusted to 2 blog posts per month and not a week. By following these unusual routines, I am increasing the size of my work output by a large measure. We need to know how much is enough for us and how much is too much. Unfortunately, there are no checks and balances on these extreme work routines and this has been progressing for a long time. I will be feeling extremely bad if someone calls me greedy but I cannot evade the truth either. This relentless pursuit of greed has increased the water levels in my dam by a huge measure and there is very little space left for further inflow. This leads to spikes and conflicts with self and with others. The measure of the work definitely needs to come down and we must encourage dry days in good taste and cause. In effect, we must control our own self and control the narrative. 

Individuals are part of a nation and individuals collectively make a nation. Each individual work adds up to the national output. The same way as I mark myself as greedy, we can also mark the nation where the person operates also as greedy. One simple metric which corroborate this claim is the ongoing exploitation of the nature and planet Earth by U.S. We all knew the impact of a U.S. on the climate of this planet. The greed of a nation in excessive exploitation of natural resources has set the dangerous ball rolling two centuries ago and ongoing in present day. On average, each American emits around 15 metric tons of CO₂ annually, significantly more than the global average of about 4 tons. This lifestyle-driven consumption, including the use of cars and energy-intensive goods, amplifies the climate crisis. Everyone of us collectively set the measure of greed scaling up in size. The problem with greed is it sets the individual and nation as extremely bad example to follow. It is never leadership by example but leadership in isolation. You can talk forever and in the end your actions tells who you are and not spoken words. You cannot preach one thing while acting upon something else. In short, you cannot be greedy on one hand and pose as a messiah on the other. Can I talk forever and tell anyone to follow my example. Can we tell all the countries to follow U.S. To suggest how bad it is, a recent report suggests if everyone around the world adopts the food consumption habits of U.S., it take 5 and a half Earths to sustain the world population. On other hand, India's food consumption patterns have been recognized as the most sustainable among the G20 economies. If all countries were to follow India's consumption model, the report highlights that less than one Earth (0.84) would be required by 2050 to sustain food production. It all points out how a nation has been propagating unsustainable practises for anyone or everyone to emulate. The report emphasizes that if global food consumption mirrored India's, the climate impact would be significantly reduced by 2050. In stark contrast, Argentina, Australia, and the United States rank among the worst in terms of sustainable consumption. In the end the priority tilts towards sustainability and not present day glory and India is best living nation for the cause of earth. It simply tells, Indians per se are less greedy and content with what they have. In the end, your actions will be propagated and penetrated more than your words. As a leader dictating world order, the U.S. need to take the blame for propagating greedy and unsustainable practises. 

The U.S. has been a significant contributor to climate change through its reliance on fossil fuels, industrial practices, and policy delays. Its emissions have intensified global warming, exacerbating environmental challenges such as extreme weather, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss. While the U.S. is beginning to invest in cleaner energy solutions, the legacy of decades of fossil fuel dependence continues to have far-reaching consequences on the global climate. 

The process of practising greed is a recipe for a disastrous future. It works silently under the carpet before gaining enormous proportions and leading to a big outburst after the days are numbered. Corporate greed and industrialization have turned the landscape and made America, world as it is today. During the 19th and 20th centuries, America saw the rise of industrial tycoons whose monopolistic practices concentrated wealth in unprecedented ways. Known as robber barons, these figures exploited resources driven by a desire to maximize profits. The Gilded Age serves as a stark reminder of how greed shaped economic policy and governance, with corporations influencing lawmakers to maintain lax regulations. Labor movements that arose to counter such exploitation reflect the persistent struggle between working-class interests and the greed of the wealthy elite. 

Today, the greed-first mentality persists through corporate culture and the pursuit of profits over people. Income inequality has soared in the U.S., with the wealthiest Americans accumulating disproportionate shares of national wealth. Corporate executives earn massive bonuses even as wages for average workers stagnate. Additionally, financial crises like the 2008 recession highlight how corporate greed—through reckless lending, speculation, and lack of oversight—can cause widespread harm to ordinary citizens. Despite causing mass unemployment and home foreclosures, many of the individuals responsible for the crisis faced little accountability.  

Another perspective is America’s intertwining relationship with capitalism. The U.S. is widely regarded as one of the most capitalistic countries. One of the hallmarks of capitalism in the U.S. is the significant wealth inequality and abnormal rise of wealth class more than any other place in the world. While capitalism rewards ambition, it also creates fertile ground for greed by prioritizing profits over human and environmental well-being. The system’s emphasis on competition and growth has driven progress, but it has also led to inequality, exploitation, and environmental harm. Whether capitalism is inherently greedy depends on how it is implemented—unregulated capitalism often amplifies greed, while regulated systems can channel ambition toward collective well-being. Unchecked and thriving capitalism forms a backbone for modern America where little is overlooked and excess is embraced. 

From the displacement of Indigenous peoples to the exploitation of labor and the environment, the modern U.S. has been deeply shaped by greed. While ambition and economic growth are often celebrated as part of the “American Dream,” this narrative often overlooks the human and environmental costs that have accompanied it. Greed has been both a driving force for the nation's prosperity and a source of deep societal inequality, creating structural challenges that persist in modern America. Recognizing and addressing the impact of greed is essential for building a more just and sustainable future. 

Addressing greed in mainstream America involves cultural shifts, public policy changes, and personal development strategies. While greed is often normalized through consumerism and corporate structures, it can be mitigated through both systemic interventions and individual efforts. Shifting toward conscious capitalism—an approach that encourages businesses to serve multiple stakeholders (including employees, customers, and communities) rather than just shareholders—can reduce greed within corporate environments. Some companies are adopting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, aligning profitability with social impact and sustainability goals. One way to address greed is through policy changes that limit the unchecked accumulation of wealth and incentivize ethical behavior. Teaching individuals about financial literacy and the impact of their consumption choices can encourage more sustainable behaviors. American culture often equates success with material wealth, fueling consumerism. Shifting cultural norms toward minimalism and experiential living can reduce greed by encouraging people to focus on relationships, experiences, and well-being rather than possessions. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, yoga, and gratitude exercises, can help individuals shift their focus from material wealth to personal well-being. While greed is deeply rooted in human behavior and reinforced by American capitalism, these interventions can create an environment where cooperation, generosity, and long-term well-being become the guiding principles. 

All in all, we need to address greed at individual and national level and truly become leaders by example whom anyone can follow without fear along a correct path. The leaders need to restructure, reshape and realign for the world to change and navigate along a great future. We have to change our practises to be greedy and cultivate to be content with little, minimalistic things in life. Only then, we can reduce the size of our appetite and increase our quotient of happiness. Without such changes, the cycle of greed will continue to inflict negative consequences on all of us.