How do we end capitalism as we know it, while thinking like capitalists?

[Cerridwen]

Can we end capitalism as we know it, while living within a capitalistic framework?

I've already seen posts in this forum in which posters' words imply that the only reason people produce anything of value is for monetary reward. The inverse thought appears to be that people will NOT produce anything of value if there is no monetary reward for their efforts. Personally, I think the idea implies that people are worthless and lazy unless they produce something of value AND that most people will not bother to produce anything of value if they don't receive a monetary reward. I also think, these ideas are a result of capitalism (as we know it) and its ideology rather than a cause of capitalism.

It gets trickier as we start discussing that which is of value. A typical example is "women's work". That work which takes place in the home rather than in the public sector and so does not contribute to the "Gross National Product" (or whatever it's being called these days). Another "typical" example is the creation of art and literature. Is someone lazy and worthless if all they do is write, sculpt or draw? Unless it is sold on "the market", it contributes nothing to the GDP. Is that of value? Is it only of value if we can "make a living" doing it?

Many of us have jobs which we do for a paycheck. Period. We do our best to enjoy the work and the people but if given a viable option, would leave our work place in a heartbeat. (This reality, gives "truth" to the previously mentioned idea that people will only produce for monetary reward. Nice "catch-22". :( ) It is the reality in which we live that we require some amount of capital in order to survive. Few of us can provide for ourselves the very basics we need; food and water, clothes, health-care and protection from the environment (our ancestors would laugh at how helpless we are; "You call this progress?!"). There are ways to reduce our dependence on our economic system, but are they viable for a large enough portion of the people as we exist within our economic system?

In order to end capitalism as we know it, we need a large enough portion of the people to understand the need to end capitalism and to have the willingness to take the steps in their own lives to escort capitalism out the door. That won't happen as long as there are enough people who think that "others" (it's always "others" never "ourselves") won't produce anything unless they get paid. It won't happen if there are enough people who continue to think that "everyone" (except "me") is lazy and a crook.

As long as there are enough people who cannot seem to think beyond the capitalistic "conventional wisdoms" that "wealth is good" and "people" (except "me") are lazy and unmotivated and therefore need the cattle prod of capital in order to produce, the outlook for ending capitalism as we know it, is dim.

So, to bowdlerize some credit card company's jingoistic ad campaign (I love irony) - "What's in your mind?" Do you think like a capitalist? Does something have value only if it is "marketable"? Are you willing or able to learn new skills to remove yourself from the economy? Hell, are these even valid questions? :D

So, spill, please..."What's in your mind?"

P.S. Speaking of work - I'll be heading out in a while but I'll check back this evening. So, if you get no response, I'm out "making a buck."