Financial Establishment over Dignity Conservation
Desperate times come for desperate measures. The existence of money roots down from its history thousands of years ago. human dignity, on the other hand, already existed as early as humanity gained intelligence and morality.
Though money and dignity have no prior connection with its history, once the concept of currency has established, it started to revolve everything around the lives of people, especially in survival, recreation, and even morality.
One of the premises of In/habitants explores the daily life of Helen as she struggles to make ends meet with her current restaurant job. Despite her job, she is able to shinebest because the kind of job she is in accentuates her positive traits which is ideal for the restaurant and her growth.
Though hard-working, stoic, and determined, this is not enough to save her from the huge mistake of dirtying her customer's clothes especially when that customer is not sympathetic and egotistical. Within the golden rule of "the customer is always right", this inclined her to pay for the damages regardless of how small the customer's inconvenience.
After the sudden realization that her job is not enough to pay such damages in the desired amount of time, this is where the dilemma of her financial establishment and dignity conservation kicks in. To make matter worse, dealing with people who can easily exploit your position is the type of person who you would never want to meet in life. And this is what happens to our innocent Helen.
People’s urges come in different many forms. And in consequence, it also becomes weirder and questionable. With this emerging aggravating reality, such people are willing to throw every money they have into their urges and fetishes.
Helen exploited this opportunity to earn quick bucks. And to no surprise, it went well for her. Moreover, this gave her a sense of autonomy and freedom at the cost of a little part of her dignity. Nevertheless, this is a rewarding experience for her. And if we put it in the grand scheme of things. This is a win-win situation for both parties. One enjoys the small luxury, freedom, and autonomy. And the other party enjoy their short-term satisfaction from their urges.
However, people's demands will only take her far as to throw away from her rationality and a part of her dignity. One time she was asked to film her dirty foot while driving to satisfy her client. A simple yet questionable task. As she does her client's request, she got into an accident by hitting an expensive car. It only worsens her circumstances being unable to totally pay for the damages.
If we both put perspectives in this context, it will be easy to criticize her actions due to subtly throwing her integrity and pride in some sense. And if we put ourselves into her situation, it would be arguable that both herself and her clients established a symbiotic relationship for their own short and long-term benefit which only themselves can provide.
When it comes to instant vast sums of money, our rationality happens to be disregarded because of the guaranteed success without struggle regardless of the potential repercussions. Helen’s case is an ideal example of how can money blind your judgement and rationality.
Her naivety and irrationality are what led her to her current circumstances. Though she doesn't deserve anything she is facing now, only time will tell if she can get up from rock bottom with the help of the right people surrounding her.
Though she meant no harm to everyone because she was just simply making ends meet, her current situation leaves us ambivalent because both herself and other people are at fault.
This chain of actions and its consequences reflect the reality of functioning people in society who are in a daily struggle to have a financial establishment and stability which is tantamount to survival. Each of us sells different parts of ourselves and dignity is no exception. The moment we step into real-life challenges, maintaining our social standing requires us to throw a part of our dignity by doing something we don't want to, licking someone's shoes, sugarcoating words to people we despise, apologizing for your nonexistent mistake, or even embarrassing yourself for formalities. These are just little things that cost our dignity to maintain what we established.
At the end of the day, we are capable of which part of us we have to throw on and protect especially with our dignity. We are born with it, and we die with it. Throwing an ounce of our dignity doesn't affect our self-worth. However, throwing too much will cost us our rationality, self-worth, standing in society, and even happiness. The only way to maintain this balance is to know our limits and understand ourselves.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this content are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.