Full Stomach Over Ethics?

But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.
― Aldous Huxley

When there's food, you look good and feel good. Some people might not even realize that it is such a big thing in other parts of the world but they go here and fuckin' criticize the rest which is easier to do than get some real-life experience out there. We have different realities and you might not even understand the world as I see it because you grew up in this well-pampered society and race with structural advantages - just out of pure dumb luck. And of course, there's nothing to be guilty about it, it is not your fault that you have the right parents or the right country. It is just hard for you to understand other people's realities if you don't have any first-hand experience in any harsh conditions in life.

First, know what you are talking about (life experience), otherwise, you don't have my attention. Your principles and opinions will not feed me. I say this because I waste a lot of time with probably what I call the wrong people as I travel. It is just because most of the time I am outnumbered, it is not normal for these people to see that I am traveling and it would probably make them feel better if I stay below their level. It means that I meet a lot of trolls out there in the world, who waste my time and energy, then I learn later that they just don't understand the world as I see it.

Thankfully, I didn't have to steal, prostitute myself (not the working in an office or corporate environment thing) or beg on the streets in my life, but I've seen a lot of people who have to do these because food comes first and ethics would not be such a primary concern. Sure, you'll judge how lazy, bad, criminal and uneducated they are but you just don't understand that there are some things beyond their control (economic inequality, ruling elite, war, natural calamities, corrupted politicians, lack access to free education). It is easy for you to judge and impose this poor stereotype when you don't really have any fuckin' idea what life without food is like.

Now for the middle class and the rich, of course, ethics comes first. Education, food stamps, social benefits, loving parents, friends, and charity institutions are available. They should have equality in men and women first, obey the laws of the land and care about the environment. They would not even think about stealing, overfishing or begging on the streets... until they are in that hungry position.

The primary concern to food depends on the situation of one's life

When I was young everything collapsed when my father died. I remember not being born to a parent who could take care a child alone, so at such a young age, I felt what was it like to be hungry. It sucks because I should be out there playing instead of thinking about where to get food. I was exposed to psychological stress, physical abuse, emotional trauma, and unforgettable hunger and it totally shaped the way I am today - not in a good way but in a crazy, dysfunctional way maybe. I read a lot of English books when I was young, I ate the books in the library and created my own world away from hunger. That time, I felt like I had to feed my brain first because I could just sleep and forget about hunger anyway. I pulled myself up and got myself some education, and of course, I had to beg some relatives to help me out with basic things like - food (swallowed my pride), otherwise, I would not make it up to this point.

Hungry man, reach for the book: it is a weapon.
― Bertolt Brecht

I made it to the university through a full scholarship I gained in high school, but some friends still helped me out with basic things like - food. So I got a job to afford food but my grades were sacrificed greatly because I was so tired working in a restaurant every night. I lost the scholarship and I had to pay for everything until I graduated. I would sometimes fall asleep in my philosophy class 6:30 am the next day. I remember having to attend classes with an empty stomach then I had to wait for my work at night which could give me a free meal. That meant studying the whole day (without lunch) then having to wait until 9 pm for the free dinner at the restaurant. It also meant I still had to work for a couple of hours before I even deserved that meal. I shut up about it because I have fuckin' pride and ethics, but you know what - fuck pride and ethics. Hunger is fuckin' real!

Now, I would never subject my cat/son to the same harshness in life. I make sure he has proper cat food, occasional chicken bones, food scraps and some access to disgusting mice around the hood (for independence).

Mind you, it is hard to keep both your brain and stomach full at the same time but my hardships during those years would never be forgotten. I would not judge those who could not get an education because they have to feed their brothers and sisters first or that they don't have money to afford university. It was just my reality was different, if I didn't place importance on my education first I would not probably be writing here. You might be all fuckin' annoyed and judging me because I would be begging for upvotes or spamming your posts here on Steemit like the rest, instead of writing quality content. I would not probably be able to travel and see other realities in other parts of the world. I would not probably learn other languages and understand how people live in other countries. I would not probably meet those people who could help me realize my dream.

The belly is an ungrateful wretch, it never remembers past favors, it always wants more tomorrow.
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

If the time comes I have to choose using voting bots or beg around here on Steemit for the whales to check out my posts so I could keep a stomach full, I would do it because people just don't understand the reality of a person behind the computer. It is easy to judge when you don't have a fuckin' clue and if you don't live the life of that person - as that person.

The society does not promote off-grid living because the water and electric companies, restaurants, fast-food and other corporations would not benefit from the poor anymore. There's abundance in the countryside but people flock in the cities around the world with streets paved with gold to have better lives - forget about being an outsider or being discriminated. We could not judge as we might not know how it is. There might even be calamities that struck the country - hurricane, earthquake, landslide, tsunami, volcanic eruptions - these are the things beyond our control, so the crops and homes could be destroyed and the people again have to depend on aid. Don't even forget that money-making war your own government brought to the world so you and your kids can happily enjoy the benefits within your territory. People then might do all sorts of things in order to survive. In the end, we go hungry here so we can feed the ruling class of the world, so yeah, fuck you very much.

Ethics is no doubt very important for us civilized beings as long as the basic things are met first. A man should work in order to survive. If a man has fulfilled the first stage of these needs then he could think clearly about his moral duties in the society, live in harmony with other people and care about the environment.

Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.
― Albert Schweitzer