The invisible hand

Gold cherry
Story of the week

By Pingles

Mon, 12 Dec 2016
  • 2963 reads
15 comments
 

I saw a kid sleeping on the street this morning. We talked about the Invisible Hand in class. He couldn’t have been much older than six or seven. The Invisible Hand is a phrase coined by Adam Smith. He was bundled up in a dirty blue sleeping bag, on top of some torn up piece of cardboard. It’s the idea that by pursuing our personal interests, we inadvertently benefit society. He was all alone, there was an empty sleeping bag beside his. For example, the landlord needs money and I need a home, he offers me a good price, so I pay the rent. I could only see his face really. He has money, I have somewhere to sleep, both of us are happy. It had all the round innocence of childhood, and all the pale coldness of death. It’s an idea used to justify little or no government intervention in the economy. The street was crowded with people heading to work, a few of them glanced at him as they walked by. 

Certificate U
Non-fiction

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Brilliant juxtaposition makes this a really moving piece. I'm not sure you need that last line

 

Submitted by jolono on

Yep, love the way it goes back and forth. Nice work.

 

Submitted by celticman on

the invisible hand has another hand, the visible hand, which slaps down people that don't agree with its machinations. Expect much more of the latter. 

 

Submitted by Pingles on

thanks for reading everyone, and thanks for the cherry, yeah instert I removed the last line

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This great piece is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day

Please share/retweet if you like it

Picture Credit:http://tinyurl.com/jv4fmsg

 

Submitted by thornwood on

Celticman sorry for been a bit personell here and if you want to tell me to f off or worse im thick skinned so speak ur mind but sometimes your so accepting of the systems ability to put us down and control us and to create everything negative I dont believe this is true what you say and if enough us rebel in peaceful humane compassionate creative intelligent ways maybe we will eventually become the system.

Eg

If you see a beggar instead of thinking oh the system put him here another example go to him talk to him try help him might not be a beggar could be vlnerable looking older women man.

We need to work to change it not just sit back and accept it and in your case spread fear that this is our lot.

We can change the system but we all must play a part.

Regards

Stephen d

Submitted by celticman on

I probably agree with most of what you agree steve, but nowdays I believe there is very little to be postiive about. It's not so much it needs to get better before it gets worse. I believe it will get worse and even worse. If you are poor, like us, basically you are fucked whatever you do. That's not nihilism, just realism. 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

It's common to see people sleeping on the streets round here, a few years ago it was very rare.  So sad to hand a sandwich to someone who could be my son, sister and for them to be grateful.  It's raining tonight.  This such a powerful piece written with subtlety. 

Submitted by Pingles on

Thanks Philip, yeah it's only getting worse, and there's little we can do about it

Submitted by David Kirtley on

Excellent idea, cleverly done.Someone should tell London the markets are not working right. It is time properties began to be nationalised or controlled for the benefit of the people who are expected to work and live there. But of course it won't happen because our politics is not imaginative or caring enough, and everyone is confused about the way society should be organised.

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Brilliantly contrasting lines. You've shown some real craft in

choosing which to pair structurally. This is a journey but 

one that batters you.

 

Submitted by Ed Crane on

your piece clearly shows how empty it is in these times.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our Story of the Week - Congratulations!

 

Submitted by Pingles on

Thanks!

Submitted by Timothy Poole on

Nice read. Always felt like others have emphasised the need for length - writers/readers alike - but good to see something so short can remain effective.