Some people wouldn't know good "value" if it jumped up and bit them on the face. Really...
Worse than that, even if Joe Public recognizes the word, due to its over use and distortion, Mr. & Mrs. Shopping Cart full of Doritos' don't have a solid understanding of what Value actually is. Sometimes buying sixteen isn't any cheaper than buying one at a time despite the flashy grocers advertising!
The concept of actually receiving acceptable VALUE in return for their invested time, money or mutual exchange at a personal level can often be a non issue to them. For instance, receiving poor service or food in a restaurant or standing forever in a lineup at an auto parts counter while the clerk answers the phone six times while ignoring your needs. That is bad value and not the end of the world but it is a harbinger of something much larger. Read on my friend.
In many cases today many folks don't even EXPECT good value any more. In fact, watch people who suddenly receive good value. They are so surprised when they RECEIVE good value these days, they often comment on it in disbelief! They chortle over it! It is an anomaly!
Okay that may not be you in the grocery store but wait, I can guarantee that you sacrifice good value in many other more meaningful areas.
So what is the driving force behind the growing indifference to not only doing our best (which is a value) ... to not expecting to receive the best? (or at least what you paid for or invested in) Is it indifference stifling them ... or do they not comprehend or UNDERSTAND the value of "value" in living our lives? What would it take to re-ignite that tiny booster rocket between their ears? And yes, I include myself in that grouping. My own elevator doesn't always go to the top floor either....
But some will say, isn't this a matter of personal choice whether to receive... or not receive or to believe ... or not to believe the propaganda, lies and deception ... fabrications permeating and enveloping our society? As my dear well meaning wife used to opine to me at every opportunity before I divorced her... yes ... and no!
You are of course absolutely right. Some folks will knowingly eat bugs and mealworms because they like it, others detest the thoughts of those crawly six legged critters and slippery slimy slugs sliding disgustingly down their throats ... (I know it's really the larvae) but once they slather insect and work whatever, with relish and ketchup and mustard, what the heck, if Hampus Widell, half of Germany and our government leaders want us to devour grasshoppers ... well it must be the right thing to do, right?
But it goes much deeper than that.
Okay, so lets lasso the experts on how we should be understanding what value actually is on this planet.
We'll start with this. According to the highly gifted and intelligent folks at Oxford, their dictionary definition goes as follows:
When used as a noun (just an excerpt to make a point)
As a noun:
- the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something: "your support is of great value"
- (values) a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life: "they internalize their parents' rules and values"
As a verb:
- estimate the monetary worth of (something): "his estate was valued at $45,000
Most of all we are looking at number one:
- the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something: "your support is of great value"
What do you think you "deserve" when it comes to (giving or receiving) VALUE?
We DESERVE good value in kind. In other words if we give out in good faith, we should also receive in good faith. That is what the capitalist and business model is based upon in a free and democratic society. It is a also a moral obligation throughout history.
We've taken a snapshot of the micro picture .We will examine the macro picture in Part Two..
Stay tuned.