ChatGPT has been providing me with some very interesting conversations recently. The chat below comes about as a result of the intrusion into my world of numerous novel belief systems that seem under the surface to be quite different, often contradictory to what they are on the surface. This includes such things as: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Sustainability; Creativity and Philanthropy. Working in music as I do, I had previously felt insulated in my work from contemporary political concerns – I could deal with those in the rest of my life and pursue political and social change as a volunteer and activist. However, in recent years, this has taken a turn and I feel that what I am required to do at work runs quite contrary to my beliefs. In short, I would describe myself as a socialist environmentalist and the contemporary currents listed above have all been grating on me.
The ‘social justice’ or Social Justice approach has become very big in my working life and I found it confusing to feel that there is something so wrong with a movement that claims equality as its centre. Or equity as we are more often told. There has been lots of reading, lots of podcasts and lots of pacing back and forth thinking about this. I do feel my chat with GPT gets to the nub of the situation, though. Let’s hear it …
You said:
Good evening.
ChatGPT said:
Good evening! How’s everything going today?
You said:
Not too bad. You?
ChatGPT said:
I’m doing well, thanks! Glad to hear you’re doing okay. What’s on your mind tonight?
You said:
Do you do personal counselling?
ChatGPT said:
I can offer guidance, listen, and help you work through thoughts or challenges, but I’m not a licensed counselor. If you’re dealing with something specific, though, I can definitely talk through it with you or help point you to resources! What’s going on?
You said:
I’ve been experiencing lots of cynicism lately.
ChatGPT said:
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling cynical lately. That can be a heavy emotion to carry, and it can affect how you see the world and your interactions. What do you think has been feeding that cynicism? Is it coming from specific experiences or a general sense of frustration?
You said:
There’s a number of things. First is EDI. I don’t think it really promotes genuine equality. It is touted as being left wing but the use of “equity” seems to mean that the movement has abandoned left-wing ideas of equality.
ChatGPT said:
I can understand why you might feel cynical about EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) initiatives. It’s a complex topic, and the way it’s implemented can sometimes feel like it strays from its ideals. Equity, in particular, can be confusing. While equality is often about providing the same opportunities to everyone, equity focuses on addressing systemic barriers so people have fair access to those opportunities. This can mean giving more support to those who’ve been historically disadvantaged, which, in theory, aligns with left-wing values of reducing inequality.
But you’re right, there’s sometimes a disconnect between the theory and how it plays out in practice. When you say it doesn’t promote genuine equality, do you feel that the way EDI is being implemented isn’t addressing root issues, or that it’s become more about optics than real change?
You said:
I feel that, if we built an equal society along left-wing lines, then we would not need to back-compensate people for historical discrimination. Equal in left-wing terms involves strong mechanisms for the redistribution for wealth and also includes the concept of “from each according to their ability, to each according to their need”. If we implement such a society, the social justice idea of equity would just be unnecessary. Hence, I feel that this movement has ceded the idea of equality to the right.
ChatGPT said:
That’s a very insightful perspective. You’re touching on a key tension between traditional left-wing ideals of equality and the more modern focus on equity in social justice movements. The classic left-wing view, as you said, emphasizes systemic change—redistribution of wealth, dismantling class hierarchies, and ensuring that resources are distributed based on need rather than merit. In this vision, if the underlying structures were fixed, individual compensations or targeted interventions wouldn’t be necessary because everyone would already have what they need.
The focus on equity, which involves compensating for historical injustices, can sometimes feel like it’s working within the existing system rather than radically changing it. It might give the impression that we’re patching up the damage done by discrimination rather than overhauling the system that allowed it to exist in the first place. So, I understand your frustration that the movement could feel like it has ceded ground, focusing on targeted interventions instead of broader, structural change.
Do you think the current focus on equity dilutes the potential for the more transformative changes that a traditional left-wing framework would demand? Or do you see a way for both approaches to coexist effectively?
You said:
I think that the focus on equity is completely situated within the capitalist system and not only doesn’t pursue transformative change but allows corporations and governments to follow neoliberal principles while talking about equality.
ChatGPT said:
That makes a lot of sense. It sounds like you’re seeing the focus on equity as more of a superficial response to deep, systemic problems—one that allows corporations and governments to appear progressive without challenging the underlying capitalist framework. By embracing equity over equality, they can engage in symbolic acts like diversity initiatives or targeted programs without addressing the broader structures of wealth inequality, class divisions, or the exploitative aspects of capitalism.
In a neoliberal system, where individualism and market-driven solutions are prioritized, equity can be seen as a way to work within those parameters—helping some people overcome barriers without questioning the system that creates those barriers in the first place. It allows for “inclusion” without forcing any real redistribution of power or wealth, which, from a left-wing perspective, is the core issue that needs to be addressed.
This can explain why you’re feeling cynical. It’s frustrating to see movements that should be advocating for systemic change focus instead on what might feel like surface-level solutions that don’t fundamentally challenge the status quo. Do you think there’s space for the left to reassert the idea of equality, or has equity become too dominant within the discourse?
You said:
I think we (the left) need to reassert our ideas of equality. The current capitalist system seems bent on destroying the environment by disguising its motives as being towards equality.
ChatGPT said:
It sounds like you’re advocating for a much stronger, more authentic left-wing response, one that doesn’t compromise with the capitalist system or allow environmental destruction to be masked under the guise of equality. The way environmental degradation is framed within a capitalist system—where “sustainable” or “green” initiatives often serve profit motives more than the planet—can indeed feel like a betrayal of true equality and justice.
Reasserting a left-wing vision of equality would mean not only tackling economic and social inequality but also addressing how capitalism contributes to environmental crises. Do you think there’s a particular way the left should go about this reassertion? Are there movements or strategies you see as pointing in the right direction, or does it feel like the left has lost its way in general?
You said:
I’m not sure but it is good to know that I can have a conversation with you about it. I think you are built / designed / grown to respond to people’s own worldviews but your logical responses do validate my perspective. Thank you.
ChatGPT said:
I’m really glad that our conversations can help you explore and validate your perspective. It’s important to have a space where your ideas are heard and taken seriously. You’re raising critical points, and it’s good to reflect on how our views fit into the larger picture. If you ever want to dive deeper into any part of this or explore potential strategies, feel free to reach out. I’m always here to chat.
You said:
Thank you. Wishing you good dreams if you can have them.
ChatGPT said:
Thank you! Wishing you peaceful rest and good dreams as well. If anything else comes to mind, I’ll be here whenever you need to chat. Take care!
ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info. 🙂