Just How Defined are We by Our Products?

So as we all are now very much aware, dealing with Karl Marx is not really my philosophical strong suit. At the very least, however, for the sake of this blog I will try and figure out how to understand and apply one of his theories or ideas. According to “The German Ideology”, individuals are shaped by both the process and the result of their individual production. As a big believer in personal action and responsibility, I thought this is really an interesting concept. I was thinking about this idea and debating how I could write about it and relate it to my life. I find that is usually the best way for me to understand philosophical concepts. How convenient it was then that the Academy Awards happened to be on television this evening. What better way to watch (at least in a more broad or loose sense) Marx’s idea in action? Each nominee is chosen based pretty much on what he or she produces. In this case, it is usually acting or something that in some way has to deal with motion pictures. Each person who receives the award has been selected because he or she has produced the best product. This is clearly a momentous occasion and I think shows how certain circumstances can really change a person’s life. As Oprah shared with all of us viewing the ceremony, Gabourey Sidibe, the young lady who plays the title role in the film “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” was simply a college student who tried out for the movie on a whim and tonight was sitting in the Kodak Theater vying for an an award against such legendary actresses as Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep. Every single piece of work that goes into making a film is another material condition that will determine the fate of each person involved. How they choose to use the materials available to them will really determine the overall production value of each person. If individuals are defined by what they produce and by how that product came to be produced than it seems that awards shows are really the perfect example. Everyone who was at the ceremony now has been shaped in some way by the experience. This may not be the most sophisticated application of Marxist theory but it seemed to me to be an interesting way of looking at things. Just think about how this applies to your own life. What you have chosen to work with and how you have used it has likely formed you in some way. Although the product may not always be easy to define, it really does define a part of who you are.