13-06-2008, 09:50 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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| Gone Off
Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: shelf
Posts: 9,568
| American Materialism & Mass Consumption
While at Uni I started changing my perceptions, values, and viewpoints about mass consumption. Buying stuff. For many, not all nor even most people, "things" are not fixated upon. But many folks in the US think that "more is better" and "bigger is better." I don't believe in this, and think it's also provides a false sense of happines and well being. It's not beneficial, to acquire, acquire, and acquire.
Especially after living overseas, I now view having more things, as a burden. I came to South East Asia with one bag, and I'll leave with one bag.
Experiences, people, and good times, are far more important to me than "things."
How do you feel about marterialism, consumerism, and "things?"
How important are non-essential items to you? Quote: Americans Living in a Material World
Published: June 12, 2008
To the Editor:
 Matthew Hollister
Related
Op-Ed Columnist: The Great Seduction (June 10, 2008)
It isn’t often that I agree with David Brooks, but “The Great Seduction” (column, June 10) was at least the beginning of a conversation in which America desperately needs to engage.
His litany of responsibility for our culture’s chronic indebtedness, however, barely hints at the extent to which the commodification of everything inhabits our lives in this free-market paradise.
Our entire economy is founded on mindless and infinite consumption — the more mindless the better. It’s the American credo: I consume, therefore I am. Why else do TV and radio (and, increasingly, the Internet) exist except to sell us more of anything and everything?
What does Mr. Brooks think will happen to this economy if Americans suddenly decide to embrace Ben Franklin’s virtues of hard work, temperance and particularly frugality, and stop roaming the malls? One thing for sure, with the way the free-market purists have turned everything from political representation to health care to spiritual redemption into mere vendibles, they won’t be pleased with him for pushing this particular line of inquiry.
Mr. Brooks could be expelled from Club Neocapitalism if he doesn’t watch out, and it will cost him a pretty penny to buy his way back in.
Stephen Lehman
St. Paul, June 10, 2008
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