What a un-American concept! More stuff doesn’r always mean more happiness; consumerism is not good for the environment; materialism does not promote social values. Where will this kind of radical philosophy lead us? Dare we even think about it?
Video produced by The Center For a New American Dream, which works to raise awareness of the negative impact of our hyper-consumer culture.
You may also wish to check out my March 5 post “Advertising’s High Cost to Society! Read This Now! You’ll Like It!”
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Very interesting. I dig the video and thank you for posting such a thought provoking piece.Do you remember right after 9/11 when Bush told us to go out and shop? I found myself incredulous at the thought of gong out and mindlessly spending money while the world was going to hell in a hand basket. When I do shop, I try to be careful what I purchase. I really try and support local shops,whether they be selling food or furniture. It can be expensive to live this way, but I much prefer it to shopping at large corporations that pay no mind to the environment. It happens that if I shop less, I can actually afford the things I like instead of shopping all the time, and buying cheap stuff that has traveled halfway around the world.Have you heard of Slavoj Zizek? He is a Slovenian philosopher who has discussed materialism and consumer culture for many years.
Good to hear from you again, Leah. You’re clearly figuring out the proper way to live your material life and I commend you for it.
I’m not familiar with Zizek, but a quick look tells me I should be. He has reached an age of great wisdom (two months younger than me) so he must know a lot. 🙂
Best of luck on that novel (and your old typewriter).
Heh heh, thanks. How have you been? I very much enjoyed your post and think its great that you provided the video. Also, I never thought of Zizek as being old!
Thanks, Leah, but who said anything about being old (other than about your typewriter? 🙂
🙂
Reblogged this on serendipitousscavenger and commented:
Can’t say this (or draw for that matter) better myself.