Comments on: Consumer Culture is no accident

By: Glyn

Glyn — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:15:05 +0000

Since all money is debt, and it is impossible to have both profit and ethics, wouldn't the easiest thing to do just be to start making the progression to a resources-based economy rather than a monetary one?

By: Greg Seaman

Greg Seaman — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 01:09:58 +0000

Great comment Amanda. Very succinct yet says it all.

By: Vince

Vince — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:18:08 +0000

However without this economic growth and technological advancement we have witnessed over the past few decades nobody would be able to do what they are doing on this page. How many laptops, online websites, and computer based operating systems were created based off of this captilistic ideal? the reality of this concept is, without our consumer impulse to buy the newest coolest gadgets on the market there would be no market. Our technological advance would undoubtedly slow and our concept of life and culture would be completley different than it is today. This being said, yes i agree that there are certain products that "harm" our enviornment so to speak, but this has nothing to do with our consumption on a global level. It is locally where we have to worry about this issue, our own impulses which go unquestioned are the real problems here, not our market place, nor our economic surplus of goods. These goods, even though plentiful, are necessary for a growing economy. No matter how many people think a slower economy is a good economy, you have got to re-think your ideals, because the world isnt going to slow down just because America does, this i can promise you.

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:23:25 +0000

Consumer culture is clearly accelerated by design Our economy is now in a state of "sluggish growth" and this is bad…or is it? Corporations and our government would like us to believe this is terrible.

Hopefully, this culture of consumerism is slowing as more and more people realize the futility of a linear production-consumption-disposal system. People are already beginning to rebound by tightening their belts and putting off emotional and unnecessary purchases. Families are consolidating, fueled by necessity in many cases, and local economic systems seem to be flourishing.

It's up to all of us to educate our children and break this cycle because you can all be damn sure the media is going to try to create an entirely new breed of i-pod using, "got to have the latest gadget and coolest clothes" consumer robots

By: Greg Seaman

Greg Seaman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:07:27 +0000

I think our system of putting the individual first, and of championing competition as the model for economic growth, has left us at a loss for community. The need for more and more consumer products is to some extent a way of soothing ourselves, but the satisfaction is short lived becasue it does not address the root of the problem. We need to bring new economic models into view that use cooperation instead of competition.
I've often wondered why people in poor communities seem happy while the wealthy do not. Maybe it's the sense of shared community by people who accept each other regardless of wealth or status.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:38:35 +0000

I couldn't agree more with what was said about consuming being a temporary feeling of satisfaction with oneself. I agree with what is said in most of this, but the question is what can we introduce to the world that is going to limit this idea of consuming, something that can satisfy that desire or longing if you will. If consuming is a temporary thing than why are we not searching for an alternative that will satisfy us longer than that and it being all for the good of the earth. Currently, not just America, but the entire world is one the wrong road it seems as far as this aspect is concerned, so why haven't the people who believe these ideals just previously said doing something and introducing new ideas, and inspiring. We haven't taken a step in the right direction by just thinking about it, we first must take the step on a new and vulnerable road. Not just Americans but the world as one. I am in no place to condemn, therefore I am not but I will suggest just like this article has to me. I have ideas of what this alternative could be, but I know that that the idea is not so easily welcome in this country. But, what this world is looking for is out there, and it is true.