Much truth in this. People do have genuine needs, but there is a great deal of manufactured discontent aiming to sell things. How else to explain the chronic neediness seen even in many people who, by any objective standard, are not lacking in material things? The resort to plastic surgery by people whose appearance is perfectly normal is especially telling.
I'm beginning to wish it were possible to make it a criminal offense to expose anybody under eighteen to an advertisement.
I wouldn't say the "world" is designed to depress us and condition us for materialistic desires. That would be capitalism. Capitalists don't want us happy or contented.
Obviously we have essential material needs like food, clothing, shelter, transportation and access to health care. But we don't need caviar, BMWs, mansions, or penthouses. Best not to fall for those tantalizing temptations. That's when materialism takes hold.
The best thing to do with wealth is to share it.
We have to learn to find happiness and contentment within us or with loved ones, or at least through stimulating aesthetic experiences from the arts. Music dance, singing and visual arts have been rewarding the human experience for thousands of years. Instruments, tools, implements and media are the only materialistic requirements.
And there's sports and athletics for those inclined.
Wanting stuff is never the path to contentment or peace. Love what you have, not what you desire.
4 comments:
Much truth in this. People do have genuine needs, but there is a great deal of manufactured discontent aiming to sell things. How else to explain the chronic neediness seen even in many people who, by any objective standard, are not lacking in material things? The resort to plastic surgery by people whose appearance is perfectly normal is especially telling.
I'm beginning to wish it were possible to make it a criminal offense to expose anybody under eighteen to an advertisement.
Happiness is found when one lets go and finds the path to natural awareness. As is liberation and true freedom. Freedom from anxiett, fear, and want.
I wouldn't say the "world" is designed to depress us and condition us for materialistic desires. That would be capitalism. Capitalists don't want us happy or contented.
Obviously we have essential material needs like food, clothing, shelter, transportation and access to health care. But we don't need caviar, BMWs, mansions, or penthouses. Best not to fall for those tantalizing temptations. That's when materialism takes hold.
The best thing to do with wealth is to share it.
We have to learn to find happiness and contentment within us or with loved ones, or at least through stimulating aesthetic experiences from the arts. Music dance, singing and visual arts have been rewarding the human experience for thousands of years. Instruments, tools, implements and media are the only materialistic requirements.
And there's sports and athletics for those inclined.
Wanting stuff is never the path to contentment or peace. Love what you have, not what you desire.
Damn well said Dave Dubya! Damn well said.
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