VIDEO OF THE TIMES: Overconsumption

Affluenza

One of the big issues of today is how our consumption habits are affecting the planet. Some argue we should focus on our needs and check our wants at the door. Somehow we have convinced ourselves that we have an inalienable right to purchase whenever and whatever we want. Critics often say capitalism produces, and we mindlessly consume it, all sorts of junk we don't really need. We could live a lot more simply, more in tune with nature, with more time for one another.

Some thinkers even say that individualistic consumerism distracts us from more satisfying collective pursuits. Others urge us to limit down our consumption. They want us to minimize our "carbon footprints," as if catastrophe or disaster draws closer with each trip to the mall and with and every each sip of Mochachino Latté no foam with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Of course, moralizers of all stripes, from radical environmentalists to religious fundamentalists, have strong ideas about what we really need. But the fact that you think you know what's best for me doesn't mean I don't really need a 47” Hi Def 1080p Flat Screen LCD TV or an itouch ipod, Blue Ray dvd player, or Wii and PS3 or Xbox. I have my reasons.

Different people have different aspirations and plans. We have different frames of reference for adequacy and excess. What each of us needs depends on what we are trying to make of our lives.

If this wild assortment of stuff was really crushing our souls, then maybe we ought to smash our flat screen TV, burn the Mp3, etc. Is there any evidence that people are most likely to be happy or healthy in well-educated and long-lived place where people consume the most? Talk to the Danes, they’re supposed to be the happiest people in the planet. They focus more on education, family and friends like what Suzie Orman always say, People, Money then things.

Maybe we don't need all those things to be happy, or to live up to 100 years. But if we want to, then we've got a good thing going. Just don't trip over your laptop. Unfortunately, society has trained us since our birth on how to be a good consumer and it’s becoming a disease. Hopefully, one day, we will recognize that over-consumption is a disease. I can only hope that some day, it will come to our senses and do so. But it's not quite that simple.