Topic: loosening the grip of materialism/consumerism on you
Anonymous A started this discussion 11 years ago #43,875
Ever since i realized that i was a hardcore materialist, i have felt so much better trying to stop being that. Thinking that being rich will solve my problems was maybe the most stupid thing
i ever did without realizing. It sneaks upon you like a bitch. You do it without realizing.
So i am just saying, materialism/consumerism is bad. Thanks.
i ever did without realizing. It sneaks upon you like a bitch. You do it without realizing.
So i am just saying, materialism/consumerism is bad. Thanks.
Syntax joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 1 minute later[^] [v] #579,387
> Thinking that being rich will solve my problems
Not necessarily however striving to become rich enough is far more better then the alternatives.
Not necessarily however striving to become rich enough is far more better then the alternatives.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 4 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #579,390
@previous (Syntax)
Rich is better then the opposite, for sure. However materialism/con-blabla puts a different spin on things. It becomes so unhealthy to always think wealth is the only solution.
Rich is better then the opposite, for sure. However materialism/con-blabla puts a different spin on things. It becomes so unhealthy to always think wealth is the only solution.
penthief !e6iiu.pZHU joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 9 minutes later, 14 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #579,398
@previous (A)
Nice idea, but what practical steps can you take to lose materialism? Is it all or nothing?
Nice idea, but what practical steps can you take to lose materialism? Is it all or nothing?
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 3 minutes later, 17 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #579,399
Nothing will ever solve your problems.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 8 minutes later, 26 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #579,406
@579,398 (penthief !e6iiu.pZHU)
Well you have to change your dreams. Its incredibly hard to change your dreams after so many years of the same dream, but its damn refreshing and calming. Changing your dream means telling yourself its okay if you don't have the latest in fashion, an impressive house etc.... it means you have to yearn for something else.
Its hard to explain what i experienced, words can't do it justice. However after realizing that becoming rich won't really make me any happier, you accept your modest life and in doing so i felt this familiar feeling i haven't felt since childhood.
I always thought that if anything i was far from being materialistic and a consumerist, but one doesn't experience materialism and consumerism as materialism/consumerism, but something that you mistake as a part of ourself.
Well you have to change your dreams. Its incredibly hard to change your dreams after so many years of the same dream, but its damn refreshing and calming. Changing your dream means telling yourself its okay if you don't have the latest in fashion, an impressive house etc.... it means you have to yearn for something else.
Its hard to explain what i experienced, words can't do it justice. However after realizing that becoming rich won't really make me any happier, you accept your modest life and in doing so i felt this familiar feeling i haven't felt since childhood.
I always thought that if anything i was far from being materialistic and a consumerist, but one doesn't experience materialism and consumerism as materialism/consumerism, but something that you mistake as a part of ourself.
Syntax replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 28 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #579,407
@579,390 (A)
> materialism/consumerism
On a positive note - Such keeps people employed - is that not a good thing?
> materialism/consumerism
On a positive note - Such keeps people employed - is that not a good thing?
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 4 minutes later, 33 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #579,411
@previous (Syntax)
I have a mixed answer. Its better that people are employed then unemployed, however if it takes a population trained to want to consume all the time as if that is the meaning of life, then that is also a bad thing. Its like that famous example of that clothing factory that collapsed in some third world country, consumerism has such high priority that its starting to replace people.
I have a mixed answer. Its better that people are employed then unemployed, however if it takes a population trained to want to consume all the time as if that is the meaning of life, then that is also a bad thing. Its like that famous example of that clothing factory that collapsed in some third world country, consumerism has such high priority that its starting to replace people.
Syntax replied with this 11 years ago, 13 minutes later, 47 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #579,415
@previous (A)
In general I agree with you. Placing the owning of Stuff above doing all one can do to help the surrounding community as much as one can - NOT that I am doing all I can do but I do my share.
Considering the current number of multi billionaires who have opened wallets EXCEPT I have huge massive mixed feelings about Bill Gates.
Gates continued to provide CRAP operating systems while making a fortune - He could have hired more and more better engineers to develop quality products - Instead he filled his wallet with my money and only now is doing something good with it.
In general I agree with you. Placing the owning of Stuff above doing all one can do to help the surrounding community as much as one can - NOT that I am doing all I can do but I do my share.
Considering the current number of multi billionaires who have opened wallets EXCEPT I have huge massive mixed feelings about Bill Gates.
Gates continued to provide CRAP operating systems while making a fortune - He could have hired more and more better engineers to develop quality products - Instead he filled his wallet with my money and only now is doing something good with it.
Anonymous A (OP) replied with this 11 years ago, 9 minutes later, 56 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #579,421
@previous (Syntax)
Yeah its strange how if you give something you have millions of, something you will always have enough of, you get seen as the greatest humanitarian or whatever like in the case of bill gates.
Yeah its strange how if you give something you have millions of, something you will always have enough of, you get seen as the greatest humanitarian or whatever like in the case of bill gates.
RWBY Rhubarb !!iNo3FkiZx joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 2 hours later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,471
Materialism can be good, but reternalism is better.
(Edited 12 seconds later.)
Anonymous F joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 1 minute later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,472
Anonymous G joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 3 hours later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,546
RWBY Rhubarb !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 11 years ago, 10 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,557
FuckAlms !vX8K53rFBI joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 8 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,571
> Changing your dream means telling yourself its okay if you don't have the latest in fashion, an impressive house etc....
That was never my dream or desire.
That was never my dream or desire.
Anonymous I joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 46 minutes later, 9 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,573
Being rich would solve about 85% of most people's problems.
Anonymous J joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 25 minutes later, 9 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,584
@previous (I)
It would solve 85% of their problems, and then create a whole new set of problems to fill the void.
It would solve 85% of their problems, and then create a whole new set of problems to fill the void.
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 29 minutes later, 10 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,591
Anonymous J replied with this 11 years ago, 9 minutes later, 10 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,596
@previous (I)
If you could. And then if you got rich, you'd want to trade rich problems for other kinds of problems.
If you could. And then if you got rich, you'd want to trade rich problems for other kinds of problems.
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 1 hour later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,641
Anonymous J replied with this 11 years ago, 8 minutes later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,648
@previous (I)
You can, because do not experience "rich problems" you only have at best a 2nd-hand knowledge of them.
You can, because do not experience "rich problems" you only have at best a 2nd-hand knowledge of them.
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 1 minute later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,649
@previous (J)
They are not "problems." They are wealthy people making up stuff to whine about. Not having enough to eat, not being able to buy Christmas presents for your kids, not having presentable clothes -- those are real problems. Not sure how to best diversify your millions? That is a rich "problem".
They are not "problems." They are wealthy people making up stuff to whine about. Not having enough to eat, not being able to buy Christmas presents for your kids, not having presentable clothes -- those are real problems. Not sure how to best diversify your millions? That is a rich "problem".
Anonymous J replied with this 11 years ago, 6 minutes later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,651
@previous (I)
I knew you'd say exactly that. You believe money grants people some kind of Disney existence, that's why you put "rich problems" in quotes. It is like that, because that's how you want to see it.
I knew you'd say exactly that. You believe money grants people some kind of Disney existence, that's why you put "rich problems" in quotes. It is like that, because that's how you want to see it.
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,653
@previous (J)
No, they can still have problems. That is why I said that money will solve about 85% of problems. That's much better than being poor. Poor people have the same human problems, PLUS they are poor.
No, they can still have problems. That is why I said that money will solve about 85% of problems. That's much better than being poor. Poor people have the same human problems, PLUS they are poor.
Anonymous K joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 3 minutes later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,654
@579,649 (I)
Your right. Those are real problems, would it not be very much insane if poor people forgot about their problems, and the causes of their problems, only to dream about being rich? Only to find new ways to consume and buy things they do not need?
Your right. Those are real problems, would it not be very much insane if poor people forgot about their problems, and the causes of their problems, only to dream about being rich? Only to find new ways to consume and buy things they do not need?
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 10 minutes later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,656
@previous (K)
If all they do is dream, then that is useless, I agree. I am simply saying that I believe that poor people have real problems, and rich people have far less problems, and that rich problems are created by sullen, bored rich people who are not suffering real pain.
If all they do is dream, then that is useless, I agree. I am simply saying that I believe that poor people have real problems, and rich people have far less problems, and that rich problems are created by sullen, bored rich people who are not suffering real pain.
Anonymous K replied with this 11 years ago, 7 minutes later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,657
@previous (I)
Although there are rich people who do suffer from real pain, i agree that the majority of people who suffer are poor people. Don't forget that just because we have access to the internet right now, some people, who are in great poverty and pain, would think the same of us as you do of rich people.
You say that if all they do is dream then its all useless, but how do you identify people who are not in the same predicament as poor people? You identify them as rich people. So you see, it almost suggest that you see the problem as having money or not having money, when really is about having freedom and not having freedom. Karl marx up in this bitch.
Although there are rich people who do suffer from real pain, i agree that the majority of people who suffer are poor people. Don't forget that just because we have access to the internet right now, some people, who are in great poverty and pain, would think the same of us as you do of rich people.
You say that if all they do is dream then its all useless, but how do you identify people who are not in the same predicament as poor people? You identify them as rich people. So you see, it almost suggest that you see the problem as having money or not having money, when really is about having freedom and not having freedom. Karl marx up in this bitch.
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 10 minutes later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,662
@previous (K)
I disagree. I think the real problem is having money or not having money. There are rich and poor people under every sort of political regime on earth.
I disagree. I think the real problem is having money or not having money. There are rich and poor people under every sort of political regime on earth.
Anonymous K replied with this 11 years ago, 4 minutes later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,664
@previous (I)
So when you dream about the solution to poverty, you simply dream about people getting money? What about the system and ideologies that keep them from having money? Perhaps its more of a realist approach to dream about the destruction of that.
So when you dream about the solution to poverty, you simply dream about people getting money? What about the system and ideologies that keep them from having money? Perhaps its more of a realist approach to dream about the destruction of that.
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 1 minute later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,665
@previous (K)
Ideologies do make poor people. I am not getting into that. I am simply arguing that rich people think they have problems, but compared to reality, they do not.
Ideologies do make poor people. I am not getting into that. I am simply arguing that rich people think they have problems, but compared to reality, they do not.
Anonymous K replied with this 11 years ago, 4 minutes later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,666
@previous (I)
Like i said, i get that attitude. However isn't the idea that rich people have no problems a reflection of what you think is the solution to all problems? Wealth.
Like i said, i get that attitude. However isn't the idea that rich people have no problems a reflection of what you think is the solution to all problems? Wealth.
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 1 minute later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,669
@previous (K)
No. I said that rich people have 15% problems. I do believe that the solution to 85% of human problems is money.
No. I said that rich people have 15% problems. I do believe that the solution to 85% of human problems is money.
Anonymous K replied with this 11 years ago, 9 minutes later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,676
@previous (I)
Money the solution to problems? It seems so when you just need a couple of more bucks to get your next meal. But when everyone needs money? When there are so many that need money.... Then you have to ask yourself what the real problem is. It can't be escaped, that the answer is our current economic and ideological system. The system that creates slave masters, slave masters who solve their problems by enslaving others all in name of money.
Money the solution to problems? It seems so when you just need a couple of more bucks to get your next meal. But when everyone needs money? When there are so many that need money.... Then you have to ask yourself what the real problem is. It can't be escaped, that the answer is our current economic and ideological system. The system that creates slave masters, slave masters who solve their problems by enslaving others all in name of money.
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 48 seconds later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,678
@previous (K)
The answer, in my opinion, is Socialism, that guarantees certain things to all people.
The answer, in my opinion, is Socialism, that guarantees certain things to all people.
Anonymous K replied with this 11 years ago, 2 minutes later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,680
@previous (I)
socialism already failed. That is the huge problem that we face, we know that capitalism is only going to make things worse and worse, yet we have no other alternatives, it has not been invented yet.
socialism already failed. That is the huge problem that we face, we know that capitalism is only going to make things worse and worse, yet we have no other alternatives, it has not been invented yet.
The Owl !KThEOwLwbU joined in and replied with this 11 years ago, 47 seconds later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,681
@previous (K)
Maybe if someone actually put concerted effort into actually being socialist it wouldn't fail
Maybe if someone actually put concerted effort into actually being socialist it wouldn't fail
Anonymous I replied with this 11 years ago, 40 seconds later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,682
Anonymous K replied with this 11 years ago, 8 minutes later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,684
@previous (I)
I want to believe in socialism too. However it failed, the berlin wall fell, life within socialism was even worse. Its not a case of a few bad apples but rather it (socialism) produced people with those qualities.
A positive statement, before socialism met its end, people dreamed of socialism with a human face. Right now, people dream of capitalism with a human face, they dream of capitalism without all the corruption like socialists dreamed of socialism without all the totalitarianism.
I want to believe in socialism too. However it failed, the berlin wall fell, life within socialism was even worse. Its not a case of a few bad apples but rather it (socialism) produced people with those qualities.
A positive statement, before socialism met its end, people dreamed of socialism with a human face. Right now, people dream of capitalism with a human face, they dream of capitalism without all the corruption like socialists dreamed of socialism without all the totalitarianism.
Anonymous K double-posted this 11 years ago, 5 minutes later, 13 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,687
@579,681 (The Owl !KThEOwLwbU)
The most objective way to measure any system of governance is not in this dream like way, where people made all the right choices, rather is by measuring how it affected people.
The most objective way to measure any system of governance is not in this dream like way, where people made all the right choices, rather is by measuring how it affected people.
The Owl !KThEOwLwbU replied with this 11 years ago, 4 hours later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #579,760
@579,684 (K)@previous (K)
Are you referring to the USSR? By the time of the Berlin Wall Stalinism was in full effect and Marxist doctrine was used to justify the power of the state and the beaureaucracy which enabled the party to enjoy unlimited power
It certainly wasn't socialist except in the outward paper thin shell
Stalin accomplished a secret counter revolution and did it by insisting that Stalinism is the end result of Marxism applied! The leftists didn't disagree because they were either Stalinist themselves or were killed, and the right didn't disagree because it was much easier to vilify socialism when Stalinism was the actual target!
I've been doing some reading on the subject