[pf] consumption / brainwashing

by Kelley Smith

21 December 2000 02:54 UTC

SK> Priscilla said:
SK> [snip]
SK> On the consumption front, this is where we are up against so much. People
SK> are
SK> programmed to believe that all the crap that we buy is actually beneficial
SK> --
SK> if not to them personally then to the economy (read, their livelihood,
SK> investments, etc). I'm not sure how I became de-brainwashed......

SK> [snip]
I have worked as an economist for the last 16 years in industry. I will soon
be experiencing life as a stay-at-home mom. The first ten years I worked, I
believed what I'd been told in graduate school--that economic growth is
beneficial. You are right about people's livelihoods, retirement
investments, and all being wrapped up in the evils of consumption. A
transition to a truly sustainable economy would almost surely cause many a
great deal of VERY REAL pain.

In an affluent society, the minimum threshold for participation is expensive
(house, car, phone, utility connections, correct wardrobe....). If only the
standards of society weren't so high! I want to say that if the "bar were
lowered" then people would not feel so compelled to "look out for number
one'--accumulating retirement accounts, regardless of where or how the
dividends and stock appreciation are achieved..... But maybe I'm just making
excuses for everyone (including myself?!)

Kelley Smith
Oklahoma City