tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091794270907110191.post8256259992789416520..comments2023-06-28T06:13:50.901-06:00Comments on A posse ad esse: End of Consumerism?Paul Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13420342085380365248noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091794270907110191.post-76944228257112515372008-11-14T19:03:00.000-07:002008-11-14T19:03:00.000-07:00I also second reading Deep Economy. Excellent boo...I also second reading Deep Economy. Excellent book.<BR/><BR/>I am hoping that we are seeing the end of excessive consumerism, or as consumerism as a religion as Eric commented.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091794270907110191.post-68979269044041795252008-11-14T09:26:00.000-07:002008-11-14T09:26:00.000-07:00I'm with you p, I'm not on the end of consumerism ...I'm with you p, I'm not on the end of consumerism bandwagon either. Although, I agree there needs to be a persception change and a change in the way we spend. You talk about having the money floating out there and I try very hard to be responsible for where my consumer dollar goes. I want it to support my local economy, I want to help my neighbors keep their jobs or at the very least buy american made products, creat american jobs, businesses. But it is a very hard thing to do in our time. And I'm not saying screw the rest of the world here either, but more like helping to take care of your own, and being responsible....I don't know, maybe I'm with phelan and I need a cup a joe....(not that I have any in the house, but here we go again!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091794270907110191.post-57649800093929418232008-11-14T06:38:00.000-07:002008-11-14T06:38:00.000-07:00I read "Deep Economy" by Bill McKibben recently. ...I read "Deep Economy" by Bill McKibben recently. He points out the folly of endless growth, basing an economy on shopping and the whims of stock markets, ignoring ecological and raw material limits, etc. It's a great read, if a bit on the crunchy side now and again. I have to say I came away with a much better understanding of where we need to go.ilexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06772649648781578752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091794270907110191.post-59550680473235145122008-11-14T06:33:00.000-07:002008-11-14T06:33:00.000-07:00I was writing this huge commentary on why we feel ...I was writing this huge commentary on why we feel so entitled, why we don't actually work for what we want. But than deleted it. I don't have enough coffee in me yet to defend my thoughts.Phelanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250080326099834661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091794270907110191.post-85013829208914173482008-11-14T05:55:00.000-07:002008-11-14T05:55:00.000-07:00Mercy!!! Much food for thought!! I do not know i...Mercy!!! Much food for thought!! I do not know if i can rightly put my thoughts on paper(so to speak). Yes, i believe you are right, we will always be consumers to some degree. That is not a bad thing,we all need to make money to pay ceasar. We make that money buy offering goods and services folks really need. Our culture, does not promote such. Rather make as much as you can however you can. Not that making money, or having a lot is nessesarily a bad thing. I think it is kinda what Eric was sayin, thinking that money or STUFF is going to make you happy. So our way of thinking is critical. Our influences are critical-what we allow to influence our thinking. Many thoughts here-personally we believe the more you make ,the more you otta be giving(of your own choices NOT who the government deems)to others, or organizations. Also in my Faith,we want to live by the Holy Scriptures--be content, give, love and enjoy God and all HE has given. I know i am rambleing-sorry. I Do thank you for this thought provoking post.<BR/>Susy, i think you are so right to want to get outta debt as quickley as possible-wise.<BR/>Last thought (here ;-) ), i don't watn there to be an end of consumerism really. I LOVE having choices in the market place. I just wish there would be an end to the LOVE OF MONEY!! And thinking as Eric wisely said *Happiness is one more purchase away*thinking. tpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091794270907110191.post-22383757660631069572008-11-14T05:36:00.000-07:002008-11-14T05:36:00.000-07:00P~...I agree with you. Even if everyone in the wo...P~...I agree with you. Even if everyone in the world were to follow the Path to Freedom folks there would still be the need for garden tools, bulk grains, glass/plastic storage containers, milled lumber, fabric, stoves, fuel, appliances, etc. So yes, we will still have a consumer society. I don’t think that is really the question.<BR/><BR/>The question, to me, is more whether the American religion will continue to be Consumerism. In other words, will people continue to believe that eternal happiness is always just a purchase away?<BR/><BR/>I admit that there is a certain critical mass of “things” that someone needs to have a basic level of happiness. The real individual question here is “How much is enough?” How much do I really need to be spending/saving?<BR/><BR/>I personally believe that happiness is a decision (as corny as it sounds) and that you can cultivate it though your choices in activities and with friends/family. I’ll be interested to see if this economic crisis changes the fundamental idea of finding happiness through purchasing (my definition of Consumerism), or if it is only seen as a frustrating set-back that delays the purchasing of their happiness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9091794270907110191.post-27937382904024698602008-11-14T05:01:00.000-07:002008-11-14T05:01:00.000-07:00I agree completely. It's frustrating when it seem...I agree completely. It's frustrating when it seems like everyone encouraging others to spend to boost the economy. Our country's financial situation is like someone's personal situation when they're spending more than they make. Eventually it will all come to a head and painful actions will have to be taken. <BR/><BR/>Mr Chiot's and I have taken drastic steps over the last 6 years to reduce our consumption of produced products. We're trying to buy more ingredients and produce our own things (like food). <BR/><BR/>It should be interesting to see what happens in the next couple years! I'm just hoping we can get our house paid off ASAP so we can live on next to nothing and weather this storm without too much damage.Chiot's Runhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05086153621579437021noreply@blogger.com