Materialistic America

It seems that most Americans are always trying to have the latest and greatest things. I see people with huge houses that have more than enough room for them and their kids. Big SUVs and trucks drive around with one person in them and nothing in the back or being towed. People walk around with cell phones in their hand constantly texting. After class, count how many people walk out of the building texting with their cell phones vs. people not texting. It’s pretty amazing. All of these material things come with many consequences that are not noticed at first. Many people have all these things because they feel it will bring them comfort and happiness but that is usually not the case.

Many Americans today have large credit card debt or other debt. We are buying stuff that we don’t need with the money that we don’t have. Why must we do this? I guess it is just that important to people to show off their new purchase to their friends. Americans have to work strenuous hours at their jobs in order to afford much of the material goods that are considered normal in America. Much of the time is spent at work making money to pay for the goods that will now be used less due to more work. The parent’s time spent with their children decreasing due to working long hours is another subject. I think that I heard somewhere that Americans work the most per week on average of any other country. People are always in a rush and things like fast food quickly become more popular. I have heard the saying that if something is broken, “We just look for a quick fix.” Maybe that’s because everyone feels so rushed for time.

Having all of the material goods that we do is bad for our society. Why must we keep up with the Jones’? Who cares what other people think of you if don’t drive a $50,000 SUV around wasting gas. I don’t have an iPod and I have no desire to get one. My car is rusty and paid for and I don’t feel the need to buy a new and make payments. I think that Americans would be happier overall if we didn’t have all of the material goods that we do. People would have more time to spend with family and friends and wouldn’t have the stress of being in debt.

The environmental impact from all of our material goods is major. Just look at all the talk about climate change from our car emissions and factories. Every time we go to the store and get a plastic bag, it is bad for the environment. People say that it is more environmentally friendly to do things paperless such as using email or online payment methods. I have to disagree. I think that it is much less environmentally friendly to have computers and electronics made of plastics and other materials than to use paper. I think paper is very environmentally friendly. Sure you have to cut trees down, but they grow back or get planted. Paper is a very renewable resource that is easily biodegradable. With almost everything being made of plastic and our “Throw-away society”, we are destroying our natural resources.

I do believe that much of our society is starting to realize what is happening and is cutting back on many of the things they buy or choosing alternatives. For example, disk golf and kayaking are activities that are gaining much popularity. Sure these activities require a startup cost but it is very minor compared to alternatives such as boating or golf. Many of the activities that are free or almost free are becoming popular. I think that people realize that they have just as much fun canoeing down a scenic river vs. going fast in a boat. This is probably especially true when you factor in the costs such as money, work, and stress. People choosing to be “Green” is also gaining popularity. It is going to be interesting to see what happens in the next 50 years to see if our materialistic ways increase or decrease. What do you think?