Consumerism & Altruism

Many nations' material standard of living is now higher than ever. Production of material things has skyrocketed – but is still a way behind consumption, and further still behind demand. Does consumerism make people happier?

In the past recreation was spent mainly in non-consumptive activities, such as appreciating nature or visiting friends, but this is harder in a deterioriating social and natural environment. Isolation is reinforced by industries that have sprung up to encourage indulgence in selfish consumption - whether of food, drugs, digital culture or other means of escapism. A paradox of our system of economics is that although this tendency is disasterous for the individuals concerned it is great for economic 'progress'.

In extreme cases such as suicide, such pathological consumption may harm rather help the economy. However, although such counterproductive consumption constitutes a downward spiral for the individuals involved, it represents a virtuous cycle for the economy, which benefits from increased levels of consumption and hence work from those concerned. Shopping is the USA’s most popular recreational activity.

Altruistic actions (almost by definition) boost well-being and happiness and so decrease depression and the associated habits of pathological consumption. Moreover, activity done out of love is often given away and so is part of the unseen economy, substituting for regular spending and reducing the size of the official economy.

Obesity is an obvious symptom of over-consumption. By 2000, two thirds of Americans were overweight¹ - a proportion which is still rising. One can only speculate how this affects the self-esteem of those affected, in this world in which millions of people are literally starving. Overeating is widely known to be unhealthy, so one can see the obesity epidemic as evidence of how adept large organisations (i.e. companies) have become at manipulating individuals against their long term interests. Self-destructive overconsumption applies to many aspects of society, especially in 'developed' countries. In USA, most people devote hours every day consuming digital culture while families no longer spend time together in conversation². Many countries are following this model, in spite of the unprecedented damage to family and community life³.

Organisations exploit the vulnerable by encouraging them to see themselves as consumers. This has lead to negative social cycles of selfish over-consumption, followed by depression and further stress. Adopting an attitude of altruism is a positive way to resist consumerism. Improving relationships with others helps people feel positive about themselves as people.

FURTHER READING:

Downloads Title Author(s)         Date        Reference  The Burden of Materialism  Tim Madigan  2004-03-17 Star-Telegram WWW  Experts look for happiness in a buy-and-sell world  Tim Madigan  2004-04-19 Fort Worth Star-Telegram  Are You Happy?   Enough  Native American Perspectives on Generosity  Martin Brokenleg  Spiritual Progress and Spiritual Wealth  Chris Thompson  2005-02-27  COS1: Happiness Machines  Adam Curtis  2002-04-29 BBC The Century of Self 1  COS2: The Engineering of Consent  Adam Curtis  2002-04-30 BBC The Century of Self 2  COS3: There is a Policeman Inside All Our Heads: He Must Be Destroyed  Adam Curtis  2002-05-01 BBC The Century of Self 3  COS4: Eight People Sipping Wine in Kettering  Adam Curtis  2002-05-02 BBC The Century of Self 4

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