Consumption: the Nation’s New Pastime
George Carlin’s Heated Take on America’s Unspoken Yet Most Promoted Ideal
Since 2006, there have been 10 deaths and 111 injuries on Black Friday according to blackfridaydeathcount.com. Known for backed up lines, testy mobs, and brawls, Black Friday is still one of the most heavily participated and anticipated events all year. For the sake of tradition, millions go all out on their ardent cravings during this day. The latest electronics. The trendiest clothing line. The fanciest appliances. Necessity or not, Americans won’t bat an eye to purchase more merchandise. This annual tradition committed to compulsive shopping undoubtedly reflects America’s consumerist society.
George Carlin, known for his dark comedy and social criticisms, gives his thoughts on the issue of consumerism in one of his stand up comedy routines. In his 2005 “Life is Worth Losing” stand up, Carlin performs his 13th HBO stand-up special in New York City where he discusses the meaninglessness of life. Carlin goes on to talk about the low IQ’s of Americans and their actions as a result of it. He speculates that America is essentially a “giant shopping mall,” emphasizing the fad of consumption and the constant desire for new and more things. As he criticizes this societal trend, he claims that shopping and eating are America’s biggest addictions, saying that consumption is “the only true lasting American value that’s left.” At the root of this rampant phenomenon is persisting dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
Since the Industrial Revolution, consumerism in American society has become increasingly prevalent as technology makes it easier for people to buy and access goods. There was no longer a scarcity of items, rather an abundance of different goods at all time low prices. According to Mount Holyoke College, the “buy now pay later” mentality came to be in the early 1900s with the emergence of automobiles. Thus, people began to obtain loans to purchase new automobiles, not worrying about how he or she would pay off the loan. Through the advancement of technology, mass production increased the availability for people to purchase goods. After World War II and through the gradually growing middle class, more people were able and committed to live a comfortable life, leading to more consumption. With the new concept of credit cards, people were allowed to spend as much as they wanted, fueling debt and a longing for more goods. This rise in convenience and wealth has contributed to shaping a culture emphasizing individual identity based on owned materials.
Carlin’s comedy is quite cynical as he implements observational humor as well as social commentary. Carlin makes these societal trends seem absurd and irrational. We can only sit back and realize that his honesty contains some convicting truth. Known for his sociocultural criticism of American society, Carlin’s humor stems from his blunt candor. As he employs his notable black comedy, he provokes deep thought in the subject he makes so light of.
“These people, these people are efficient, professional, compulsive consumers. It’s their civic duty. Consumption. It’s the new national pastime. Fuck baseball. It’s consumption. The only true lasting American value that’s left. Buying things.”
Consumerism has been around for a while but over the years it has become more and more prevalent in today’s society. To give perspective, here are some facts and statistics of the current expenditures of average US citizens. NPR says that the average size of the American home has tripled in the past 50 years. Furthermore, America owns one half of all the toys in the world (UCLA). According to Forbes, the average American woman now owns 30 outfits compared to 9 back in 1930. To top it off, Americans spend $1.2 trillion a year on nonessential goods (The Wall Street Journal). As you can see, consumerism has become quite widespread and might be considered somewhat of an issue.
However, could there be possible benefits of a consumerist society? Author Llewellyn Rockwell thinks consumerism is another word for “freedom in the marketplace” (Mises Institute). In other words, consumerism can be a good thing. In a capitalistic society, consumerism creates a “beautiful global system of production and distribution that serves everyone” (Mises Institue). The rich can purchase products that may improve their condition of living and as result, more producers will come along and create the same products but at a lower price. Thus, the average person would be able to purchase the good that would improve their state of living. Moreover, this product that at first seemed like a superficial good may somehow play a role in someone else’s need. Rockwell uses this example: if your child is sick, you would bring them to the nearest urgent care clinic and this would be a necessary decision. However, at the urgent care, there are furniture and high-tech equipment that is less expensive because of “non-essential consumer demands.” Essentially, Rockwell is saying that one’s superficial demand is closely related to another’s essential demand. Thus, a consumerist society allows products to be distributed, serving everyone whether it is a need or want. Consumerism gives people freedom to choose their own way of life, and it ultimately helps others in a direct and indirect way.
With this in mind, what are the possible problems that come with a highly promoted consumerist society? One certain problem is debt. According to Business Insider, consumer debt in the US is almost $2.4 trillion in 2010, totaling to $7,800 of debt per person. George Carlin harshly calls out Americans for their impulsive shopping, saying, “people spending money they don’t have on things they don’t need… so they can max out their credit cards and spend the rest of their lives paying 18 percent interest on something that cost 12.50.” Carlin’s deprecating tone reveals how foolhardy the average American is on their finances. Even though Carlin sounds demeaning, his joke is funny since it is downright true. His observations sound absurd yet the irony is that he’s describing the sad reality.
This urge of consumerism has shed light to what George Carlin considers one of the US’s “most prominent addictions [:] …eating.” He describes his observations of Americans’ health and diet, ranting on how fat and big they have become. Although Carlin’s joke seems too humiliating and deprecating, he makes valid points with his observations. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases finds that more than 2 in every 3 adults are overweight or obese. In a society that promotes consumption, people are more prone to eat more food, especially junk food. Carlin even jokes that “if you were selling sautéed raccoons assholes on a stick, Americans would buy them and eat them. Especially if you dipped them in butter and put a little salsa on them.” One of the causes of obesity is food addiction and seeing how society tells you to spend and expend, it’s so easy to eat now and worry about physical consequences later.
Undoubtedly, consumption has its physical effects on society, but what about mentally? Studies found that there is a link between materialism and narcissistic personalities. Based on LifeTwist’s 2013 study, one in four Americans believe that wealth determines success. In a culture so focused on wealth and physical goods, these types of mentalities are produced. People end up questioning their self-worth and begin doubting themselves. According to the Huffington Post, rich people experience higher rates of depression, revealing that wealth makes no difference to one’s overall satisfaction and mental well-being. Living in a consumer-focused society presents illusions that one’s life is based on physical means.
Carlin believes that this phenomenon of non stop spending stems from Americans’ stupidity and lack of IQ. However, is there a deeper source to this relentless itch of buying more? With the rise of consumerism, researchers have noticed the fuel behind constant expenditure. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), researchers say that at the root of consumption is both a financial and emotional insecurity. People who are dealing with hardships in the financial and emotional aspect of their lives tend to lean towards materials and goods. The APA also say that those who pursue after wealth and material possession end up with less satisfaction. With less contentment, they will continue to seek after fulfillment by purchasing more goods. The cycle never really ends.
Even though a consumerist society may not necessarily be a negative thing, the implications are telling and reveal a large part of identity and values. While the effects of consumerism seem to be overbearing and enduring, there is a fix. At the core of consumerism is dissatisfaction and insecurity. A way to fight this emptiness and this current culture is through cultivating a sense of mindfulness. If we take time to reflect and expand in awareness of influences in our lives, we can grow as individuals. As we analyze our lifestyle and the roots of our desires, we can then learn to enrich our identity. Knox College psychologist, Tim Kasser, writes in his book, The High Price of Materialism, that if we change from having extrinsic goals such as focusing on possessions to intrinsic goals that focus on personal growth and community relation, we will develop a greater sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. By redefining our life goals and reevaluating what is actually important in our lives, we can live with more contentment and purpose.
