Materialism

Watching the documentary Escape! From the Cult of Consumerism was a very intense wake-up call for exactly how bad we personally, and as a society, are for being swept up by the thrill of material goods. Although the documentary felt very much like propaganda, the sentiment resonated with me.

via https://i.pinimg.com/originals/db/52/75/db52751d704dd80a77468758d169d558.jpg

It reminded me of an episode of Parks and Recreation. Two of the main characters are taken by their friend to look out the wedding gifts they want. The friend gets so excited by all of the gifts he mistakes “things” for true happiness. It is a good reflection of how materialistic we have become thanks to a number of things like the instant gratification from shopping.

Parks and Recreation S3 E10 (via https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d2/96/77/d29677f824abb0bdbc0718c6566269bf.jpg)

Mental effect of materialism (via http://www.polyp.org.uk/cartoons/consumerism/polyp_cartoon_Still_Not_Happy.jpg)

However, this materialism has more of an impact than just the planet. There is a mental health crisis formed by this idea of having the best of everything and wanting to show it off. Social media has piled on even more pressure to have the very latest and the very best of everything.

Showing how holidays have become a materialistic mess (via https://dausonstimpsongagnon.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/mat-uncle_san_i_want_you_to_spend_a_lot.jpg)

Personally, I can do my bit to be more conscious of not being sucked into this addictive world, especially by bearing in mind the environmental repercussions of being so materialistic. However, it feels impossible to truly escape this without giving everything up and living like a hermit.

Pollution from materialism (via http://climateandcapitalism.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2011/12/Garbage.jpg)

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