American Happiness and the Need to Consume

[fcgv]

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/20...ppiness-22.html

Americans tend to be more concerned about self-centred pleasures than the welfare of the people around them.

[Guest American Woman]

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/20...ppiness-22.html

Americans tend to be more concerned about self-centred pleasures than the welfare of the people around them.

And you came to this conclusion-- how?

[bush_cheney2004]

Americans tend to be more concerned about self-centred pleasures than the welfare of the people around them.

Really? Another gross generalization: Canadians tend to define themselves in terms of not doing what the Americans are doing while actually doing the exact same thing.

[guyser]

Really? Another gross generalization: Canadians tend to define themselves in terms of not doing what the Americans are doing while actually doing the exact same thing.

Pretty much...or worse.

[Guest American Woman]

Evidently one can't shop and be concerned about the welfare of those around them.

I looked through that entire photo essay, and except for the guns. didn't see anything I haven't seen in any major city in any part of the world. I'm pretty sure that bride who had the nerve to be shopping for a wedding dress doesn't give a damn about anyone but herself, though. As opposed to brides everywhere else in the world who wear whatever they happen to have in their closet.

One thing about people buying things, though. It creates a need for things, which creates jobs.

[ScottSA]

One thing about people buying things, though. It creates a need for things, which creates jobs.

The trick to living like a king in a consumerist society is to work for the same wage as everyone else but not live as a consumer like everybody else.

[AngusThermopyle]

I don't get it.

I read the text and looked at the pictures and just don't see what the guy is saying.

Someone buying groceries, it's just something you have to do.

A guy buying a fishing rod, so what, I just bought myself a new rod and reel this summer, I like to fish.

So does that mean I'm supporting and showing American Patriotism through consumerism? I don't think so, it just means we buy what we need and/or want. Why not? I work hard so why shouldn't I (or anyone else) buy what pleases them?

By his reasoning I'm super patriot. I've been spending about $1000.00 a month for the last 3 months on computer parts for my new rig. Does that mean that I'm part of his premise, even though I'm not American?

Frankly I think the guy is full of it. People all over the world engage in these actions.

Just another pseudo intellectual trying to make a mark.