America. The land of the free and the home of the brave. A country founded hundreds of years ago on the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A free nation where one ultimately controls their life. Being one of the wealthiest countries in the nation brings a sense of responsibility in different aspects. When the standard of living is far beyond that of at least half the world people then become to a higher quality of life. This at least in part is caused by subliminal advertisements stating different products and services will make someone happier or more successful as long as you buy said product or service. This has created a society of comparisons; one child isn’t spoiled because her friend received a newer laptop than her.
…show more content…
Materialism could be summed up as the belief that possessions and tangible objects are the most important things in life; thus making spirituality and moral values less important. I have seen countless advertisements stating that if you buy this product it will make your life easier as well as if you buy this other product you will be more attractive and so forth. We live in a society where the quantity of goods you own apparently determines the quality of your life. Anthony Burgess says it best in Is America Falling Apart? when he mentions “new appetites are invented; what to the European are bizarre luxuries become, to the American, plain necessities” (236). This has created a society of individualism and an era of ‘use and throw away’. This has shifted to the entire landscape of the country. There is another side of this argument as there always is. Having nice things and living comfortably is what people strive for. Many people do consume in moderation. However, living in the advanced nation that we do, we have more access to different amenities that many across the world do not. I have seen a recent shift towards a goal of becoming ecologically sound which gives hope for the
Materialism could be summed up as the belief that possessions and tangible objects are the most important things in life; thus making spirituality and moral values less important. I have seen countless advertisements stating that if you buy this product it will make your life easier as well as if you buy this other product you will be more attractive and so forth. We live in a society where the quantity of goods you own apparently determines the quality of your life. Anthony Burgess says it best in Is America Falling Apart? when he mentions “new appetites are invented; what to the European are bizarre luxuries become, to the American, plain necessities” (236). This has created a society of individualism and an era of ‘use and throw away’. This has shifted to the entire landscape of the country. There is another side of this argument as there always is. Having nice things and living comfortably is what people strive for. Many people do consume in moderation. However, living in the advanced nation that we do, we have more access to different amenities that many across the world do not. I have seen a recent shift towards a goal of becoming ecologically sound which gives hope for the