There is indeed a consumerist culture but the video shifts all the blame to "out there" and doesn't make me think about my own action in lusting for more stuff.
We can condemn the greedy culture, but what alternative are we offering? If we don't have an alternative, it can be another dose of "holier than thou" as far as the viewer is concerned.
Hi Rob, thanks for the comment. You're right about the video, but I guess many are still blind to it. This whole blog is about the alternative: simplicity, generosity, wholeheartedly.
Tim Simmonds on 16 September 2009 at 10:41
said...
That video was brilliant!
Phil - do you know the guys who made it?
Rob - Sometimes you have to pick the fight to raise the issue.
The video presents consumerism as if it's something new to our generation, and will pass in time. That's rubbish, consumerism has been around as long as sin has and the solution is not social change. Social change is a consequence of the cure, not the cure it's self.
Hi Peter I think I get what you're saying that consumerism has sin at its heart and that's nothing new. But in terms of human history consumerism is new. Never before in world history have so many people been able to buy so much luxury. People on benefits today in UK live like Kings in ages past (minus servants and wars). Never before have we had a society where the idea is for everyone to consume more this year than they did last. It's a movement about 50-100 years old depending on where you peg it. It is new.
6 comments:
There is indeed a consumerist culture but the video shifts all the blame to "out there" and doesn't make me think about my own action in lusting for more stuff.
We can condemn the greedy culture, but what alternative are we offering? If we don't have an alternative, it can be another dose of "holier than thou" as far as the viewer is concerned.
Hi Rob, thanks for the comment. You're right about the video, but I guess many are still blind to it. This whole blog is about the alternative: simplicity, generosity, wholeheartedly.
That video was brilliant!
Phil - do you know the guys who made it?
Rob - Sometimes you have to pick the fight to raise the issue.
Hi Tim, no don't know who made it - but am finding a few more like this which I'll post soon
"consumerism has almost run its course"
The video presents consumerism as if it's something new to our generation, and will pass in time. That's rubbish, consumerism has been around as long as sin has and the solution is not social change. Social change is a consequence of the cure, not the cure it's self.
Hi Peter
I think I get what you're saying that consumerism has sin at its heart and that's nothing new. But in terms of human history consumerism is new. Never before in world history have so many people been able to buy so much luxury. People on benefits today in UK live like Kings in ages past (minus servants and wars). Never before have we had a society where the idea is for everyone to consume more this year than they did last. It's a movement about 50-100 years old depending on where you peg it. It is new.
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