The programming is strong and sometimes it feels like a herculean task just to try and get someone to open their eyes. Our society encourages nihilism, apathy, emptiness. We are given nothing to believe in, and you have to have something to believe it, as simple as that sounds. But of course it's very difficult to do that when you are in the midst of depression and all the culture around you says, aspire to convenience. Don't worry, buy stuff. It's tough, but as long as we are still breathing there is hope. Good luck with your friend!