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Interesting take on consumerism. Possibly, technological progress can cheapen goods faster than the system can self-destruct, leading to a fully consumerist culture (or lack thereof). Reminds me of the distant future imagined by Iain M. Banks if you have ever read him... basically technology is so advanced that nothing costs anything, and people live centuries-long empty hedonist lives playing games and entertaining themselves, under the protection of godlike AI's. Ironically called the "Culture" series of novels.
Are you more anti-consumerist? I've been trying to simplify things myself.
I'll check it out, sounds interesting. Reminds me of Brave New World as well. People would just burn out on drugs all day because there was nothing with actual real meaning left in society.
Yeah I'm anti-consumerist and anti-materialist. That's not to say I want to sell all my shit and live in the woods. I just think material and economic gain shouldn't be a societal priority over things like family, spirituality, and community involvement.
Also I think most people would benefit from some minimalism. When you reduce the amount of shit you have, you spend less and stress less.
Right on, you are speaking my language. I sort of recently turned a corner on this front and clarified things in my mind, definitely agree with you on family/spirituality/community. Need to improve on the spirituality and community involvement though.
The way I personally see it, spirituality doesn't have to mean Christianity or even any organized religion. I like to go for hikes and quiet my mind, unplug from the matrix a bit. Sometimes I'll practice boxing or martial arts. I consider that stuff to be in "spiritual" territory, at least for the purposes we're talking about.
That said, going to church or joining some other spiritual group is a great way to combine spirituality with community involvement.
I'm just on the first Culture series book, it's a lot more goofy and fun than I thought it would be.
The consumerist depiction of the future that springs to my mind is the one in Cloud Atlas where consumption levels are mandated and humanity lives in a giant dome that scours the toxic wasteland of earth gobbling up the resources.
Culture series means a lot to me. Take your time and enjoy.
I'll have to pick it back up again, I think I'm at the (no spoilers) part just after the damage game so not too far in.
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