Poll: Materialism

[Anarchemitis]

I'm a bit curious about how fellow Escapists feel on the subject of Materialism and worth of things as opposed to people and emotions interacting thereof. The world with advertising and simply our joy and talents of playing video gaming evoke a strong connotation of reliance and blind objectivity in my mind, which I think is distressing. People should focus on People.
Your thoughts?

 

[black lincon]

As some comedian once said,"Money can't buy happiness, but it can but a jet ski, try to frown on a jet ski."

 

[PurpleRain]

I'm against materialism as in the smae way I'm against comersialism, consumerism, globalisation, etc. Like you said, people should focus on people.

 

[Claytonic3000]

Well your dead, f*** nut, so, you didn't win.

 

[Amnestic]

I'm against materialism as in the smae way I'm against comersialism, consumerism, globalisation, etc. Like you said, people should focus on people.

Sometimes you can focus on people via materialism. Providing a financially secure future for your children (assuming they're not smacktarded and don't fuck it up) is one such case.

 

[gamebrain89]

Yeah, I like to have things, but when your dead your dead, theirs no playing with your swag while your rotting. Its more important to have lead a good life and love and be loved than to own every freaking thing you could ever want.

 

[klakkat]

My thought is this. Materialism is no excuse to be a douchebag, but you may as well make as much money and have as much things as you can, if that's your thing. I'd much rather have a secure lifestyle than be a poor asshole with a lot of friends. As is, I've got the poor and the asshole part down, so I guess I've still got rich to shoot for when I finally graduate and get a real job.

All in all, I agree with Ayn Rand on the subject of materialism. Value is the keystone of civilization, typically represented by money. The desire to obtain it is what causes us to produce value and meaning with our lives (unless you're a criminal or religious; in which case you're a parasite or your meaning is provided from elsewhere, respectively)

In the end though, I guess it's most important to live a life you like. If that means lots of toys, go for it. If it involves donating all your time to charity, cool. If it involves killing a dozen people, well, then we have to string you up, but hey, you're still free to enjoy it you bastard.

 

[AuntyEthel]

Anyone here who says they're against materialism is talking absolute crap, cause this is a gaming website, so you'd need a PS3/Xbox/Pc/Wii, all 'material' goods. I used to be anti-materialism until I realised the alternative is living in a forest with fuckall to do.

 

[PurpleRain]

Anyone here who says they're against materialism is talking absolute crap, cause this is a gaming website, so you'd need a PS3/Xbox/Pc/Wii, all 'material' goods. I used to be anti-materialism until I realised the alternative is living in a forest with fuckall to do.

No really. I tend to view materialism as something with a brand thrown on it and the price jacked up by 300%. THe latest Paris Hilton perfume smells like crap, but gosh darn it, I'm a consumer whore!

Game stations/DVD players/TV/etc, only get material if you value them over other things. I enjoy playing games and enjoy watching movies. This doesn't mean I'll hit up a BluRay player cause it's the next latest thing or buy a Song cause the 360 suckzors!

 

[klakkat]

Anyone here who says they're against materialism is talking absolute crap, cause this is a gaming website, so you'd need a PS3/Xbox/Pc/Wii, all 'material' goods. I used to be anti-materialism until I realised the alternative is living in a forest with fuckall to do.

You might be bored out of your mind in the forest, but you'd have a lot to do. Specifically, struggling with everything you had just to survive...

 

[AuntyEthel]

Anyone here who says they're against materialism is talking absolute crap, cause this is a gaming website, so you'd need a PS3/Xbox/Pc/Wii, all 'material' goods. I used to be anti-materialism until I realised the alternative is living in a forest with fuckall to do.

You might be bored out of your mind in the forest, but you'd have a lot to do. Specifically, struggling with everything you had just to survive...

...at which point you'll be wishing you weren't anti-materialistic, and wishing you were sitting in a nice heated room playing games on a console. Materialism wins! No matter how sad it is, one cannot escape it these days.

 

[Anarchemitis]

Anyone here who says they're against materialism is talking absolute crap, cause this is a gaming website, so you'd need a PS3/Xbox/Pc/Wii, all 'material' goods. I used to be anti-materialism until I realised the alternative is living in a forest with fuckall to do.

I resent this statement. I spend little time satisfying myself in only gaming or putting effort into devoting myself to possessions.
Hypocrisy would come from anyone who says they're not materialistic if they play over 50 hours a week of video games.

 

[klakkat]

Everyone is materialistic in the developed countries, to some extent or another. Survival demands it.

 

[AuntyEthel]

Anyone here who says they're against materialism is talking absolute crap, cause this is a gaming website, so you'd need a PS3/Xbox/Pc/Wii, all 'material' goods. I used to be anti-materialism until I realised the alternative is living in a forest with fuckall to do.

I resent this statement. I spend little time satisfying myself in only gaming or putting effort into devoting myself to possessions.
Hypocrisy would come from anyone who says they're not materialistic if they play over 50 hours a week of video games.

Well I enjoy walking/hiking/the great outdoors more than anyone I know, but anyone who says that they live in the 21st century, use the internet, play games and claim not to be materialistic is talking out their ass. At least I'm not in denial.

 

[Imitation Saccharin]

Well I enjoy walking/hiking/the great outdoors more than anyone I know, but anyone who says that they live in the 21st century, use the internet, play games and claim not to be materialistic is talking out their ass. At least I'm not in denial.

Forgive me, but under what definition does enjoying those things make one a materialist?

-http://www.thefreedictionary.com/materialistic

 

[klakkat]

Ahh, simple. The placing of value on material goods.

The need for it to be highest in your book is a bit of a fallacy, like any good absolute. It is degrees of materialism, but materialism nonetheless.

 

[Uncompetative]

People should not focus on things. People should not focus on People.

People should focus on improving their own thought processes, acquiring knowledge and wisdom whilst retaining humility and good manners.

Oh, and food.

 

[Anarchemitis]

Well I enjoy walking/hiking/the great outdoors more than anyone I know, but anyone who says that they live in the 21st century, use the internet, play games and claim not to be materialistic is talking out their ass. At least I'm not in denial.

You're making a fantastic first impression.
Also, (Tell me the Bible doesn't apply even though it's thousands of years old.)

• Philippians 4
  [sup]11[/sup]I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstances. [sup]12[/sup]I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want.[sup]13[/sup]I can do everything through [the Lord] who gives me strength.

 

[John Galt]

People should not focus on things. People should not focus on People.

People should focus on improving their own thought processes, acquiring knowledge and wisdom whilst retaining humility and good manners.

Oh, and food.

Buddhism for the win.

I like Buddhism's concept of the "Middle Way" between materialism and asceticism. I enjoy material goods and I enjoy people, but first and foremost, I enjoy my own company. I prefer introspection and meditation to getting involved in worldly things. People are no more permanent that material things, however, people can get snotty when we don't pay attention to them.

 

[Imitation Saccharin]

Ahh, simple. The placing of value on material goods.

The need for it to be highest in your book is a bit of a fallacy, like any good absolute. It is degrees of materialism, but materialism nonetheless.

Uh, ya, every dictionary I can find disagrees with you.