"Democracy favors the taste of physical pleasures. This taste, if it becomes excessive, soon disposes men to believe that nothing but matter exists."(Tocqueville, 1835-40/1969:544). I was really interested in this idea. I guess that maybe my background or own ideas keeps me for needing so many material items. I feel like after know Tocqueville's idea about material's that I would like to know more about how to do more with less. Even after all that though I don't think it will ever get rid of the serotonin rush that I get after I go shopping or getting something I have really wanted. I did not like Tocqueville's theory for the fact that he seemed to just blame democracy for the problem. Where I personally feel that no one things can be blamed for materialism. I think that it is a complicated web of a bunch of different groups that play into so many people and groups being more material based than others. I think the Theory still holds true to today maybe not in the same way as it was before but it still holds it's place in society today. We wait in lines for so long just to get a new game or phone but really have we ever thought of why we do this? We could wait just a few months or a year and it would maybe cost less and then we would have time to really think about if we want it or not. I think we act like little kids at christmas time we can't so many things and we like having so much yet after we get it we hardly use it. I mean just think of how many electronic devices do we have in our room? The Ipods, computers, Tv's, cell phones, Nooks, cameras.... They all add up. when will we fill we have filled our need for things? Maybe we have to find something more meaningful to fill it with like love, friends and hobbies. I think it would be nice to live in a world where everyone does not take more than they need that at least everyone has the basics. So next time we plan to pre order something or stand in line for something for so long ask why we our doing this. Maybe something more meaningful could be done that would give a material item to someone that really needs it like food or clothing.
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I thought your post took an interesting angle and I liked how you brought the concept of materialism right back to our society today. It is not hard to see that many people struggle with materialism; buying things simply to have the latest and best of whatever has come out. However, it would be nice to have more of Tocqueville's theory on materialism included in this entry. Otherwise, nice post!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you pointed that it has to do with your background. Because it is true, it all depends on how you were raised on how you view materialistic things. An example I thought of when you mentioned waiting in line, was black Friday, and what people are willing to do to get the newest thing. What do you think people back then were waiting in line for or couldn't wait to get lol :) just a thought.
ReplyDeleteGood Job. I enjoyed your post and also like how you brought it back to our society today. It is very clear that most people today (me included struggle with materialism. I also thought it was cool that you challenged yourself to do more with less. It crazy to think that we put so much pressure on having thing that we almost forget that just having running water is a blessing and privilage. It crazy to think and see what we all take for granted in a day. It would have been nice to get a little more insight on Tocqueville's ideas and theory maybe more about his lifestyle and era. Overall good post.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely about looking around at your things and realizing that you do not probably actually need all of it. My children love when I pre order things so they can be the first ones to get the game or toy. I realize that this is probably not a very good example to be setting. I just did look around and I can't believe how many electronic things that I have in my house. Good post to read to realize how much stuff you already have and probably do not need more of.
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