Need new mp3 Player...? (quote)

cardboard adolescent · 10-25-2007, 10:41 AM

Living "comfortably" isn't exactly cheap, you don't have to be obsessed with materialism but if you want to buy a house in the suburbs you'll still have to work most your life to pay it off.

Mookie Wilson · 10-25-2007, 10:50 AM

that's precisely my argument though, there are many people in the field who strongly believe that our present way of life is not normal. the very act of living in the suburbs qualifies as being obsessed with materialism as it is. that is, unless you ride a bike everywhere and use solar panels and wind turbines? there are alternatives to doing the same thing americans have been doing since 1940.

cardboard adolescent · 10-25-2007, 10:58 AM

Materialism to me is more than just wasting resources, it implies an unnatural fixation with superficial and unnecessary material goods. A woman obsessed with collecting jewelry and fur, for instance. I wouldn't see aspects of American life such as living in the suburbs or buying a minivan as examples of materialism, just a desire to provide and make your family happy, obviously American society has a somewhat warped view of what is necessary to be happy, but the impulses driving each behaviour strike me as being very different.

Mookie Wilson · 10-25-2007, 11:07 AM

i can understand that argument indeed. i, however, do believe that virtually all aspects of our current way of life is in one way or another, a certain degree of materialism. i will agree that obsession is another step, but i, and many academics feel that since that way of life depends on so many unsustainable methods of consumption, it is inherently materialistic in nature. i'll also agree that that way of life is partially driven, if not wholly driven by a desire to make those around you happy, but i think it's fair to say that it does also qualify as materialism. a fundamental change in what makes people happy is probably going to need to be addressed in the future. check out the film End of Suburbia, it's a bit doom & gloom but it's worth a shot for everyone i think.

cardboard adolescent · 10-25-2007, 11:12 AM

Have you seen Koyaanisqatsi? If not, I highly recommend it.

Mookie Wilson · 10-25-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardboard adolescent

Have you seen Koyaanisqatsi? If not, I highly recommend it.

looks really interesting, i'm going to try and see it asap, i'll let u know how it goes. cheers

Dr_Rez · 10-28-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mookie Wilson

is that the only way you can think of to use money? to buy objects? and more so, is that the only reason you can think of as to why someone would work? so they can get money to buy stuff?

have you ever thought that some people work because they enjoy what they do, or because there is a worthwhile cause associated with a job, not just a salary so you can buy crap?

I really hope to god you are kidding. Either you are, or else you have never had a real job. They are not supposed to be all fulfilling and worthwhile, sometimes you need them to support people you love, and yourself. You think i enjoy going to work each day...no not at all. Do i wish i had a job i enjoyed? yes of coarse. And yes the reason for working is to make money to be able to live and buy the little things that make life a bit better. Also the only job i really enjoyed was in the military, but i was paid so little i chose to do somhting else.

So please before you go off saying dumb things like that, think about it.

djchameleon · 10-28-2007, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RezZ

I really hope to god you are kidding. Either you are, or else you have never had a real job. They are not supposed to be all fulfilling and worthwhile, sometimes you need them to support people you love, and yourself. You think i enjoy going to work each day...no not at all. Do i wish i had a job i enjoyed? yes of coarse. And yes the reason for working is to make money to be able to live and buy the little things that make life a bit better. Also the only job i really enjoyed was in the military, but i was paid so little i chose to do somhting else.

So please before you go off saying dumb things like that, think about it.

qft

what branch were you in Rez? and what was your MOS?

Dr_Rez · 10-28-2007, 08:16 PM

army - infantry

11X infantry enlistment option

edit: its actually not an mos, it leaves it open for them to decide what they need

edit: and i feel dumb for asking but whats qft

djchameleon · 10-28-2007, 11:56 PM

qft means quoted for truth.....and ew. Army :P what made you decide to join the Army out of all the other branches?

I went Navy.

My job was ET....Electrician Technician....they made me sign up for six years because two of those years was training

10-28-2007, 08:16 PM	#49 (permalink)
Dr_Rez Registered Jimmy Rustler Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 5,360	army - infantry 11X infantry enlistment option edit: its actually not an mos, it leaves it open for them to decide what they need edit: and i feel dumb for asking but whats qft __________________ Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew Always Checks Credentials Crew nba > nfl crew Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew

10-25-2007, 10:41 AM	#41 (permalink)
cardboard adolescent ;) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Posts: 3,503	Living "comfortably" isn't exactly cheap, you don't have to be obsessed with materialism but if you want to buy a house in the suburbs you'll still have to work most your life to pay it off.

10-25-2007, 10:50 AM	#42 (permalink)
Mookie Wilson Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto/Ottawa Posts: 64	that's precisely my argument though, there are many people in the field who strongly believe that our present way of life is not normal. the very act of living in the suburbs qualifies as being obsessed with materialism as it is. that is, unless you ride a bike everywhere and use solar panels and wind turbines? there are alternatives to doing the same thing americans have been doing since 1940.

10-25-2007, 10:58 AM	#43 (permalink)
cardboard adolescent ;) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Posts: 3,503	Materialism to me is more than just wasting resources, it implies an unnatural fixation with superficial and unnecessary material goods. A woman obsessed with collecting jewelry and fur, for instance. I wouldn't see aspects of American life such as living in the suburbs or buying a minivan as examples of materialism, just a desire to provide and make your family happy, obviously American society has a somewhat warped view of what is necessary to be happy, but the impulses driving each behaviour strike me as being very different.

10-25-2007, 11:07 AM	#44 (permalink)
Mookie Wilson Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto/Ottawa Posts: 64	i can understand that argument indeed. i, however, do believe that virtually all aspects of our current way of life is in one way or another, a certain degree of materialism. i will agree that obsession is another step, but i, and many academics feel that since that way of life depends on so many unsustainable methods of consumption, it is inherently materialistic in nature. i'll also agree that that way of life is partially driven, if not wholly driven by a desire to make those around you happy, but i think it's fair to say that it does also qualify as materialism. a fundamental change in what makes people happy is probably going to need to be addressed in the future. check out the film End of Suburbia, it's a bit doom & gloom but it's worth a shot for everyone i think.

10-25-2007, 11:12 AM	#45 (permalink)
cardboard adolescent ;) Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CA Posts: 3,503	Have you seen Koyaanisqatsi? If not, I highly recommend it.

10-28-2007, 11:56 PM	#50 (permalink)
djchameleon A.B.N. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NY baby Posts: 11,451	qft means quoted for truth.....and ew. Army :P what made you decide to join the Army out of all the other branches? I went Navy. My job was ET....Electrician Technician....they made me sign up for six years because two of those years was training