Materialism and Accountability
Note: This is a response to a friend’s blog entry, located here.
Sometimes, I feel like I am missing out on something because I do not have a mainstream item. There is no doubt that we all have desires, but it’s the motive and method of satisfying or controlling our desires that places us in our situations. It is one of the many ways we are accountable to our actions. With respect to money issues, I heard accusations such as the notion that the only thing that matters is the bottom line and that people’s appearance of being affluent is riding on credit. The latter came from my Dad; and as much as I resent hearing his opinions every now and then, there are times when he is right.
It all started in June when I was an orientation advisor. Then, Countrywide was the poster child of the trouble that was to come [1]. It was called, “the subprime meltdown.”My Dad blamed people who consistently go over budget to buy things that will get people’s attention. While he is right to a certain extent [2], those who extended these lines of credit must also shoulder some blame as well. Indeed, they must ask themselves whether increasing their bottom line was really worth it after all. Whether you believe that there is a deity out there, you have to admit that there is some larger-than-life force that is holding us all accountable; and until we repay our debts and change our ways, prosperity would be something very, very hard to obtain.
As it stands now, I feel extremely blessed — my parents owe absolutely nothing and are able to pay for my education one-off, even in this time of financial difficulty. People continue to be impressed by what little I have and how much I am capable of doing. Will I be able to imitate their success? I hope so, and I think I am doing a good job at it.
References:
[1] http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=a9WrgkMoBpyI&refer=home
[2] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22379989/
Posted in Opinions |
January 4th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Everyone wants stuff to show off; the latest iPod, the coolest car, the hippest phone. People are content with being in debt as long as they can make the minimum payments. Having money and SAVING it is an ability that has been lost in today’s generation. It is a shame that there are some folks that value material possessions over something that you can’t put a price tag on: honesty, experience, and family. It is people that matter most.
January 6th, 2008 at 10:35 am
This really made me think of the shallowness of humanity (as depressing as that sounds) when we begin to lean so heavily on appearances and possessions to feel different/improved. It’s the “Today” mentality of these young whipper-snappers that is going to dig our economy in a hole in the future. I might write a post in response to this later. Well written Sunny!
January 7th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I must agree with your friend Cody. How many people these days (not just kids, but adults too) have a savings account and actually use it? Mostly use it. People are materialistic. It’s been ingrained into them since they were small children getting any toy/item they wanted after pitching a hissy fit in the store. First it was a form of embarrassment, now it’s a way of life. Rather unfortunate, don’t you agree?